Do they really care?

Were my torture days finally over? Was I finally left alone in peace? Would I finally be able to live a normal life? These are just a few of the questions I kept asking myself on my way to lunch. I had so many questions I felt I instantly needed answers to. None of anything that happened made any sense. Brian defending me and then walking away from his best friend, that is not normal. And neither is what Samantha did. And it should not have happened. I have a feeling it will only make matters worse for me i the near future.

Though I guess something positive that has come out of this, you know, other than two less people tormenting me, is that I'll be able to have a peaceful and quiet at lunch, without having to worry about Casey for once. I do not even remember the last time that happened. I've been in conflict with people for so long that I've forgotten what peace and happiness feel like.

Something about the way people looked at me when I entered the cafeteria was odd. I think they knew what happened. And their whispers confirmed my theory.

Even though I tried to ignore them, they were just too loud. And I could feel them staring at me, even with my eyes glued to the floor. Moments like this make me wish I was invincible. At least that way, nobody would see me, or talk about me, or hit me. I would basically not even exist.

The whispers suddenly stopped. I was curious as to why, but I was even more terrified to know why they kept quiet. But I had a feeling it had something to do with Casey.

And I was right! Cause the moment I turned, he was the one looking straight at me. His hand slumped lazily on Connie's shoulder, which Connie did not seem to mind. Beside him, on his left, was none other than Kenzie, grabbing his shirt in a desperate attempt to get his attention. Behind them was Jake, Mike and Kara. And Connie's best friend Tessa, was right beside Connie, tapping away on her phone.

"Hey Sarah," Connie smiled at me, "How was your night? I imagine it must have been really uncomfortable. You know, after 'falling' down the stairs and stuff," she really stretched the word 'falling' as if still remembering that I lied to her.

"I... I'm okay I guess," I said, but I couldn't help but look at Casey when I said it. At least now that his cousin has finally admitted that I did not tell her anything to incriminate him, he has one less reason to beat me up.

"That's good to hear. I'm glad that you're glad," she chuckled, "I hadn't heard from you the entire day, so I just got a bit worried that something happened to you,"

"It's nothing major. I...I'm feeling much better, thank you,"

"That's what friends are for, right?"

"Sure," was all I was able to get out of my mouth after I caught Casey glaring at me. And he did not look happy.

"Do you want to join us for lunch?" Tessa asked, her eyes still glued to her phone.

"N...No thanks. I was going to umm...I was... umm...I was invited...by uh..." I straggled looking for an excuse, "I'm just fine sitting alone,"

Connie eyed me curiously, like she knew something was up. And Casey stared at me to, but his was a different stare. His eyes were warning me... daring me to say anything against him. But I wasn't going to take the risk. He just warned me to stay away from Connie. I'm not going to take a beating I know I can avoid. And this, I can avoid. All I have to do is stay away from Connie, how hard can it be?

"But doesn't it get lonely eating lunch alone?" Connie asked.

"Right now I just need some alone time Connie. Do you think you could give me that?" I said the best way I could, without lashing out or sounding rude.

She looked hurt for a moment, and I felt guilty for making her feel that way, but I had to. My life literally depended on it. I had to stay away from Connie.

But despite looking hurt, she still gave me a small smile.

"Okay. Sure! If that's what you want. I'll respect that," she nodded slowly, as if trying to let it sink through her head first.

"Thank you,"

"But if you need anything, remember what I told you, okay?"

I nodded my head in response, letting her know that I heard her. But I know I would least likely go to her for help, considering her cousin is the source of the problem anyway.

And with that, I took my tray and walked away from them before Connie said anything else or asked me any more questions.

I walked to my usual table, expecting to see it empty as it always is. But I got a huge shock when I found Brian and Samantha sitting at my table. As if sensing my arrival, they looked up at me, and our eyes locked. I turned around to leave, them alone. Maybe I could find somewhere else to eat that is not this table.

"Sarah wait," I heard Samantha call out from behind. I turned to look at them.

"Please don't go! Just sit down." she continued.

"Y...You can sit. It's okay! I...I'll just find somewhere else to..."

"No please, we insist," Brian insisted, "Stay. We have something important we have to tell you,"

My heart raced. my mind warning me... begging me not to go and sit with them. But my legs, as if having a mind of their own, slowly walked towards them. Reaching the table, I sat down opposite them, waiting for them to say whatever it was they wanted to say.

"Sarah," Samantha began, "I... I seriously don't even know what to say,"

"Let me," Brian interrupted, "Look, I know that what we've done to you was... it was a lot. I personally, have done you so much harm. And I never, not even once, considered how you felt. I really regret what I did to you... what we did to you. We were jerks, we still are. And we do not deserve your forgiveness, but___"

"___We're going to ask you anyway." Samantha picked up, taking my hand in hers, "Sarah? Do you think you can ever find it in your heart to forgive us?"

This can't be real! This must be some sort of crazy dream or something. Are Brian and Samantha really genuinely apologizing? Or is this just one of their crazy pranks. Make me believe that they have changed only for them to stab me in the back later on. I am NOT going to fall for this stupid joke.

"A...Are you just messing with me? Is this... Is this some kind of sick joke?"

"I know you don't believe us. And you think that we're playing some sort of sick prank on you, but I've never been this serious about anything my whole life," Brian said, looking deep into my eyes. Believe it or not, he actually seemed sincere. Or maybe he was just acting, and I was being too naive to see behind his mask.

"Why should I believe you?" I caught myself asking the question that was disturbing my mind.

"We aren't asking you to believe us. Heck! I don't even believe us!" Brian let out a sad chuckle.

"We just want to try to make things right," Samantha let go of my hand. She reached for her bag, rummaging through it in an attempt to look for something.

"To show you that we're sorry," Brian reached into his pocket and took out a bunch of CDs. He looked at them for a while, probably debating on his next move before sliding the CDs in front of me.

"Wh... What are these?" I asked taking them in my now shivering hand.

"The videos I took of... you know___"

"Yeah, I know! But why are you giving them to me?"

"Now you have proof that we've been bullying you. If you take it to the principal, we'll be expelled, and you can finally have a peaceful life. You can also take it to the cops, file a case against us or something. What's in those discs, are enough to ruin our whole lives, just like we've done to you!"

I tried to speak. I really wanted to speak, but I just didn't have any words left to say. I was honestly speechless, and not because I was scared or anything. I just didn't have a response, or even a reaction.

Why were they giving me evidence that could incriminate all of them? That did not make any sense. Were they really being sincere about turning over a new leaf?

Whether or not they were planning something, I was not going to let this opportunity pass me by. I reluctantly took the disks, tightly holding them in my grip. This could be my only ticket to freedom. The only chance I might ever have to finally put a stop to this. This is my only advantage against Casey, and there is no way in hell I was letting it go.

I swung my bag over my shoulder ready to leave, but it just didn't feel right.

This is what I've always wanted, to make them pay! But now that the opportunity is finally here, could it be possible that I don't want it?

"I don't think I want these disks," I turned back and put the CDs on the table in front of Brian.

"What do you mean? Isn't this what you've always wanted?" Brian asked, clearly confused. Samantha was still too busy looking through her bag's content. I wonder what she was looking for.

"Won't the both of you get expelled as well?" I asked. I can't actually believe that I'm actually concerned about what will happen to them. I should be caring about myself first before anybody else.

"We deserve it. But you... you don't deserve what we've been making you go through. You finally deserve some peace. You've always been an angel Sarah. And I know that after everything we've done, you'd still try to help us. But I won't let you. I still have the original videos. And if anyone hurts you again, I'm going to personally deliver those videos to Connie and her family,"

"Found it!" Samantha squealed happily, straightening out what seemed to be a cramped up envelope, "Here," she handed me the envelope.

"What's this?" I took the letter from her hand, examining the envelope and maybe try and figure out who its from.

"That came in for you, before we broke for the summer. Kenzie instructed me to hide it from you. But now that I'm no longer her puppet, I can do whatever I want... and that includes delivering this letter to its rightful owner,"

"We really are sorry Sarah," Samantha said.

"And we'll do everything we can to make it up to you___" Brian added, but I could hardly hear him.

My eyes were glued to the envelope Samantha gave me. My heart was pounding hard in my chest. And the whole cafeteria was drowned from my thoughts. I was in my own little world, trying to register what was written on the envelope, trying to digest it, trying to believe it.

This can't be happening. This day is just becoming crazier and crazier by the minute. Or maybe I'm confusing dreams with reality, cause nothing about this day seems normal. Everything is just too crazy. It's the good type of crazy... but also the bad type of crazy.

I may have been young, but I can never forget that name. The name that was written on that envelope.

Edward Whitburg! My dad!