Thank You for Saving Me

I was so happy when the bell rang. I needed to get away from her. Grace. And
him. Ryan.

Fucking liars.

I was tossing my things in my locker. Neely walked over to me. “Hey Stella. Some of us are going to the movies tonight. You’re invited.”

I didn’t even try to send a fake smile her way.

“No thanks. I’m just gonna go home.”

“Stella, please just ---“

I slammed my locker shut. “Neely, I really just don’t even want to…do anything, ok?”

She nodded her head, sadly. It looked like she was choking back tears.

But I was too. I had been since March. Since my two ‘best friends’ lied to me. I put my hood on my head, to avoid looking at people. I walked down the hallway and out to the parking lot as fast as I could. I hopped into my car. It was kinda old. It was a ’94 Dodge Spirit. My parents got it for me as an early graduation
present. I was so happy when I got it, I even named him: Dewayne.

I put my key in the ignition and turned it.

Nothing happened.

I turned the key again. *Come on.*

Nothing fired up.

I looked out the window and saw Ryan walking toward his SUV.

*Come on, Dewayne. I need to get out of here.*

I kept turning and turning the key. The more I turned it, the more tears started to well up in my eyes.

*Dammit, please.*

I saw Ryan looking at me, curiously. He started walking toward my car.

I need to get out. I grabbed my bookbag from the passenger seat. I was about to ditch this raggedy car. I could not face Ryan. *Asshole.*

I climbed out of my car and heard, “Stel!” But it wasn’t Ryan’s voice. I tried to look up, but before I could, I was enveloped in a tight hug.

“Hey darling.”

Whoever was hugging me was talking really loud, but the hug felt really good
and comfortable.

It was exactly what I needed.

I started bawling.

I could have been crying in the arms of a murderer, but as long as they held me for a while longer, I wouldn’t care.

Whoever was hugging me looked down.

“ Ohmygod, Stel. Are you ok?”

There was only one other guy that called me Stel.

Jack.