A present for Ericka by Alexis Heddens (e books for reading txt) 📕

Ericka ran into the room with tears in her eyes. She slammed the door shut and plopped onto the couch, trying not to cry. Today had been horrible for her. Not only had they called her a freak but they also made fun of her for wearing glasses. It wasn't the first time this happened but everytime made her feel worse and worse. She pulled her legs to her chest and rested her chin on her knees. Her mom came in, wiping her hands on her apron. When she saw Ericka, she frowned.
"Lady Jayne? Are you okay?" She asked, kneeling in front of her.
Ericka shook her head, for once wishing she wouldn't call her by her nickname. "Just go away." she whispered.
When she hesitated, Ericka picked herself up off the couch and stormed up the stairs. Everyday she fought to keep her sanity. Tomorrow would be worse. She hated her life and everything about it. Her parents didn't understand her and no one at school thought to defend her. What had she done to deserve this? Ericka got excellent grades and never got a detention or a tardy. So why did everyone have to pick on her?
She sighed but it caught in her throat and came out as a choked sob. Once up stairs, she laid on her bed and cried. No one understood that she was a human being too and didn't deserve to be treated so lowly. Not only did they act like she was a freak but they also acted like she was a disgrace to mankind. Never in her life did she want to die. Ericka rolled over and gazed gloomly out the window. The sun shone bright, making the afternoon a cloudless, sunny day. It only made her feel worse. How can something be so wonderful yet horrible? She knew why. Ericka wanted everyone else to feel her pain. Deep inside or her, she didn't really want that. She just wanted to have a decent life. She wanted to be accepted.
That night, she slept fitfully, never really sleeping, never really awake. When she dragged herself up and out of bed, she felt horrible. Another terrible day at school. Getting dressed, she pulled her gray hoodie on and tied her shoes. By then I bus was outside and waiting. Hitching her backpack up onto her shoulder, she mumbled a goodbye and braced herself for mean comments. They came at her when she walked down the isle, looking for her usual place to sit. There was a boy sitting there, gazing solemnly out the window. Taking a deep breath, she looked for somewhere else to sit. There was none. So she stood there, trying to think of something. He craned his neck and looked up at her.
"You can sit here if you want. I don't care." He said, skooting over.
Having no other choice, she sat next to him, as stiff as a rod. "Um...Thanks." She said quietly.
"You can relax. I won't bite." He smiled, nudging her.
A girl turned around and smiled at him sweetly. "Don't talk to her. She sleeps with guys for money."
When he didn't say anything, Ericka stood up. She had had enough. "Bus driver!" She called as she headed to the front of the bus. He stood.
"Wait!" He said.
Ericka ignored him, hurt that no one ever stood up for her or stopped being mean. The bus driver looked at her. "What is it?"
"Stop the bus please. I need to go home. Now." Ericka said, trying really hard not cry.
He did. He pulled the bus over and opened the door. Kids laughed and whispered as she stepped off the bus. She felt rain hit her as the bus driver closed the door. Ericka looked down, not meeting his gaze as the bus passed. It rained harder as she made her way back home. The rain poured down harder and faster now. She kept her head down and let the tears fell down her face. A cute guy had talked to her. A popular girl made fun of her. In front of him. He didn't do anything and that felt like a slap in the face.
Ericka walked in through the front door. There was laughter in the livingroom. Puzzled, she headed into the room. Her mom and sister-in-law sat on the couch laughing. Her sister was quite pregnant and was due at anytime. Huh. You'd think she'd be at the hospital instead of here.

They looked up and exchanged confused glances.
"Lady Jayne? Why aren't you at school?" Her mom asked.
Molly smiled sympathetically. "Holly? Can you leave us for a little while? We need to talk."
Her mom nodded and went into the kitchen. Molly patted the space next to her. Ericka obeyed, watching her caustiously. Molly lightly touched her stomach, deep in thought.
"So..." Ericka said nervously.
"Ericka, what really happened?" Molly asked quietly.
Ericka bowed her head. "They made fun of me. They always tease me and laugh at me. They call me a freak and loser." Tears stung her eyes but she forced them back. She never cried in front of people. No, she had to learn the hard way and bottle everything up.
Molly waited patiently. "Today, a cute guy was sitting in my seat. He told me I could sit with him. So I did. Then a girl turned around and told him I sleep with guys for money. And he didn't say anything!" She was crying freely now. "I hate my life and wished I would die!" She sobbed.
Molly gently grabbed her hand and laid it on her stomach. "See this? There is a child inside. Her heartbeat is soft but steady. Let me tell you something about me that not a whole lot of people know." She said with a smile.
Ericka settled on the couch, her hand still on her sister's belly.
"When I was three, my mom left me and my dad. He lost it and began to smoke and drink. And everyday til I met your brother, I was abused. Not just physically but mentally. He never loved me like he should have. No one liked me and I slept with a lot of guys who took advantage of me. I gave up on everything. I committed suicide so many times and drugs were something I was doing. Then I met your brother. He helped me and in return I gave him my heart. And look." She smiled down at her stomach. "He's given me a child to call my own. I know I'll do a better job than what my mom did. Ericka, there is always hope. Maybe he didn't say anything for a reason."
Ericka calmed down and smiled. "Okay."
"We can always talk. I know what it is like not being accepted." Molly smiled.
Ericka gave her a hug before helping her mom cook. The next morning, she tried to be happy but all she could think about was him and being made fun of. So, as she got onto the bus, she clamped down the feeling of butterflies fluttering in her stomach. The guy sat in the same seat so she made her way over. She stopped and he looked up. Immediantly he skooted over to make room for her. Smiling, she sat down next to him.
"Hey." He smiled back at her.
"Hi." Ericka tried to sound cheerful.
"About yesterday..." He fiddled with his thumbs.
"I told you! Next she'll try to get into you

bed." The girl smirked, turning around to face them.
He glared at her, tensing. "Hey, shut the fuck up! You don't talk to people like that." He snapped.
Surprised, she turned back around. Ericka stared at him, amazed. He grinned at her. "I'm Zach."
"I'm Ericka."
Maybe there was hope after all.

Text: If this is similar to any book or movie it is completely coincedental.
Publication Date: 12-14-2011

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