Forgive Me by Kateri Stanley (reading strategies book TXT) 📕

“Prove it to us,” Chris smirked.

Cameron glared at him. “I don't want to and I'm not in the mood for this bullshit.”

“It’s not bullshit, hun. It’s proof.”

“Why are you being a prick?” Cameron asked.

“Just admit you’re a dyke then,” he said, flicking his cigarette in her face.

Stripe saw the glowing ash hit Cameron’s cheek and then Leon and Travis rushed towards her and Jace. Stripe pulled her hand back and they both began to run, she glanced briefly at Cameron who stood boldly.

Then from her view, she saw Doug and Zippo running up the hill towards them. “What are they...”

Her friend gasped. “Did you really think I’d let you come here by yourself after the shady note?”

Jace. I fucking love you.

Travis and Leon slowed their pace as they saw the guys approaching.

“What’s going on here?” Doug said, there was a hint of theatrical glee in his voice.

Stripe saw the joy on Zippo’s face.

“Fuck off, Doug!” Travis shouted. “This has got nothing to do with you.”

Doug smirked. “Well, it appears you’re trying to beat up my friends, so… it is my business.”

“Why are you sticking up for Chris Maxwell anyway?” Zippo said. “He’s a complete jerk.”

Doug laughed and Leon didn’t utter a word. “Zip’s right,” he remarked, “and he’d never have your back. The guy’s a slime ball.”

Travis’s fist came hurtling forward and Doug stylishly stepped back, tripping him up. Leon gawped helplessly but with sluggish effort, he tried to do something motivational, Zippo clobbered him. Leon went down like a balloon.

Stripe stepped over the two losers who were groaning in pain and ran towards Cameron. “Don’t call me a dyke!” she yelled, kicking Chris in the stomach who was on the ground with a cut bloody lip. “If you ever try and touch me again, I’ll fucking kill you and I’ll tell the whole year how much of a creep you actually are.” Cameron pulled the collar of Chris’s shirt up to her face; he was like a fish dangling on the end of a hook. “Remember Leon’s party? You thought it was funny to put your hand under my blanket when I was sleeping.”

Travis and Leon scurried over to Chris, pulling him. “You’re a liar, I never touched you. You b-bitch.” Chris was panting like a hungry dog. “You’re dead.”

“Leave her alone,” Stripe said.

“So are you... dykey bitch!”

Cameron lunged forward, catching him in the jaw and the nose. He went down again, blood spurting from his face.

Zippo laughed. “Getting your nose broken by a girl are you Chris!”

Travis and Leon picked him up, dragging him across the field. Soon enough, they disappeared into the night. Stripe saw Cameron trembling, going through that type of humiliation was unforgivable. She edged towards her like a wild deer. “Are you okay?” Stripe touched her arm. “What’s the matter?”

“Go away!” Cameron yelled. “I’m sorry, but I can’t do this.”

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t want to be with you anymore.”

“Why? Because of Chris? He's a piece of shit and even he knows that!”

“I don’t care,” Cameron said. “Leave me alone.”

Stripe watched in silence as she left. The adrenaline fizzled, the cold muggy fog on the football field nestled by her ankles. Realisation shivering up her back. The tears came down like a willing flood. Stripe walked across the football ground, ignoring the constant questions from her concerned friends. The minute she got to the street; her walk transformed into a hasty run. The minute she turned the corner, her run transformed into a full-blown race.

Senior prom had arrived and all of the stress and hard work had finally paid off. So much had happened. Bill Clinton had been re-elected as President; the pipe bombing at Centennial Olympic Park, everyone was obsessed with the colourful fantastical world of Pokémon and The New York Yankees were the World Series Champions. There hadn’t been anymore reports of the Night Scrawler murders.

Stripe and her friends walked into the sports hall; it had been gloriously transformed with purple, red and blue ribbons draped along the walls signifying the colours of the football team. The tables were decorated in rich purple cloths. The food smelt delicious and the music was kicking. The night was good but Stripe couldn’t help but feel a little off.

Jace rubbed her arm. “What's up?”

Stripe glanced at Doug and Zippo skanking on the dance floor. “I’m sad. It’s all coming to an end. I mean, I’m excited to go to college. But it’s all over.”

“I know what you mean, we’re gonna be growing up.” Jace laughed at herself. “Us weirdoes being adults!”

Stripe was proud of her best friend, she’d gotten into the Rhode Island, School of Design and she'd aced all of her marks. Jace had done an amazing job on her prom dress and she’d done her makeup and hair. She’d given her a stylish smokey eye and morphed her blonde hair into a sideways plait. I really do love you, Jace. Please don’t change.

Zippo had also found his calling and was enrolling in a nursing programme. It wasn’t a choice the gang were expecting but as he explained the reasons, Stripe realised his exuberant personality and sense of humour were ideal for the career. He possessed the ability to lighten the mood, even if he was down in the dumps; there was always something to joke about.

Doug was going to be a lawyer; the career was on the cards for him. The way he’d tackle situations and hash them out. Stripe thought about the fight on the football field and the way he’d dealt with Leon and Travis without breaking a sweat.

Then Cameron seeped into her mind; she’d tried to keep her out. But with this night and what it symbolised; Stripe couldn’t find the strength to hold up the barrier. She’d cried on the way home from the fight and all night. She’d never experienced heartbreak before and it was awful. She’d kept her distance from Cameron, making sure if she saw her in