Categories > Original > Romance > From the Inside
CHAPTER TWO
After school, Megan and I headed to the mall to do some shopping and find something to wear to the party this weekend. We'd been there about an hour and had bought several different outfits when we came across an electronics department. "Hey, we should try to find a cd to bring to the party." I told Megan as I led her into the store. "Okay, I've been wanting to look for John Mayer's new album anyway." She replied as we walked down an ailse of cd's. As I quietly looked around the store I came across the display of Mp3 players and Ipods. I looked at each of the Ipods thoroughly as I silently battled with myself as to whether or not I should replace Chester's Ipod. Finally after a good fifteen minutes I decided to buy the shiny red Ipod. I felt a smidge of excitement as the sales clerk opened the case and got out what I picked out. "Hey, are you ready?" Megan asked as she caught up to me. "Yeah, I'm good." I replied. As we waited in line at the check out I noticed Megan looking at me funny. "What?" I asked curiously. "Don't you already have an Ipod?" She asked suspiciously. My nerves spiked quickly as I realized I didn't have an excuse. "Uh..well um I decided to get it for my dad...I overheard him talking to mom the other day about how he thought about getting one." I lied then hoped she would buy it. "Oh...ok cool." She shrugged as she sat her items on the counter. I sighed in relief and silently enjoyed my excitement I had for replacing Chester's Ipod. I felt like I had to somehow win him over and that by getting him this he might just come around.
As we pulled up to Megan's house we said our goodbyes and I began my walk home. My house was only about two blocks from her's and I decided I could use the exercise. As I walked along the sidewalk I noticed out of my periphrial vision someone crossing the street ahead of me. When I looked up I realized it was Chester. I suddenly felt kind of nervous as I walked slowly behind him. He was a good distance ahead of me and I just kept walking, passing my street as I tried to decide if I should talk to him or not. I got up the nerves and began to jog to catch up to him. "Hey! Chester! Wait up!" I called as I tried to catch up to him. "Jesus, how is it you just seen to appear out of thin air?" He said still sounding annoyed as he kept up his pace. "Slow down please, I've got something for you." I said as I tried to catch my breath. He slowed down to a stop and stood there waiting for me. "Here." I said holding the shiny plastic bag out to him. He eyed me cautiously as well as our surroundings. "Look if this is some kind of setup just leave me alone okay and stop following me." He grumbled and began to turn away. "No! Wait! It's not a set up just please take it!" I begged. Luckily he stopped again and carefully took the bag from my hand. "Why are you being nice to me?" He asked suspiciously. "Because I think it's about time somebody was." I admitted. He then carefully reached his hand into the bag and pulled out the candy apple red Ipod. His eyes grew with surprise and he looked up at me with a curious expression. "You bought me an Ipod?" He asked in disbelief. I nodded my head in excitement and watched as he studied the small electronic. "But why?" He asked astonished. "Well...cuz your other one got ruined and I think you deserve a new one." I explained. "I...uh...wow, th-thanks I don't know what to say...it's just that no one has ever done something this nice for me before." He admitted. I smiled at him in satisfaction. "Um, hey theres this party on friday night...you should come." I asked. "Oh I don't think that's a good idea...I get bullied enough at school I really don't want to have to deal with it elsewhere too." He explained. I understood where he was coming from but I just really want to help him. "Bullshit, I think you should show up anyway. Everyone will be too smashed to care if you're there or not. Come please." I pleaded. He sighed heavily and thought for a few moments. "Okay...maybe... I'm not gonna make any promises." He replied. "Okay cool!" I said excitedly. "Well I better go home. I'll see you tomorrow." He said. "Mmmkay, bye." I replied as we went opposite ways. As I walked home I couldn't keep myself from thinking about Chester. He's so different from my friends. I have this strange urge to get to know him. Then again, there has to be a reason why nobody likes to be around him. Is it because he's different? He doesn't smell and he's not mean. He's a bit bitter but obviously that would be expected from someone who is constantly picked on. I can't really hide my sudden infatuation from myself, for one thing I'm finding that I'm unusually excited about History class tomorrow.
The school week passed quickly and before I knew it, it was Friday. Chester of course continued to be picked on and mocked by just about everyone he came in contact with except for me. However, I couldn't bring myself to speak to him in front of my friends. A part of me cares alot about what they think, and I know they definatley don't approve of Chester. During History I wrote down the address of where the party was and gave it to Chester when nobody was looking. Also during lunchtime I would watch him from afar as other kids would pester him and laugh at him. One guy even pushed him down into a mop bucket that was sitting beside the trash cans. I felt bad for not saying something or doing something, but I was still too afraid as to what my friends would think. Anyway, it was now around 8 o'clock and Megan and I had just finished getting ready for the party. I had to admit I looked pretty good. I wore a strapless top that was black with a bright red rose coming from the side that was decorated with shiny sequins. Also I paired my top with a pair of light colored blue jeans that sat low on my hips that showed a bit of skin between the bottom of my shirt and the top of my jeans. I straightened my hair and let it fall over my shoulders. All in all I'd say I looked pretty good. We pulled up to the house where the party was already going strong. Several people sat around in the front yard and hung out the windows. You could hear the loud R&B music from outside the house. Once we were inside it didn't take us long to find Ashton and Mark along with a few of their buddies and Mark's girlfriend Sarah. "Hey hey wats up!" Mark called drunkenly as he threw his arm over my shoulder. "Ugh, you smell like straight whiskey." I said slightly gagging at the smell. He laughed and kissed Sarah on the cheek. "Ewww gross." Sarah whined as she wiped slober off her cheek. I laughed as Mark just smiled at her with his eyes half shut and glassey. We all stood around drinking and listening to the music and talking to other people at the party. I began to secretley scan the room for any sign of Chester but couldn't find him anywhere. "Hey guys, I'm gonna go walk around and get another drink. I'll be back." I called loudly over the music to my friends. I walked through the croweded house searching for Chester as well as more alcohol. After a while of walking around I was about to give up when this guy I didn't recognize suddenly appeared in front of me. "Hey sweetie. What are you doing walking around all by yourself?" He slurred obviously intoxicated. "I'm just looking for my friends." I replied as I tried to walk pass him. "Hey what's the rush, I'll be your friend." He said as he put his arms around my waist. "Ugh, let go don't touch me." I said slightly panicked by his sudden actions. He began to roam his hands all over my back and onto my butt. "Hey! I said let go!" I yelled trying to push him away. He then slammed me up against the wall and got in my face. "Listen here you stupid whore, fuckin dance with me or I'm gonna make you!" He slurred angrily and then grabbed me tightly by the arms. "Let go!! Get off!" I screamed, but no one seemed to notice. I began to struggle against him and panic as he dragged me away from the crowded living room and outside on the deck. "Be still you bitch!" He said angrily before smacking me hard across the face and knocking me down onto the rough wood. He got ontop of me and held me down by my shoulders. I screamed helplessley as he began to lift up my shirt. In the back of my mind I knew what was going to happen. I've seen it in movies. My heart raced so fast as he forcefully pulled my shirt off exposing my bra. "Hey! Get off of her!" I heard a voice bellow from beside me. The guy quickly got up and ran off the deck, startled by the third party that appeared suddenly. I layed there in shock and then felt someone pull me up into a sitting position. "Are you okay?" The voice asked me. When I looked up I realized it was Chester and instantly broke into uncontrollable sobs. He cradled me into his chest as I cried hysterically. "Shhh it's okay...he's gone. You're okay." He soothed quietly. After a few moments I managed to calm myself down and raised up to face him. "I should go find that bastard and beat the shit out of him." Chester said angrily as he brushed a piece of hair from my tear stained face. I winced when he touched my cheek where the guy had slapped me. "It's probably going to bruise." He said quietly as he inspected my wound. I watched him closley as he pulled off the bandanna he wore on his wrist and began to dry my face. "Thank you." I said quietly. He half smiled and shrugged. "No problem." He replied. "If you hadn't been here he could of..." I trailed off at the sudden realization as to what could've happened if Chester hadn't stopped him. At this thought I began to cry again. I fell softly into his chest and soaked his shirt with my tears. He soothingly rubbed my bare back and waited for me to calm down once again. "Um, here." He said handing me my shirt. I felt myself blush when I realized I was still in my bra. I quickly slipped it back on and leaned against him and he put his arm over my shoulder. "I'm glad you showed up...I was beginning to wonder if you would or not." I said trying to lighten the mood. "Yeah...I wasn't going to but I decided what the hell." He replied with a crooked smile. I laughed lightly and we fell silent for a few moments. I was about to speak again but was interupted by the sound of Megan's shrieking voice. "Astrid!" I turned to look at her and her eyes practically buldged from her skull at the sight of me. "Oh my god what happened to you!" She screeched as she rushed over to me. She was followed by Ashton, Mark, Sarah and a few other of our friends. "What happened to your face!" She exclaimed worriedley. "I'm okay...this guy-" I was cut off by Ashton's yelling. "Did you hit her! Huh!" He yelled as he grabbed Chester up by his hair forcing him to stand. "What the fuck did you do to her you fucking freak!" He boomed angrily. "C'mon speak you fucking loser!" Megan yelled at him angrily. Ashton shoved Chester down onto the floor and raised his fist back as if to hit him. "No! Leave him alone! He saved me from the guy who did this." I called and stood up to face them. Ashton looked at me hard for a few minutes then dropped his fist. "Get the fuck out of here." He spat at Chester who looked at me then back at Ashton. "Go!" Ashton bellowed once again and Chester quickly got up and left. "Did he force you to lie Astrid? Did that fucking freak really do this to you?" Megan asked worriedley. I sighed heavily in annoyance caused from their attitude towards Chester and the way they treated him just now after he just saved me from what could have traumatized me for the rest of my life. "C'mon tell us the truth because we'll bash that motherfucker's head into the ground." Mark chimed in. They kept babbling on about Chester and calling him names and making threats about him. Finally after a few minutes I got fed up with their hatred and I went off. "You can all go to fucking hell!" I screamed and stormed passed them and walked off the deck to head home.
"Hey Astrid, wait up!" I heard Megan call from behind me as I was walking home. I stopped and waited for her to catch up to me. "What was all that about?" She asked breathlessly. I sighed in frustration and ran my hands through my hair. "It's not fair!" I yelled angrily. Megan looked at me confused, I could see she didn't understand why I was upset. "What's not fair? I don't get it." She replied. "The way you all just treated Chester! I mean, if it wasn't for him I could've been raped or worse!" I exclaimed. "Well can you blame me? He's a total weirdo." She scoffed. "A wierdo? What makes him so wierd!" I asked. She stood there looking confused as if she was trying to come up with an answer. "See, you don't even know because you don't know him." I spat appethetically and began to turn away. "Oh so you think you know him? Is that right Astrid?" She said angrily from behind me. I turned on my heels and stomped over to her. "I know him better than you! God Megan, just because of who someone is you think they're not worth your time! Well maybe you're not worth his time or...." I trailed off unsure if I should say what I really feel. "Or what?" She asked annoyance coating her tone. I exhaled deeply trying to keep my cool. "Or worth mine." I replied quietly and quickly headed home leaving Megan behind me.
After school, Megan and I headed to the mall to do some shopping and find something to wear to the party this weekend. We'd been there about an hour and had bought several different outfits when we came across an electronics department. "Hey, we should try to find a cd to bring to the party." I told Megan as I led her into the store. "Okay, I've been wanting to look for John Mayer's new album anyway." She replied as we walked down an ailse of cd's. As I quietly looked around the store I came across the display of Mp3 players and Ipods. I looked at each of the Ipods thoroughly as I silently battled with myself as to whether or not I should replace Chester's Ipod. Finally after a good fifteen minutes I decided to buy the shiny red Ipod. I felt a smidge of excitement as the sales clerk opened the case and got out what I picked out. "Hey, are you ready?" Megan asked as she caught up to me. "Yeah, I'm good." I replied. As we waited in line at the check out I noticed Megan looking at me funny. "What?" I asked curiously. "Don't you already have an Ipod?" She asked suspiciously. My nerves spiked quickly as I realized I didn't have an excuse. "Uh..well um I decided to get it for my dad...I overheard him talking to mom the other day about how he thought about getting one." I lied then hoped she would buy it. "Oh...ok cool." She shrugged as she sat her items on the counter. I sighed in relief and silently enjoyed my excitement I had for replacing Chester's Ipod. I felt like I had to somehow win him over and that by getting him this he might just come around.
As we pulled up to Megan's house we said our goodbyes and I began my walk home. My house was only about two blocks from her's and I decided I could use the exercise. As I walked along the sidewalk I noticed out of my periphrial vision someone crossing the street ahead of me. When I looked up I realized it was Chester. I suddenly felt kind of nervous as I walked slowly behind him. He was a good distance ahead of me and I just kept walking, passing my street as I tried to decide if I should talk to him or not. I got up the nerves and began to jog to catch up to him. "Hey! Chester! Wait up!" I called as I tried to catch up to him. "Jesus, how is it you just seen to appear out of thin air?" He said still sounding annoyed as he kept up his pace. "Slow down please, I've got something for you." I said as I tried to catch my breath. He slowed down to a stop and stood there waiting for me. "Here." I said holding the shiny plastic bag out to him. He eyed me cautiously as well as our surroundings. "Look if this is some kind of setup just leave me alone okay and stop following me." He grumbled and began to turn away. "No! Wait! It's not a set up just please take it!" I begged. Luckily he stopped again and carefully took the bag from my hand. "Why are you being nice to me?" He asked suspiciously. "Because I think it's about time somebody was." I admitted. He then carefully reached his hand into the bag and pulled out the candy apple red Ipod. His eyes grew with surprise and he looked up at me with a curious expression. "You bought me an Ipod?" He asked in disbelief. I nodded my head in excitement and watched as he studied the small electronic. "But why?" He asked astonished. "Well...cuz your other one got ruined and I think you deserve a new one." I explained. "I...uh...wow, th-thanks I don't know what to say...it's just that no one has ever done something this nice for me before." He admitted. I smiled at him in satisfaction. "Um, hey theres this party on friday night...you should come." I asked. "Oh I don't think that's a good idea...I get bullied enough at school I really don't want to have to deal with it elsewhere too." He explained. I understood where he was coming from but I just really want to help him. "Bullshit, I think you should show up anyway. Everyone will be too smashed to care if you're there or not. Come please." I pleaded. He sighed heavily and thought for a few moments. "Okay...maybe... I'm not gonna make any promises." He replied. "Okay cool!" I said excitedly. "Well I better go home. I'll see you tomorrow." He said. "Mmmkay, bye." I replied as we went opposite ways. As I walked home I couldn't keep myself from thinking about Chester. He's so different from my friends. I have this strange urge to get to know him. Then again, there has to be a reason why nobody likes to be around him. Is it because he's different? He doesn't smell and he's not mean. He's a bit bitter but obviously that would be expected from someone who is constantly picked on. I can't really hide my sudden infatuation from myself, for one thing I'm finding that I'm unusually excited about History class tomorrow.
The school week passed quickly and before I knew it, it was Friday. Chester of course continued to be picked on and mocked by just about everyone he came in contact with except for me. However, I couldn't bring myself to speak to him in front of my friends. A part of me cares alot about what they think, and I know they definatley don't approve of Chester. During History I wrote down the address of where the party was and gave it to Chester when nobody was looking. Also during lunchtime I would watch him from afar as other kids would pester him and laugh at him. One guy even pushed him down into a mop bucket that was sitting beside the trash cans. I felt bad for not saying something or doing something, but I was still too afraid as to what my friends would think. Anyway, it was now around 8 o'clock and Megan and I had just finished getting ready for the party. I had to admit I looked pretty good. I wore a strapless top that was black with a bright red rose coming from the side that was decorated with shiny sequins. Also I paired my top with a pair of light colored blue jeans that sat low on my hips that showed a bit of skin between the bottom of my shirt and the top of my jeans. I straightened my hair and let it fall over my shoulders. All in all I'd say I looked pretty good. We pulled up to the house where the party was already going strong. Several people sat around in the front yard and hung out the windows. You could hear the loud R&B music from outside the house. Once we were inside it didn't take us long to find Ashton and Mark along with a few of their buddies and Mark's girlfriend Sarah. "Hey hey wats up!" Mark called drunkenly as he threw his arm over my shoulder. "Ugh, you smell like straight whiskey." I said slightly gagging at the smell. He laughed and kissed Sarah on the cheek. "Ewww gross." Sarah whined as she wiped slober off her cheek. I laughed as Mark just smiled at her with his eyes half shut and glassey. We all stood around drinking and listening to the music and talking to other people at the party. I began to secretley scan the room for any sign of Chester but couldn't find him anywhere. "Hey guys, I'm gonna go walk around and get another drink. I'll be back." I called loudly over the music to my friends. I walked through the croweded house searching for Chester as well as more alcohol. After a while of walking around I was about to give up when this guy I didn't recognize suddenly appeared in front of me. "Hey sweetie. What are you doing walking around all by yourself?" He slurred obviously intoxicated. "I'm just looking for my friends." I replied as I tried to walk pass him. "Hey what's the rush, I'll be your friend." He said as he put his arms around my waist. "Ugh, let go don't touch me." I said slightly panicked by his sudden actions. He began to roam his hands all over my back and onto my butt. "Hey! I said let go!" I yelled trying to push him away. He then slammed me up against the wall and got in my face. "Listen here you stupid whore, fuckin dance with me or I'm gonna make you!" He slurred angrily and then grabbed me tightly by the arms. "Let go!! Get off!" I screamed, but no one seemed to notice. I began to struggle against him and panic as he dragged me away from the crowded living room and outside on the deck. "Be still you bitch!" He said angrily before smacking me hard across the face and knocking me down onto the rough wood. He got ontop of me and held me down by my shoulders. I screamed helplessley as he began to lift up my shirt. In the back of my mind I knew what was going to happen. I've seen it in movies. My heart raced so fast as he forcefully pulled my shirt off exposing my bra. "Hey! Get off of her!" I heard a voice bellow from beside me. The guy quickly got up and ran off the deck, startled by the third party that appeared suddenly. I layed there in shock and then felt someone pull me up into a sitting position. "Are you okay?" The voice asked me. When I looked up I realized it was Chester and instantly broke into uncontrollable sobs. He cradled me into his chest as I cried hysterically. "Shhh it's okay...he's gone. You're okay." He soothed quietly. After a few moments I managed to calm myself down and raised up to face him. "I should go find that bastard and beat the shit out of him." Chester said angrily as he brushed a piece of hair from my tear stained face. I winced when he touched my cheek where the guy had slapped me. "It's probably going to bruise." He said quietly as he inspected my wound. I watched him closley as he pulled off the bandanna he wore on his wrist and began to dry my face. "Thank you." I said quietly. He half smiled and shrugged. "No problem." He replied. "If you hadn't been here he could of..." I trailed off at the sudden realization as to what could've happened if Chester hadn't stopped him. At this thought I began to cry again. I fell softly into his chest and soaked his shirt with my tears. He soothingly rubbed my bare back and waited for me to calm down once again. "Um, here." He said handing me my shirt. I felt myself blush when I realized I was still in my bra. I quickly slipped it back on and leaned against him and he put his arm over my shoulder. "I'm glad you showed up...I was beginning to wonder if you would or not." I said trying to lighten the mood. "Yeah...I wasn't going to but I decided what the hell." He replied with a crooked smile. I laughed lightly and we fell silent for a few moments. I was about to speak again but was interupted by the sound of Megan's shrieking voice. "Astrid!" I turned to look at her and her eyes practically buldged from her skull at the sight of me. "Oh my god what happened to you!" She screeched as she rushed over to me. She was followed by Ashton, Mark, Sarah and a few other of our friends. "What happened to your face!" She exclaimed worriedley. "I'm okay...this guy-" I was cut off by Ashton's yelling. "Did you hit her! Huh!" He yelled as he grabbed Chester up by his hair forcing him to stand. "What the fuck did you do to her you fucking freak!" He boomed angrily. "C'mon speak you fucking loser!" Megan yelled at him angrily. Ashton shoved Chester down onto the floor and raised his fist back as if to hit him. "No! Leave him alone! He saved me from the guy who did this." I called and stood up to face them. Ashton looked at me hard for a few minutes then dropped his fist. "Get the fuck out of here." He spat at Chester who looked at me then back at Ashton. "Go!" Ashton bellowed once again and Chester quickly got up and left. "Did he force you to lie Astrid? Did that fucking freak really do this to you?" Megan asked worriedley. I sighed heavily in annoyance caused from their attitude towards Chester and the way they treated him just now after he just saved me from what could have traumatized me for the rest of my life. "C'mon tell us the truth because we'll bash that motherfucker's head into the ground." Mark chimed in. They kept babbling on about Chester and calling him names and making threats about him. Finally after a few minutes I got fed up with their hatred and I went off. "You can all go to fucking hell!" I screamed and stormed passed them and walked off the deck to head home.
"Hey Astrid, wait up!" I heard Megan call from behind me as I was walking home. I stopped and waited for her to catch up to me. "What was all that about?" She asked breathlessly. I sighed in frustration and ran my hands through my hair. "It's not fair!" I yelled angrily. Megan looked at me confused, I could see she didn't understand why I was upset. "What's not fair? I don't get it." She replied. "The way you all just treated Chester! I mean, if it wasn't for him I could've been raped or worse!" I exclaimed. "Well can you blame me? He's a total weirdo." She scoffed. "A wierdo? What makes him so wierd!" I asked. She stood there looking confused as if she was trying to come up with an answer. "See, you don't even know because you don't know him." I spat appethetically and began to turn away. "Oh so you think you know him? Is that right Astrid?" She said angrily from behind me. I turned on my heels and stomped over to her. "I know him better than you! God Megan, just because of who someone is you think they're not worth your time! Well maybe you're not worth his time or...." I trailed off unsure if I should say what I really feel. "Or what?" She asked annoyance coating her tone. I exhaled deeply trying to keep my cool. "Or worth mine." I replied quietly and quickly headed home leaving Megan behind me.
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