A/N: The picture above is Dillon (character inspiration)

I stared at myself in the mirror with a deep frown. The red and white dress I wore was all right and it fit me well but the length is what bothers me. Others can wear this and be fine but for me, there are times when it's okay and times when my insecurities start to act up so I become uncomfortable and want to retract into my shell as if I were a turtle, if only. 

This was one of those moments for me. I'm just imagining everyone looking at me and judging me for the way I look just because I probably can't pull off this outfit.

"You look fine Amy, can you please just trust me on this?" Amanda asked with a sigh as she stood from the bed to walk over to stand next to me. She wore the same outfit as me but she could pull it off better than me. She had the confidence and the body.

"But what if-"

"Don't you dare put yourself down or so help me you will regret it."

I sighed and stared at my carpeted floor. Amanda was being a supportive friend and trying to help me but I had a stubborn mind. I can admit that although it's annoying it's hard to change my mindset when I'm so set on it. And now my mind is set on the one thought: you're going to be made the laughingstock of the whole school again.

"Amy, I can promise you on my life that you look absolutely stunning in that outfit, I'm sure all the guys in our school will go crazy for you in it although they're all pretty dense and um, how do I put this? Assholes most of them," Amanda stated as if it were a fact with a smirk. I chuckled. "Ah! You laughed! That's what I want to see!" she exclaimed. I shook my head with a smile. Only very few people can truly take my mind off my innermost darkest thoughts.

"Thanks."

"Anytime, you know you're like my sister, I'll always be there to put a smile on your face and be there to support you, even if I'm going through something myself," she said.

The thing was, she was telling the truth. There have been times when I'd be distressed and Amanda has come to my rescue to keep me company even though she was going through some things. One time she had gone through a bad break-up back when we were sixteen. She flew all the way over to visit me because I was depressed for a week and hadn't left my room over the death of my grandmother from my father's side.

My grandfather died when I was three and we never got to visit my grandparents from my mother's side since they lived quite far but I was close to her. Amanda knew this and came to comfort me even though she kept her feelings to herself. It took almost a month for her to tell me when she broke down. I made sure to comfort her like she did for me.

"I think it's time to go now deer," Amanda spoke up, bringing me out of my thoughts.

I looked over at her when she started to snicker to herself. I raised a brow. She pointed to my head. I felt the top of my head until my fingers brushed the headband. I shot her a glare as soon as I realised what she was referring to. She had put the antlers on my head while I was lost in the clouds. Well if I didn't look ridiculous before, I certainly do now. An even more of a reason for people to laugh at me like children.

"I hate your puns and mockery," I grumbled. Amanda simply stuck her tongue out.

"You love me you little shit," she grinned. I grabbed the antler headband from her open bag sitting on my bed and placed it on her head with a grin of my own.

"That's true, don't forget you are a great deer," I teased. She glared at me. She stepped forward but I ran off, grabbing my bag from beside my door as I did so while laughing. I could hear Amanda's stomping footsteps rushing to follow me.

"You're going to pay for that Ames!" Amanda shouted. I ran around my brother's car as Amanda chased me until she caught up and tackled me into a hug with both of us falling onto the grass. We both burst out laughing.

"Ok I think it's time we go to school now before we end up late and we get detention," I said as I sat up, brushing off the grass stuck to me. Amanda huffed before standing up. She helped me up after.

"Oh all right, fine, if we have to," she whined. I dragged her to my motorcycle and handed her my spare helmet.

"Great, now let's go bitch," I said as I sat on the bike. Amanda sat behind me and poked my side. I almost fell off trying to back away from her. I instantly flinched away.

"Don't be rude," she ordered with a smug smile.

"Don't poke me," I said as I poked her stomach, knowing that she hated it. She slapped my hand away and pointed ahead.

"Let's go before we're late," she mocked me.

I rolled my eyes as I turned the ignition on, revving the engine to life. I speed out of the driveway and down the road to school with Amanda yelling behind me. She enjoyed these motorcycle rides way too much, more than me.

When we got to school, all eyes were on us just like I had predicted but I didn't have much time to start panicking and wallow in my self-doubt because I was instantly met by a kiss from Dillon. I was taken aback but kissed back in return while wrapping my arms around his neck. Dillon slid his arms around my waist before pulling away to rest his forehead against mine.

"You look beautiful today, I missed you," he muttered. I giggled.

"Ok time to break it up you two, no PDA while on school grounds, I'd rather not see that after I've just had breakfast or ever in general," Sarah joked. From the corner of my eye, I saw her walk over to stand next to Amanda. Dillon sighed as I stepped away from his arms.

"Take the fun right out of it why don't you? As always," he grumbled.

I chuckled as Sarah narrowed her eyes and punched Dillon in the stomach. He coughed, as he held onto the handle of my bike, hunching over a bit. Sometimes I forget how strong Sarah was. She always loved sports but she loved boxing more than anything so she had a killer right hook that could knock anyone out for sure.

"Hi by the way," Sarah beamed, turning to me, acting like she didn't just almost knock out her brother. I laughed as she hugged me. I returned the gesture before we walked inside the school, leaving Dillon behind to compose himself. "Well, don't you look dandy huh?" She smirked.

"Don't mention the antler," I mumbled in disdain.

"Oh come on, it's only until after your performance and then you can chuck it into the bin or continue to wear them and be a cute little deer," Sarah teased. I groaned as both she and Amanda laughed. How is Amanda okay with these things?

"I hate you two," I grumbled as I stomped off.

Maybe I can snap it in half and chuck it in the garbage for it to forever disappear in the pile of trash where it belongs? But knowing my school, some teacher would ask me about where the stupid antler headband was because it was 'school property'.

It's two dollars, I'm sure they could afford another with the money we give them for necessities if they really think it's that important, even more than... let's say books, like geometry and chemistry books. The standards they set are so weird, I swear.

"Hey wait up Ames! We're just messing with you!" Sarah shouted as she ran to catch up to me.

"Yeah! We're just teasing you!" Amanda shouted from behind. I rolled my eyes as I stopped at my locker, shoving it open to grab my notebook. The two stopped once they caught up, both huffing and puffing with their hands on their knees hunched over.

"Paybacks a bitch huh?" I smirked.

Sarah gave me the middle finger while Amanda waved me off. I jumped when I felt an arm snake around my waist from behind. I almost punched them but the familiar scent of musk stopped me. Of course, it was Dillon's go-to cologne. It's not my favourite smell but I won't tell him that, it'll just upset him. Sarah has told him to change it when he once sprayed almost half the bottle on himself when we were about to go on a date and he got insulted.

"Hey babe, I see you caught up to us, you took your time," I greeted, kissing him on the cheek when he rested his head on my shoulder.

"Well aren't you a ray of sunshine, like usual I see," Dillon joked. I simply grinned smugly.

The bell rang loudly, signalling for everyone to head to class before going to the auditorium for the performance and an assembly that would probably bore everyone to death. It's just unnecessary talking about how everyone should have a good holiday and for them all to be safe when probably a few of them will spend the holidays getting drunk with their friends while others spend it with their families. Depends on the person and their life really. The principal can't stop it, she can try but it's impossible, you can only provide support, that's it.

"I got to go; meet me after class for lunch?" I asked, turning to face Dillon. He quirked his lips up and pecked my lips.

"Of course, I'll see you then, you'll do great gorgeous," he complimented. My cheeks heated up as I smiled.

"Ok enough of the mushy stuff, go already!" Sarah ordered, pointing to a random classroom. Dillon rolled his eyes and mocked her. Sarah punched his arm and shoved him forward. He grumbled bitterly as he walked off to class.

"You know, you better go too," I said to Sarah.

"I know but I'm trying to delay the inevitable," she shrugged.

"Suck it up soldier, you only got until the end of the day before you get your freedom," Amanda reassured her.

"And I'm eagerly waiting for that time," Sarah mumbled. "Welp Imma head out bitches, see you later, you'll both do great," she half-joked with a smile.

"Thanks, now go dipshit," I ordered with the same joking smile. She stuck her tongue out but left nonetheless after waving goodbye. Amanda and I linked arms as we walked towards the auditorium to practice one last time before everyone started lining up.

"Morning my friends!" Brianna beamed as she jumped into view. I screamed and jumped back while Amanda laughed, hunching over to clutch her stomach. Brianna raised a brow while I glared at her and huffed.

"That's not funny, you scared the shit out of me, where did you come from?" I asked, clutching my chest where my heart was beating fast.

"From behind the curtains, I wasn't exactly perfectly hidden, Amanda even saw me," Brianna replied. I looked over at Amanda who was wiping a tear from her eyes.

"You're a cruel friend."

"You love me."

I rolled my eyes as Amanda clapped her hands, gaining the attention of the rest of our dance group stretching. Kind of reminds me of how ballerinas stretch before they practice or similarly to what's seen in those movies like...Step Up. That shit is good.

"Alright ladies, let's practice one time before everybody starts shoving each other to get in through those doors like wild animals," Amanda instructed.

The girls snickered while I shook my head with a smile. We got into formation and began practising to the song played through the speakers with the remote control that Brianna had. When it came time for the assembly, my nerves had started to kick up again. I paced back and forth behind the closed curtains as Amanda and Brianna tried to console me.

"Amy, listen to me, you'll be fine," Amanda reassured me.

"Yeah, you'll do great and show them all you've got great talent," Brianna smiled encouragingly. I took a deep breath and nodded.

"Ok, let's do this," I mumbled.

"That's my girl," Amanda winked.

"You coming ladies?" one of the girls, Crystal, asked making the three of us jump. We all turned around in sync to her. She stared at us with a raised brow and a hand on her hip.

"Right..." Amanda trailed off with a nod.

We ran over to join the others who had been apparently watching us. It wasn't long before the curtains drew back and we had to begin our performance. It was going great, I was enjoying the rhythm of the beat and getting lost in the dance until...

"Now Ginger!" I heard someone yell and before I had time to process what was going on, a bucket of red paint was dropped onto me, dripping down my skin from above.

I gasped as I fell to the floor from the impact. I was shaking as everyone laughed and called me names, just like they did two years ago, just like kindergarteners. I could tell my group, Amanda, Brianna, Sarah, and Dillon were all yelling, trying to defend me but it fell on deaf ears and by that, I mean me. I tuned out the laughter, the names, the yelling, the principal trying to ask me if I was alright while trying to control the clowns laughing.

I got up and immediately ran behind the stage and downstairs to exit through the back door. My back fell against the brick wall as I slid down onto the cold concrete floor. I didn't cry, I just ran my fingers through my hair in frustration at myself, even though it was still wet from the paint.

No matter what I do, no matter what I try, I'll always be looked at differently and I don't even know why unless it's just because I...exist.

"No one in this school will ever change," I grumbled bitterly.

"I wouldn't say never," I jumped as my head shot up to look at Jack. He was holding my antler headband and analysing it or pretending to at least. It's something from the 99-cent store, it ain't that special.

"What are you doing here Jack?" I mumbled, rolling my eyes.

"To check on you," he shrugged, handing me my antlers. I snatched it from him with a scowl.

"Thanks, as you can tell, I'm doing just peachy keen, it's all sunshine and rainbows," I replied sarcastically.

"You should fight back," he stated. I frowned as I stared up at him with furrowed brows. "You came back, you changed but you don't seem to be using your newfound confidence and fire to defend yourself, instead you ran away and let those hyenas continue to laugh, thinking that you're vulnerable and easy to torture," Jack explained with his hands in his pockets casually.

I hate to admit it, but he was right. I didn't even try to defend myself. I came back wanting to prove that I wasn't going to take any more shit from people and today I did the opposite.

"I see the princess is upset, you did put on quite a show back there, running off like a coward, poor thing," I heard the familiar annoying voice of Thalia as the sound of the door opening rang through my ears. I clenched my fist. She sounds like nails on a chalkboard, irritating.

"Piss off Thalia," Jack sighed.

"I'm only teaching her a lesson; just because she's back, doesn't mean anything's changed," Thalia defended with a fake pout. She turned to me. "I run this school now slut," she smirked.

That's it, it's one thing to talk shit but to actually go as far as to humiliate me and try to put me down like a dog? She crossed a line. I stood up with a glare, wishing I could knock her off her pedestal.

"Bring it bitch, you just picked a fight with the wrong person," I retorted. She narrowed her eyes up at me since I was slightly taller than her.

"Excuse me? Do you know who you're talking to?" Thalia snarled, stomping her foot like a drama queen. I rolled my eyes.

"Tell it to someone who gives a shit hun," I yawned. She screamed in frustration. An overreaction but it wouldn't be Thalia without adding something to either gain attention or make her look like a whiny bitch.

I could see the amused smirk on Jack's face who was leaning against the brick wall.

"You'll regret this Amy Prescott," Thalia threatened.

"Oh! I'm so scared!" I said sarcastically. "Do your worse dipshit."

She huffed, her nose flaring like a bull. It ain't pretty. Though I wonder if I can find a red cape or something to see if I can get her to run into a wall. That would be funny.

Thalia walked past me, shoving my shoulders with hers in the process. I spun around and raised both my middle fingers up towards her back.

"My middle finger salutes you!" I shouted so she could hear me. She screamed in anger one last time before disappearing from around the corner.

Psycho

"I see you finally unleashed your inner anger," Jack commented. I rolled my eyes and spun around to face him.

"I hope you don't expect anything from me," I said.

"I don't expect anything, I'm just satisfied to see that you didn't let her walk all over you," he shrugged. "I'll see you around," Jack saluted before turning to walk back inside. I bit my bottom lip and stared down at the pavement in contemplation. I hate that my inner conscious is telling me to thank him for his advice or reminder.

"Jack," I called out. He paused halfway inside the building. He turned his head to look over his shoulder at me with a raised brow. "Thank you," I muttered lowly, hoping he didn't hear me. He grinned and winked at me.

"You know, you can thank me more properly with a kiss," he flirted. I narrowed my eyes.

"Damn you Jack, you had me for a second," I grumbled bitterly. He eyed me up and down. I huffed in annoyance and shoved him inside.

"Alright, alright, I was only joking but your reaction was worth it," Jack laughed as he stumbled forward.

"Not funny, that's the last time you'll ever hear a thank you from me bastard," I huffed.

"Then I'll never forget this moment, I shall cherish it forever in my heart," he mocked, batting his eyelids and placing both his hands over his heart.

"You're a pain in the ass Jack Reece," I scowled, crossing my arms.

"And you're cute when you're mad Amy Prescott," he smirked. I rolled my eyes though my cheeks betrayed me with the blush that appeared. How lovely. I've been backstabbed by my own body. I hope it's not noticeable.

"What's going on here?"

We both instantly spun around to face Dillon, eyeing us suspiciously. My eyes widened with alertness.

"Nothing!" we simultaneously exclaimed. Fuck, that totally sounded like a lie.

Dillon looked at Jack then at me before taking a step forward to place his arm around me and turn me away, as if shielding me from Jack's view. I don't know whether I liked seeing his protective side or if I hated it because it's not anything to fret about. I turned my head to look over Dillon's arm to see Jack walking inside, the door automatically closing behind him.

"What are you doing here Dillon?" I sighed as I stepped away from him.

"I'm here to check on you; you ran off," he replied.

"Took you a while," I muttered.

"Sorry babe, Mrs Banks demanded we stay and got this girl, Natalie? Wait no, I think it was Thalia, to check on you while she lectured us then took the little shits who did this to you to her office before letting us out, good thing she did it before I would have gone on the stage and beat them up myself," Dillon explained. I raised a brow.

I find that hard to believe, Mrs Banks, our principal, wouldn't be so stupid as to send Thalia to check on me even though she probably doesn't know it was her fault. Also, she wouldn't just stop someone from checking on a student.

"Amy! Oh my God, you're ok!" Sarah shouted as she ran through the door to jump and hug me in a tight grip. Amanda ran from behind leaping to do the same. I huffed, the air getting knocked out of me.

"Okay guys, I love you both but I think my life is flashing before my eyes and it's quite boring," I joked. They instantly stepped back, giving me room to breathe again so I could take a deep breath.

"Sorry we couldn't check on you as soon as we could; Mrs Banks lectured all of us even though we weren't the ones laughing and sent Thalia because of course she did, she's the perfect princess, bitch," Amanda grumbled with disdain.

Ok, I believe that. I believe that Thalia would be a kiss-ass to get what she wanted which was to escape a lecture or being ratted out and to I don't know, intimidate me? Though she did a pretty bad job at that. Needed some improvement. The screams of anger were one of a banshee. Maybe yoga or meditation will help with her anger management.

"I'm fine, trust me," I smiled, hoping to reassure their worries. Sarah picked up one strand of my hair that was stuck together with hardened paint.

"What about this?" she asked. I shrugged.

"Gives me a reason to go home early," I replied.

"How are you ok with this?" Dillon asked with a frown.

"I'm not ok with it but I just realised that I can't let this get to me, I can't let Thalia win by letting this affect me, it's what she wants and I'm not going to give her that satisfaction," I explained.

"Ok firstly, I knew this was Thalia's doing, her horns were showing, and secondly, I'm proud of you my little cherub," Amanda beamed. Sarah and I both chuckled.

"Am I the only one that's not ok with this?" Dillon spoke up, agitated. I sighed and wrapped my arms around him, placing my head on his chest, listening to the thumping of his heart.

"I get that you're protective but please just trust me on this; I'm ok, it's nothing to go crazy about, we just need to move forward ok?" I mumbled softly. Dillon sighed before wrapping his arms around me in return, placing his chin on top of my head.

"Fine, I'll drop it, for now," he said, giving in. The corner of my lip twitched up as I stepped back.

"Thank you, that's all I ask."