F•R•I•E•N•D•S

T•E•N

Mikayla

My legs were extremely sore from the laps coach had us run at practice this morning.
I was barely able to keep up with the rest of the group because of the shooting pain in my right knee that I chose to ignore.

It was probably just some vigorous activity on rusty joints; nothing to worry myself about.
Each day her practices seem to intense in levels as we gear up for the upcoming championship.

We hadn't lost a game since the soccer season started and I plan on keeping it that way. Who knows where my mother would have sent me if I hadn't gotten an athletic scholarship here.
The way she tries to control me would make one think long and hard about whether I'm her daughter or her prodigy.

"Kayla, you in?"One of my teammates jolt me out of my thoughts.

We're currently headed out of a business economics class, strolling aimlessly across the large lawn.

"What were you saying?"

"I was asking if you wanted to join the girls and I tonight; a movie night would do you some good," Samantha, my blonde Korean friend repeats.

"No thanks Sam, I'd rather just rest my aching muscles."

"You sure? There'll be boys," she says in a singsong voice, waggling her perfectly sculpted eyebrows at me.

I grimace. "In that case, I'm definitely not going. See you later though."

We wave goodbye before parting ways as I head to Starbucks for a shot of caffeine. I was more than thankful that we had one on campus so I didn't have to leave school grounds. As always, the aroma of freshly roasted coffee beans greet me at the front door as I inhale deeply.
Something about the overwhelming smell brings me a peace of mind.

After ordering, I wait off to the side by myself, gazing around at the people occupying the same space as me.
Girls of all shapes and sizes huddle beside each other, giggling and sipping their drinks warmly.

The sight pinches at my heart in a way I've tried to avoid since arriving. Seeing friendships so joyous and caring such as those make me jealous beyond comparison; not that I'll admit that to anyone.

My mother's logic has been so grounded inside me that I subconsciously avoid letting myself form bonds with anyone.
Even the girls on my team, as great as they are, I've intentionally distanced myself from.
I don't hangout after practice, I don't join them on shopping dates, I just join them when it's time to practice and play.

The one and only time I went out with them was the party yesterday and I've regretted it ever since. That altercation with those girls was unnecessary and yet, it happened.
I wished I could forget about it but the internet allowed me no such thing.

Tag after tag popped up on my phone last night with videos from different angles and different stories.
Social media can be so obnoxiously damaging most times.

The spicy brunette that took my order calls me over with my drink in hand; I don't bother thanking her.
I shouldn't have had to wait this long.

Once I've got what I came for, I start to make my way through the door with goal in mind to get back to my room as soon as possible.
But a commotion off to my left caught my attention.

A short brunette was on the grass with a sneer on her face, directed at the person I've yet to see. The blue highlights in her hair was atrocious, but no one has seemed to tell her so.
Another girl was beside her looking uncomfortable and ready to leave. She has sunflower hair and an attractive face.

I've never been one to push myself into anyone's business so I keep walking, taking slow sips from the iced coffee in my hands.
Once I've walked a few steps off, the girl from the party comes into view, in all her posh glory.
Her dark skin was glowing in the sunlight while her kinky hair stood like a pineapple atop her head. The dress she wore hugged each of her curves beautifully, making her resemble someone straight out the Vogue catalogue.

As much as I hate to admit it, the girl was fine as hell.

Nevertheless I picked up my pace, having no care for the people I walk pass, that is until I hear one of the most disgusting comments that could ever come through someone's mouth.

"I bet you think you're all that, with your stupid hair and expensive clothes. No matter what you look like you're still a black nobody," the girl with poor cosmetic choices spits.

I've stopped in my spot, anger brewing within. No matter who the person was, I could not let a comment like that slide.
So, making a business that doesn't include me my own, I walk calmly over to the trio.

The famous one, Kennedy I think her name was, looks taken aback; from the comment or from my presence, I could not tell.
But before she opens her mouth to retort, I jump in.

"Now I don't know who you are, nor do I give a damn. But when I hear imbecilic comments like the one you made seconds ago, I can't help but chip in with my five cents."

I point to the onyx flats I'm wearing. "This is black." And then I point to Kennedy. "She is dark brown. I see that you missed several days in preschool, what with not being able to distinguish your colors."

Before I continue, I pause to sip some more of my drink, not wanting all the ice to melt causing it to water down.
In the meantime I take in the three of their faces.
Blue Highlights looks as if she's going to explode, which gives me a teaspoon more of satisfaction. Her comrade bites back a laugh but doesn't do a good job because it slips out anyway. Kennedy still has that surprised look on her face, blinking more times than necessary while she just waits for me to continue.

"I hope you can take this information and use it in your next conversation, to avoid looking like a daft idiot," I state.

She's ready to storm off, I can tell by the way she clutches her purse closer to her side and flips her thin hair over her shoulder.

"One more thing," my expression goes from humorous to murderous in seconds and by the gulp she takes, I can tell she knows I mean business.

"If I ever hear you making fun of a person's race, culture, heck, even their hobby I'll peel off your skin then boil it in the cafeteria. I'll make it into soup and feed it to everyone for free, because a person of this much hate isn't worth a dime."

She doesn't wait for any dismissal, because before I know it she's running off in the other direction, stumbling every now and again.

The girl she was with finally let's out all of her pent up laughter and slaps my shoulder.

"Girl you are fierce!" She chuckles.

I shake her hand off my shoulder, equally disgusted with her as I am with Blue Highlights.

"What's so funny? I didn't see you doing anything to stop her from degrading people," I jeer.

Her smile immediately wipes off her face.

"In case you didn't know, doing nothing about bullying is the same as supporting bullying to begin with."

She looks surprised, as if she really didn't know this and takes off in the direction of the first.
Now it's just Kennedy and I, standing silently while waiting for the other to speak.

"I'm shocked as hell that you'd stand up for me," she begins.

"Not so much you as opposed to standing up for people in general; so don't flatter yourself."

The cool drops of perspiration sliding down my fingers was a reminder that I had a drink I needed to finish, so without a word of goodbye, I turn to head for the girls' dorms.

I was supposed to FaceTime Chase tonight and couldn't waste any more time.