The Forest Princess [✓]

The Enemy of My Enemy...

"Bye, Dad!" I shout back into the house, quickly closing the door, not expecting a reply. I walk on the dirt path towards the school. Our town is quite small. There are no official roads - just peachy-beige coloured dirt with buildings on each side.
I enter the school and sit at the back, like usual. However, today's different. I look over at the trio who, today, only seems like the duo. I notice the two blonde boys together, while Jessica sits on the other side the classroom, quite sadly. I get up and I go to sit with her. She's looking down at the desk, with her hazelnut coloured hair covering her dark brown eyes.
As I sat down, she looked startled, as if she didn't notice me walking over to her.
"Hey, Jessica..." I greet awkwardly.

"Hey..."

"Why aren't you sitting with them?" I ask, emphasizing 'them' as if they weren't people at all. Jessica looks at the two, who are laughing like hyenas, then back down at the desk.
"They don't want me in there group anymore..."

"Well... they were bullies. I always thought of you as the nice one, anyway." I reassure her. I did mean it. Caleb and Christian were always nasty, whereas Jessica was all... lollipops and rainbows. She looks up at me, with a sad smile. I sit next to her and we talk until the teacher comes into the room.

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Jess and I spent the rest of the day hanging out. She seemed happy, though some of the things we did remind her of the things she did with Caleb and Chris. Overall, we had a great day.
As Jess and I walk out of school, Caleb and Chris stand in front of us.
"What do you want?" I enquire.

"First, we came here for our dear Jessica." Chris announces. My mouth drops as I witness Jess walk over to them.
"Sorry, Amanda..."
My face turns to a scowl, "Okay. You have Jessica. What now?"

"We are gonna beat you up and don't think about running away..." Caleb informs me.

"What's stopping me?"

"If you run, Jessica gets beat up. You and I both know you have a soft spot for Jess." He grinned. He was right.

"You wouldn't dare. She's your friend!"

"Try me..." Caleb growled, gripping Jessica's wrist hard. I look over to Jessica who doesn't dare look at me. Good choice. As soon as Caleb lets go of Jessica's wrist, and Chris heads for me, Jessica runs in front of me.