“Wow!” Jacob’s smile widened. “You just ... You just ... If you come to school like this, Jane will run away and cry in the toilet.”
Corby exhaled and smiled. He said the same thing she thought just with different words, and he liked her clothes.
“Let’s get coffee first? I’m cold.”
“Okay.”
They stood in line and people looked at them. An elderly couple smiled at them and looked at each other.
Jacob didn’t pay attention to anything or anyone. He chose coffee for himself, listened to what Corby wanted, and paid for both of them, even though she fumbled for money.
“I’m sorry for what happened today,” he said when they settled down at the table.
Corby took a sip of her hot chocolate. The drink was divine. In this café, they had the best hot chocolate she had ever tried.
“No one told the principal who was in the picture,” Jacob said as he took a sip from his cup of steaming drink.
Corby didn’t answer. She didn’t want to talk about what happened, but she didn’t know if she had a choice.
“More than half of the school didn’t understand, only those who Jane told, knew. Most were not even interested. So, you have nothing to worry about.”
“I’d like to believe that,” Corby said.
“I talked to Jane,” Jacob continued.
Corby looked at him wide-eyed. What did he mean? About what?
“I told her to stop harassing you. I told her that she went beyond all limits and we are adults, it’s time to stop.”
“What did she say?” Corby asked with her lips numb.
“Nothing.” Jacob waved his hand, took a sip of coffee. “This is Jane, you know. In any case, it won’t happen again. She’d better stop.”
“I thought you liked Jane,” Corby said hesitantly.
“What do you mean? Like someone I would want to go out with?”
Corby nodded.
“Never that way. She’s not my type.”
Corby wondered what his type was, but stopped herself before the words came out.
“She’s obnoxious, loud, and rude. I don’t like girls who are like that. I still don’t think she has anything to do with the disappearance of Sylvia and Vera. I can’t imagine how she could be related to it. Although, of course, we don’t know everything even about the people we are closest to. By the way, there is nothing new about their disappearances. They didn’t even question me in the last three days. I hope they really ran away. I think the police are inclined to believe this theory.”
“Probably.” Corby lowered her eyes. “Jacob, why do you ... Why are you standing up for me?” She decided to ask.
“There are many reasons, but I’ll tell you the main one. Do you want to know why I sent you that message with an apology?”
Corby listened attentively, with all her heart. It didn’t matter what he intended to say, she was ready to accept anything.
“The fact is...” he stopped, took another sip from his cup before looking at Corby again. “My mother was also bullied at school. She was ... She was overweight, so to speak. When she grew up, she started going to the gym and all that, got on a diet, but she’s still not very skinny. She told me her stories, about her horrible life at school and asked me to never, never harass other kids. I made a promise, but didn’t keep it.”
Corby didn’t respond immediately. First, she needed to digest what he said and it took her a full minute and a half cup of hot chocolate.
“Don’t be so quiet.” Jacob smiled, but to Corby this smile seemed tense.
“I just,” she began. “You said something bad to me personally only once and then you apologized. Everything’s fine.”
“Yes, I did, but ...”
Jacob looked into his cup then finished the contents in one gulp.
“I was embarrassed. Honestly. I was very embarrassed, but I still did nothing. And I could have. I play on the high school football team, I have a reputation.”
“I understand,” Corby said. She saw that Jacob was getting worked up and now, for some reason, he reminded her of her father in those moments when he tried to explain why he sold meat and studied Buddhism at the same time.
“No, Corby, I don’t think so. I could have stood up for you a long time ago, but I didn’t want to lose what I had. I have credibility and reputation. I’m a clown ... sometimes ... I’m a cool guy, communicating only with a cool crowd. I don’t even look at losers. It’s so stupid, Corby. All this popularity stuff. After high school none of this will be important. There, outside school gates, that’s where real popularity begins.”
He looked so similar to her dad now, it was scary. He even said almost the same words her dad did. He also said what Corby thought.
“Now is important for us. Now,” Jacob continued. “We have to show that we are like everyone else and cooler. We can’t be strange or different. Money and appearance decide everything. If you have both then you are a person and nothing else matters. No one cares what’s inside. There’s nothing inside, emptiness. What would Jane become if not for her father’s money? What about Sylvia and Vera? You’re lucky that your parents have money too, but did you pay attention to the kids who came to our school on a scholarship?”
Corby knew about them, of course she knew.
“They don’t have it easier than you. They just keep their heads down, they are invisible. Your Mom is a TV star! Corby, all those bitches are just jealous, you know?”
Corby couldn’t say anything. The initial shock from his words could pass, but he talked on and on, and nothing of what she had expected. All these confessions descended on her like an avalanche. He transmitted her thoughts right now and he was so much like her.
Jacob suddenly stopped and laughed. He had the most amazing laugh in the world.
“Looks like I shocked you a little.”
“A little,” Corby muttered.
“I say what I think. I mean, that’s what it is.”
“Thank you,” Corby’s mouth barely moved.
“Don’t thank me. You really look nice today. Wanna go for a walk?”
“Huh?”
Jacob laughed again.
“I bet you didn’t expect to hear any of the things I said today. I’d like to take a stroll in the park. The weather is nice.”
“Okay.” Corby jumped then sat down. She didn’t know how to act or what to do.
Jacob didn’t laugh at her this time. He stood and picked up her jacket from the empty chair beside him.
“My car?”
“Okay.”
Corby pulled the jacket on without looking at Jacob and went to the door first.
“I parked on the right,” he said.
Corby heard him, but thought only about someone seeing her now. They would see her with a tall, handsome guy, getting into his car. She didn’t know if she wanted or feared it. Yes, she wanted everyone to understand that she wasn’t such a loser if a guy like Jacob noticed her. At the same time she didn’t want it, because she didn’t know what it could turn into.
Corby sat in the car and felt like she’d swallowed a pole. She planted her hands tightly on her knees while fixing her eyes on the road. Maybe she needed to relax, but she couldn’t. She just couldn’t.
Jacob didn’t care. He looked like he didn’t notice her stiffness and uncertainty. He talked about his mother and her successful charity company. About all of her charity companies. One of them was dedicated to children who were victims of school terror.
“You need to talk to her,” Jacob said, glancing at Corby. “She can give you some good advice. I’ve been thinking about it, but as I said, I couldn’t make a step. She got it good at school, believe me. Much worse than you. Schools try to keep bullying down. They are not great at it, but it’s better now than it used to be. That’s what my mom said. She attended a public school where the principal didn’t care about anything or anyone. These losers would catch my mom and beat the shit out of her. She was afraid to tell
her parents because she didn’t think it was something she could share with them. Maybe she just wasn’t close with them. Did you tell yours?”
“Not all of it, but they knew.”
“Really? And?”
“They didn’t take it seriously. My mom said I was too dramatic. She said I must stand up for myself. Of course I did tell them not to get involved, but I don’t think they would have anyway.”
Jacob paused.
“They don’t know what it is and how complicated it is,” he said.
“They don’t understand anything.”
“We are here.”
Jacob had to park ten minutes away from the park. He had a good car with leather seats, but Corby didn’t recognize the makes of cars. Of course his mother gave him the car for his sixteenth birthday.
Corby wanted to hold Jacob’s hand, but she wouldn’t dare to make the first move, and he didn’t try. He looked around while crossing the road, talking about the weather and how excellent it finally became.
They walked inside the park and went deep over the narrow paths, over the bridge across the pond where in the summer she saw swans and boats. Most people were taking pictures or shooting videos. Tourists were always drawn to the Public Gardens. Jacob didn’t try to take Corby’s hand, but she thought it would be so natural. They came to the water and sat on a bench, looking at the floating leaves that probably were left from the fall. The entire park was bright, loud, provocative. Corby loved summer just like her mother, but spring was something special to her.
“Your parents are right about one thing,” Jacob said after a pause.
“What are you talking about?”
“When you talked ... to Molly, everyone started to look at you differently.”
“Not Molly or Jane.”
“They were not impressed. We need to think of something so they won’t touch you anymore. I don’t know if my conversation with her will help, to be honest.”
“I don’t know what to do. Maybe I should go to another school where nobody knows me and start all over again. Here, they all remember what I was.”
“Yes, but it’s not an option. You will just give up and let them win. They don’t deserve it. We should stand up to them and everything will change. If one method doesn’t work, we have to look for something else. You can do it and I will help you.”
Corby clenched her fists. He was the only one who might understand her. He had to understand her.
“Jacob, I want to tell you something.”
He turned to her and Corby looked into his eyes. For the first time she really looked deeply into his eyes. He had gray, kind, beautiful eyes. Understanding eyes.
“I’m listening,” he said.
“It’s something you would never expect to hear.” Corby looked around. A Japanese or Chinese couple took a picture against the background of water. They used a professional camera with a tripod, laughed while using it, posed, and left.
“I don’t think anything can surprise me.”
“Oh, you’ll be surprised.” Corby’s hands began to shake, she was hot and took off her scarf and gloves, but hid her hands inside her pockets.
Jacob gave her a long, deep gaze and smiled softly.
“I like you more and more, Corby Mackentile. It would be cool if you surprised me.”
“I’m afraid you won’t understand, but I have no one else to talk to about it.”
Jacob stopped smiling and nodded. “I’ll try.”
“I did something very bad.”
“What could it possibly be?” Jacob smiled again, but then stopped, probably because of the expression on her face. She was panicking. “What have you done, Corby?”
“It was an accident. She just fell and hit her head. She slipped. I couldn’t do anything to prevent it because it all happened so fast. Then she was dead, I couldn’t change anything.”
“Dead? Who? What are you talking about?”
“Veraaa.” Corby began to sob. “She just fell! That’s all! I didn’t do anything!”
“Wait, wait.” Jacob took Corby’s shoulders. She could barely see him through the tears. “Do you know what happened to Vera Bodroff?”
Corby nodded and sobbed, unable to stop.
“She died?” Jacob’s voice sounded muffled and lost.
“Yes. She hit her head on the corner of the table.”
“I don’t understand. You said ... Wait, I don’t get it.”
“I hid her.”
“Are you serious? Vera died in your store? Of course you’re serious, just look at you. What happened? You had a fight?”
“Yes. She kept talking and I asked her to leave, and I washed the floor then she slipped. That’s all.”
Jacob put his arms down, leaned back on the bench. “I can’t believe it.”
Finally her tears began to cease. Corby saw Jacob staring at the water.
“I told you.”
“Where did you hide her?” Jacob didn’t look at her.
“In the refrigerator that we have in the shop.”
Jacob shook his head.
“Why didn’t you tell the police?” He asked this without looking at her.
“I was afraid they wouldn’t believe me.”
“Her parents are looking for her. It’s not fair. You have to tell them!”
Corby didn’t answer and Jacob turned to her.
“Wait,” he said. “Vera didn’t run away, she’s dead and you know where she is. Then Sylvia disappeared. You ... Did she fall too?”
Corby shook her head from side to side.
“You don’t know where she is?”
Corby looked down.
“Where is she?” Jacob asked.
“She’s with Vera.”
“You ... You ... It can’t be.”
“She called me names. She broke my phone and threatened to kill me! Because of you, by the way! Because of you!”
“Did you kill her?” Jacob’s voice became barely audible.
“She wouldn’t let me live. I stood up for myself! I did what you suggested that I do just now!”
“You killed her.”
“You have to understand me! She threatened me! She made my life miserable! She was jealous because of you and threatened to kill me!”
“I heard that. So it’s my fault?”
“No, Jacob. No, no, no! It’s not your fault. It’s hers. You have to understand me! I had no way out!”
“There is always a way out. I’m sorry. I don’t understand.”
Jacob got up and walked away from Corby, but then returned. “I’ll drop you off at your house,” he said.
“Thank you. I’ll take a cab,” Corby said.
Jacob didn’t mind. After a few seconds she lost sight of him. Happy people were leaving tracks on Facebook or other social sites with their photos. She knew everyone did that. Everyone but Corby had a story to tell others. She even smiled thinking about her status update. Killed a girl who bullied me today. Yippee!
A girl in a red coat ran up to her, holding a phone.
“Can you take our picture, please?” She looked closely at Corby and took a step back. “Sorry.”
Corby sat on the bench for some time. A woman with a big bag sat beside her, but Corby didn’t move until the phone rang in her pocket. She pulled it out slowly, looked at the screen. Mom. Just her mom. She didn’t understand and won’t ever understand. Never.
“Hello.”
“Corby, where are you? They told me you left the store two hours ago!”
“I’ll be home soon.”
Corby disconnected the phone and stood from the bench, thinking the best option now would be to drown in the pond. Living didn’t make sense anymore.
CHAPTER 29
Corby closed the front door and looked toward the kitchen. There were lights, the TV was on, the smell of Chinese food filled the air. Her parents didn’t talk as if they were waiting for her to start their everlasting dispute. Corby didn’t want to hear or see them and she didn
’t want them to ask her questions. She wanted to be alone in her bed and quietly wait for her death.
Removing her boots noiselessly, then her jacket, which she hung on a hanger in the hallway as her mother demanded even though she usually went into her room in her street clothes. Now she hoped her mother would notice her jacket, realize her daughter was home, and would not interrogate her or even call her to the table. Corby loved food and if she didn’t come down for dinner and didn’t say she was hungry, that really was the case. Mom had to understand. She had to understand something! Could she be so stupid and insensitive?
Before Corby reached the stairs, she heard soft footsteps behind her. It was Mom in her favorite velvet slippers.
“Corby ... You wanted to go to your room without even saying hello to us?”
“I’m tired, I’m sorry,” Corby said without turning to her mother and holding one of her hands on the railing.
“What do you mean you’re tired? What did you do? You think I’m not tired working all day? Or your dad? It’s very rude, darling. Is that my sweater you’re wearing?”
Corby turned to her mother, knowing how she looked right now. She could feel her facial expression: a lower lip sticking forward, beetle-browed, eyes narrowed.
“This is too much.” Mom shook her head. Corby just noticed the fork in her hand.
“I need to start my homework,” Corby muttered, barely opening her mouth. It was more like a hiss than normal human speech.
“First, you have to sit down and have dinner with us. I, by the way, made salad.”
“Congratulations,” Corby said and turned back to the stairs.
“Stop right now!”
Corby stopped and closed her eyes, her lower lip moved forward even more and her teeth clicked.
Mean girl_A dark, disturbing psychological thriller Page 17