A Living Nightmare

{alright I'm finally done with work. No more bullshit. No more 3 week hiatuses. The final 10 parts of step sisters coming at you all in full swing these next 3 weeks. Stay tuned 👀

Ok anyway, I just gotta stay. I love this little community we've created here. You all are the best 🫶}

I didn't even get a moment to process last night's events before going back to school and seeing everyone there last night.

I'm putting on my makeup now but I keep fucking it up. I can't think about anything else right now.

Today is going to be the worst day of my life. That's all anyone is talking about in this school. As long as I can convince everyone she isn't actually my mom's boyfriend's daughter and that it was just a cover-up, I should be good.

When I got in the car with my dad last night I just started sobbing uncontrollably. I told him what happened obviously. He was livid, to say the least.

Jessie was so embarrassed. She kept blaming herself saying she never should have gotten together with me. It was too risky. The last thing we wanted was this to get out at my school. You never know who is going to tell their parents what.

Elle has also been blowing up my phone since it happened. I've texted back periodically. The second I left she called off the party and told everyone to go home. A few of our friends stayed. She told them all about Jessie and I. I honestly don't even care about that. Joey knows everything so I know she told the full story instead of Casey's "When are you going to tell everyone you and Jessie are dating." Yeah, those words have been ringing through my head since it happened.

I'm picking Elle up before school. I drove her almost every day last year. She has a car but it's easier just to carpool with the limited parking. Luckily, I have Elle in almost all of my classes so I'll be with her all day. I have one class without her but that'll be fine.

I finish getting ready, not even caring what I wear. I threw on an oversized T-shirt and sweatpants. Normally I will put on a more thought-out outfit for school. I want all the attention but that is the last thing I want today.

I grab my back and head towards the door when Jessie walks in.

"You're gonna be ok today. I promise" She says.

"No, I'm not. It's going to be absolutely awful. I shouldn't even show my face in that school after last night" I say.

I just want to curl up into her arms and cry but I don't have time for that right now.

"Come here" She pulls me into a hug. "In a week everyone will forget and move on to the next thing" She kisses me on the top of my head.

"I know." She's right. That's just how high school works.

We head downstairs and my mom has breakfast on the table. She is extra cheery this morning. It is also her first day. I tell her I'm not hungry and that I should get going to pick Elle up. She insists on taking first-day pictures. She takes one of just me, her and I, Jessie and I and then all five of us. One big happy family or whatever. I was on the verge of tears throughout the whole thing. Hopefully, it didn't show in the pics.

I finally leave and head to Elle's house in complete silence. I couldn't bear to listen to music right now.

I arrive at Elle's and her and her mom are outside already. I park and Elle swings the door open but doesn't get in.

"Hi, Harper. Happy first day" Elle's mom says to me through the door.

"Thank you," I say.

"Your mom called and she wants me to get a picture of Elle and you," She says.

"I figured she would" I lightly laugh.

I get out of the car and Elle's mom gets a picture of the two of us together. Afterward, we get into the car and I start driving.

"How are you feeling?" Elle asks.

"I just don't want to do today. I'm pissed. I'm tired. I'm upset. I hate Casey." I start rambling.

"Don't worry. I'll be right by your side through it all" She says.

We pull into the school and I feel the knot in my stomach tighten. I park the car and we start heading in. There is a sea of students all going to the same place. I swear I saw people glancing at me but I brush it off as just my imagination.

We go inside and head to our first-period class, history. We sit next to each other. The bell rings and I'm grateful Casey didn't walk through that door. We broke up before schedules were released so I don't know if he is in my classes or not. I swear I looked at every person as they walked through the door.

Class is fine. No snickering and no looks so I'll call that successful. The teacher was just rambling about what we're gonna cover this year and how much tests count towards our grades.

The bell rings signifying the end of class. Elle and I head out together. We go to our lockers and will meet back up in a few minutes for geometry.

I put in my combo and open my locker when Casey's amazing friend Finn comes up beside me. Note my sarcasm.

"So your step-sister?" He asks, raising an eyebrow.

I look at him slightly puzzled. "Oh, Jessie." I start. "Yeah, she's not actually my mom's boyfriend's daughter. I just used it as a cover-up because I don't want anyone to know we were dating yet" I say.

"Wait so Casey outed you?" Finn looks equally confused.

"Yeah real fucked up of him," I say and close my locker slightly harder than I should have.

"Oh I swear it is on sight next time I see him," Finn says and quickly walks down the hallway, probably going to go find Casey.

I meet up with Elle and Alyssa and we walk to our class. Class is the same shit as before. The teacher rambling, the class not paying attention and just waiting for the bell to ring. It finally does.

We head out and a girl from my first period comes up to me. I can't remember her name for the life of me.

"Harper, I am so sorry about what happened to you at the party last night." She says.

"Thank you," I say.

"Just know if you ever need help you can stop by one of our meetings," She says and hands me a flier for the school's GSA interest meeting.

I have absolutely no desire to go but I thank her anyway and move on with my day.

"Did Finn really run his mouth that quickly?" I ask Elle and Alyssa.

"I filled her," Elle motions to Alyssa. "Violet and Delilah in on what we're telling everyone. News is spreading quickly I see" Elle says.

"Thank you," I say.

The rest of the day goes by smoothly. I haven't seen Casey all day. I was with Elle the entire day until my second to last class. I go and take a seat in the back.

I'm subtly watching the door when Casey walks in all by himself. He immediately looks at me.

"Harper, what the fuck? Why are you painting me out to be some homophobic asshole?" Casey practically screams.

The teacher immediately stands up at his desk.

Finn is a few seats ahead of me. "Case, calm down" He puts a hand up to stop Casey from getting any closer to me.

"Finn, get out of the way" You can hear the anger in his voice.

"Do you wanna go?" I go right behind Finn.

"Get out of the way" Casey repeats.

"Boys find a seat" The teacher calls from behind his desk.

Finn starts inching closer towards him. I can't let Finn get in trouble for this.

"Don't worry, I got this" I say and punch Casey straight in the nose.

I'm not gonna lie, it felt really good.