"You deserve it" by Emily White

[ShortStoryContest]

The following story has been selected as a featured runner-up in our 2015 short story contest (Contest Theme - "The Self-Destructiveness of Vengeance and Hate")

"You deserve it" by Emily White

Aishling Doyle sighed, a very bad habit she had acquired recently. Glancing around the class, she saw that most of her classmates were chatting to their neighbours, occasionally taking down the notes from the board. The teacher was lazily correcting tests, looking up only when someone laughed particularly loud.

She turned to her best friend Fran, who was doing a magnificent imitation of a conscious person. Aish knew better, knowing that she had perfected the art of sleeping with her eyes open in 2nd class where she had been the only atheist in a communion class. Well the only one who knew what an atheist was. She couldn’t help smiling as the memory of their 3rd class nativity came to mind. Fran had lasted all the way up to the wise men song before standing up and saying “Right, I’m sure that happened” and walking out leaving a mortified teacher, laughing parents and a very confused front half of a donkey. That had been the moment that Aisling’s little 9 years old mind had focused on the single goal - she will be my friend. Eight years later and they were as close as two teenage girls could be or, as Fran described it, borderline lesbians. And one thing she knew for certain was that Fran blatantly refused to stay conscious for a class that, quite frankly, she could have taught in her sleep.

“BANG!”
Aish was awoken from her own reverie by the resounding clang followed by a stream of curses at the front of the class. This was accompanied by the sight of a tomato faced William Watson lying on the floor beside a toppled stool, surrounded by his friends in hysterics. She suppressed a giggle of her own as he got up, now laughing at himself while the teacher shook her head, asking if he was okay. He confirmed that he was unharmed and picked up his stool, glancing back at Aish and grinning. She couldn’t help smiling at her oldest friend. You’re an idiot, she mouthed. I know, he mouthed back shrugging. Her smile widened as the bell rang, abruptly waking a disgruntled Fran. “Finish those questions for homework,” the teacher barked as they rushed the door and were immediately swallowed up by the tide of students rushing to the canteen.

“We need to have a revolt in that class,” declared Fran, stifling a yawn as they collected their books at their lockers. “On what grounds?” She snorted. “On the grounds that you’d learn more about physics watching the Big Bang Theory than in her class.” They both laughed as they made their way to the benches by the stairway. Will and the guys were already there, still laughing about the stool incident. Fran rolled her eyes as they recounted what she had gladly missed. Aish, meanwhile, started into her lunch, glancing around every few minutes as people walked by.

Fran saw this and saw what had her on edge immediately. Or the lack of it in this case. “Where the hell is Rian actually?” she said aloud, “He’s usually here to annoy me by now.” One of them shrugged. “He was talking to Stella and Áine leaving accounting, probably still is.” Will heard this and frowned. “Jesus, he knows that you generally stop chatting up girls once you have one yeah?” joked one of the others, making the all lads laugh except Will, who remained frowning. “God Aish, I’d be raging at that lousy bastard if it were me,” he continued shaking his head at her sympathetically. Aish forced a smile, knowing that they didn’t mean any harm. Fran didn’t buy it though.

“He’s always talking to someone about something! You’d think that he would spend some quality time with the girlfriend he hasn’t seen in a week!” “Ah come on Fran! You’re telling me that he didn’t see Aish all midterm?” Aish blushed and suddenly became very interested in her shoes. “We were both really busy...” she muttered. She didn’t want to look up and see all the pitying faces, shaking and sighing as if to say “poor thing, not again”.

Fran however didn’t look down and instead did what she, arguably, did best – obviously changed the subject by using her mastered sarcasm. “So Will, did you fall off that stool because you’re still ‘perfectly sober’ after the party Saturday?” This news plus Fran’s choice of words brought a welcomed change of topic, leaving Aish to her own thoughts, a daunting prospect.

Fran watched her out of the corner of her eye, pained as her best friend tried to brush off her hurt. She could tell that she was bothered by Rians absence yet again. Aish would never say it but Fran knew she was upset by his constant stream of teenage girls seeking advice. Why they opened up to him, she couldn’t fathom but every class, lunch, break... hell every other day he was being dragged off by someone needing some kind of ‘detox’ or therapy session. That is when he didn’t go off looking for them.

Fran’s blood boiled at the thought of him acting all chummy and close with everyone with a pulse, other than his loving girlfriend who pretended that she didn’t care about being abandoned and dropped constantly for other girls. For God’s sake, she thought angrily, he probably knew the others better than he knew her! As she was thinking this she heard a familiar loud peal of laughter ring down the hall. Aishling looked up as she heard it too, smiling brightly.

Rian O’Neill suddenly came bounding into view, chasing a laughing Áine down the hall. He caught her around the waist, losing his balance, causing both of them to topple into a heap on the floor a few feet from the group. Both were gasping for air, hunched over in silent hysteria. Some in the group chuckled while others just shook their heads. Will glanced at Aish with pity. Her smile had become as hollow and set as a Jack-o-Lantern’s. Fran of course, jumped immediately to her friend’s aid. “What the hell Rian? You nearly killed her!” She helped Áine to her feet and stood in between them. “You should be ashamed!” He grinned madly, amused by her sudden affection for the girl. “She started it!” he replied as he playfully tried to grab Áine’s arm. But nobody gets by Fran. She roughly grabbed his outstretched arm and twisted it in one fluid motion. He yelped in pain, yanking his arm back and staring at her accusatorily. “Jesus Fran! Take a joke!” She fixed him with an unimpressed glare, the lads all laughing in the background their friend’s manhood robbing moment. Áine giggled nervously and gave Aish a small apologetic smile before quickly looking away. “Em... I’ll chat ya later Rian.” she muttered, turning and briskly walking around the corner and out of sight.

Rian turned back to Fran. “You didn’t have to twist so hard you know! I was only messing, I mean who was it hurting?” Even a few of his mates shot him despairing looks. He really was clueless. Glancing at Aish before replying, Fran just tossed her head impatiently. “You could have injured one of our star midfielders, and you think that I was gonna just stand idly by?” she replied calmly, as if explain to a four year old why the rain was wet. Meanwhile, Aish made a mental note to thank her best friend for her blatant lie. Rian just stared at her for a moment longer before shaking his head. “Lord Woman, you’ll be the death of me.” “Don’t tempt me,” she replied dryly before resuming her seat.

Rubbing his arm, Rian dropped down on Aishling’s other side. “You know that your friend is insane right?” he asked, grinning again. She just shrugged. “Would you rather I live or try and change her?” “Fair point. Anyway, speaking of change...” Aish felt her heart sink into her stomach, “Saoirse and Áine were going to go and see that movie too. I told them we’d meet up and see the earlier show and head back to Saoirse’s after.” Completely focused on unrolling his sandwich, he didn’t see her crestfallen expression. “But I can’t make the early movie... and I thought we were going to go back to mine for food?” she tried, her hopes not high. Rian looked at her and shrugged. “To be honest the early movie really does suit me better. And actually, Áine really needs someone to talk to right now, just a pure bitching-fest, you know?” She nodded, not trusting herself to speak. He watched her for a moment before looking away. Fran didn’t like that look... it was almost happy while watching her friend in pain... “Look, how about we go see it next week-end, okay? It’ll still be in and I can catch up on my sleep after seeing it the first time.” Aish didn’t know what else to do. She sighed and conceded. “Sure, I guess that makes more sense.” “Perfect. I’ll go and confirm with the others.” He swiftly kissed her cheek then scooped up his bag and strode down the hall, humming to himself. Aish looked up to see Fran and Will both staring at her, Will with pity and Fran with an expression that one usually associated with the smell of slurry when driving.

“You’ve got to be kidding me Aish? Again!” She suddenly became very interested in her shoes. Will took Rian’s empty seat. “She’s right Aish. This is happening way too often. I mean, look at you, you’re gutted and he doesn’t even realise it!” A tear snuck it’s way to the corner of Aishling’s eye which she hastily wiped away. Fran could sense how much she was hurting and put her arm around her. “I’m sorry hon. We just hate to see you torture yourself over him. He’s the idiot that hasn’t a clue what he just gave up this weekend!” Aish snorted but it came out more choked than she’d meant it. “Thanks you guys, but I’m fine. Just being over dramatic as usual. I’ll see you in Bio okay?” She didn’t wait for a reply, just grabbed her bag and dashed down the corridor.

Will made to go after her but Fran held him back. “We can’t do anything. Trying to talk sense into her is about as useful as a chocolate hammer.” Will sighed, swiping his dark black hair out of his warm hazel eyes. Fran couldn’t helping noticing how the sigh caused his broad shoulders to rise, adding pressure to his already strained shirt through which you could faintly see the outline of his toned arms... “- talk to her today?” “What?” Fran blushed as she realised that she had been staring at him while not taking in a word he was saying. Really smooth there Fran, she thought to herself. Will was looking at her expectantly. “Sorry, what did you say?” His expression was very amused as he repeated his question. “Will you try to talk to her again today? This is getting out of hand and I’m really worried about her.” Fran couldn’t disagree. “I can try at least.” “Good. Anyway, Irish test next, gotta go.” He rubbed her arm briefly leaving her skin tingling before heading off to class. Fran shook her head. A bloody crush was all she needed ...



“You’d think that they’d ease us back into it,” Aishling sighed, staring at the mountain of books sitting on her desks. Fran chuckled, “Oh yes you seem so concerned with it.” They were both currently sitting on Aish’s bed, devouring a tub of Ben & Jerry’s chocolate fudge ice cream.

She shrugged. “I didn’t say I was. I’m just expressing my worry that their hopes are too high.” Fran nodded, her mouth savouring the chocolate. “Ih cub hab bin murse.” Her tongue was trying to speak and keep the ice cream on it simultaneously. It also failed miserably at both. “Feck! Brain freeze!” she moaned as she swallowed too quickly. Aishling laughed. “So, when you can speak again, would you care to enlighten me on what you just said?” Fran coughed, red and glared for a second before cracking up herself. “I-I was saying it could have been worse, from what Will was saying about Rigney when he fell. Not too impressed I take it?” “What teacher would be? Ah sure, didn’t affect us after anyway so, tis all good.” Getting up, she stretched and then began to examine the stack on her desk. Fran sighed and pulled her own bag towards her but the edge of it caught on the bin, pulling and knocking it. “sh*t...” she muttered, dropping to the floor and re-binning the crumpled paper, the tissues, sweet wrappers, more tissues... Fran stopped and took a good look at the contents of the bin. It was full of tissues, all salt stained and making up well over half of the rubbish. She swallowed and righted the bin. “So, wanna tackle the French translations first or ...?”

Fran turned to face Aishling, who was waiting for an answer. “Aish, why have you been crying so much?” She looked confused. Then she saw the bin and her face whitened. She turned away. “What are you talking about? I haven’t been crying,” she said, her voice too happy to be real. “I’m referring to the fact that your bin is over flowing with tear stained tissues,” she stood up, waiting for her to reply.

There was silence for a few minutes. Fran didn’t break it, sensing rather than knowing not to. Finally Aish turned to face her, tears rolling down her cheeks and her expression completely exposed and hurt. “I can’t do it anymore...” she whispered, her voice cracking. Fran was at her side immediately, pulling her into her arms. Aishling broke completely, tears rapidly falling from her eyes. She clutched to Fran for support as her sorrow shook her body in terrible tremors. Fran held her tightly, gently pulling her over to the bed and sitting her down. She allowed her to cry, never relaxing her protective grip from a moment, rocking her gently.

After some time, the tears stopped and Aishling pulled away, breaking Frans lock on her. Her face was red and puffy, her eyes now blood shot. Fran felt a raging anger flare at whoever had made her feel like this. And she had a funny feeling that she knew face would soon be meeting her fist... “You want to talk about it?” she asked. Aish nodded, not saying anything. Fran took a deep breath, “Its Rian, isn’t it?” Another nod, her face troublingly blank. “What happened?” Aish finally looked at her. Her lipped trembled. “It’s everything... it’s just- I think he’s been pulling away from me...” she stammered. “We never- he never talks to me anymore... we never go out alone, he always cancels plans we do make... and on top of that he- he never stops hanging out with other girls, especially Áine...”
Fran could she in her face that this had been hurting Aish for a lot longer than she had suspected. She took her hand. “Why didn’t you tell me? You know you can tell me anything?” She wasn’t hurt, just curious. She just shrugged, “I didn’t know how to without sounding like the ‘jealous over-powering girlfriend’...” Fran snorted. Aish couldn’t help it. A grin stretched across her face. Fran wrapped her arm around her shoulders. “You know that you are incredible right?” This time Aish snorted. “It’s true! You are the most patient, kind and loving person I know! You’ve even put up with my devious ways all these years! And, quite frankly, if Rian can’t see that the he’s an even bigger idiot than I thought possible. He doesn’t deserve you and it’s high time that you told him that!” Aishling looked terrified at the prospect. “H-How? How would I even start...” She sighed. “How about you start with ‘Rian, I feel like sh*t and it’s your bloody fault’?” Aish rolled her eyes but there was a flicker of light in them. Fran smiled. “I bet that I can make you feel better...” Aish seriously doubted that anything coul- “I think I like Will.” “OMG SHUT UP!!!”


“I’m gonna be sick.”
“Well I don’t see how that’s even possible considering that you haven’t eaten since yesterday.”
This helped to quell Aish’s fears only slightly as they walked towards Rian’s locker the next day. Fran was ready at any moment in case she tried to run but she just kept repeating ‘It’s now or never’.

After spending most of the previous evening and night planning what she would say to Rian, Aish sadly still felt no more confident than she had yesterday. She had even confided in Will during Irish that morning. He had hugged and reassured her that this was the right thing to do. He had also acted as a second opinion on her approach. He agreed with Fran that she had to say everything before Rian spoke. “It’s the best way to avoid confusion or accusation. He needs to know that you’re hurt and why.” Aish felt more relaxed knowing that Will thought it was right. He had even agreed to ‘run into’ them at Rian’s locker and give Fran an excuse to leave. Fran had agreed to this whole-heartedly, but hadn’t appreciated it when Aishling pointed out how enthusiastic she had seemed, which she had displayed by elbowing her unceremoniously in the ribs.

So here she was, exactly where she didn’t want to be. She couldn’t help wondering if selling her soul to the devil would get her out of it. “Next corner now. You ready?” She nodded, not trusting her voice. Fran hugged her. “Just remember, you deserve to be happy just as much as he does.” They pulled apart. “And if it all blows up in your face, I have a guy who can get you a new identity and a private jet to Zimbabwe.” Aish choked out a laugh. “How come it’s a private jet?” Fran shrugged and pushed open the door. “It comes with the identity. Along with a fur coat and moustache.”

The door was open and the two girls began walking, both laughing. Fran looked up and stopped, her arm jerking Aish back also. Utterly bewildered, she followed her horrified gaze and froze. The hallway was empty... except for Rian and the girl who was straddling him against his locker, their faces seemingly glued together. Aishling could only stare, like a scene in a horror movie where you know someone is about to die. Fran’s iron clad grip on her arm warned that someone just might be.

Several seconds passed before they surfaced. Rian was grinning and happened to glance down the hall. “Jesus!” He jumped back, the girl barely catching herself as she fell, stumbling to find her balance. Somewhere in her mind she registered that it was Áine but the rest of her brain was numb. He was glancing from her to Fran, clearly trying to find a way out. “You know what Rian?” Fran’s voice was eerily calm, “It’s ironic that you should mention him...” She took a step forward, her face steel like, “You’re going to be seeing him very soon.”

She exploded towards him. There was no other way to describe it. She was beside Aish one minute and then suddenly she was right in front of Rian, twisting his arm 360° behind his back, causing him to howl in pain and forcing him onto one knee. A black-haired blur dashed past Aish and pulled Fran back. It was Will. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her with all his strength a good five feet away from her now whimpering prey. “YOU TWO FACED LYING SON OF A BITCH! COME HERE YOU SNIVELLING LITTLE f*ckER!” She was out for blood but Will didn’t relinquish his hold. “Let me GO Will! Didn’t you see?! That bastard was-” “I know Fran!” He shook her, trying to calm her down. “I know! You killing won’t solve anything though.” Fran still looked murderous but slowly nodded. “Fine. You’re right.” He let her down, but held one of her arms firmly. Then he turned to Rian.

“Now,” his voice was icy, “Let’s hear what you have to say.” For some reason, Rian didn’t look thankful at all for Will’s intervention. In fact, he was glaring at him with unreserved loathing. “What the hell are you doing here, Watson?” he spat, surprising everyone. Taken back, Will just answered “Aish needed me here.”

Rian snorted without humour. “Needed you? Ha, doesn’t she always?” “What are you talking about?” He turned to find Aishling standing two steps away from him. He stood up and gave her an twisted grin. Is eyes were mocking, not apologetic...what the hell was going on?
“What am I talking about? Hmm... how about the fact that you HOOKED-UP!” he yelled, his eyes bulging madly. Aishling was completely bewildered. “What are you on about? We’ve never hooked up!” “OH REALLY?” Rian looked positively demented. “You think I’m stupid? I see the way he looks at you and how close ye are!” He shot an accusatory glance at a confused Will who was still holding a furious Fran back. “I know that ye’ve hooked up for months! How do you like it now, HUH?” He laughed, grinning sadistically at Aish. “How does it feel? Being hurt just like I was! Hell,” he spat at Aish’s feet, “You haven’t been! Do you have any idea how much sh*t I’ve had to listen to for months? ‘Oh, my boyfriend won’t like this’, ‘Oh what if Aish finds out?’, ‘Oh Rian, will you walk my pathetic excuse for a dog?’ ... on and on!” Áine gasped. He looked at her, disgusted. “Yea, your dog is pathetic! To be honest, if you weren’t so good at blow jobs I would’ve dumped your sorry ass ages ago!” She burst into tears, ran past Will and Fran and out the door. He rolled his eyes and turned back to face Aishling who was stone faced.

“So let me get this straight... you’ve been cheating on me for months, making me feel like sh*t by ignoring me... all because you think I hooked up with WILL!” He winked. “You got it princess. How do you li-” He never saw her fist. One minute it was at her side and the next it was barrelling into his jaw, the full force of her body behind it sending him reeling into the lockers. He fell against them hard. Stunned, he looked up at a stone faced Aish. Silently, she turned away and walked over to her friends. They both looked at her in awe. “You hypocritical bitch!” She didn’t turn. “Sure! Go ahead! Run right back to him!” This time Will answered. “There has never been anything between Aish and me you gobsh*te!” “Ha!” he snorted sarcastically. “Of course there wasn’t.” Will looked at him with pity.

Then without warning he turned, grabbing Fran and pulling her into him, kissing her full on the mouth. She froze for an instant before melting into it and kissing him back. His lips felt so soft on hers, his strong arms drawing her in close. For the moment, nothing else mattered except the exceptional kisser that surprisingly was one of her best friends. She made a mental note to thank whatever deities were out there.

They broke apart after a couple of seconds. Aish looked surprised but beamed at them both. Rian looked like he was going to be sick. Will put his arm around Aish and hugged her before going over, reaching down and pulling a reluctant Rian up. “You’re an ejet. And you brought this all on yourself.” He turned as if to walk away but paused. “Oh, and there’s something else,” he turned, his left hook slamming into his face with a resounding crack of a broken nose. Rian’s girlish cries rang down the hall as he fell to the floor, cradling his bleeding face. Will shook out his hand. “Don’t f*ck with my friends again.” And with that, the three friends walked away. Fran and Will’s arms went around Aishling as they opened the door. She knew that it would be a while before she felt better but no matter what, she knew that she’d always have her friends... even if they were going to be the most insane power couple ever!

[Serena_Charlotte]

It is so good! I love the whole setting and the way the friends stuck up for each other! It was really great!

[Katjafatima]

The author so perfectly describes what it is to have a best friend at such a young and trying age. So many memories flooded me of my own best friend and the many crushes we battled in junior high and high school.