• the bell fianlly rang and everyone raced out of the room.as always i was last out.after gathering my books i went off to softball practice.on my way i walked by the gym.i saw a tall boy probably a year or two older than me.he was wearing baggy jeans a large white shirt and a blue bandana.his fist pounded against a blonde girl's stomache.i realized that the girl was Claire my old friend.she looked over at me in panic.hurt was in her eyes from the boy punching her and because i did nothing but watch her pain.finally the boy stopped.
    "maybe next time youll give me the money when i tell you to."he said waving her wallet in front of her face.when he walked away i hurried over to Claire who was laying in pain and tears on the cold ground.she lifted her head finally and her wet face and tears made me ache with sadness.
    "what were you thinking stupid?!"she wailed at me."i was being ripped apart right in front of you and all you could do was watch!i thought you were my friend!"more tears ran rapidly down her face.
    "i am your friend Claire."it was all i could say.she shook her head.
    "no.friends are people that will help when youre being bullied."there was nothing i could say to get her back now.limping she walked off to the city bus stop.i whispered, "im sorry"
    at practice my pitchung was wild.
    "whats up jen?"asked my coach."something wrong?"all i did was shake my head and throw harder.at home i skipped dinner and went straight to bed.i put a pillow over my face and screamed.my face was now red from trying to wipe away my tears.it wasnt working so i just let the tears fall.my crying made the pillow wet so i threw it against my door.the night was cold but i slept without blankets, just my jeans and shirt gave me any warmth at all.i fell asleep crying and woke up screaming.it was 3am and i couldnt sleep anymore. quietly i just sat in bed thinking.thinking about what id done and what i couldve done.all i could think of was the hurt in Claire's eyes when she saw me just watching as she was hurt.the only thing i wanted was for me to go to sleep and never wake up...
    THE END