"Oh, look who we have here." I try to remain still, acting like I didn't recognise her voice, like I don't know she's talking about me. But my shoulders tense up and my face goes red, and they notice. "What're you doing here, Valentine? Didn't you hear they're having a fingerpainting class downtown?"
"I'm waiting for a friend..." I say softly. They laugh. Part of me knows that no matter what I say, it won't help, but I can't just sit here and let them mock me. "We'll go as soon as she gets here."
"Yeah, you will," says her friend. "We don't want retards here."
"I'm not–" My voice breaks. I try to finish the sentence, but they don't give me the opportunity.
"Not what? Smart enough to finish your fucking sentences?" As much as I try to fight it, my eyes begin to sting. I lower my head to hide it, but at the first sniffle, they pounce. "Oh, what, you gonna cry? You gonna cry now?"
"Hey, she already acts like a baby. Might as well– ow!" My head shoots up and Jade is there, behind Simone and Brenda. She has her hands behind their head, pulling them back by their hair. They struggle, but Jade doesn't let go.
"You wanna see tears?" she asks, slowly prononciating every word. "If you two don't leave her alone very soon, tears won't be the only thing shed tonight." She tugs hard and allows for one brief smile towards me before going stone-faced again.
"Now say you're sorry and get out."
"And who the fuck do you think you are–?" asks Brenda before Jade slams her head into Simone's. The blow is hard enough to disorient them, and when she lets go, they nearly fall over. They do recover, though, and quickly make their way outside.
"Apology accepted?" Jade asks me with a grin. I nod, wipe away my tears and hug her. She flinches, but puts her arms around me anyway. When I let go, we walk out together.
As we approach the community center, I look at her and smile, bullies forgotten. "So, you ready to fingerpaint?"