On the other hand, Jason Stone couldn't have asked for anything as worse as prom. Many called Jason an outcast, others labeled him a loser, and some even referred to Jason as a freak. Jason had only one friend, who was residing in the White Side Country Correctional Facility for Young Men. EVeryone ignored Jason at school. They knew he was trouble and didn't want to ruin their reputation by being seen around him. Of course, Jason didn't mind. He despised everyone at Mid Lark. It was a hell house full of preps and jocks, according to him. As you could guess, Jason didn't quite fit in. He didn't wear the designer clothing, didn't participate in any sports or clubs, and didn't listen to their awful music they called rap and pop.
Crystal and Jason were on opposite ends of the social scale. That was the reason they didn't get along. Every time they passed one another in hall, it was silence, which wasn't saying much for Jason, but for Crystal, everyone greeted her. Their styles in clothing and music differed. Crystal dressed in designer clothing; perfectly, thought-out outfits with accessories. Jason dressed like a slob, wearing all black from the locak Good Will and garage sales or t-shirts with band names on them. Crystal listend to Justing Timberlake and Jennifer Lopez, while Jason listened to Ozzy Osbourne and Marilyn Manson.
~*~
Crystal Larson hurried out of her seventh period class, glancing at her watch on the way out. it was already 3:30. Her teacher, Mr. Knox, held the class over for fifteen minutes because of Jason Stone's sour behavior. Jason Stone. Crystal shuddered whenever someone mentioned his name. he was such a loser. he wore all black and was mean to everyone, including her! Now, Crystal was especially angry at him because she was supposed to meet Kyle Harding, her boyfriend, right after school.
Leave it to Jason to mess up everything, Crystal thought.
Crystal felt someone push her right shoulder forward, almost making her trip. Jason Stone strode past her with his all-black outfit and greasy hair.
She made a disgusted face and said, "What's your problem?"
Jason continued walking, ignoring her question.
"Loser," Crystal muttered, hurrying toward her locker.
Jason arrived at his locker, stopping to pause at what was written on it: Freak.
How far do these people go? Jason thought.
Jason was always getting picked on for who he was. Since his clothes didn't it in, since he listend to different music, since he wasn't a jock, he was made fun of. The whole school was against him, and he was tired of it. He would've dropped out long ago, but his mother wanted him to graduate, since she'd dropped out when in school.
Jason grabbed the books he needed and slammed the locker door closed, not borhtering to clean off the door. The message would just reappear the next day. People never gave up. Why wouldn't they just leave him alone?
Jason laughed to himself, causing two freshman girls that were passing give him strange looks and walk away quickly.
He started toward the entrace of the schhool, turning a corner and running right into someone.
Jason nearly fell on top o the person who'd fallen, but caught himself right in time.
Crystal Larson was scrambling around on the floor trying to pick up her dropped books.
"Excuse me!" Crystal said angrily, adjusting her skirt.
"It's not like I meant to run into you," Jason sneered back. She always acted like a drama queen. When would she finally realize she wasn't the center of the world?
"Why are you so mean? What's with you? Why can't you at least try to fit in?" she replied, looking at him in a challenging way.
"Why won't you just leave me alone?"
Crystal glared at him, causing Jason to almost burst into a fit of laugher. Everything was about her. No one else. It sickened Jason.The whole school acted the same way, however. People looked at the outside appearances constantly, never bothering to go beyond the looks.
"You have no idea what it's like. How can you treat me like I'm a loser when you've never had time to find out who I am, what makes me the way I am? You're all fake. I'm sick and tired of it all," Jason argued, causing Crystal to step backwards. Her face looked as if she'd just been slapped.
"You totally ignore people here! If you knew how it was, you'd agree that it's not as easy as you think! You try living my life for a while!" Crystal replied angrily, cheeks flushing with fury.
"I'd rather not,? Jason said smoothly. He could've laughed again at the shocked look on Crystal's face, but didn't, considering the fact that he was in a useless argument.
"You dirty - " Crystal started, but was cut off as someone yelled her name from behind.
Jason peered ver Crystal's head, as she turned around, and spotted Kyle Harding striding towards them, in his brand name clothing and bleached hair, smiling.
"I was looking all over for you!" Kyle exclaimed, walking towards Crystal.
Jason rolled his eyes as Kyle and Crystal kissed for a second. Why didn't girls see right through him? He'd seen Kyle kissing other girls.
"Sorry, Mr. Know held us over, thanks to a certian someone..." Crystal said after they'd kissed, nodding behind her.
Kyle's smile faded as he noticed Jason.
"Oh...Jason..." Kyle said with a hint of malice in his voice.
Jason rolled his yes again and walked past, irnoging the glares from the couple.
How fake are they? Jason thought. If only they knew what it was really like...
Jason pushed the main doors open and breathed in the freash, cool air, sighing as he exhaled.
Only a couple more months until he could get away from Mid Lark and only five months until Brandon got ou of the 'Correction Facility'. Steudents always taunted Jason with the fact that Brandon, Jason's best friend, got caught up with authorities for stealing a couple of times. No one understood their lives, how difficult it was not to have extra money to spend. Jason didn't have a car, since his mother couldn't afford one. He had to walk everywhere, which caused him ever more torment from other students.
Jason shook his head in sdisgust and started home.
Crystal and Kyle strode out of Mid Lark High hand in hand toward Kyle's Mercedes-Benz Roadster.
"What were you doing talking to Jason?" Kyle asked, as he held the door open for Crystal.
"Oh, he ran into me, and we got into this argument. It's nothing..." Crystal answered.
Kyle got into the car and stared at Crystal.
"Listen, he's trouble. Be careful around him, ok? I don't want anything to happen to you!"
Crystal smiled.
"That's sweet. I'll be careful. I know it won't happen again," Crystal assured him.
Kyle started the car and headed toward Crystal's house.
On the ride, Crystal stayed quiet, listening to Kyle talk about his day. She couldn't believe Jason, how rude hwas. He didn't know half of what her life was like, how hard it was to be her. He'd have way more respect if he knew. That little asshole. Who did he think he was?
"Crystal?" Kyle asked concerned.
Crystal was drawn out of thought. She realized Kyle was parked in her driveway.
"Are you okay? Jason didn't touch you, did he?" he asked, suddenly alert.
"No, he didn't touch me. It's nothing. really. I'm alright."
"If you say so..."
"I do."
"Okay, well, I was wondering if you'd like to go to the Justin Timberlake concert next Tuesday night for our anniversary."
"You got those tickets?!" Crystal gasped, eyes wide. She'd wanted those tickets ever since she'd heard about the concert. And for their anniversary! What a perfect night!
Kyle nodded, smiling. "First row," he added.
"I'd love to go! Oh Kyle!" Crystal kissed him for a moment.
"I thought you'd like that! I'll pick you up at 6:00 Tuesday night."
"Thank you! Oh, God, this will be great! I love you so much!"
The couple kissed again, a little more intensely.
"I love you too, Crystal." He paused. "I better get going. I promised my dad I'd help him after school, alright?"
"Okay. I'll see you tomorrow. Love you!"
"Love you more."
Kyle revved the car as Crystal climbed out.
He's so amazing, Crystal thought to herself, watching Kyle drive away.
