Oh Trish

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4 months earlier

The first bell of the new semester rang through the long narrow halls. Nina cringed at the sound as hundreds of people passed along her locker, each greeting her. Her peers were fond of her, in a way they were fond of puppies.

She was sweet, innocent and kind.

It was unusual for someone of her social standing to be gifted with such characteristics, especially where she grew up.

Scarsdale, New York was splitting at the seams with wealth.  It was a semi small community with about 20,000 people, big enough that there were a never ending slue of things to do, but small enough that even the rich lonely widow, living on a secluded end of the street, could recognize anyone's face at the grocery store.

Nina grabbed her books and sighed as she looked into the mini mirror that hung on the side of the locker door. Her long, thick hair laid in voluminous waves along her head, finally filling in where she used to experience loss in clumps. It draped along her eyes, that for the first time in a long time, were clear from a clouded haze and heavy dark circles.

A symptom she was frightened would become permanent as a result of her illness.

But she was grateful with the progress she was making with her sleeping habits within the last few months, as well as the effects of a well nights rest and her hair had thanked her for it. A satisfied smirk played on her lips when she thought about the reactions she would receive from those who were so used to seeing her ghostly white essence barley holding her head up from exhaustion.

Or the whisperers who would stare when she had an episode during the school day. She sometimes overheard the hurtful and ruthless things people would say, but did her best not to let those who didn't understand, damage her more than she already was.

But for now, life was normal again and she was going to attempt to be thankful for it.

Suddenly her locker slammed in front of her face, knocking her back into reality and causing her to drop her books to the floor. Bending down, she glared at the culprit, "Couldn't give me 5 minutes to admire my own beauty huh?" she joked.

Trish, Nina's absolute best friend since before they could even spell their names, giggled at the scene in front of her as she applied a bright red lipstick to her plump lips in a careless manner. Her features were unique and stood her apart from every other girl in the school. Her full lips worked perfectly on her plush face. Her eyes just a calm sea of green and blue, were always inviting. They gave reassurance without words and it was Nina's favorite thing about her. She sometimes found herself staring in awe, envious of Trish's natural beauty and high self confidence.

Words couldn't describe the bond they shared.

Trish shrugged as blotted her devilish lips on a napkin, tossing it in her purse, "My sweet Nina, why would you want a mirror to tell you how gorgeous you are, when you have me?" she questioned, reaching for her friends hand to help her from the ground.

Though Trish was one of the best human beings to Nina, she wasn't always that way to everyone else, or herself.

She lived her entire life the lavish way. But, the lavish life came with a lot of hidden responsibilities. Trish lived with her obviously wealthy parents. Her father, Milton, a plastic surgeon, to all of the step ford wives in the community was married to her mother, Gwenth, a retired self proclaimed actress. Nina wasn't sure if she starred in anything at all.

However, they were great people with strong family ties, much like Nina's did. Well, before life decided to be unfair.

Nevertheless, being so high on the food chain, people held others to a certain standard. Which only caused Trish to rebel. She was scandalous, always wanting to get people talking. And she definitely wasn't afraid to speak her mind, about everything. To put it bluntly, she was born without a filter, at least that's what her father told her when she spit the brussels sprouts all of the thanksgiving dinner table a few years ago. The chef who created their feast was not pleased that day.

She was slightly promiscuous too and wasn't afraid to admit that boys were quite literally what made her world go round. But although she wasn't perfect, Nina loved her endlessly.

"So," Trish started as she pulled Nina into her, intertwining their arms together, "You're going to let me know if you start feeling sleepy, right?" She asked as they moved towards AP chemistry.

Six months ago Nina was diagnosed with narcolepsy, a sleep disorder that she apparently had most her life. But with the death of her mother, the symptoms became heighted and accelerated during the grieving process.

At first it was trouble sleeping, tossing and turning until sleep finally decided to take her. But then the drowsiness became impossible to heal. No amount of after school naps or weekend sleep ins cured her hunger for sleep. It was as if the more sleep she had, the more her body needed it.

Rest never came, only the sudden deep darkness that felt as if she had only slept for a few moments. But those moments were hours, sometimes almost entire days until she felt herself closing her eyes during school.

Falling asleep in the middle of tests or assembly's about important topics.

Her grades slipped, her appearance began to betray her and her family, which was already broken in her eyes, questioned her mental health.

But that was in the past. All of that was behind her thanks to the hard work of a team of doctors who  gave her proper tests instead of assuming her issues were a result of a depressive phase.

She would never be completely healed, as her diagnosis was only treatable, not curable. A reality she at first, had a difficult time coming to terms with. But as the medication began to mend her mind, she found herself feeling as if it was mending her soul too.

And at the moment, that was enough.

Nina looked up at her gorgeous friend, who had always made a massive effort to take part in her well being "Of course," she gave her a reassuring smile.

Trish squinted, challenging her words, knowing Nina had a difficult time asking others for help. It was one of her natural flaws, always wanting to fix things herself without feeling pathetic.

Trish frowned, "Are you lying to me?"

Nina smiled and chuckled, finding it humorous how well Trish knew her and her ways, "I guess you'll never know," she shot back as she broke away, strolling into the chemistry lab.

Trish huffed, following her to a sterile black top table she had sat down at.

"I mean, I'll know," Trish admitted with raised brows as she set down her purse, "You're a narc, you don't actually have to tell me when you're tired. I'll just wait for you to pass out and slap you back to life if you want to make things difficult and not tell me when you need meds."

Nina laughed suddenly at Trish's abbreviation for her illness, "Narc huh? I wasn't aware I was a cop. Besides," she started, opening her notebook to prepare for the pages of notes she'd have to take for both her and Trish, who was almost never responsible, "What's the point of me telling you I need meds if you don't ha-,"

Her words were cut short as Trish pulled out a large plastic bag full of pill bottles and an organizer with the day of the week printed on them.

"Have them," Nina finished her statement as she started at Trish.

"Yeah, I thought you might say that," her cheeks lifted into a high prideful smile as she began opening each of the six bottles and placing the pills in each designated day slot, "I know you take these every morning, but what if you forget one day? I called your dad and thought it would be an excellent idea to have backup," her smile faded and her tongue stuck out slightly as she worked carefully to separate the medication, "He agreed of course."

Nina looked up, a grateful smirk played at her lips as she watched Trish work meticulously. Okay, she said almost never responsible, today was an exception. 

Chelsea, a pretty blonde chuckled behind them, "Hey Nina," She hissed as she leaned over the table top, allowing her shirt to expose more of her already exposed chest, "Remind me again, when does the football team start practice?" she raised her eyebrow and half smiled, licking her teeth.

All the while knocking the shoulder of the girl next to her, gaining her attention.

Chelsea's friend eyed Nina, much too amused, "I bet those new uniforms are going to hug all the right spots."

Opening her mouth, Chelsea lowered her eyes, "I can think of one player in particular who might catch my eye," her words were taunting, clearly wanting a reaction, "Oh no, that's right, I bet you haven't even seen them yet, considering you were asleep for most of the summer."

Nina felt her stomach tighten, it was the first time anyone had ever called her out directly to her face about the issues she had. Most of the school was very much aware, but it wasn't surprising that Chelsea was on of the only people who was bold to point it out directly. 

They had beef since grade school and for what reason? Well Nina always chalked it up to jealously.

Trish, who was busy still color separating the pills, heard the chatter and looked over to a sulky Nina. That was another thing about her, she would never let anyone get away with talking shit. Putting her nursing duties on pause, Trish turned to the table behind them.

"Please ladies, for the sake of future children everywhere, learn from your parents mistakes and use birth control," she waited a moment, challenging Chelsea's stare. Waiting for her to add any additional comments. When she remained silent, Trish turned back to the pills, "Being a jealous whore is so last year Chels, find a new hobby. Maybe just, whore."

Chelsea folded her arms, "Aw but why?" she pressed, looking at the back of Nina's head, "Is poor Nina feeling insecure?"

Nina turned her head slightly, not bothering to make eye contact with someone who was so insignificant, "You're someone who clearly wants what I have, how exactly am I the insecure one here?"

Mr. Harris, the chemistry teacher, walked into class, thankfully breaking up whatever cat fight might have started.

He wasn't the average run of the mill teacher either. He was the ever so cliché tall, dark and handsome educate. The type they make movies about.

Not to mention his sculpted body that was very well shown off through his tight button downs. Trish licked her lips just as Nina elbowed her.

"What?" Trish asked, unashamed, "He's so fucking hot. I'd rock his socks off," she squealed with excitement as she finished with Nina's medicine.

"Good morning my little prodigies," Mr. Harris set down his briefcase down and wrote the days lesson on the board, "We are going to be doing quite a few labs this semester, but first things first, we need to pair off into partners."

Immediately, before he could even finish his statement, chairs were moved, feet shuffled and everyone was now in different places in the room.

All except Trish and Nina, who were clearly satisfied in their own partnership.

Though, paring up together wasn't a wise decision on Nina's part. The closest thing Trish had ever done to putting in effort, was writing her name on the work.

Well, that and preparing Nina's medications.

Mr. Harris laughed and pulled out a clipboard, "So quick to jump the gun," he said as he flicked his tongue, "Sorry to break it to you guys, but I've already paired you off. I'm thinking is will help keep a balance and maybe allow some of you to form new relationships."

The entire class replied with disgruntled moans, no one wanted that.

"Fuck," Trish blurted.

Mr. Harris didn't have look up from the list, already aware of the student who spewed the word, "Language Miss. Peterson. Let's try to create a new path, free of swearing and insults."

Chelsea's friend cleared her throat from across the room. Reminding Trish and Nina of their not so nice words minutes ago.

Trish smiled her gleaming smile, "Yes Mr. Harris, of course Mr. Harris, Thy wish is my command Mr. Harris," she giggled and winked to seal the deal.

The handsome teacher looked up to her with a raised eyebrow, extremely unamused, "Tread lightly Miss. Peterson, we don't want a repeat of last year."

Nina lowered her head in embarrassment of her friends actions, as some of her classmates looked over their shoulders at Trish, "You're gonna get yourself into some deep shit one day. You know he's already reported you to the office for sexual harassment," Nina put two fingers in Trish's face, "Twice."

Shrugging it off, Trish began to stack her books, "Looks like I'll be seeing the inside of the wardens office more often then. No promises that I won't fuck him too."

Mr. Harris began naming the students he choose to pair off. And from the groans, it seemed that no one liked his choices. Trish was placed in the back of the room with a kid who used his inhaler every two minutes.

One table was left and Nina's name still hadn't been called, "Miss. Wood, you are here to my right," Nina rolled her eyes as she walked to her desk at the very front of the class.

"Lovely," she groaned to herself, looking around the room as she sat down with a thud, "Where's my partner?"

And like out of some kind of cliché movie, a small knock came from the closed wooden door.

As it opened, Nina figured that she would be stuck with some weirdo, smart or not, and would have to live out the rest of the semester getting high off inhaler fumes. But when the mystery guest walked into the room, her thoughts immediately changed.

His height alone made him attractive. But there were so many other features to gaze at. Like the way his broad, sculpted chest filled out his bright white v-neck. Or the fact that his Marc Jacobs jeans hung nice and snug on his hips. There was something enticing about the extremely light facial hair gracing his face and lips that presented themselves with the utmost beauty.

A loud sound coming from behind Nina ear broke her out of her trace.

"Earth to Nina," Mr. Harris said, clearing his throat, now directly next to her, "As I was saying, Jackson Pope is a transfer student here and I thought what better person to make him feel welcome than you."

"Mr. Harris," Nina began to argue, pausing for a moment as she looked away from the transfer to her teacher, "I'm no longer apart of the student welcome program. I dropped out mid semester last year, I'm sure Trish would be happy to take over for me."

She figured he would want someone who was still qualified to care for transfers, after all it was the programs main goal to make the best impression possible.

And Nina didn't feel as if she was quite ready for that responsibility. That and she was slightly uncomfortable with her own reaction to Jackson's presence.

Trish looked elated, already salivating at the site of fresh meat. Nina would be doing her a favor.

"I'm aware of your decision to drop the program," he reassured her, "However, you were ranked #1 leader during all three years. So program or not, you're the one for the job".

Mr. Harris gave her a friendly 'you can do it' smile, and Nina being the compliant student she was, gave a nervous smile back as she nodded in agreement.

Jackson walked over towards the table, the entire time he was engaged in scoping out the classroom. Most of the girls fixed themselves, either their hair or pushing out their chest to seem more appealing. He brushed past Mr. Harris to sit down in his uncomfortable stool, next to Nina.

"It's Jax," He said flatly.

Nina still hadn't stopped staring as Jax began to make himself comfortable, slinging his backpack off his muscular shoulder, letting it fall to the floor with a thud. But once he turned his head slowly towards her, she no longer felt the need to stare.

Her eyes were completely dedicated to the front of the board. From the corner of her eye she could see him staring at her intently and for the first time in months, she felt like she was being judged.

An uncomfortable realization came to her mind when he didn't look away.

He was studying her.

Every inch of her face and body. What did he see? What was he thinking? What was he looking for?

As her eyes darted from one side of the room to the other, she could have sworn, she seen a small smirk play upon his plump lips.

With effortless movement, he leaned in her direction as his smirk grew wider, showing his perfectly white teeth, his shoulder brushing hers, "I got you," he whispered.