Chapter 9

At first I didn't like the new place, the new house without mom in it, and the new school where I didn't know anyone. Eventually, I got used to it, I made friends. They made my life better again, I was always excited to go to school and meet them rather than to stay at home. I didn't think of that house as a home, my family was broken but when I met them I felt like I had a new family. We became close pretty fast, I told them everything and they did the same. They were the first who helped me accommodate in this new place.

But like every time there were some bad parts about that school too. One of them was called Rick Martin. He started bullying me since I moved there, for some reason he couldn't stand me. From the first day he came and ''accidentally'' spilled a glass of water on me, he then left laughing with his friends. He never stopped, 2 years later and I still had to be careful when he was around. I learned how to avoid him by getting to know where he usually hangs out in school. That worked until he figured out and did the same, avoiding him was getting harder and harder. But the maximum point was when his locker was moved right next to mine. I had no escape, I had to face him.

Now, it was the first day of school again. I was afraid that I was going to meet him again, but what choice did I have? In the last few times he started being worse, hitting me or pushing me into the lockers when he passed by me. I always hid the bruises from my father; I didn't want him to know about this.

I was excited to see my friends again, we hang out in the summer too but then almost all of them left in luxurious trips around the continents. I told them that this time it will be a no from me, but truth be told I didn't go out of the country since mom died. I felt like I should be doing this only with her, like I always did.

When I first saw them I started smiling and they ran towards me. We hugged and started telling me about their journeys, each of them seemed more interesting. We were walking to my locker when I saw Rick; he gave me a cold look and grinned. I got shivers through all my body. I took my books out of the locker and hurried to get as far from him as I could.

My first period was biology. Fortunately, Rick wasn't in this class so I could enjoy an hour and a half without him. I looked around the room at my classmates and smiled. I was so relieved he wasn't there, then I focused my attention back on Miss Grey, she was explaining what we are going to do this year. Suddenly, I heard a knock and a dark brown haired guy entered the class.

-I am sorry for being late, Miss.

-It is okay Rick but please be in time from now on.

-Of course, Miss.

-Good, you may take a seat now.

He scanned the class and fixed his gaze directly on me. There was an empty seat right next to me, he saw it and proceeded towards it. He came by my side and whispered in a soft voice.

-Is this seat taken?

And without expecting an answer he put his bag on the ground and sat himself. Why did this have to happen to me? What was he doing here? I could feel his breathing, he was so peaceful. I tried to relax and simply ignore him. I kept on telling myself that this hour will pass smoothly once I'll concentrate only on the teacher.

-How do you like your first day of school so far, princess?

…

-Don't you want to talk to me?

…

-You're not still upset about the last time we saw each other right?

…

-C'mon, you know it was nothing personal.

-Can you shut up? I'm trying to focus.

-Ah, so the kitten has a tongue.

I couldn't stand him anymore, I wanted to ask the teacher to move him from me, but she was still talking and it was disrespectful of me to interrupt her.

-Hey guess what.

He came closer to me, his lips almost touching my ear as they whispered into it.

-This year will be even worse than the last.

-What is your problem?

-You are my problem.

-What did I ever do to you?

The bell rang and the class was dismissed, he packed his things and looked at me again. I think he saw the desperation and tiredness on my face because he smiled with satisfaction.

-Secrets are never told.

He left me speechless. It took me a few minutes to realize that I was still in that classroom with my hands half through putting my books back in the bag. I completely defrosted and got out of the classroom. I wanted to run to my friends and tell them what just happened but I was in shock so long that now the break was almost over and I had to hurry to my next lesson.

The next two hours before lunch were still with him. I was thankful when I entered the class and saw that the only empty seat wasn't beside him. I sat down on the chair and felt a poke in my neck; I turned around and saw him smiling devilishly at me.

-Missed me?

I instantly turned back to my table and distanced my chair from his desk. I thought this way I'll get away from him at least a little bit but I could hear his gossips behind my back. He never stopped talking until the person next to him simply asked.

-What do you even have with this girl?

-I just don't like her.

They weren't friends because all of his friends knew about me I was sure. He was talking about me with a stranger almost. What did he have with me? I wanted to ask him so badly but the person next to him already read my mind.

-Sounds like you hate her actually, may I ask why?

-Nah, she can hear us. Are you enjoying your time there, Viv?

I let myself fall towards my desk; I almost covered my notebook with my body and decided to concentrate on working instead. More than half an hour was gone and the lesson was almost finished. I was so happy to get out of there; I wanted to be as far away from him as I could.

-Hey, Viv?

…

-Can you help me with something?

I didn't answer to him; I tried to ignore him as hard as I could.

-Oh c'mon, don't be a bitch; I know you can hear me.

-Why don't you just fuck your dumb self off?!

I almost screamed at him, I turned around so fast that I didn't even have time to think what I was saying. He looked so surprised but within seconds that changed into anger.

-What did you just say?

-I said that I think you should flush your piece of shit personality down the toilet!

-Take it back, now.

-No!

-You are going to regret this.

Oh God. What did I just do? I wasn't controlling my brain. The bell rang and I hurried to pack my things and get out of there but he was faster and grabbed my arm right when I was leaving.

-You are coming with me.

He was holding me so hard and dragged me all of the sudden. I didn't have a choice but to follow him, I couldn't make him let go. We went outside, in a part nobody really goes and he pushed me against a wall, holding both of my arms so I couldn't move.

-Now, I tried to be nice to you Vivien but you leave me no choice.

His hand moved from my arm and raised it in the air, with a quickly wave he slapped my left cheek. A burning pain was left by his power; I was covering my red face when I felt a hit in my stomach. I slowly slid down the wall as I could feel his legs hitting me; he was aiming everywhere he could. Pain raised from all of my body but I was still holding my tears. Then he stopped and spit on me in disgust.

-I hope you know your place now.

He left me there and finally after I couldn't see any trace of him anymore I could let go. Hot drops of water were streaming down my face as I got up and looked at my arms. The redness was turning purple and every move caused pain. I got up and went back inside the school.

My lesson already started when I got there. I hid my new bruises so no one could see them, and then I went inside the class. I excused myself in front of the teacher for being late and scanned the class. The only empty seat was beside him. I sat and stayed in silence the whole lesson.

He didn't say anything to me anymore. The lessons I had with him were over. The next place I may see him was the lunch, but luckily I didn't meet him at all. I had two more lessons after it and I couldn't wait to go home, my body hurt so badly. I was so happy that he wasn't in those classes, I could finally relax thinking I won't see him again today.

I felt like time flew faster and in a blink of an eye I was free and ready to go home. I was at my locker when he came beside me to his locker. I hurried to leave but he grabbed my arm again and stopped me.

-You know what happens to naughty girls now?

I just nodded in terror, I was too afraid to speak.

-Great, be a good girl and I'll be nicer to you too, okay?

-Yes.

-See you tomorrow.

He winked at me and left. I could see the satisfaction he felt in that devilish smile of his. He wouldn't hesitate to beat me again, he liked it. I wanted to get as far as I could from him and this school, but we shared the bus. He was living only two stations before mine. I didn't want to face him again so I decided to wait for the next bus. It was half an hour away, but I preferred to wait than to see him again.

I stayed and read until my next bus came. I was so captivated by my new book that I almost lost my bus. The ride took me 45 minutes and I was so happy to be home, I was exhausted. I entered the house to see Marcus waiting for me on a chair, he looked a bit worried.

-You are late.

-I missed the first bus.

-Why didn't you call me?

-I didn't mind waiting.

-What's that on your hand?

-What?

-That. It looks like a bruise.

- I tripped.

-Let me see your whole arm.

-What?

He came closer to me and gently pulled my sleeve up to reveal my entire arm covered in purple spots. I immediately got my sleeve back down so my father wouldn't see and distanced myself from him.

-This is not from tripping.

-It was on the stairs.

-I will have to report this to your father.

-What?! Why?

-You need to be taken to a hospital, is it something wrong with this?

-I'm fine, no hospital needed.

-Miss…

-Just please don't tell my father.

-Okay, then you may like to explain what really happened.

-Fine, I'll tell you. Come with me.

I went to my room and he followed me. I closed the door and told him the whole story, all this time I was trying to look unaffected and hold my tears back. At the end he stayed quiet for a while, looking like he was analysing the situation.

-I understand.

He didn't say anything more, he just left. I sat myself on the bed and hoped that he wouldn't tell my father about this. I didn't want him to worry or do something stupid.

Hours passed since I told Marcus and everything was normal. When it was dinner time I hid my bruises and went downstairs hoping that my father had no clue about this. My father looked like usual; Marcus was very serious and looked bothered by something. My heart started pounding when I heard my father call my name.

-Vivien.

-Yes?

-Didn't you forget something?

-Umm…what?

-You didn't say anything to me when you came home, not even a short ''hello''.

-I'm sorry dad; I had a lot of work to do and wanted to get on it as fast as I could.

-I understand, good.

I let out a relieved sigh, he didn't know anything.

I couldn't wait to end this day, I was so tired. I already felt the fear of how tomorrow is going to be, but I was too exhausted to care for now. I fell asleep to open my eyes in terror the next day. Like usual I got ready acting totally normal. But after what happened the other day I was almost paralysed to go.

I didn't see Marcus the entire morning. Normally, he is in the kitchen waiting for me to wake up but today he wasn't there. I was confused but my fears took over this detail.

I was breathing heavily as I was going to my locker. But what I was really walking to was Rick being held up against his locker by Marcus. What was he doing here? When he saw me he put Rick down and, still holding him, he came to me.

-Say it, now!

-I'm sorry Vivien for bullying you all this time, it won't happen again.

-And?

-And I'm an idiot for beating you yesterday. I hope you'll forgive me.

-Good, now go to the principal and confess otherwise I'll find you again.

He dropped Rick on the ground and he ran into the principal's office's direction. We both watched Rick getting as far as he could and then Marcus switched his gaze on me. I was speechless.

-He won't bother you again.

-Ho-How did you find him?

-I have my ways.

-But…I haven't told you a single detail about his appearance, only his name.

-That's a very powerful detail. We can talk about this at home; you have to go to your classes now.

He left me standing in the middle of the corridor, staring at him. I went to my classes, Rick was in none of them, but everybody had already heard about the incident. Everyone was talking about how a big douche Rick was. Close to lunch I was called to the principal's office to tell my side of the story. Rick did what Marcus told him.

After school, I hurried home. I found Marcus in the garden, doing some work as a favour to the gardener. I ran towards him and back-hugged him, he was so surprised.

-Thank you, thank you very much.

Tears started failing down my cheeks, tears of happiness, of relief that I've escaped from that living nightmare. He noticed and turned around, letting me fall in his arms and surrounding me with his hug.

-Shh, it's okay, it's over now. Trust me.

We stayed like that until I calmed down. In some way, I didn't want to let go, but eventually I had to. His hug was imprinted in my mind, his warmness, his hand caressing my back. Once again, I found myself awake at nights thinking about him. What was happening?