1 Chapter 1

BEEP BEEP BEEP

Jolting awake. I quickly reach out to my phone pressing the snooze button. I let out a small whine.

I don't want to get up.

Sighing. I slowly get out of bed. My muscles, aching for me to rest more. Collecting things from around the room I open the door stepping out into the hall. Listening for movement.

None.

I then silently make my way to the bathroom locking the door. Setting down my clothes and towel on the counter. I quickly undress and step into the shower turning on the water, making it steam.

"Why did I do that?" Why do I feel I have to be cautious?

As I think back about how I acted in the hallway. The warmth from the water relaxes the tension in my muscles. Forgetting the thought.

Turning off the water and drying. I slowly get dressed and head back to my room feeling relaxed. Picking up my school bag I move toward the front door. Walking down the hallway I pause in front of her door hesitating a bit and then knocking.

"Hey mom I'm leaving now." I say nervously, waiting for her response. A long second passes as I hear a sleepy voice say "Mmkay... I'll be here when you get home."

Continuing to the front door. My heart starts beating faster. A sick feeling forming in my gut. My hands tremble as I grab a hold of the door handle, that sick feeling growing stronger, turning the handle. I swing open the door and see the familiar hallway that connects all of our apartments. Letting out a breath of relief I make my way out of the building.

Outside I take out my phone and check the time.

6:30. Nice. It only took me about 30 minutes to get ready and get out of the apartment. If I don't eat.

Eat.

I'm not hungry.

Turning south I look toward the street leading to school. A 15 minute walk. I enjoy the long walk to school. It helps. Helps clear my thoughts and anxiety when going to school.

Pulling out my earphones and connecting it to the phone. Putting on my favorite playlist. I walk the long road to school.

'~ Deep inside me, I'm fading to black, I'm fading

Took an oath by the blood of my hand, won't break it

I can taste it, the end is upon us, I swear

Gonna make it I'm gonna make it

Natural A beating heart of stone You gotta be so cold– '

Suddenly shoved from behind. I threw out my arm to try to catch myself from hitting the sidewalk. Looking up I notice a plain building with fading paint and no windows to be seen. Somewhere I could hear people laughing.

Wait. I'm already here! I finally realize that I'm at school. Argh! Why!? Why!? Why now!? As a dreadful feeling starts to overcome me. I reach into my jacket pocket find nothing there. Where is it? Where is my phone? My eyes become watery from losing that peaceful moment.

"You looking for this?" says an amused voice behind me.

I turn around seeing a tall girl with brown hair and eye catching blonde highlights. An attractive face and a body that puts me to shame. Jaeda. Standing next to her is Izzie and Hana, her two followers.

In Jaeda's hand I see my phone and I knew there was no option of running from this situation.

"Yes," I mumbled.

"What was that? I couldn't hear you?"

"Yes." I say a little louder.

"Ok," with a smirk on her face, she says "Go get it." She tosses my phone toward the school's storm drainage. It hits the top of the metal but doesn't fall in. "Almost." She says in disappointment.

"Why?" I say as I bit my lip to keep my emotions from spilling out. From causing more attention to myself.

"Because your short hair and baggy clothes disgust me. You're ugly." she said smiling. Her friends laughing. People walked by like nothing was happening but some would smile like they were in on it too.

I felt like nothing. Maybe I was nothing.

The school bell rang. Undoing my trance. Only a handful of people were in front of the school rushing to their classes. How many minutes passed?

Standing up I went to pick up my phone and go to class.

Entering the classroom people stared at me as I walked in. Walking to my seat I could hear someone whisper.

"Who is that?"

"Uriah. She's always late."

"She!? I thought that was a boy. Why is she dressed like that?"

"Cause she's poor." The voice stated, like it explained everything.

Ignore them.

I sink into my seat trying to forget my surroundings. I put my head down and close my eyes.

"Hey."

What's that?

"Hey." Feeling someone slightly shaking me. I jerk wake.

How long was I asleep? I looked up to see who was trying to wake me up.

He wasn't tall but he wasn't short. either. Both his hair and eyes is a light brown color giving him a friendly appearance. His smile. So warm. When was the last time someone looked at me like that? With no hatred and disgust.

Seeing the confused look in my eye he says, "My name is Elijah. I'm new here," again giving me that warm smile. "Um the lunch bell rang and no one bother to wake you up."

Why didn't you follow the others?

"Oh ok thanks." I say mumbling, getting up and grabbing my bag. Quickly leaving the classroom, Elijah following me out.

Don't follow me.

"Can you show me to the cafeteria? I don't know my way around the school yet," he says letting out a small laugh, "I was going to go with some of the other students but I saw that you were alone."

"Yeah I'll show you," I say, not feeling good about what's to come.

We make our way into the cafeteria. Due to the multiple lines of students. I quickly tell Elijah which window serves what food before someone spots me. Elijah starts talking but I'm not listening.

Hurry. Hurry. Hurry. I say in my mind.

Right then a chill goes down my spine. I look around searching the area trying to find the threat. Fear rising in me when I couldn't see who it came from.

"Hey are you alright?" Elijah says.

Ignoring Elijah I quickly turn around and leave. Still feeling the threat stalking me. I hurry my pace through the halls going to that place. My heart is pounding in my ears. I glance behind me and don't see anyone. I hold my bag closer to myself.

I'm almost there! To my safe place.

A scream escapes my lips. As I'm yanked back by my hair. I reach up and dig my nails into their forearm. "Damn Bitch!" snarled a male voice, as I'm slammed against the wall. Dot appearing in my vision. A body presses up against me and I let out a whimper. "No not now," the voice whispers more to itself than me. Feeling the pressure let off the hand tightens it's grip around on my hair and the person pulls me toward the nearest exit door. I struggle against the hold but it's to strong.

"No! Please! Let me go!" I say as I started to cry.

"I don't know what you did to make her angry. I'm just here to deliver." The male voice says. We pass through the door and I see three figures waiting, my vision blurry from crying. I knew who it was. Jaeda, Izzie, and Hana. So the one holding my hair is Jaeda's boyfriend, Erik.

Erik is just as bad as Jaeda. Making my everyday life a living hell. In front of everyone else he's inspiring and kindhearted. But in front of us four he shows his true self. Whenever I'm involved he does what ever Jaeda says. Every bruise, cut, and tear of mine excites him makes him feel powerful.

I guess he has a right to feel that way because I don't have any strength to stop them. My legs weaken as I come to that conclusion.

He lets go of my hair and I drop to the ground feeling very heavy. The concrete stinging my knees. As if the whole loved giving me pain.

"I told you not to talk to anyone," she says annoyed, looking at her nails for imperfection. She the n looks up and her gaze meets mine and I looked down instantly shaking. My nails digging into my palms at my own mistake.

"I didn't mean t-" a kick to the side cuts me off. I let out a small yelp as I clutch my side. The same spot where she hit me yesterday. It's already bruised.

"Stand her up," she orders her followers.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" I say begging. They grab both sides of my arms and hold me still, with smirks on their faces.

I can't fight against their grip. I'm too weak.

"Please! No! No!" I say even louder. Her fist connects with my stomach and I'm dropped to the ground as I gasp for air. I feel a sharp pain in my back as I'm hit by something and I reactively curl into a ball trying to protect myself. In submission I stay silent as I'm kicked again and again.

Why? Why is this happening? I didn't do anything wrong to you. I thought as the world slipped away in darkness.