Bullied

? I don’t understand why

you’re so cold to me with

every breath you breathe ?

COLD – MAROON FIVE FT FUTURE

Class went ahead as usual, people snickering and laughing at me when they deemed it time, others ogling and giggling at Hunter, the teacher giving us work to do then dozing off.

The only thing odd about this class was Meredith tried making conversations with me, but I ended up responding with only nods or smiles that look like grimaces.

It’s really awkward to have someone try to talk to you, when all you’ve been used to is being insulted or hit.

I know am putting her in a really tight position right now because the smile she had on her face is faltering and turning more into an annoyed expression.

I kept my gaze down to finish the work given to us when she slipped a paper unto my table.

I bent my head to peep at her in front of me but she kept on looking ahead like she didn’t just give me something.

I picked it up and opened it to view whatever message it contained. Unsurprisingly, she wrote down something.

I know the guy in black tripped you, plus I also saw him step on your hand.

why did you deny that when I asked you?, we could have easily reported you know?

Ha! report. It even sounds more hilarious when someone else says it.

Tell me something I haven’t tried and I owe you my ramen tonight. I picked up my pen and in little annoyance, I scribbled a reply back to her.

that isn’t necessary, I can handle it. don’t worry about him.

And I sent the letter back to her by tapping on her shoulder.

She only stretched out an arm and collected the paper. After a few seconds she slid it back to me and I read it again.

okay, but is it usually like this around here? all the maltreatment and stuff?

Is it? no it isn’t it’s just to a certain someone that is sitting directly behind you.

No it’s not. It just happens to some people around here.

And I gave her the little letter back, that was how our conversation began back and forth.

Some people?? what did they do? what did you do?

Apparently, nothing. they just find it fun you know. It’s no big deal.

they just find it fun? do you mean they actually bully people around here? does he bully you?

no.

Is that the reason you don’t want to be seen with me? because you’re being bullied and afraid you’ll taint my image??

I can’t reply that cause she is correct. And she has finally figured out I’m incapable of helping myself.

The bell went off with students scrambling out of the class and she turned to glare at me.

” They bully you!?” she almost shouted and I’m shocked that the entire class didn’t whip around to detect the source of the scream.

“shhh… keep it down” I cooed and silently searched to be sure Hunter was no longer in the vicinity.

“answer me!”

“why?”

“uhm… because you’re my friend and if they hurt you it isn’t nice”

This friend word again?

“I’m y-your friend?”

“yeah, I mean I consider you one”

I looked at her like she just grew the snakes of Medusa. We met few minutes ago and she’s calling me a friend?

Possibly it’s because she’s lonely on her first day of school, when she’s accustomed here I’d be on my own.

As usual.

“why?”

“why I consider you a friend?”

I nodded.

” Do you always consider yourself that inferior? Is that how you really are around here? you don’t have any friends?” She asked with a hint of pity in her tone.

I lowered my head in shame. Apparently it’s very transparent but must they always point out that I’m a loser?

“er- you know, you never told me your name”

“I-Iris”

” Okay, Iris how long has this been going on?”

“it’s nothing, let’s go” I got up and picked my bag after I noticed we were the only ones left here.

” Oh.. Alright, sorry if you don’t wanna talk about it” a crestfallen feature graced her beautiful face.

” There’s nothing to talk about.” I grumbled and sooner, we left the class together.

××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××

The rest of the day went by… okay? , No Hunter for now. Maybe what he did in class today was enough for him?.

I met Clement in the cafeteria during lunch. We saw each other from a distance and he just smiled at me then he mouthed the word ‘FRIEND’ at me.

The gesture was so funny, that I almost smiled in public. How foolish would that be? So Hunter can see me happy and find a reason to undo it.

Right now school’s over and I’m by my locker with Meredith. She’s chatting away about the queen bee in her former school and how much she hated her.

I’m not really one to get involved in discussions with, literally I’m the girl you talk about so I was finding this beyond awkward.

That didn’t stop some thoughts and suggestions on what she was saying from popping into my head now and then.

After much contemplation with my inner self, I decided to speak.

Clearly about to contribute to the conversation when I saw Him coming towards us then I froze.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

She observed my change in demeanor and turned to see what I was staring at.

He walked so graciously for someone who is going to inflict pain on me very soon. With his signature smirk and an aura that spelt your definite bad boy, he kept on coming.

A few steps nearer and he got close to us but surprised me by facing Meredith and pushing me into the nearest locker.

Ouch! my back.

But I dare not say that out loud. I even had more things to bother about right now. Like is he gonna pick on her cause of me? Or is he gonna ask her to date him like he did with Vicky so I’d be alone.

Sadly, the latter seemed a whole lot safer.

“You seem new” Hunter spoke with a voice I’m familiar with.

The same voice he used to take away Vicky. He’s going to take Meredith too.

At least she’ll be safe. I’ll just be alone again.

Not like it’s something different or odd.

” Uh, thanks captain obvious” she spat back.

Wait! how come I’m the only one trembling here?

“hmm… fiesty. I like it” and he shamelessly ran his eyes down her figure, lingering on her slender legs.

” I don’t give a damn what you like”

“I’m Hunter Brooks”

” And the ape shit has a name”

” Excuse me?” Hunter looked direly aghast with her reaction to him, it may even be the first time.

But a tiny devil in me did a little jubilation within.

” Oh you’re highly excused, I was busy by the way” and with that she turned back to her locker without an atom of care.

Hunter on the other side stormed out of the premises.

” y-you turned him down.” yeah my voice must be shaky mustn’t it?

“Meh” and she shrugged. That kind of brought a little smile to my face.

Once she was done with whatever she was doing, she slammed her locker shut and turned to me.

” See you around” she called out as she started walking away. I nodded and she gave me a thumbs up sign.

I hugged my book to my chest and started walking too.

A few steps alone right now felt a little odd. Maybe Meredith is kinda interesting?

I couldn’t finish my thoughts as I was yanked by the hair and a hand covered my mouth, pulling me into the janitor’s closet.

I was slammed into the wall of the closet and flinched at the pain. I felt blood trickle from my bruise.

Squinted my eyes to see who it was since the closet was pitch black but when the person spoke I didn’t need to think anymore.

” You saw that bitch talk bad to me and you did nothing!?”

He was expecting me to speak?

“huh!? answer me!!?” he yelled again and I flinched because of the way his voice resonated in the room.

It didn’t help that I couldn’t see him either.

“I d-didn’t know-w I-I w-was m-meant to t-talk, a-am s-sorry”

“haha, and I forgive you for watching me get humiliated” his venous words were almost like ice down my spine.

Even in darkness I couldn’t still raise my head to look at him. This fear is really inbuilt.

“You’re gonna pay you know” now his voice was laced with mischief.

“Turn around!” he ordered and being the whimp I am, I duly obeyed.

Shaking in fear of what he is gonna do to me I heard the sniping of a scissors.

” I think it’s time you showed our school the little tattoo I gave you yesterday don’t you think?” I could feel his smirk right now.

Even in the dark, his evil has an atmosphere to it.

Curse my inability to see clearly. it would have been helpful in the closet.

“p-please” I whimpered. My eyes now stinging from the incoming flood of tears.

” Are you talking to me?” he barked and I knew better than to respond.

When my silent whimpering was all that could be heard within the four walls, he continued.

” Good” was all he said and I heard the scissors once more, but this time I felt cool air on my back.

” Perfect, Cole let’s bail” he said and I heard the door open and slam shut.

So he wasn’t alone.

I dropped on my knees to the floor and let the tears fall.

Why is he always so cold to me??