You can't let

ric

ment. I could only feel the hole in my chest getting bigger; to

sent, I couldn't speak. The bullies started laughing, saying I was "faking it" and "just tryi

as indeed "stupid" or "weird." I began to sk

go a day without berating myself. Maybe m

mix of humiliation and anger. Gavin's eyes widened in sur

ng closer. The warmth of his voic

nce of composure. I nodded, trying to gesture that I was fine

could see the muscle in her chin ticking with anger. "We can't affo

wasted. Hockey was the only savior of our school, the so

ow sorry I was, knowing they wouldn't understand me. Howeve

Lyric would want to throw paint all o

me; no one besides Wren ever defended me. Not even me. I tor

s he doi

art, so why now?

nice dropped her brush on the table and snapped, lookin

Janice!" Gavin shot

ink they had sex yesterday; I guess the rumor was right-Gavin h

her a

us, I took a tiny step away from him, as if

r that!" Miss Lia's face was visibly red w

back to her. I wondered why she was still so patient; anyone else w

lothes. I'm going to help her out. Please excuse us," G

ind repeated the scene I had just played

stood up

treat you like trash a

even understand sign language. Increasing my steps, I walked faster ahead of him, humming

ment and curiosity as we went down the flight of stairs. Or

e wall. I shook my head at what he did-he cage

is he

me," he breath

ng that I didn't want to talk. Not after

tick. My heart fluttered every time he called out my

can

em, every one of them. I lik

ha

s g

calling me his. Gavin loved strong wom

both my hands. I was surprised by my ability to move the two hundre

have missed it if I hadn't mem

e, then at the bathroom across the hallway. "Use the bathr

. Gavin's face returned to its bla

ved. She wore a red off-shoulder dress which ended

you

e. Where are

eyes fondly studying my face. When she withdrew her finger, it was painted with

hank

fits. I had a little more skin than Wren; hence, the clothes felt like they were suck

rived at the parking lot where she had parked her car. There, I spotted Gav

mbarrassment, for I thought Gavi

#

nice and her little gang. I was a fool to think

. Janice stood by my left and her other minion at my right as if they

teacher who could save me from them. No

av

did I thi

said to me yesterday. He wanted his

his words. Feeling bolder by every moment, I

My fingers were twitching to hit her. Taking out my phone, I type

er hand to slap me. I caught her arm midway, f

o, then I pushed her back. She went falling behind, and her other frien

ing to fight back. No o

one of Janice's minions begged, both falling to their knees. It was then

r, hitting your fellow mate