Chapter 16; The accused and hurt girl

*An unedited and long chapter ahead! :)

Enjoy the chapter!

*

The next day, I feel even more uncomfortable going to school. After my weird encounter with the vice principal, I began to think how this wasn't normal. At first, I thought he was just seeking for me because I was new, a girl at that. But no.

What if... what if he's going to hurt me?

I realized it would be best to not let him find me by myself again. If I was alone and saw him walking towards me, I would run the opposite way. Even if he was calling my name.

But I also couldn't tell anyone about it, at least not for now. I may be too dramatic about it, having not being spoken against or punished at my previous schools, it was only natural I wasn't used to that.

Also, if I was in any danger at my uncle's school, he wouldn't hesitate to take me out. And there goes my high school life.

Yeah, no thanks.

So, with a new plan in my head, I walked into the kitchen with my head held high.

"At ease, soldier," Belle said as she entered the kitchen, too, looking at me weirdly. "Why are you standing like that?" she smiled, obviously laughing at me.

Laugh all you, woman. I had a plan.

"This is my determined pose- don't diss me, woman." She rolled her eyes, turning the oven on and starting to work on lunch.

"Did she-whose-name-mustn't-be-spoken-out-loud went out already?" Belle nodded, only half paying attention to my nonsenses.

I hummed, putting a spoon of cereal and milk in my mouth.

After finishing the bowl, I also took a chocolate glazed doughnut, and made my way to the bus station.

Walking through the gates, I couldn't help myself and looked around to make sure the vice principal wasn't looming around, waiting.

Fortunately, he was nowhere to be seen. I caught the sight of Oliver and Elliot walking towards the main building, and decided to go to them. More like run.

But then again, they probably won't step in for me if I do run into that creep, since last them when I helped Elliot and bumped into him he practically run away.

But nonetheless, I found myself walking towards them and calling their name. And they didn't even turn.

I made a face, running to catch up with them. "Hey, I've been calling you guys' names for an hour, ignoring me is rude." I told both of them, looking at Oliver who was to my left and Elliot who was to Oliver's left. "Then I guess we're rude," it was Elliot who said that, making me frown at him.

"You act like I'm bothering you two," I remarked, shaking my head disapprovingly at them.

"You're not," Elliot said, turning his head towards me and keeping his hand on his friend shoulder to guide him. I smiled, opening my mouth to say, "Well good, 'cause " but Elliot cut me off almost immediately.

"You're just annoying us." I stopped in my tracks, looking at the both of them as they kept walking, not even bothering to look at me.

My mouth hanged open in shock, not believing what just took place. I closed it quickly, composing myself. "Did I just got bullied? Was that bullying?" I murmured to myself, shaking my head as I started to walk again.

Those two definitely won't help me even if they see me go up in flames.

*

I had P.E today, and I was not ready to argue with that woman again. So I didn't. I made sure to do everything the way she ordered, even if I knew I'll probably die afterwards.

Now, I don't mean to be anti-feminist, but let's face it; this exercise are manageable for boys, but for girls it would be a lot less intense.

And I had to do the same as they did.

When the lesson was over, I couldn't feel my legs and almost stumble on the benches.

Walking out towards my next class, I felt a hand taking a hold of my hoodie, pushing me into the wall so my face was flat on it.

I could barely speak, let alone breathe.

The arm made sure I couldn't move, and I felt hot breath on my ear.

"What the f*ck do you want from me?" I asked, more than just annoyed.

"You should start watching your back better, little girl." Without seeing my attacker face, I immediately knew who it was. Daniel.

That guy's name I made sure to not forget. I was wondering how come I haven't seen him for a while, thought maybe he got tired of me.

I guess not.

"Well well, and I thought the girl is supposed to face the boy in this kind of position." He growled out, pressing me a bit harder to the wall. "Watch it," "How can I when all I see is this wall?" I replied. This was probably not helping my situation at all, but I just couldn't help myself.

"Get ready, then, you just earned yourself a fight." And then, he was gone, and I was left thinking about the meaning of what he said.

As I turned around, I caught a glimpse of Elliot's figure, wondering how much exactly he heard.

*

The rest of the day went pretty uneventful. The next one, however, I was not prepared for. It was Thursday, and at lunch time I was looking for the guys when a couple of boys called out for me.

"Yeah?" I asked, holding my stomach in hunger.

The tallest one, who was probably well over six feet- but shorter than Reagan- and he had dirty blond hair.

"So there were some talking about how it was a student that told about the Fridays' fights," I raised a brow, scratching the back of my neck. "And?" I asked, still not getting where this was going for.

They exchanged looks, the five of them making a circle with me in the center.

I stepped back, but while I got away from one of them, I got closer to another.

"Now who do you think is our prime suspect?" another one of them asked. Now I was starting to get annoyed. "Look, I don't have time for you guys' bullsh*t, so how about you stand down before I'll kick your sorry a*s one by one, hmm?" And of course, they underestimated me, and started to laugh.

So I did what I would usually do; I kicked one of them where the sun doesn't shine. And in his case, it probably never will.

He might not have kids, either.

He grunted, falling to the floor and holding his hurt area. "You f*cking bi-" "Rhi?" I heard a deep voice from behind, making me turn around and freeze.

"Reagan?" I asked back, looking at him as he took the scene in front of him. Reagan started to walk towards me, making the guys to step back. Now, they weren't circling me anymore, looking at the tall guy in front of them. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" he asked in a cold, angry voice. For a second, my heart skipped a bit in fear thinking he was talking to me. But then when he reached me, he went around me and stood in front of me, glaring at the guys.

Now, I was never the type of girl who wanted this situation to happen- if someone pissed me off or tried to hurt me, I'll rather face him and not let a boy fight my battle.

But why did it feel so... right, letting Reagan defend me?

And damn, that black shirt did wonders to his back...

Wait, what? I shook my head. Since when did I start fawning over a boy? Usually, it would be food, or shoes. Man, I loved shoes. But Reagan?

Swallowing hard, I decided at least to step next to him. I didn't need my image to be destroyed because I apparently now had a thing for Reagan's back. And front.

Wow, that sounds wrong in so many ways.

"We were just talking," The tallest guy said, crossing his arms and taking a defensive stand. When you think about it, Reagan alone wouldn't stand a chance against all five of them, even if he was to have me as backup. But still, you couldn't not feel threatened by the look he will give you.

"I feel like that guy wouldn't agree with that," I pointed at the guy I kicked. Reagan gave me a look, and I felt like it was a proud look, but at the same time it said 'don't think you're suddenly wonder woman that can take down anyone'. I puffed my cheeks without looking at his face again. His eyes are so intense. Were they always like that.

"You little-" Reagan glare stopped the tall guy from finishing his sentence. "How about this," Reagan paced a few more steps in their directions, "if I, or any of my friends, see you talking to Rhi," he emphasize the word 'talking', crossing his arms. "I would be sure you wouldn't be able to talk at all." The boys nodded, walking away after sending me a glare.

Reagan turned back to me, and I felt like for a second I couldn't talk. "Man, I'm hungry," I eventfully said, stopping myself from slapping my face. That was such a stupid thing to say.

"Let's go then," Reagan words saved me from kicking myself, making me smile. Then, he started to walk.

And I just stood there like an idiot, staring at his walking figure until he stopped, looking at me as if to say 'are you coming or not?'. That immediately awoke me from my trance, and I ran to catch up with him.

Should I ask someone about that weird feeling I was starting to develop around Reagan?

I sure was hoping it wasn't me catching a cold or something.

*

The next day, the text was sent like every other Friday. Except, it surprised everyone as we didn't get any during the week. Only today.

Did that mean there was going to be a fight after all, even though the police was roaming around the place?

I wasn't sure. I asked the boys what they thought about that, and they told me to leave it alone. That it had nothing to do with me.

So why did it felt like it did?

Some boys gave me some looks, probably heard about how Reagan stood up for me. Or maybe because they heard that stupid rumor about me snitching about the fights. Maybe it was both.

I had such a weird feeling.

"Hey there, little Rhi," I looked up from my notebook, raising a brow. "What, do you really think what happened yesterday will stop the rest of us from talking to you?" This time, there were only two boy in front of me.

They didn't look mean, but I still wasn't sure what they wanted from me.

"Now what do you guys want?" I asked, yawning. The sat down on both sides of me, me in the middle.

"Relax, we're not here to pick a fight," The black haired one said. He had some dark red strips which reminded me of Klay's latest style. I have to say, Klay definitely wore it better.

"We just wanted to let you know that you can come join our group of friends, seeing as you're here by yourself." The one who first talked said, passing a hand through his brown hair.

I shook my head, deciding those two were just trying to be friendly. Finally, boys that aren't trying to give me hell. Guess there are some kind souls here, even though they identify as delinquents.

"No thanks, I'm actually waiting for my friends." The black haired raise a brow. "The group? I think I saw them sitting in the cafeteria," he remarked, rubbing the back of his neck.

I frowned, "No way, they told me they'll me here..." I mumbled, more to myself than to them. I stood up, "I gotta go, see you later," I quickly said and started to make my way in the cafeteria direction.

Did the guys lied to me, or was it just a mistake and they thought I'll realize I had to go to them?

Or did they want to have a private talk... without me interfering. I shook my head, telling myself not to jump into conclusions. It was only yesterday Reagan stood up for me.

...But it was also only two days ago I realized Elliot and Oliver weren't very fond of me. Maybe Thomas, too, seeing how his brother didn't like me very much, either.

Actually, when I think about it most of the group wasn't of interest in me joining them. Who knows, maybe Caleb prefers being with them than with me. After all, I was a girl.

And as I stood at the entrance to the cafeteria, it only proved me right.

Because the boys were there. All six of them, including Caleb. It looked so natural, them being together. Without me. I was never insecure, but I realized that when it came to this group of boys I started to see as friends, I was so possessive and scared. Scared of losing my first friends.

But I don't think they saw me as friends. Then it's no enough, right? It's not enough for me to count them as friends.

I wanted to cry. I'm not a crier, never was.

But seeing how much I didn't fit in with them, it made me want to cry.

So as I was thinking that, I turned around and started to walk away. And then I started to run, hurrying before I let myself break down.

I reached the backyard and let the tears drop, not even bothering to wipe them.

Then, it started to rain. I felt like I was part of a cliché book.

But of course, since I wasn't really, I wouldn't be let to cry by myself.

"Well then, we haven't even started and she's already crying." I froze when I heard laughter behind me. Quickly, I dried me eyes, glaring at the group of boys. I could see some familiar faces, like from yesterday's incident.

"What do you want now?" I asked, wishing it would've come out harsher.

One of them stepped forward, pointing at me. And then, he order, "Get her." but I was already running for my life. I slipped on the wet ground, my stocking covered knees being scratch from the fall. This pair was already old, so it being ripped wouldn't matter much. Question was, how the hell will I explain it to my aunt?

I tried to get up and continue running, but hands got a hold on both of my arms, picking me up and turning me back around to my attackers, keeping me in place. I looked at both of the boys on either side of me. I could take them, but what about the rest?

There were so many, around fifteen maybe. They closed on us, a circle of me in the center with that huge guy who seemed like the leader of this attack.

I immediately recognized him from the Fridays' fights and froze. "So this is what it's about? Making me fight in one of this stupid fights?!" I yelled out, cold and scared, but the adrenaline kept me going. The leader laughed, "Isn't this ironic? The one who told us off is participating in one of the fights," I tried to break free when I realize what this was about.

"It wasn't me, you numbskull! Why the f*ck will I care about this stupid fight?!" I was fuming, not believing how much this stupid rumor was getting into so much trouble.

"Because the reason you're here, idiot!" I frowned, not understanding. It took me a few moments to see what he was talking about.

I was here to make sure the school was safe for girls. The fights made it unsafe, therefor it makes sense I'll be the one to reveal it.

"No, no you're wrong! It will only point the fingers on me, for that f*cking reason!" I shook my head, "Let me go, please! It wasn't me!" he smirked at me, giving one of the guys a look.

"Go ahead, Julian, she's all yours." I froze when I saw how tall that Julian guy was.

I was good at defending myself, but not good enough. Maybe I could lend a few good hits, try to stall him. After all, it was only a matter of time for someone to come, right? I looked around for cameras, but then remembered my uncle telling me to remind him the cameras here didn't work.

What a f*cking idiot, I was.

The boys pushed me forward, and I almost fell on my face. Blood was gushing from my wounded knees, but for now I couldn't feel the pain. I could barely see because of the heavy rain.

Julian took a fighting posture, ready to hit me to the pulp. They didn't care about my sex. They didn't mind hitting a girl. If I was a feminist, I wouldn't know if I was supposed ti be happy or scared about it.

I decided to try and defend my head, but Julian had other plan. In one, swift move, I was on the floor already. I hit my temple on the floor and tasted blood in my mouth. I stood up and punched him in the stomach, and then his face. It didn't look like it did much. The kicked I aimed for his boy's part was easily avoided by him. I was so dizzy, and knew it would only be a matter of time before I would be finished. I couldn't see his punch to my eye, and I grunted in pain. Blood from my forehead got to my hurt eye, making it even more difficult

And then, I was on the floor again. As Julian sent a kick to my stomach, I could briefly hear the yelling. If they would keep being this loud, maybe someone will hear them.

Maybe they'll even get here on time before I pass out.

And then I heard it.

My name.

If I could cry, I would. From the ground, between the legs of the students surrounding me, I could see figures running towards me. The boys. And not only them, others, too. They weren't here to cheer on Julian to keep kicking me. No. They came to help me.

And with that thought, I finally blacked out.

~*~

Thank you for reading :)

Vote

comment

Follow

StellarK25