chapter 10: part 2

*continuing flashback*

Nic's POV

After our kiss in the kitchen, Grace took me to the living room were everything was pushed closer to the wall, so people can have space to dance. She begged me to dance with her and I couldn't say no to those puppy eyes.

People downgraded me with their shameless looks as I passed them with Grace holding my hand. I can't help but to look down. Not in fear but from the pain that follows. I don't want them to see how their judgments hurts me. If I looked up and caught their eyes then they would see the pain inside and I'm not letting that happen. If I did then I would be in more shit then I already am. Their torture is enough, specially when Grace is not around; They would jump straight at the opportunity.

Even though I act like I can't see them spitting behind the trail I walk on, it doesn't mean I'm not affected. It hurts because those people don't even know me, yet they try everything to make me feel worthless. For them I'm different and different is no good.

After dancing with Grace over a half hour, very awkwardly since I can't dance to save my life, I left to get us some drinks. I entered the kitchen and saw people doing body shots. I grimaced subtly and looked away. What kind of game is this? And why is everyone licking each other? It's disgusting. What if the person you're licking hasn't showered for a week or two? I shudder from just the thought of it.

I walked pass the crowd that surrounded them and took a beer and a water bottle from the fridge. The beer for Grace and the water bottle for me. I don't feel like drinking at all. I don't like to drink nor to smoke nor to dance nor to party. I'm a pretty lame person. I would rather stay home watching Netflix and chill or play with Matthew a little bit or maybe read something, just not partying. It's not my thing.

I was about to walk back to the living room when a guy put his arm around my shoulder and pulled me towards the massive crowd who were all watching them horny asses do body shots. "I got a volunteer!!" The guy screamed at the crowd who've gone crazy. A Volunteer?? I panicked and pushed him away but I couldn't run since I was already surrounded by all the students, watching and filming. The heck? I'm being forced and they don't even notice. Or maybe they do but they just don't care.

A girl pushed me back as I started to push to get away but to no avail, I couldn't escape. Where the hell is Grace when I need her?

Two guys tried to take my shirt off as I punched them square on the face, I thought I succeeded until I was out numbered by another guy and two girls. They held me trapped by my arms and legs. One of the girls took the lemon and tried to push it between my lips but she ended up, squeezing it on my left eye. I screamed for the first time since the encounter began.

They all stopped and stepped away as I hissed in agony. One of the guys pushed me out of the kitchen saying "Such an uptight bitch." I ran away from the kitchen, trying to find the bathroom to rinse my eye. It stung like hell.

My vision was blurry as I felt like crying and breaking down but I didn't. I just kept walking while struggling to find my way. I bumped on people and they cursed at me, and one of them pushed me on the floor and told me to watch it.

I stood up and asked a guy leaning against the wall, where the bathroom is. He was wearing all black and smoking a cigarette. He gave me a weird look and pointed to the door far on the left. I told him thanks and he just nodded his head.

I turned, walking again. More like stumbling since I have both of my eyes blurred up now. My eyes stung so bad that tears fell from my eyes but I whipped them away. I found the bathroom door and reached for the handle. I was about to enter the bathroom, when I felt someone grabbing my hair and slamming me on the wall. I fell on the cold floor and felt a pounding on my head. What the hell is wrong with these people? "Wait on the line!!" I looked up as a random girl shouted at me and pointed at the five people behind her.

I shook my head to get the pain away and stood up. I stumbled as I tried to look for Grace. I considered going to the kitchen to rinse my eyes by thought otherwise. I'm not going anywhere near these people again.

I bumped into another person which almost made them fall. "Fucking ass w-" I heard a recognizable voice and looked up to see Lauren. The brown eyes beauty. My brother's girlfriend.

"What happened to you?" She asked curious as tears fell from my eyes.  "Where can I find an another bathroom?" I asked her, ignoring her question. She looked at me strangely. "Please." I begged because I couldn't handle the pain anymore.

"Upstairs, the second door on the left. Here let me guide you through." She took me by the hand, leading me upstairs and walked me towards the bathroom door. I couldn't help but notice how soft her hand was. She opened the bathroom door for me and turned the lights on. I rushed inside, opening the tap and rubbing my eyes with cold water.

I spent a full ten minutes rinsing it until the stinging finally stopped. I closed the tap and released a relieved sigh. Surprisingly, Lauren hasn't said anything since we got here. I turned to the door expecting Lauren to be there but she wasn't. I didn't get to thank her.

I turned the lights off, feeling disappointed, and walked out. Why was I disappointed? Huh, I guess I really appreciate her help. I walked down the hall about to walk down the stairs when I heard someone mumble from the door next to the stairs but I didn't think any of it until I heard a familiar cry. Grace's cry.

I turned to the door and immediately pushed it open but was left surprised to see her and some other guy in an intimate moment on the bed. Him on top of her and her moaning for him. The courtesy of pain rushed through my veins and I felt like screaming but was left speechless.

They stopped when they finally noticed me. Grace immediately pushed him by his chest, holding the sheets tightly around her naked breast. I felt tears ready to burst out of me. It felt like my heart was ripped out of my chest and everyone started devouring it, seeing how fragile it is. Could this day get any worst?

She stood up and tried to reach me but I put my hands up to stop her from getting any closer. I shook my head and a sob escaped my throat.

Nothing felt worse than seeing the person you're in love with, with someone else. "I-I... I'm so sorry Cole...." She lowered my hands by holding them tightly in hers and I roughly pulled away. How could she touch me when her hands touched him?

I looked at her in the eyes, asking her why did she do it? Why betray me like that? Since when has this been going on? Questions raced my brain which gave me a headache. I walked backwards until my back hit the wall. Her eyes never left mine as tears fell from her brown ones.

The guy she was with walked out, smirking on my way. He was proud of himself for ruining the relationship everyone wanted to ruin. No one thought I was good for her. That my standard are not high enough to date her. That there too low. I lowered my eyes on the floor and slide down on the ground, tears falling as I sobbed quietly.

After a few minutes, Grace sat in front of me, fully dressed. I heard her crying as well. "I...." I heard her intake a shaky breath before she explained. "I'm so sorry, Cole. I'm teenager, Okay? I have needs but you won't make love to me. I know that's not an excuse for what I did but I..... I'm sorry Cole. Y-" I cut her off before she can hurt me even more . "Have you ever really loved me?" I asked, my voice was barely above a whisper.

She frowned like I should never question her love but how can't I, when I just witnessed her cheating on me? "Of course I did. I still do. No one has every made me feel as special and loved as you do. I just need some time apart. I want to see what's like being with others, you know?" She finished, shrugging. She looked around avoiding my eyes.

I was baffled. Being with others? You know? "I know? I know? No I don't know. Why didn't you tell me? Why didn't you break up with me rather then cheat on me behind my back? Why did you bring me here when you were just going to have sex with some guy?!! If you truly loved me, I would've been enough for you!! but unfortunately I'm not." My voice raised for a few seconds but lowered at the end, knowing the brutal truth. I wasn't enough. Like everyone else had told her; 'Cole is not good for you. She's just a waste of time.'

'What are you doing with someone like her?'

'I never expected this. You're dating the bookworm.'

'She's a worthless human being. For your popularity Grace, I advise you to stay away.'

I stood up ready to let her go and walk out of her life for good, when I heard her say. "You are one of the best things that has ever happened to me." She paused, her sobs filling the empty hall. "You gave me memories, I wish to never forget. Those asshole pricks who bully you, they don't know who you are and what I see. I see a beautiful, smart, dorky girl who I fell in love with so much. I'm sorry Cole and I wish you the very best in life." And that was it. That's when I went downstairs and walked back home. Ready to crash on my bed and cry my eyes out.

*end of flashback*

I stood on the rooftop gazing at the moon. How my life turned upside down after that day. No one knew how Grace and I broke up. I think she told that guy not to say anything. I didn't say anything because I just ignored whoever asked.

The bullying got worse since Grace wasn't there anymore. When we were dating, she was always on my side, walking down the hall together and sometimes eating lunch together But afterwards I haven't seen much of Grace. She had her own group friends and I was with Rita and one other guy named Chris, who I haven't seen since high school.

Now that I recall what happened, Lauren was there and she helped me out. My mind was all over the place, that I couldn't remember her helping me that day. I should thank her for that even if she doesn't remember. That is if I saw her again. I kinda feel bad for shouting at her. Oh well, I can't do anything about it, it happened.

"Hey..." I heard someone approaching me from behind and I knew that voice all to well. Holy shit. "Hey." I replied back turning around to find Lauren, smiling at me. She was standing closer than I thought, almost two feets away from me.

"What are you doing here?" She asked, curiosity in her eyes. "A friend invited us. me and rita." I replied shortly.

"What about you?" I asked a minute later. "Ashley and I heard of a party happening, so we got in. I saw your encounter with Ashley. What was that about?" She approached me and I turned around to look at the sight in front of me. I saw Lauren from my peripheral vision, she was gazing at the moon next to me. Wow, She is so beautiful. Nic stop thinking like that!!.

"She saw me. Asked me where have I been. Told me my family missed me. Rita came, some blah blah happened between the two and then Rita dragged me away and another blah blah blah happened and then I came here." I told her skipping the details.

She shook her head, a small smile on her face. "So what are you doing on the rooftop? You're not thinking about jumping, are you?" She asked playfully and I could feel her smiling at me.

I shrugged. "I needed some fresh air. And no, I wasn't planning on jumping. I thought about screaming but disregard it." I said, a small smile escaped my lips. "And why are you here?" I asked her, facing her.

"I followed you." She answered, shrugging. I just stared at her. "Well of course, you could just say that. It wouldn't creep me out or anything." I said sarcastically as she chuckled next to me.

I turned my head so my eyes could meet hers again and waited for her to elaborate more. "Well, I needed to know if you're okay." She said, looking at the people walking below.

I frowned my eyebrows, confused. "I'm fine, Lauren. What made you think I'm not? And why does it matter to you? I'm not your friend." I told her, completely and utterly confused. Why does she all of a sudden cares? This is completely new and different to me. This is not the Lauren I used to know.

" I want to be..." I heard her say but I couldn't catch it because she was barely audible. "What?" I asked leaning my head closer to her face. "I want to be your friend." She said in a whisper and I turned to meet her eyes and saw how red her face was. She looks cute. I mean... Yeah, she looks cute.

"Why?" I asked, doubtful. The hell is going on?

"Seriously?! Can you please stop doubting everything I do? I want to be your friend. It's that simple. I've changed, I wouldn't hurt you. I don't want to hurt you. I'm sorry I've hurt you. I was bad before but if you could give me the chance to prove myself, then you would see how sorry and different I am." She finished and let out a sigh. She gazed at me her brown eyes shining from the moon light, her hair flowing down her face.

I considered what she said. So far, she hadn't done anything bad or terrible to prove her wrong. She was nice and still is. Nothing bad could happen if I gave her chance, would it? You know what, fuck it what could possibly happen, right? A zombie apocalypse? A plague spreading wildly?

"Fine. I will give you a chance." I said, hoping I'm not doing a wrong decision. She smiled and hugged me so tight, catching me off guard. I felt her arms holding my waist so tight, I felt like suffocating but I didn't. This felt nice and warm. I slowly lifted my arms and wrapped them around her tiny body as well.

We hugged for I don't know how long and then we pulled away. "So, you wanna leave the party and I don't know, get some ice cream? My treat." She said, hope glistening in her eyes.

I smiled. "I like where this friendship is going." I responded, walking to the door. She walked beside me, smiling as well. I hope everything turns alright.

"Oh and thank you." I stopped and told her, remembering what happened a long time ago. "For what, silly?" She smiled and stopped walking. "I'll tell you when we get our ice cream." I started walking again and she followed.

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A/N

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