A/N: Don't you love it when it's 70 degrees in the middle of winter? I know I do! This is a Twilight story. I thought this would be an awesome story to write. Tell me what you think! Also, what would be a great title for this story? I'm going to pick the best choice and possibly make it the title!
I stood in the school hallway, back pressed against the cool wall. My gaze fell to my shoes as always. Crowds of kids passed by, not one looking at me.
I sniffled and wiped away the last tear. Squatting down, I picked up my scattered papers and shoved them into my faded blue backpack. Someone sneered at me. I hid my face behind my hair and began my walk to calculus.
My arms ached from the freshly inflicted beatings. I hurried to my seat and plopped my bag down next to me.
"Alright students, please turn in your quizzes. I'm hoping you all got better grades than last time," Mr. Schwartz told us.
I pulled out my quiz and set it on the teacher's desk.
"Look who decided to show up on time for once," Adam, the class bully, spat in my ear. I flinched and went back to my seat.
I hate you, I thought. Mexicans were my enemies. They'd done so much to my life and I wanted to wish them all dead. A cold breeze stung my face as I walked to the bus. I found a seat in the back and scooted next to the window.
"Wanna talk today, geek? Huh?"
"Yeah, she never talks to anyone. What a jerk."
"Aww, poor little cat got your tongue?"
I ignored the stinging comments and turned to look out the window. If only they knew what I'd been through. Then, maybe, they would stop teasing me for once.
I got off at my stop.
Instead of heading into the neighborhood, I turned left and headed toward the small coffee shop on the corner. I'd stay there until dusk then slowly make my way home, taking as much time as possible.
As the bell over the door rang, all eyes landed on me. I sat down at the nearest empty table and began working on my homework.
I scanned my English test. A C- was written on the top right corner. Dad would be furious that I did so badly. I trembled in fear as a couple stood in front of my table. A sigh escaped me as they turned and headed outside.
Ring.
I swung my head toward the door. A man in a big black coat strode toward me. I hunched lower in the seat, trying to act invisible. His eyes caught mine, boring into my soul. I had to look away, yet, at the same time, I couldn't. Finally, he walked to the front to order.
Why were people so judgmental?
Physics was much easier than English. I pulled out my study guide and looked over the list of words to learn before the next test.
"May I sit with you?"
The man with the coat stood over me. I nodded. My head began to spin. No one ever went out of their way to sit or even talk with me. The sweet smell of coffee filled my senses. My mouth watered.
"What's your name?" he asked me.
I didn't know whether I should be afraid or shocked. "B–B–Bailey," I stuttered.
"Don't like English, I see?" he pointed to my test. "Name's Jacob Black. Just call me Jake."
My face turned red. I didn't want anyone seeing my grades; let alone a complete stranger. I hurried to collect all my papers and, in the process, I dropped my Physics book on the floor.
"Let me get it," Jake said, bending down and grabbing my book.
"Thank you," I replied. My body shook with uncertainty. Too many times people had come up to me and questioned me about my life. I wasn't about to let it happen again. "I'd better get going," I said, zipping my backpack shut. I stood and swung my backpack onto my shoulder.
"Wait," I turned around. "Come sit down. You need to talk. I can tell." I decided to sit back down. "I've seen you come in here every day. You work on your homework, sometimes I see you cry. I want to know what's hurting you," Jake said.
I couldn't answer. This guy was a stalker or he could just be interested in my life. Whatever he was I wasn't about to share anything with him. "I can't tell you," I replied, staring at his bagel.
"Do you want a bagel? I can buy you one." I nodded. My stomach was always empty and I didn't want to offend him by not wanting one. "But before I go buy one, you've gotta take your hood off. You can't hide forever," Jake said.
I shifted in the seat. No. I couldn't take it off. He'd see the scars and the bald patches.
I couldn't.
Never.
"No, I can't," I said, a tear slipping down my face.
