Riley's POV:

I watch as I run the sharp blade across my soft flesh. I remind myself that pain is a release, but the tears still fall. Thick beads of blood trickle down my forearm, staining it with my sin. I press harder, cutting deeper, my wrist stinging as a beg for mercy. I move further up my untouched skin, creating more scars the higher I go. I then can't stop, each cut a reminder of all the pain and rejection I've felt. Soon my whole forearm is littered with what I've done, each scar now adding to my shame. Hot tears trickle down my cheeks, as I stare at my arm. One thought immediately comes to mind.

What have I done?

I shake my head in disbelief, tears now streaming endlessly down my face.

Pain is a release I tell myself.

My eyes drift to my reflection staring back at me. The face in front of me seems foreign and distant, and yet it is my own. I run a hand down my skin, hating the rubbery feel it has. I then trace over my left eye, cringing at its obvious lope sidedness. The case is the same with the left side of my lip and nose, both sides of my face slightly different from each other and not at all symmetrical.

One hand covers the left side of my face, and I seem normal, maybe even slightly pretty. Although the right side of my face had to be altered a little, it's not as severe as my left side. I then cover my right side, this time I think the complete opposite. Ugly is not enough to describe what I see, I feel alienated just looking at this one side, and so I remove my hand. Both halves of my face together are plain disgusting, sometimes I wonder why I even try. Who would like, yet alone love a freak like me.

My eyes cast to my wrist the blood beginning to dry. I trace over the biggest scar, convincing myself that pain is a release.

I walk through the halls of my high school, doing my best shield my face behind my long hair. I begin to zone out as my friend Maya drones on, about an upcoming birthday party she's throwing. I look at her through the curtain of my hair, feeling a sharp pang of envy. Being beautiful, popular and adored by everyone in school, she has no problem fitting in. At least she's guaranteed that people will show up to her party.

"Riley? Are you listening? I asked if you're coming to my party, it's this weekend and you still haven't told me if you can make it"

I open my locker, shoving a few books in my bag before facing her.

"Maya, I know this is your eighteenth birthday party and all, but you know how I feel about parties. I'm sure you'll still have fun without me" I assure her.

Her eyebrow rises, knowing that there's a deeper reason behind the excuse I've given.

"Riles, you need to put yourself out there. People need to find out how amazing you are"

I inwardly roll my eyes, having heard those words too many times in my life.

"I'll think about it Peaches, but I'm still pretty certain. Anyway, I've got to go, or else I'll be late to first period"

I sprint toward the chemistry lab, although I'm fully aware that there's ten minutes before my first lesson begins. To be honest, I was just avoiding another one of Maya's lectures about 'stepping out of my comfort zone'. I note how many people give me sympathetic looks as I walk to my lesson, causing me to hide further behind my hair. Don't they understand that their making me feel further isolated?

I clutch my bag, avoiding the next few forced smiles I receive. I sigh when I finally reach the chemistry lab, feeling relieved. My hand grips the handle, but I freeze when I hear intense yelling from inside. Mr Collins's (the chemistry teacher) voice seems to be overpowering the other one immensely, both voices calming almost immediately after the 'scream fest'. Soon only my heavy breathing can be heard, which I take as my queue to enter the room.

The first thing I notice is the bright redness of Mr Collins face, his usually gentle expression, now screwed up in an angry manner. My eyes then slide to the boy next to him, immediately recognising him as Lucas Friar.

Lucas Friar, a name that sours my taste buds every time I say it. He alone is responsible for half the pain I've experienced. I hate him with a deep passion, never being able to see past all that he's done to me.

I blush, afraid that I walked in at the wrong time.

"I'm so sorry, should I leave?" I ask, my eyes cast to the floor.

"No, no. Don't worry, you may actually be just the person I need" Mr Collins tells me.

I look at him, slightly confused, but he continues.

"Lucas here is failing chemistry, and seems to lack to basic fundamentals to study the subject. You are my top student, so it only seems fit that I ask you to tutor him"

Me tutor Lucas Friar? He must be out of his mind. I would never do anything to help that jerk.

"I'm sorry Mr Collins, but I can't" I decline

"Riley, I understand that you and Lucas may not be on the best of terms, but I ask you consider this, extra credit is crucial for senior year, as well as graduation. If you help Lucas, I'll consider it to be for credits"

He does make a strong point; this would be for me, not Lucas.

"Okay" I sigh

I slide into my desk, debating whether this was a good idea or not. I sink further to my seat, as he approaches me.

"Get ready for hell, burning hazard"

Hey guys, thank you for reading! I'm unsure of whether to continue this, but if you guys like it I will, Please tell me what you think X

Until next time,

hintofmint x