By the way, for the rest of the book Nick talks in first person because talking in third person seems too weird.

The next day, rumors about Nick Mallory's suspension spread like wildfire.

I heard that he was expelled!

No way! He was just suspended for a week!

I overheard the principal saying that he had a MONTH of suspension!

So basically, people went around telling lies about Nick Mallory just because he hadn't shown up for school.

Unfortunately, I had shown up. Which meant that I had to suffer through 9 hours of constant giggling and gossiping.

Pure humiliation.

And not to mention, it made Trina furious.

"This is so unfair!" she shrieked. Trina likes to scream doesn't she?

Probably.

"What's so unfair?" I asked

"You're literally hogging all of my attention!" she kicked her locker door

Me? Hogging all the attention?

Please.

"Everyone keeps talking about how Nick loves you but that's completely ridiculous!"

A pang of hurt filled my chest "Why is it so… ridiculous?"

"Because you're not as pretty as me, fashionable as me, and definitely not as popular!" she was fuming so much that I could see the smoke rising up from her ears

"Maybe he doesn't care about those things…" I whispered quietly

"WHAT?!" Trina hollered in my ear.

Trina needs to go do some yoga or something.

ASAP.

"Nothing." I answered

"Ugh!" she threw her hands up in the air and stomped away, her fury imprinting itself into the ground

…..

After school, I walked home, still embarrassed about the Nick Mallory situation. If he did like me—

Which he probably didn't.

Making it public was not a good idea. Everyone kept whispering about me and it was so upsetting that I started eating lunch alone outside. That way, I could be spared form the endless chatter.

Ring! Ring! Ring!

My phone's bleeping interrupted my thoughts.

"H-hello?" I greeted shyly

"Mina?!" I didn't flinch, I was used to Trina's yelling.

Sighing, I responded "Yes?"

"Come to my house—now!"

"OK, OK. I'm coming." I hung up the phone and slipped it into my pocket.

Wonder what she needs now. I thought as I changed my direction.

…..

I rang the doorbell anxiously. Please don't have a sudden urge to kill me! I prayed.

Trina opened the door and pulled me inside roughly, as if I were a rag doll.

I hated the feeling but I already was Trina's rag doll anyway.

"What'd you need to see me for?"

"Spill." She glared at me icily

"Spill what?"

"Stop pretending!" her voice rose in pitch "I know you like all the attention you're getting!"

What?

Liked it!?

I hated it to pieces!

"I don't like it. It's embarrassing." I answered

Her face turned beet red and she raised her hand—

Then slapped me on the cheek.

My jaw dropped in shock as I tried to process what she had just done.

"You- you slapped me!" I exclaimed, rubbing my cheek as a tear dropped down it uncomfortably

Trina screamed "And you deserved it, you selfish, backstabbing, liar!"

What did I do wrong, this time? "Why do you—why do you hate me… so much?" More tears began to fall

"You like the attention! You like Nick Mallory! And you like to backstab!"

Me? A backstabber? Was it… was it true?

I burst into tears and ran out of her house, my cheek seeming to burn even more. I always did something wrong. No matter how hard I tried and slaved I wasn't good enough.

And I probably would never be.

…

I don't really know how I ended up at the beach but I didn't really care. I liked the beach, it was soothing.

I sat down comfortably, still shaking with sobs, on a nearby swing chair and rocked back and forth. Closing my eyes, I tried to think of happy things that could help me forget Trina.

No such luck.

I knew that my relationship with Trina was abusive, emotionally and physically, but I remained with her nonetheless. Maybe it was because I could only remember the nice times we'd ever had together—very few—or was it because I thought that her friendship might ease my desperate urge to become popular?

My thoughts made me cry once more as I realized what I was:

Pathetic.

"Mina?" I jumped, scared out of my wits. Who had called me? Please don't be Trina…

The person sat next to me on the swing and then I realized who it was—

Nick Mallory.

Of all the people in the world—

Nick Mallory.

Wow.

"N-Nick? What are you…" I sniffled "…doing here?"

He ignored my question completely and asked instead: "Are you OK, Mina?"

"I frowned, badly wanting to tell him but I lied anyway "I'm fine."

"You don't have to lie." He looked at me concernedly

And then I had an emotional breakdown.

I told Nick everything: Trina, my life at home, how miserable I was. All while he watched and listened patiently and silently.

"I'm sorry." He whispered and putting a consoling arm around my shoulders.

That's when I remembered the Nick Mallory incident. I tensed and went as rigid as a statue.

"Is something wrong?" he asked releasing his arm

"Well…" I looked down timidly "Is it true that you're suspended for vandalizing the bathroom?" I awaited his answer and pleaded internally that he would say yes.

If he said yes, that meant he was owning up to spray painting the message on the wall.

Which meant that he had written the declaration love, and not some immature boy.

Which meant that Nick Mallory loved me.

Me.

Yes!

"Suspended?" he furrowed his brow in confusion "…no… and I would never vandalize the school!"

My heart shattered into millions of tiny pieces.

No!

"Oh, I guess they're just rumors then." I said coolly, acting as if my heart hadn't stopped beating.

"I didn't come to school because I had to go to a funeral…"

"Oh, I'm so sorry…"

"It's fine, I didn't even know the guy." He shrugged

I glanced at him and then went back to looking at the ground as we sat in silence.

…

Nick walked with me home and then waved to say goodbye. He smiled, showing his brilliant white teeth and I nearly swooned.

"Bye, Mina!"

"Bye, Nick." I said quietly

I watched as he left, kicking a stone in front of him, and finally went inside to blaring music.

"Carrie!" I yelled as I covered my ears. The noise made my ears throb. I ran to my sister's room where she and her band were practicing.

"I know where we're gonna land!" Carrie sang. I could tell that she and her group were just messing around now because they kept making silly faces and giggling.

"Where?" Her band asked

"Right in front of Grojband!" she laughed so hard that she fell down onto her bed, hugging her chest

"CARRIE!" I screamed

She and her friends looked at me, irritated.

Oops.

"Um… hello…" I stared at my feet

"What d'ya want?" she scowled at me

"I wanted you to quiet down the music, please."

Her face softened "Fine. Let's calm down a bit, OK guys?" she rolled her eyes but smiled at me anyway. One of the reasons I love Carrie so much is because she always knows when not to be angry with me—for example, right now.

"Thanks." I said appreciatively and I went to my room

I took out my special notebook and a pen. I started writing a poem, a hobby of mine, and once I had finished I read it silently.

When I see you smile,

My heart skips a beat

When I hear your voice,

I swoon at your feet

You are my love

My one and only

Forever my heart is yours

For eternity

The poem was about Nick Mallory, which meant that I had to keep it hidden from everyone and anyone.

Especially Trina.

I kissed the poem and put it securely in my Locked Box. I kept all of my secrets and inner emotions on pieces of paper from my special notebook in the box.

I took out the key to the box from closet and locked it. After returning the key I looked outside. It was getting late.

Really late.

I was too exhausted with the day I'd had to even bother changing so I lay on my bed and closed my eyes.

And soon I was fast asleep.

Well, that's a wrap! I hope this is not too long! I promised longer chapters! Remember to rate and review!

Amphia234