Mitchie's POV

I was embarrassed. Shane Gray. My bully since middle school, complimented me. Was this a game to him? Was he trying to pull a trick on me? It started drizzling and I started running.

I got to the book store that Mrs. Gray owned. She was rich but had a love for books so her husband bought her one. I work here six days a week to help pay for the house. Mrs. Gray was kind to me. She knew that someone hurt me, but she always thought it was bullies at school, which was half true. But whenever she would bring it up I would change the subject. She still treated me like a daughter though.

"Hi Mrs. Gray" I yelled out as I came through the door and saw her with a customer.

"Michelle, sweetie how many times do I have to tell you to call me Denise?" she looked at me playfully.

"How many times do I have to tell you to call me Mitchie?" I stuck out my tongue. Mrs. Gray was the only person I could be a little bit of myself around.

She laughed, her voice sounding like bells. She was always a graceful woman and never spoke above her normal voice unless completely needed.

"Alright alright. How about you go over there and sort out those books over there while I deal with this customer."

I nodded and headed for the bookshelves. I sighed breathing in the smell of books. I loved it. This was my sanctuary. I began sorting out the books like she asked me to and before I knew it, it was already six.

"Shit" I cursed under my breath. I quickly finished sorting and ran to the front door. "Bye Mrs. Gray, thank you!"

"Wait! Michelle! Your paycheck!" she said running after me.

I stopped abruptly and looked up. She handed it to me and I read the numbers. One hundred…? Wait what? That wasn't right.

"Mrs. Gray, you gave me too much it's only supposed to b-"

"Oh nonsense. I did that on purpose, I know times are tough for you and I know you absolutely deserve it."

"But Mrs. Gray" I argued

"Take the money. You know that I can do perfectly fine without one hundred dollars. From now on you will be paid this much each week."

"But…" I said softly

"But nothing. Now go home, it's starting to rain. Come back tomorrow alright?"

I threw my arms around her unexpectedly and whispered in her ear "Thank you."

I ran out the door into the pounding rain. I didn't get the chance to turn around and see her smile and whisper "Thank you" back to me.

As I ran through the rain, I looked at my watch. It was already 6:20. I was going to be late. And I was going to be punished. Big time.

When I got home I was breathing hard and I opened the door to see my so called father's eyes.

"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?! I TOLD YOU TO BE BACK AT 6 TO MAKE ME DINNER. IT'S BEEN HALF AN HOUR." I flinched as he screamed in my face. He was definitely drunk. I could smell the alcohol on his breath.

"I was working dad. Look. I brought back my paycheck. We can pay for things now, even for your beer if you want" I tried to reason with him.

He chuckled darkly. "At least you're of some use. But you're still fucking late so you know what that means."

I nodded and closed my eyes. He slapped me and kicked my in the stomach. I dropped to my knees. He punched me again. He kneeled down to my ear and I shivered from his breath. "Next time don't be late bitch." As he kicked me one last time and went to the kitchen.

I slowly got up. I sucked in my breath as I felt my side throbbing. I limped to the kitchen and made him dinner then dragged myself up the stairs. I got to the bathroom and lifted up my shirt. I gritted my teeth as I already saw new bruises forming. I knew those would be easy to hide, but I'd have to cover the bruises on my face tomorrow. I crawled into my bed fell into a dreamless sleep.

Shane's POV

I got up the next morning. I groaned as I thought about last night. I had spent all night thinking about how I had treated Mitchie and realized that I had caused her so much pain. I looked up at the ceiling and thought about my promise yesterday. I made a small smile. I was going to try and be nicer to Mitchie today.

I went into the bathroom and brushed my teeth and took a shower. I straightened my hair and sprayed some hairspray in it. Hey, hair like mine needed to be perfect.

I jogged down the stairs and got to the kitchen. Nate and Jason were already down there eating pancakes my mom made. Dad was sitting and reading the newspaper. I shoved the pancakes in my mouth.

"Shane! Slow down and chew your food" My mom, Denise, scolded.

I rolled my eyes and swallowed. I swung my backpack around my headed out the door without a goodbye. When I got to school, I glanced to the lockers and saw Mitchie moving really slowly. Huh. That's weird.

"Hey Mitchie!" I said as I walked to her. She looked up and her eyes widened when she saw that I had called out her name. She walked away quickly. Was she..limping? I ran after her.

"What's your problem? I just called your name" I said angrily. She mumbled a sorry. I breathed in to calm myself down. She finally looked up and I noticed that her eye was a little purple on the side. What was that about? I took my hand and rubbed some of the make up off and I almost gasped in surprise when I realized it was a dark bruise.

She immediately pulled away and slapped my hand off. "Please stop."

"Is someone hurting you? Did one of those cheerleaders beat you up after school?" I said slowly.

"It's none of you business so leave me alone" she snapped. That made me angry.

"Fine bitch. I was just trying to be nice. You're such a freak. I bet your parents don't even love you" I said back to her, but I immediately regretted it when I saw her eyes.

Tears started to spill out of her eyes and she ran away.

"Wait! Mitchie I didn't mean it!" I shouted. I sighed in frustration. Great job in keeping your promise jerk.

Mitchie's POV

Wow. I didn't think he would ever go that low. I sighed in relief as the last school bell rang and I nearly sprinted out the door, but before I could leave, Shane stopped me.

"Look I'm sorry about what I said earlier, I didn't mean it" he said softly. I shook my head at him and pushed my way out.

"Let me give you a ride home as a way to apologize okay?"

"No thanks, I have somewhere else to go" I mumbled and ran out the doors.

Shane's POV

What was that about? The entire female population in this school would die to be in the same car as me, and she says no? Maybe she really is different. No. There's no way, she must be lying. I bet she's heading home now.

I followed her in my car, distancing myself so it wouldn't be so suspicious. I furrowed my eyebrows as I watched her walk into my mom's book store. What could she be doing in there?

I looked through the windows and saw my mother hugging Mitchie. I was even more confused now. What the fuck was going on? My mom knew Mitchie? I saw my mom sit her down and remove Mitchie's makeup. My jaw dropped, and I knew my mom had a similar reaction. Her face was all bruised! She lifted her shirt up to reveal even worse injuries. Who would do that to her?

I stayed there for what seemed like forever watching my mom bandage up Mitchie. When she was finally done, Mitchie smiled at her. That was the first time I'd ever seen her smile. It was beautiful.

I hid in the bushes when Mitchie walked out the door thanking my mom. As she walked home, I got in my car and just sat there thinking. Then I started the car. As I drove home, I knew I would definitely have to ask my mom about Mitchie later and also ask Mitchie about what happened to her.

Mitchie Torres. Figuring you out has been a lot more complicated than I thought.