I fell asleep(or attempted to fall asleep) with Austin's flannel on. It smells like him. My heart starts to race, when I think about him. I can feel my face get all warm. I bring my fingers back to my lips. I sat up in my bunk.

"Ally? You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm okay. I didn't mean to wake you, Trish."

She climbed down from the top of her bunk.

"It's no problem. I can't sleep."

We turned on the lamp, and I scooted over,so she can sit in the bunk with me.

"So, Ally. What's your story?"

I bit my lip. "Well, when my mom died. I sort of-"

She shook her head. "no, I mean your real story. Your hobbies, passions, weird fetishes.."

I sighed heavily and laughed. "Are you seriously quoting The Fault in Our Stars at me?"

She nodded and laughed. "I'm glad you understood."

"I write songs, and play the guitar and the piano, but I haven't really written anything in a while. What about you?"

"I like to sing. I like wearing a lot of animal print. People say I'm mean, but I usually use it as a defense mechanism. Can I tell you a secret?"

I nodded.

"Okay, have you seen a red-headed kid around?"

I thought for a moment. I think I may have seen him around.

I nodded. "I have a huge crush on him, and I 'm super mean to him. I don't want to be, I just am."

I smiled at her. "I understand, Trish."

Should I tell her about my crush on Austin? She told me this much.

"I have a crush on someone. His name is-"

"Austin."

My eyes widened in surprise. "H-how did you know that?"

She giggled. "You're wearing his flannel, besides I saw him kiss you. You guys are cute together."

I smiled. "Wait, I have a question. What's with Tilly?"

Trish rolled her eyes. "Tilly is... she likes Austin, Austin wants nothing to do with her. You're really one of the only people he opens up to. So, that's why she doesn't like you. She doesn't really like anyone, she's a bitter soul, but I'm sure she wasn't always like that. Everyone's here for a reason."

I nodded in understanding.

"So, what are you here for? Since everyone is here for a reason."

"I grew up in an abusive home. I ran away. I would break into empty houses and sleep there. So, they sent me here and I'm glad."

It's only fair if I tell her why I'm here.

"My mom died, it was my fault. My dad started ignoring me after her funeral. The guilt was so much, I started cutting. So, now I'm here because of behavior issues."

Trish pulled me into a hug. "I'll always be here for you, Ally."

I squeezed her tight. "I'll always be here for you too, Trish."

We stayed that way for quite a while.

...

It's officially morning. Trish fell asleep on the other side of my bunk. I poked her multiple times before she actually woke up.

"It's time to get ready for school."

She groaned and rolled over. "Trish, come on. Time to face the day. If you don't get out of bed, Dez will worry. Wait, I guess it's not that bad of an idea then. I'll come back and get you in an hour. I'm heading to the showers." I crawl out of the bunk, and push myself off the ground.

I put on my slippers, I grab a towel and some body wash. I walk out of our dorm room and close the door behind me. I stroll down the hall. I shuffle into the bathroom, and take the shower closest to the door.

Which was my first mistake. I hung my towel on the hook, and left my slippers out side of the shower. I shut the curtain and slowly begin to strip down.

(I left Austin's flannel on the bunk).

I turn on the water, and let the heat cover me. The water streamed down my body as I slowly began to clean myself. My new scars stung underneath the heat and soap.

I soon began to hear giggles and conversations beginning to occur throughout the bathroom. That's my cue to leave. I shut the water off, and wrap my towel around my body.

I slide on my slippers and begin to shuffle out of the bathroom. I reach for the doorknob. Suddenly, a hand grabs my wrist and pulls on my arm.

"Oh, look at that. Ally is a little cutter."

Tilly.

I try to pull away from her. "L-let go."

Her grip tightened. She slapped my arm, where my new scars were. They were barely healing. Her friends began pulling on my hair, and shoving me around.

"Leave me alone." I choke out.

Tilly began to scratch me. Her friends held me down. I can feel the scars start to bleed again. Tilly opened up the door, and yanked my towel off. Her friends shoved me out into the hall where it was, unfortunately beginning to fill with people. Everyone will see me naked, but that's not what I'm worried about. I'm worried about my scars being shown.

I try to push the door open. It was no use. "Tilly! Give me my towel!"

"No chance, loser." She laughed from the other side of the door.

I put my head to the door. I looked down at my arm, to see my three new scars beginning to bleed even harder than before. The blood began to drip from my arm and onto the cold tile ground. I feel a little weak and very embarrassed, as I notice people staring.

My breathing gets heavy. Okay, I'm going to have to find a way to make it back to my dorm with at least whatever of my dignity I have left.

I turn around, covering my top and body. I awkwardly push past the people staring. Suddenly, I was shoved back. "Can't let you get past. Not until we finish taking pictures." a voice spoke. It was a guy.

I bit my lip, and looked down. This is terrible. Do they not realize that i'm bleeding?

I try to push past them again, but they shove me back, bumping into another group of guys. As they pushed me back and forth, I could feel myself getting woozy and also being touched in inappropriate places.

"Quit it! I just want to go back to my room."

They just laughed. Tears welled up in my eyes. I eventually lost my balance, and began to fall.

I bumped into a warm body. "Ally? Oh my God."

Austin.

NOO. I'm naked!

I could feel a towel wrap around my body, and myself being swept off my feet. I opened my eyes, and looked around.

Suddenly, the group of boys dispersed. They all went in separate directions.

Austin rushed me back to my room. Trish was awake by the time he got there and he laid me down in my bunk.

I tried to sit up, but he gently pushed me back down and told me to lie down. I sat back up, so he pushed me back down and had his body hovering over mine.

My face turned beet red. He smirked. "Get your mind out of the gutter, Ally." He sat up.

I suddenly felt my arm stinging a bit. I winced. I saw Austin's face, as he stared at my arm.

"I-I didn't reopen them at least not on purpose."

He nodded. "I know. They look like they've been scratched, and since you're a nervous wreck, you have no nails to scratch yourself with."

I nodded.

He kissed my forehead, as Trish soon began wrapping my arm.

"I'm going to kill her." I spoke.

"Well, I'll deal with her. Just rest for now, hang out with Austin for the rest of the day. I'll tell our teachers what happened."

I nodded.

Trish left the room, and I stood up.

I could feel Austin's eyes on me. "Uh, Austin. I need to get dressed, so could you close your eyes or turn around?"

He snapped out of it. "Oh right."

He buried his face into my pillow.

I soon started getting dressed. I put on bra and underwear. I pulled on a black tank-top, and black skinny jeans. I put on lotion and deodorant.

"Okay, you can open your eyes now."

Austin pulled his face out of my pillow. "Can you pass me that?" I asked, referring to his flannel.

He picked it up, and helped me put it on(much to my protest). I grabbed his beanie and put it on my head. I saw him smile at me. "Let's go."

"Go where? The roof?"

He shook his head. "Much better."

He grabbed my hand. Here we Go Again.


Hey guys! Sorry for the long wait! I feel a lot better now. SO yeah. WOO

Hope you liked it!

~Kristina B