Chapter 11

The DJ nodded. Within seconds, the speakers blasted with the background music of Taylor Matthew's Head Over Feeling.

I stared at the crowd feeling petrified. All their eyes were on me. I didn't see Prince Charming anywhere but I knew he was out there. Somewhere. I gulped again then finally opened my mouth.

"You Say You Love Me
But Do You Love Me?
I need to get inside your head
Know the words you haven't said"

At first my voice wasn't as loud, but I gained courage and started to sing with confidence.

"Feel like I'm back on the playground
Roses in my hands now
Hearts about to jump out my chest
Tried to tell you what it feels like
Nothing ever sounds right
Words become permanent

Do you love me?
Do you love me? "

I smiled.

"I've got that Head Over Feeling
Where clouds start their breathing
No burdens around me
I'm feeling so carefree"

I grinned widely actually feeling free. I felt happy, I haven't felt this way for such a long time.

"I've got that Head Over Feeling
Where clouds start their breathing
Nobody can touch me
I'm feeling so carefree
'Cause you got me
'Cause you got me"

I continued singing walking around the stage with some body movement and I could hear the loud cheers from the crowd. I looked at them and finally spotted Prince Charming. His brown eyes stared at me with admiration with a humungous grin on his face.

I got through the second verse, then the chorus again. Then the bridge.

"You give me faith
That's all it takes
When you gotta believe in something

Just take my hand
No need for plans
I know we can't see what's coming
But we gotta believe in something"

I thought about mom and dad and smiled wider.

"I've got that Head Over Feeling
Head Over, Head Over.

I've got that Head Over Feeling
Where clouds start their breathing
No burdens around me
I'm feeling so carefree, feeling so carefree
I've got that Head Over Feeling
Where clouds start their breathing
Nobody can touch me
I'm feeling so carefree
'Cause you got me"

I ended the song breathless, my eyes glinting at the crowd.

They continued cheering.

"Yeah! Give it up for— um- her!" The DJ yelled. I shook my head smiling no longer feeling like my legs were made out of jelly. I gave a short bow, handed the microphone back to him and walked off the stage.

The next singer came from the crowd and started singing. I quickly made my way back to Prince Charming.

"Yo- you were amazing!" he exclaimed as soon as I found him.

"Thanks!" I said blushing. He threw his arms around me pulling me into a tight embrace. My face turned even more red.

"And you said you couldn't sing!" he teased.

"I never said that! I just said I was no pro!" I giggled. As he let go his fingers touched the skin at my back, just below my left shoulder.

Oh no.

"Wait— what's this?" Prince Charming questioned tracing the scab Eric had made with the knife.

My dress was supposed to cover the scab! I thought alert as my eyes widened. Shoot… I think the fabric moved while I was singing and moving on the stage… revealing what Eric had done.

"Oh- it's n-nothing really." I said shakily. All the joy from me singing drained away, I could only feel fear and anxiety.

He looked at me with a frown. "I don't think it's just nothing." He spun me around before I managed to move away from him and tightened his right arm around me.

"Hey- let go!" I yelled starting to struggle.

You may think other people saw us and heard me— but no, they didn't. It was way too loud in the gym and the music drowned my voice away. Everyone's attention was on the singer at the stage.

I could feel Prince Charming's eyes looking at my scab as his fingers traced the outlining. I felt him gently but shakily move some fabric away from the scab, revealing the whole word. I heard him gasp as he read the swear word imprinted on my back.

"What the heck!?" he exclaimed letting go of me. I turned to face him, pulling at the back of my dress to hide the cut. I stared at the ground, ashamed.

"Who did this to you?" He demanded. I looked up into his eyes. They looked startlingly angry but also worried.

"Th-that's none of your business!" I sputtered. No. I couldn't have him know. Not about Eric, not the abuse. If he told the principle and the government knew… I'd be put in a foster home.

I looked away from him and the clock caught my eyes. 11: 45. Oh shoot!

"I-I have to go!" I exclaimed panicked. I started to rush away from him.

"Wait-!" He exclaimed. "Where are you going? You can't leave yet! I don't even know your name!"

He grabbed my wrist and pulled me towards him. If I didn't leave now I wouldn't make it back home in time. And if I didn't make it back home in time, then Eric would know I went out and didn't stay home, and then abuse me even more.

"L-listen I really, really must be going." I pleaded.

"I-I know. But at least tell me your name so I can find you again."

I saw him suddenly hesitate. Then as if making up his mind, he swiftly raised his right hand to his face and pulled his mask off.

My eyes widened.

The boy who I had spent the entire night with, who now stood in front of me holding my hand, with his face now maskless… was the one and only—

"Tyler Shanter." I gasped.

"Please." He said his voice begging. I stared stunned at him. "Tell me who you are."

But I knew I couldn't. For 2 reasons. One, I would be late and get beat by Eric. Two… he was Tyler. He was the Tyler Shanter. One of the most popular guys in ninth grade. I wasn't close to being popular at all. I could imagine the look on his face-the look of disappointment if he found out it was me-Cassie- under this mask. In addition, his friends would tease me non-stop, making my life even more miserable.

I twisted my wrist out of his grasp and shook my head. "I'm really sorry Tyler, I can't."

He stared at me confused. "Why not?"

"Sorries… I just- I just can't!" I exclaimed, with that, I ran away from him my face blinded with tears. I bit my lip as realization came crashing down. I had hoped Prince Charming would change my life a little, make me happier but… I was wrong. As long as he was popular, he wouldn't make me happier. No popular guy no matter how nice they act, will ever like me.

"Oof!" I tumbled to the floor landing on my face. I hear a laugh above me.

"Watch where you're going you b-"

I froze and looked up.

Lara.

She paused her sentence, "Do I know you?" she asked looking suspiciously at me as she towered over me.

"N-no of course not!" I squeaked. I got on my feet and dashed towards the exit. I ran through the doors out of the school and started sprinting towards Eric's house like my life depended on it. Because really—it did.

The mask was getting distracting so I pulled it off me.

I reached the house in record time. I ran into my shed, pulled the dress and my dress shoes off. I pulled some home clothes on me and put my hair down, combing it to make it seem like I hadn't gone anywhere.

"Cassie!"

I panted still trying to catch my breath.

The dress and shoes.

I scooped them up and shoved them under my bed just as my door flung open. There stood Eric and Lara. Okay so it seems like after I bumped into Lara and dashed home Eric came, picked her up and drove home.

"What're you doing on your hands and knees?!" he bellowed staring at down at me. He looked suspiciously at my bed.

"U-umm just doing some cleaning." I nervously said. He looked me up at down even though I was on the floor.

"Hmm… seems like you didn't go anywhere this night." He grumbled. I shook my head a no.

"Good." He muttered, then stalked off along with Lara who gave me a malicious smirk. I quickly got up, closed my door then fell onto my bed, exhausted. I went into deep thought. I couldn't believe it… Tyler Shanter. It was Tyler Shanter I had danced with, talked with and…

Wait.

He said… he was a fake. That he only pretended to be what he wasn't. Should I believe him? I mean… he does act really nice around me but that was only in math class when he was supposed to work with me and we were alone in the hallway and at the back of the school. And no one saw our messages on facebook so… he was probably just pretending to be nice to me.

I couldn't help but feel stupid because I had fell for it. I actually thought he was a kind person at heart.

I sighed. I stood up and grabbed the dress under my bed getting my phone from its pocket.

It. Wasn't. There.

What?! I thought panicked.

I got down on my hands and knees again and looked under my bed. No phone.

I panicked and thought back. When I bumped into Lara and fell. I probably dropped my phone there. Oh great chances are someone picked it up! But who? Lara? Some random kid?

It was locked which was a good thing.

I thought about who else could've picked it up when it hit me.

Tyler Shanter.