TW: Non-graphic mention of sexual assault / rape.
After homeroom finished I started to make my way to my first class, stopping by my locker to grab my books for English. English has been one of my favourite classes since I was young. Growing up, I felt as if I could just lose myself in the worlds these authors created and just escape from Charlie and from my life. An arm suddenly wrapped around my shoulders, and immediately my entire body went rigid. I turned my head to see that the arm belonged to none other than Mike Newton, probably here to ask me out yet again. "What do you want Mike?" I asked, my voice as cold as ice, a tone reserved only for him. He could never take no for an answer.
A cocky grin formed on his face as he asked, "Well Bells, will you go-", "No." I interrupted, ducking under his arm and turning away from him. Hearing him mutter "You'll get it later.", I hurried my way to my class. Stifling my panic for now I made it to my English class just as the late bell rang. Looking up at Mr Berty apologetically, he pointed to a seat near the back of the class next to the Black haired pixie from earlier. As I made my way to the back of the class I was met with golden eyes, deep and beautiful, the same as the model from the parking lot. Were they related?
Mr Berty began the class, it seemed as if it would only be a review of what we'll be covering this semester and so I decided to read one of the books I brought with me. From the corner of my eye I could see the Pixie frantically writing something down. Before I knew it she slid the piece of paper towards me, "Hi! My name's Alice, I hope we can be friends." was written in possibly the smoothest handwriting I'd ever seen. Damn it. Charlie would be pissed if I decided to talk to her, she seemed nice though, almost buzzing while waiting for my reply, so I picked up a pen. "I'm sorry Alice, being friends with me would ruin your chances of fitting in. The student body hates me and I don't want that for you, I'm sorry."
With every word she read her frown seemed to deepen. I was used to the bullying from my peers and I didn't want anyone else to have to deal with the same thing. It was nothing compared to living with Charlie but it would probably hurt Alice a lot more, knowing that, I fully made up my mind. I wouldn't be getting involved with Alice or any of the newcomers. I glanced over and saw Alice's eyes were completely glossed over. She seemed to stay completely still for a few minutes, I couldn't even be sure she was breathing. Suddenly, she snapped out of her haze and her eyes filled up with tears as she looked directly at me. My eyebrows pulled together as I silently asked her what was wrong. However this time she was the one to brush me off, shaking her head at me. The rest of the class passed by in peace, the bell startling everyone out of their silence.
My next class was Gym and I stepped into the hallway when I remembered Mike's threat from earlier. The panic I pushed away earlier started flooding in and I almost ran towards the Sports Hall. As it was the first class of the year, we were allowed to do whatever we wanted. On one side of the gym people began setting up a net to play a game of volleyball. The rest of the space was made up of other students just sitting and talking, or in my case sitting on the bleachers and reading. In the corner I could see Alice and the bronze haired model from the parking lot standing with 3 others who were just as attractive. They seemed to be talking quietly in pairs, standing close to each other and the connection seemed clear to me just from watching. They were all couples, except the one with the bronze hair, he was slightly removed from the others, not to the point of being alone, but seeming as if he was alone all the same. What a sad existence that must be. Looking away I carried on reading for the rest of the class, waiting for the break that followed.
After gym I began to make my way towards the cafeteria when a hand covered my mouth and I was pulled into a dark room. I could only assume it was a janitor's closet, most having been disused a year or so ago. My heart was pounding at this point, I was in full panic mode but couldn't move or make a noise. I froze. A pair of hands started palming me, not at all gentle, then I heard something that made me feel sick. " I told you I'd get you". Mike's harsh breaths seemed to fill the cramped space and I felt as if I was suffocating. I couldn't escape his grasp and resigned myself to waiting until he'd finished. What a pathetic person I was. I closed my eyes and tried not to feel anything.
Mike left and I quickly got dressed and wiped my eyes, feeling disgusted at what had just happened. I had let myself be used once again. The panic had only worsened and I tried and failed to slow my breath, ignoring the idea of the trigonometry class I was currently missing. I could still feel his hands all over me, a second skin covering me in filth. I just wanted to scrub it away. My stomach was in knots and it took all I had to not throw up then and there. Taking deep breaths and waiting until I felt as if I could breathe again, I made my way out of the closet and down the hall towards my next class.
I walked down the hall reminding myself I only had 6 months left of this. Turning the corner I walked into what felt like a solid wall, the force of it sending me to the floor. As I hit the floor I barely managed to hold back a cry at the shooting pain to my ribs. Looking up, I saw a man who was almost a giant. He seemed to be all muscle and was at least a foot taller than me. He could do more damage than Charlie any day. I chanced a glance at his face and saw the same golden eyes looking at me in barely concealed amusement. He moved his hand, making me close my eyes and tense waiting for a blow. But none came.
I opened my eyes and saw his outstretched hand, his expression now one of concern. I took his hand and was pulled to my feet. The others in the hall immediately began laughing at my fall, I felt the rush of blood to my cheeks in embarrassment. Then followed the names I heard almost every day "Look the slut strikes again! Wait till Rosalie sees." Jessica Stanley shouted over the roar of the rest. This was immediately followed by laughter and I immediately began to look for Rosalie so I could explain. Then I saw her. Her golden hair looked more vibrant up close and matched her eyes perfectly. Her beauty transcended anything I could ever imagine, and only seemed to add to the air of intimidation around her. Her expression was one of complete hate, one I saw on Charlie's face on a daily basis. Her and this giant scared the hell out of me. If she was mad at me maybe he was too, they could do far worse damage than Charlie. My panic set in deeper than earlier, I could barely breathe. I had to get out of there.
A/N: Hey, sorry for the late post! I've been studying almost 16 hours a day so writing is getting difficult. I'm going to try to get chapter 3 up by the end of the month but bear with me if it ends up being longer. After exams the updates should be every week or so. Please review and favourite if you enjoyed!
Kouga's older woman: Thank you so much for still reading this story even 4 years after the first time I started it! I hope you enjoy where it goes from here.