This chapters dedicated to MeexicanUnicorns for the amazing trailer on the side!

Adena’s POV

I barely heard Lizzy and Ross talk about their project. All I could think about was the fact that Dylan and I were up next and our friendship was moving fast. I was surprised that I trusted him this much when it took me forever to trust Grady. I didn’t know how to explain it to myself let alone the class.

Mrs. Bridges wanted us to give the whole class an update on the project. Meaning I had to get up, stand in front of the whole class, and talk. There was so many opportunities for me to be made fun of.

Not only that but my biggest tormentors, Kyleigh and Brooke, would be sitting there laughing. No doubt they would relay everything that happens to Jackie who would kick my butt! My hands started shaking and my palms grew sweaty. 

"Adena," Dylan whispered; startling me. "Are you okay?"

"I can't go up there," I found myself whispering in response.

"Why not?" I looked around the room.

"I'll screw up, they'll... they'll laugh at me," Dylan glanced around.

"It will be okay. I will do the talking. Don't worry."

"But I still have to stand there," I whispered, wanting nothing more than to be home with my razor.

"Adena, don't care about what they think," Easier said than done.  "Just find something on the wall to look out and count to fifty. I'll talk.”

I took a deep breath and nodded; deciding not to argue with him. Lizzy and Ross finished as Mrs. Bridges signaled to Dylan and I that it was our turn. "Come on," he whispered as we got up. The students clapped enthusiastically as we walked up to the podium. I looked around at the students, all of them staring me down. "Well! Our projects coming along!" Dylan nodded.

As Dylan started talking, my eyes found Kyleigh and Brooke. They were snickering and glaring at the same time; making me want to crawl into a hole and die. I stared at the ground as Dylan continued.

"I've found out a lot about Adena. She's a really interesting person! She's nice, funny," I looked up at him "Has a horrible taste in football teams," I found myself giggling. "Is a nurse in training and overall a great friend," he looked to me and we exchanged smiles.

As he talked, it brought on the memories of those times.

 "That's it," he shrugged. The class clapped as he moved from behind the podium and I could finally breathe again.

It was over.

"Adena," Mrs. Bridges called. My heart stopped and for a second, I couldn't breathe. "We'd like to hear your side of the project," my heart stopped. All I could think about was the fact that they were going to laugh at me. Dylan smiled and nodded at me; encouraging me. I walked back to the podium; my hands sweating like crazy.

"Uhmm...." I whispered, trying to keep my hand from shaking like crazy. I looked around the room at all the faces staring at me. "I uh...I....uh...I think things are going good...." I looked at my hands. "There is more to Dylan than people think..."

Keeping my head down, I walked back to my desk. Applause started slowly and only a few people clapped, making me feel horrible about myself. I sat down in my desk and buried my face in my hands. 

"Hey," Dylan whispered, putting a hand on my arm shaking me; I looked to him. "You did good, don't care about what they think. Half of them aren't even paying attention," I shrugged and looked away; pretending to listen to Mrs. Bridges finish. As she did, she gave us the last five minutes to ourselves. 

"I personally think our speech was the best," Dylan smiled, turning to me. 

"Your half was...."

"Hey! I liked what you said! There's more to me then I think! Sounds mysterious... I bet people were wondering what I'm doing! Maybe they'll think I'm a drug dealer or something?" I couldn't help but laugh at him. 

"What are you babbling about?" I questioned. He shrugged with a laugh.

"I have no idea! But it is random. That is all that matters," he smiled at me.

I smiled back and we spent the next two minutes making fun of what he had just said. When the bell rang we continued our conversation down the hall and to my next class. He said goodbye and walked away before I realized he had just voluntarily walked me to class. I smiled at his kindness but it made me wary.

Why would he walk me to class? My mind wasn't on the history Ms. Downing was talking about. My mind was not on the Revolutionary War or the Amendments. It wasn't even on my favorite; the Presidents.

My mind was on a certain someone that seemed to spend time with me. I corrected myself. He needed too for the project.

But then again, what if he thought of me as a friend? If this was true it'd mean I wasn't completely alone.

Before I knew it, class was done. I rushed out and headed for Quinton's car. I walked silently, finding Quinton and I's car but not him. I took of my backpack, setting it down on the ground. He had the keys with him and the car was locked. 

"Hey," someone said. I turned around and looked towards the source of the sound. I wish I hadn't because who I saw next was the last person I wanted to see. Jackie strutted up towards me, crossing her arms over her chest as she came up to me. 

"We need to have yet again another talk Serre... I thought last time we established that Dylan was off limits."

"What are you talking about?" I found myself questioning.

“You know perfectly well what I am talking about, you… ugly-boyfriend-stealing-jerk!” she exclaimed, putting a hand on her hip. The typical “excuse me” pose.

“What?” I couldn’t believe she was saying this...well...yeah I could believe it. “Jackie, I am not stealing your boyfriend. We’re just... two people working on a project together.”

“Serre! I don’t know who you think you are, but you need to keep to yourself or there will be trouble. Dylan is mine and mine only. You get too close to Dylan and I will beat the snot out of you. You are a worthless piece of crap. So save your breath and leave him alone! He doesn't like you, in fact, he’s just being nice to you for project sake. He hates you just as much as I do. You're just a… sad pathetic loser and it’s all you’ll ever be.” She huffed.

“Jackie,” Quinton smiled, strolling over to his car. “Why are you standing here? By the way, the zoo called, the baboons want their butts back, so you'll have to find a new face.” Quinton wore a cocky smile on his face as if he had a good insult.

“Oh Quinton, did you think of that one yourself? Or did your butt buddy, Grady, tell you that one?” Jackie then proceeded to turn to me. “Glad we had this talk,” and with that she walked away. Quinton came over and stood by my side.

“I hate her!” He shouted in anger before asking me: “What was that about?” I bit my lip, trying my best to hold back tears.

“I don’t know,” I said, my voice shaking slightly. “Let’s go.” I frowned. Quinton didn’t question me though I knew he really wanted to. He simply unlocked the car and I got inside. The rest of the car ride was filled with absolute silence. I refused to reply to his questions. The second we got home I charged upstairs, claiming I wanted to get ahead on homework.

But homework was the last thing I was doing.

I closed my door shut, flicking the lock before slamming my stuff on the ground. Running a hand through my hair I lost it. I let all my feelings run free as the tears started flowing down my face.

I leaned against the door, desperately trying to catch my breath. I could feel my heart being ripped apart in my chest as I frantically headed towards my bed. I crashed to my knees, grabbing my box from under the bed.

Opening it, I looked to my razor. Picking it up slowly and gently, I found myself staring at it. My fingers traced over the small blood stain on it.

Don't do it I told myself.

But soon that voice was tuned out and replaced with Jackie's insults. All I saw was the classes eyes, watching me make a fool of myself. I saw Jackie insulting me and Dylan standing there, doing nothing.

This was what I needed to do.

So I dragged the blade across my wrist, feeling instant relief at the sight of the blood. My heart stopped aching for only a moment, but the feeling went away. The joy I had received in that moment was amazing, and I needed it again. So I cut myself again and again until blood dripped from my arm and onto the floor.

I am weak, I told myself.

I am nothing.