"A world so hateful some would rather die than be who they are."

Perspiration came coursing down my complexion. The sound of my heart pumping was as clear as the four figures of them around me. They incarcerated me from all the four directions, confining my ability to run. I kept tilting my head frequently to try and guess their second lurch. They resumed giggling at how flushed I was and mocking my physical appearance. I was already battered. Bruises were all over my arms and face. Blood was still dripping from the last wound they caused. The scrawny girl in front of me started to get closer, soon enough the others followed the action. She seemed to indulge my trepidation. I gulped. Her steps were swift yet meticulous. She smirked when we eyed each other. They formed a circle around me. I could see her fist clenching. I never fathomed how can a couple of girls be so strong, but they were. Maybe because there were four of them and only one of me.

My inclination begged me to thrust her and dash. However, I knew that the other three girls would come after me, so I dismissed the idea from my mind. I wanted to shriek for help, but that was another thing I knew the outcome of. This has been going on for about twenty minutes now. No one entered the school's bathroom- regardless if they were students or teachers- for twenty minutes. Twenty minutes! How is that rational?

I gulped anew when I saw her next move coming. Their hands tightened on me to intercept me from racing. The bell chimed, halting her. Their eyes widened. Two of them shoved me, causing me to slip and crash on the floor. Subsequently, they vanished out of my now blurry sight.

This wasn't the first time. I've been bullied by them countless times before. At first, it was only derisive words but then it evolved. Everyone knew what they did, but they didn't care. I had no friends at school, I never did. Estrangement was my best friend.

I pull myself and stand up. Rubbing my hands in my garment, I try to get rid of the sweat. I stare at myself, momentarily, in the mirror. My gaze is followed by a couple of tears that insisted on falling. I open the tap and take a hand full of water to try and hide the smears of blood on my grey sleeve shirt and my black pants. I put my hair in a ponytail and splash water on my face, in attempt to try and calm my still shivering veins under my skin. Eventually, I break down again.

My whole body is still shaking. This is the end of the school day. I have to get it together and get out, or otherwise I'll be late for Adam and he'll alert my dad.

Before I know it, a girl enters the bathroom. She's wearing a red mini skirt and a white crop top accompanied by a pair of black heels. She, fundamentally, looked like she is going to a party not to high school. She leaned to magnify her reflection in the mirror- which will facilitate the process of fixing her makeup. She looks at my foul looks from the corner of her eyes and winced. I ignore her and seize my bag that they virtually threw inside the toilet. Afterwards, I gather the stuff that they emptied from the bag and step out.

The hallway is heaving with people- half of them are girls mumbling about Anthony's party. As I scurry to reach the doorway, I hear a guy beside me talking to his friend about the girl he met yesterday and a teacher -who passed by me- talking on the phone about how long it took her to get her hair done at the salon. Lilly, Raven, Becky and Hailee were nowhere to be seen. Most of the school knew them since they were the kind of girls that you would call "famous."

I haul the door that had a squared transparent glass at the top of it as if it's the door to prison or something, to see Adam. He, as always, is standing right next to the car. If I didn't know him, I probably wouldn't have guessed that he works in the military.

He was dressed in a casual blue t-shirt and jeans escorted by sunglasses. He grimaced the moment he noticed that I'm out. He doesn't like me. Why would he? The only reason he fetches me from school every day is because my dad is his boss and my dad demanded that someone- who works for him- has to pick me up from school every day. I knew that the bruises on my face were obvious, and I also knew that he couldn't care less.

The sunlight showered me from top to bottom as I embarked to walk towards the black Jeep Wrangler car. He abruptly turned on the car when I entered and we took off. We didn't have any type of conversation during the ride, we never did. He was basically a taxi driver. My iris kept dropping on the bruise on my arm, which reminded me of what just happened fifteen minutes ago. I felt an urge to sob, but I held it back. Acquaintance made me a professional at this. This was pretty much my life: I go to school, get beaten up and bullied, Adam drives me home, I cry till sleep and the cycle repeats itself all over again. If I could describe it in one word it would be miserable.

The engine suddenly stopped. My bright green eyes rolled to the right and fell on the image of my residence. I grab my bag and climb out of the car. Adam flew away after I did.

The dwelling's vicinity was replete with emptiness. We did have neighbors. It's just that we never really had a connection with them. They're not culpable, though. No one wanted something to do with my father. You would think that since he had a niche at the military people would constantly serve him gratitude and affection on a golden plate, but that wasn't the case. Well, frankly speaking, it was with everyone who worked at the military except for my father. The fact that he was excessively cold-hearted and tough intimidated everyone, including me.

I unearth my hand in my pocket and withdraw the keys. I step on the flagstone-which is enclosed by green turf. Swinging the door open, the image of my little sister emerges into my eyes. She was wearing a pink and white polka-dot dress and had her brown silken hair into two ponytails. She was sitting on the stairs, waiting for my advent, with her palm on her check. She's the contentment in my despairing life. She's the shimmering light at the end of the tunnel. She's the only motive that keeps me enduring.

Mary promptly looked up when the door squeaked. Her face lightened.

'Trivina!' she shouted

'Mary' I said with much less enthusiasm due to my agony. I embrace her into my arms fondly and stroke her hair. Her smile languished shortly after my bruise mesmerized her.

'What's that on your cheekbone.' She gave me the concerned face of an older sister, not a younger one. I wish I could've told her since she's the only one that matters to me. But, she was only seven!

'I fell and hit my head.' I lied

'again?' she asked

'Yeah...I'm clumsy.' I faked a chuckle.

The house was hushed, as normal. The stairs- which led to the upper floor- were to the door's left. You could see the upper floor from the door step: it had my parent's room, Mary's and mine.

'Oh, I brought a new toy today!' excitement was jumping out of her face, as if she bought a car not a toy.

'Really?'

'Yes! Wait right here, I'll go and bring it from my room' she promised while flying up the stairs.

Silence appeared when Mary vacated. However, a creak of a door broke it. I, immediately, looked at where it came from. My father had just got out of the bathroom. I tried not to make eye contact with him. His sneer made sure to express his loathing.

'They bullied you again, didn't they?' his tone was sober. Not concerned, instead mad.

I nodded.

'I can't believe how feeble you are.' He looked at me in disgust

'I'm not feeble, dad. It's just-'

'Yes you are! You handed them the right to do this and you are now paying the price.' He accosted.

'Thousands of students get bullied every year. It's not about-'

He walked to the living room, before I finish, leaving a tincture of blame in the tensioned air. I sighed and went upstairs, forgetting that I told Marry I would wait.

Note: hi guys it's me again thank you so much for reading tell me what you thought of the chapter in the comments and also if you noticed any mistakes feel free to comment them :) ilysm❤