S O P H I A

Just when I thought I had learnt the way to live, life changes.

Its continuous cycle of ultimate struggles and torment have taught me to not allow anyone to make me feel like I wasn't good enough, not allowing anyone to judge my story by the first chapter they walk in on.

But that was just advice given to a mentally unstable girl who couldn't recognise the difference between pure hatred and the truth.

It didn't matter anyway.

Why should I take anyone's advice personally if they couldn't even take it themselves?

~*~

"Murderer."

"That's the girl that killed Alyse!"

"Why the fuck is she still here?"

"Fucken psycho!"

...

My phone continued to blast heavily with unnecessary messages and emails. It didn't matter how many I received constantly. It was the daily reminders that forced me to believe them.

I angrily hauled my phone across the room, surely cracking the screen in the process.

But it didn't even compare to how I was feeling-knowing everyone viewed me the same as they would a murder on the loose.

I knew I couldn't leave and return to school tomorrow, with all their judgmental eyes and comments that find a place in my mind.

But what choice did I have ?

My thoughts waver as loud sobs exit my mouth, their useless effects only adding to my immense pain.

How could no one pay attention to my feelings and realise that my only wish was to take her place, allowing her to continue her life before it all came crashing down?

I never got too far, though.

Multiple voices and instant yelling were heard from outside. It sounded like a whole riot was occurring.

I slowly and quietly look outside my front window, wishing I didn't witness what was occurring right in front of me.

The majority of the school were all standing around my front yard, some smirking, others looking content with the situation.

I was slightly confused as to why anyone would be at my house. Especially these people.

I noticed the majority of the people holding out their phones and aiming it towards my front door, like something so extraordinary was going to happen that they had to record it.

But the shaking and rattling of a can suggested otherwise.

Caleb.

With everyone standing behind him and awaiting his next move, I slowly peak my head through the window, careful not to be seen and caught.

He was holding a large spray can in his hand, shaking it until the rattling echoed across the scene. He showed nothing more than pure content and satisfaction, making me wonder why him and everyone else were so keen on his next move. But before I could do anything, he pushes down on the nozzle and repeatedly traces words across the wall.

I gasp loudly, chanting the words 'oh my god' whilst witnessing this crude scene before me.

Everyone cheers hysterically, some even screaming "take that, bitch!" and laughing their heads off, even though they thought I wasn't home.

I slowly back away from this disastrous scene, my eyes willingly blinking to get rid of the oncoming tears.

But not before I catch his eyes that connect with my own, the smirk on his face suggesting his win in this situation.

He lifts up his hand slowly, showing me his index finger pointing upwards. Almost like he was telling me the amount of acts he pulled off successfully that tarnished my mind.

But it suddenly had occurred to me that this wasn't his only comeback for revenge.

~*~

I quickly take out a random jumper that was located amongst my clothes, along with my black tights and nikes, hoping it was enough to disguise me amongst everyone.

The scene from yesterday was replaying progressively in my head, the one word that was spray painted now a remainder in my mind.

Murderer.

The paint had some sort of super glue that would not come off, however I was able to remove most of it.

But what frightened me the most was everyone's power against me, allowing me to believe their words.

Because I was known as a murderer to them.

And it wasn't more useful and desirable that my frightened state added fuel to their contentment.

~*~

Walking through the hallways of school was not scheduled on my to-do list. It was crowded everywhere with multiple groups of students and individuals, all whispering about the latest gossip that has been spreading like wildfire throughout the school.

I tug on my hoodie to cover my face, slowly pulling my hair forward to not allow anyone to recognise me.

My legs were walking forward in the same rhythm, desperately trying to escape this narrow hallway.

I look up a little to search my surroundings, but my eyes catch their heavy stares and hard glares that all tell a story within. Some of disappointment, others of disapproval.

I simultaneously walk towards my locker, quickly putting in the locker combination and stuffing all my belongings into it. I could feel the burns on the back of my head by everyone's stares, all judgemental expressions plastered across their faces.

"Getting a little cosy there, are we?"

I already knew where this situation was heading. Nothing good ever ended with a conversation amongst her. She was too much of a drama queen, always seeking to cause the biggest dramas for everyone's entertainment.

"I don't know what you're talking about, Danielle."

She scoffs aloud, drawing in everyone's attentions as they all form a circle around our little exchange.

"Oh, I think you know exactly what I'm talking about. I'm surprised you're still here, Sophia. I was really looking forward to watching your court case go to waste."

Her words surely cut deep within me. She was nothing more than an exact replica of everyone else, the ultimate stereotype that others appreciated.

She wasn't here to seek revenge. She was here to create drama. Her specialty.

"If you're looking to cause more drama Danielle, you can seek it from someone else. I'm not here for your pitiful games."

Satisfaction rises upon me, but I knew it only angered her even more. Which was why she didn't stop there.

"No one's going to comfort you anymore, Sophia. Because what's going to happen if they get too close? Oh, that's right! They'll nothing but torture just like the kind that was brought brutally by her best friend because she was too much of a careless and selfish bitch!"

I knew that nothing would ever come out positive from Danielle's lips, but that didn't mean I couldn't help but feel like I was receiving blows multiple times to my stomach. I was too much of a coward who allowed others to seek satisfaction from my guilt, who never saw the good sides to everything.

I deserved everything that came my way.

Danielle seethes with anger as she looks me over.

"Don't for one second think you're the innocent one here. Karma has no menu, but you always get served." She finally receives what she wanted to achieve all along, pushing past me along the hallway.

The crowd only becomes progressively larger as everyone stares directly at me with nothing but pure hate and disbelief.

I knew nothing bad ever comes to an end, but I never took that as my own advice.

I suddenly lose my balance and topple towards the ground, my head hitting the lockers from the impact. Multiple laughs resonate across the hallway, gaining the attention of other bystanders.

I look up just in time to lock eyes with him.

Caleb.

His penetrating glare was so hard that I had to flinch back a little away from him. He had his arms crossed across his chest, intensifying his already strong build. But his eyes held a different story. His anger and displeasure was present, but I could sense the pain radiating off of his expression.

His chilling voice was what forced me to look up towards him.

"Get out of my way. You've caused enough problems with my sister already."

The truthfulness in his tone was unbearable and the words created a deep sense of hatred.

"I'm sorry." I quietly whimper, hoping he would notice my frightening state and leave me be.

"It's too late for that now, isn't it?" He whispers harshly, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly. He slowly takes a few steps towards me, his shoes were the only noise that was heard amongst everyone.

"Fuck." He groans rather angrily, punching the locker above me.

I flinch again at this hard tone, watching his breathing exceed with anger and frustration.

He gives me one more look over and when he finally realises he had won, he walks the opposite direction, his friends following straight after him.

I knew that nothing ever comes out positive within Caleb's presence, but it wasn't easy to escape since he was always lurking within my shadows.

~*~

It was bad enough that everyone you passed and acknowledged held a grudge against you. It was even worse when you were betrayed and left hurt by the ones who you thought were always there for you.

I was sitting in the back corner in English, trying to desperately ignore the hatred radiating off of everyone. Girls were afraid of me. Boys despised me. Teachers and parents warned others of my presence and to stay a good distance away from me.

With all their crude remarks and beliefs, no one ever realised how I truly suffered from that tragic event after Alyse's death. How I had no purpose of living since the only reminder that kept be stable was not only gone, but left a burden.

The heavy glares continued to come my way, others moving a good distance away from me.

Did they seriously think I was going to do something to them ?

But with the slight rhetorical questions I couldn't answer, the classroom door suddenly swings open, banging across the wall beside it.

Everyone quiets down, low whispers already spreading throughout the classroom.

I didn't even have to look up to know who had acknowledged us with their grand entrance.

Caleb stands within the spot near the door, his heavy breathing and terrifying expression scaring me mindlessly.

His knuckles were painted a dark red, indicating that he had just fought someone before entering the classroom.

"Caleb Knight, may I ask why you are late to class today?" Mr Abernathy asks, raising his eyebrow in exchange, awaiting his response.

His next words chill me to the bone.

"Just had to finish some unfinished business, sir." He snarls the last word, but I knew his attitude was not aimed at Mr Abernathy, as his eyes that were situated amongst my face told me otherwise.

~*~