The back of my head came in contact with the stone tiles of the pathway that wound through the almost unrealistic backyard. The sound was cringe worthy, complete with the cracking sound and everything. Talk about special effects. 

        For a brief moment, I shut my eyes, attempting to gain my senses back. For a frantic moment, my lungs were not inhaling any air, causing me to gasp for deep breaths. The air had been knocked out of me. Quite literally. 

        Gaining my composure -- just barely -- I managed to push myself into a sitting position. Blinking, I tried to process what had just happened. Someone had just pushed me... Who?

        As if on cue, Courtney appeared out of nowhere and grasped my chin, her long nails digging into my flesh. "How dare you defy my mother? You insulted her!" she spat. My nose scrunching up as her spit flew onto my face.  

        I should have taken some action, at least I should have wiped the spit from my face. Although, I just sat there, rooted to the ground. I still couldn't understand why I felt so intimidated by Courtney. Perhaps, it was the fear of the fact that she could turn my life into a horror movie, a step ahead of the nightmare she has already accomplished. Or maybe, I just decided to keep quiet because that's what I was accustomed to. I was used to people stepping all over me, ignoring whatever voice I had. 

        "I don't even know why you came here," Courtney continued. "You ruined my life! Mom used to be so happy. And now, you came and destroyed everything!"

        Finally. Finally, she was speaking. I had always wondered why Aunt Morrison and Courtney despised me so much. Now, she was finally uttering the few words that kept me in mystery for so long. 

        "You don't know what you did to my family," Courtney yelled. 

        Anger flared inside me. I was done. All the fury I kept inside me all these years, finally emerged out into the open, for everyone to witness. Angrily wiping away the spit from my face, I finally burst. 

        "What I did to you? I was helpless when I first came. I had just lost everything. My parents were gone. I lost my only family. Yet, you treated me like it didn't matter. You didn't care. You were so selfish, Courtney Chillman. You bully me every single day. And you're right! I have no idea what I ever did to you," I shouted with so much rage and pain, tears were threatening to emerge any second. I looked up at her with so much hatred, feeling a little relieved to finally be able to let everything out. I had kept my rage bottled up for too long; way too long for my own good.     

        Courtney actually seemed to be considering my words for a brief second, though too engrossed with her own troubles and anger, she decided to overlook the meaning of those few words altogether. 

        "Before you came, my mom used to spend time with me. She used to laugh. Now, all she does is get frustrated and angry for the simplest of situations. And this is all your fault!" Courtney screamed. 

        "Yeah. Just ignore my pleas and everything I've gone through. Blame me because I'm the easiest target. Blame April because she doesn't say anything about it. Look, I'm sorry for whatever I did. I just don't understand how you can be so inhumane. How can you ignore the fact that you have made my life close to an ordeal?" I asked, my voice laced with hurt.   

        At this Courtney remained silent and studied me with an analytical expression. Her eyes seemed to soften for a brief moment. Although, she quickly replaced the expression with a cold, stony gaze. 

        "You know what? You don't deserve my time," she said, mimicking the words her mother had said to me a few days ago, and was about to walk away. Although, I quickly stood up, and despite the dizziness washing over me with the sudden movement, hurriedly grabbed her wrist. 

        "No. I won't let you just leave like this. I deserve answers. You need to sort this out," I said, determined. 

        I could see Courtney clenching her jaw. She grabbed my wrist and yanked it away from her own, throwing mine away like a piece of garbage. 

        "I don't need to sort anything out with you. You ruined my life. So, just go away, okay?" Courtney said. 

        "Courtney, don't you see that I'm in a dilemma, too? You're not the only one hurt! I have no idea why I'm getting blamed for your mother's sudden change in mood, but I'm still requesting that we work things out. For all of our sake!" I pleaded. 

        I was tired of all the hatred and conflicts. I just honestly wanted to work through things, and come to agreements. I think we both deserved that, considering that Courtney was hurting, as well. She just chose to disguise it behind loathing and rage. 

        "You won't listen like this, will you?" Courtney asked. 

        Suddenly, she clutched my arm, and pulled me behind her, leading me towards where, I couldn't tell. 

        "What are you doing?" I asked, exasperated. 

        Courtney decided to ignore my question, and kept on walking. She abruptly halted, and before I had time to process what she was doing, she pushed me. This time, the impact wasn't the collision with a rough surface. My body came in contact with something smooth, yet unpleasant as my body hit against it. I was surrounded by a blinding glimmer, the moonlight reflecting off of the surface. Water. Swimming pool. My eyes widened in shock. I was being pulled towards the bottom of the pool. My senses suddenly kicked in, and I began slapping the water frantically, my legs and arms trying to keep me afloat.  

        People had now crowded around the pool. Some were laughing at my helpless state, though I was too frightened to care. 

        "Look! A drowning rat!" someone shouted, which was followed by a series of laughter. 

        "She deserves it!" another voice rang out. 

        "I know, right! I never really felt bad when she was bullied at school. Some of my friends did, but seriously. We all heard what she did to poor Courtney," another person said. 

        Suddenly, a familiar voice yelled, "Everyone! Out! The party is over!"

        This was followed by groans of denial. 

        Someone said, "I was having so much fun!"

        I can't believe I was able to stay at the surface for this long. Suddenly, I felt myself drowning deeper. I kicked with more force, my breath now coming in gasps. 

        I felt myself finally giving in to the water, my mind beginning to shut down. My lungs were screaming at the lack of oxygen, while my limbs burned from the frantic movements, and the weight of the dress which was now soaked, dragging me deeper and deeper. Suddenly, I heard an audible splash, and the water shifting around me. Not long after, strong arms wrapped around my middle. I wasn't able to make out the features of my savior due to my dazed state. With swift motions, the stranger brought me to solid ground. The figure held me until my legs stopped shaking and I gained some consciousness. 

        I raised my eyes to look at the considerate person. When our eyes met, my breath hitched. Emerald eyes. Mason. Of all people, it was Mason. 

        Seeing that I was recovering, Mason asked, "How are you feeling? Better?"

        I nodded, halfheartedly. The image of Mason and the unfamiliar girl still running through my mind. 

        "I really should have learned to swim, shouldn't I have?" I asked, sarcastically. 

        Mason smiled, and to my surprise, hugged me. "Yes, you should have."

        "Thanks for rescuing me. As much as I hate being the damsel in distress, I'm utterly grateful," I replied, resting my head against his shoulder. 

        "You're most welcome."

        It felt nice to have someone who cared. Just standing with Mason made me feel secure. My relief was short lived because what happened next, shocked me.

        Mason gently brought my head back from his shoulder, and placed his lips against mine. 

        He kissed me. 

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Author's Note:

Bonjour! Chapter 11 brought along some surprises, didn't it? I'll tell you this, there are many more to come!

I hope you enjoyed chapter 11! Have a lovely day! :)

- Anika