". . . And when Abraham Lincoln became president. . ."

When will class end?

". . . Civil war . . ."

I really need to pee.

". . . American history . . ."

RIIIIINNNG

FREEDOM!

I rush to clean up my books and papers, then run out to the bathroom. I make it there, do my thing, and go to leave the stall when I hear more people come in. Great, more people. I just love people, not. I'll just wait here until they leave, that's logical right?

The girls start talking, about what I couldn't quite understand. I pull out my phone to check the time to find I only have five more minutes to get to my next class. Alright, You've already wasted time hiding. You need to get to class, so just man up and walk out of the stall. They're not going to hurt you . . . I hope. I take a deep breath, then reach to open my stall door. The girls start talking louder, making my hand to freeze.

"Did you see how the new guy looked at her? It was like he was hypnotized!" My breath catches in my throat, my hand dropping back down to my side.

I lean closer to the door as the other girl starts talking, "Yeah, I don't see what all the fuss is about. She's just an ugly nerd, who in their right mind would like that? They're all so buried in their books." The girl scoffs in annoyance, as if reading's the worst thing in the world.

Maybe she should read a book or two, the nerd always seems to get the guy...

My hand flies up to cover my mouth, half to cover my disbelief at the harsh words they're saying about this girl and half to hold back the laugh at my own thoughts. I shake my head at myself, she's not even here to defend herself! It was then that I heard it. The voice of Samantha Willow, the girl that hates my guts. Why? I've been asking myself that for years.

"Sarah doesn't deserve Zander. He's perfect. She's just . . . A fat, ugly, prude. Nobody - She's a nobody. What does he even see in her? What does anyone see in her? I'm perfect for him. We'd be the hottest couple in school! Isn't that right, girls?" I feel the the tears start forming in my eyes and the anger boiling in my veins. The realization of who they're talking about hitting me like a ton of bricks. She's been going around telling people I'm gross, weird, and just horrible to be around. It's no wonder why people avoid me in the hallways!

I reach for the stall door, quickly yanking it open so I can get out of here. The other girls are giggling and adding insults about me. All of that stops once they see me come out of the stall. Samantha turns around quickly, gives me a once-over, then smirks when she sees my tear streaked face. She stalks up to me, her friends laughing and leaning on the sinks. My body stiffens as she comes closer, my fists opening and closing. She stops a few feet in front of me, that smirk still prominent on her face. She laughs, reaching up to tuck a piece of my hair behind my ear. I flinch back, my eyes shutting tightly.

Please go away, please go away, please go away. I hate confrontation so much.

"What's wrong, little nerdy? Did I hurt your feelings?" I open my eyes as she fake pouts before laughing again and glances back at her friends.

A tear slides down my cheek as my hands start shaking. The others snicker and walk over to join in. Samantha reaches up again to tuck another loose hair behind my ear. She smiles at me as she plays with the strand of hair still in her hands. Her face turns serious, her hand grabbing more of my hair, pulling it to make me yelp in pain. I reach my hand up to pry her plastic nails off my scalp. Her expression turns into one of rage, one that had me shaking even more at what could come next. She gets closer to my face, "Stay away from Zander, or I'll make your life a living hell." She lets go of my hair, only to grab my chin, holding me in place so I can't get away. "Do you understand?"

I quickly nod, or at least try to nod as her hand grips my chin. She tightens her iron grip, pulling me closer. "I said, do you understand?" She screams the words in my face making me shake even more. My heart pounds in my chest as I say a quick 'yes' to please her. She lets go of my chin and pushes me back. Her hand goes down to her side, "Don't get any ideas. Zander is mine." She looks at me in disgust, muttering a quick "Pathetic." under her breath. My hand reaches up to touch my chin, hoping to comfort the pain. Samantha looks at me once more, before doing the unexpected.

She hits me.

She reaches up, slapping me across the cheek. I gasp and fall to the floor. My hand flies up to cradle the now red skin. Samantha's friends laugh, taking my stuff and throwing it all around the bathroom. Tears run down my face, my cheek burning from the pain. Samantha laughs at me, her friends join her. They start spitting insults at me; Ugly, unwanted, stupid, worthless, disgusting, they kept going.

The words played like a broken record in my head. Over and over again, until finally, I actually start believing them. The girls laugh at me one last time, then leave the bathroom. The warning bell rang long before I was finally able to pull myself up off the floor. I use my sweater sleeves to wipe the tears off of my cheeks, soaking them as more fall. Ugly, fat, worthless. . . More tears fall. Disgusting, pathetic, unwanted . . . I walk around the bathroom picking up my items. Stuffing them in my bag, one by one. I finish picking up my things then walk to stand in front of the bathroom mirror.

Worthless. . . Another tear escapes. I watch it slide down my cheek, then drop onto the sink. I laugh pathetically and wipe my face off again, turning to run out of the door when I see him. Standing in the door way watching me with concern written in bold print across his face. Confusion takes over my previous thoughts, Why . . . is he in the girls bathroom . . .

I must have said it out loud because next thing I know he's rushing over to me to cradle my face in his hands. His very warm, comforting hands.

Whoa Sarah, you literally just got slapped because of this guy, slow your roll.

"I heard crying, then saw Samantha and her friends leave. Are you okay, Cupcake?" I look up to meet his eyes, the concern shining brightly. I think back to what happened and I feel my body start shaking again. Worthless. . . Pathetic. . .

Zander notices my shaking and gently pulls me into a hug. I wrap my arms around him, letting the sobs out and the tears flow. My hands grip the back of his shirt, his hands wrapped around me holding me close. After what feels like forever, he gently pulls away from the hug. His hands rest on the side of my face, softly wiping away my tears. He looks at me with concern, sorrow, pity, and all the things I don't like seeing on anyone are written across his face.

Too many emotions being shown right now, I gotta get out. I quickly pull away, grab my bag, and high-tail it to the bathroom door.

"Wait! Sarah!" He tries to catch me, but I make it out the door before he could. I hear him running down the hall behind me. I wipe away the tears blurring my vision, running towards the schools front doors. Zander's foot steps grow closer, I pick up the speed. I make it to the front doors, bursting outside and running towards my house. The sound of my feet hitting the ground and the pitter-patter of raindrops echos around me. I don't know if Zander is still following me or not, at this point I don't really care. How could I embarrass myself of front of him like that?! I keep running. Yet another person will think I'm a freak now, great.

The rain falls faster, my speed slows down. Worthless. . . I finally reach my house. I'm soaked to the bone, my body shivering from the cold. I'll probably have a cold by the end of the week. Throwing my school bag to the floor, I go to the kitchen to get some food.

All that crying and running made me hungry.

I make quick work to make a sandwich, stopping midway to grip the edge of the counter and close my eyes. I need to relax. I'm going to get in so much trouble for skipping school. I shake my head and walk to the living room, plopping down on the couch and polishing off my sandwich. I place the plate on the coffee table then lay down, pulling my legs into my chest so I'm curled into a ball. I don't think twice about how I'm still soaked to the bone, how I'm now also soaking the couch, instead I reach for the nearest blanket and throw it over myself, finally blocking out the world. Slowly, my eyes start closing, drifting me off into a deep sleep.

~•~

Well, here's chapter four! Sorry it took so long. Chapter five will be ready soon!

Samantha is a grade A jerkwad! Poor Sarah is scared out of her wits 😩💔 Also, Ik Ik Sarah totally should've kicked her in the woman nuts BUT y'all gotta realize not everyone is made of pure steel, they get scared to fight back 😂😂 Like me, I'd be chicken crap in that situation

Actually,

I'd probably start swinging but 😂😂

https://78.media.tumblr.com/bb6d1eaee4f87750c3948c5f191751ad/tumblr_ofd8qoopVc1v1p15bo1_500.gif

If anyone here suffers from being bullied in school, please feel free to message me on here. I may suck at advice, but I'm a good listener. ❤️

Your votes and comments are much appreciated!!

Don't forget to Vote, Comment, Share, and Follow me for more updates on upcoming books! 😘❤️

There is a Q&A chapter at the end of this book - so if you have any questions for the characters along the way feel free to ask! An example would be: To Zander, Why DID you go into the girls bathroom?? Is that a regular thing for you? *narrows eyes at him* is it?! - And I'll get my characters together to answer each question!

Stay amazing,
~Molly