3

"Stop letting people who do so little for you, control so much of your emotions."

~♡~

I grabbed my tray and smiled at the person behind the counter and walked away. I selected the most isolated table in the cafeteria before settling down on it.

I held the Da Vinci Code

in my hand and flipped the pages to read it. I didn’t have any friends, and the ones I had to think I was too much of a bitch. I’m not completely against their opinion, because that’s what I led everyone to believe. Autumn Ville would never want to make an acquaintance with me.

I shook my head off the thoughts.

I’ve always enjoyed reading Dan Brown’s books because they’ve always caught my interest. Unlike other thrillers, the book holds a lot of non-fiction stuff and many different plot twists that one would least expect.

I heard a screeching of the chair and looked up from my book to look at Sapphire.

“Hi.” She said and flipped her hair behind her shoulders.

“Hello.” I smiled at her.

“I can’t believe Sean ditched me today.” She muttered.

I rose my eyebrows at her in question.

“We went out yesterday, and he promised he’d come to school today. But not only did he not come to school but also didn’t pick me from my house.”

“He drives you here every day?” I asked.

“Yea.,” she said. “After that thing with Parker, he grew extra possessive so doesn’t let me take a bus or something.”

“What if he is sick or cannot come to school, like today?”

“He usually informs me beforehand and asks Brett or someone to drive me here.” She said. “But if he forgets or his alarm doesn’t ring, like today, I ask Jacob or come here on my own. He’d be mad if I take a bus or walk here but later he’d be mad at himself for being so irresponsible. He doesn’t even talk to me for a few days because he thinks making me wait for once is almost like pushing me from a cliff. No matter how many times I try to say that it’s okay, he gets me gifts to make up for it. So, it’s not bad if he doesn’t pick me also, you know?”

I smiled at her while she grinned in happiness. I never envied anyone as much as I envy Sapphire. Not that she’s perfect or anything, but she’s at least got someone she could lean onto when things are bad.

I’m so glad Sapphire found someone like Sean who is so sweet and caring. But after everything they both have gone through, they deserve each other more than anyone else. I wish they’d stay like this forever.

I wonder if I’d ever had my chance with Brett.

No matter how deeply I loved him, and how much I wanted him to notice me, he wouldn’t do that. Sean sometimes gives me the hope to never stop loving anyone.

He loved Sapphire, and he got her fallen for him. He won over all the obstacles. And that reminds me why I should believe in my love. Believe in my trust that Brett too, will find time to notice me.

After all, he’s human. And there is no harm in loving people. But it goes on fine until you know that the other person in the relationship is willing to build and progress with you. But, in my case, only one of us is willing.

And the other hates me.

~♡~

After the little talk with Sapphire, I completed my work and reached the library. That’s where Brett and I decided to meet for our history assignment.

I had a little talk with my history teacher and he said that I need to work harder than usual. I didn’t know how else I could to try to bring my grades up. I study for most of the time in my home and I’m never the sort of person that goes out during the weekends.

I wouldn’t have gotten a mobile for myself if it wasn’t for mother who thought I needed to socialize. Back when I was alright with my social life, I couldn’t care less about my grades. I was so reckless and my mom never complained about that phase of my life either.

But when that thing happened with Sapphire, I realized there is so much more to life than just partying. I completely blocked myself from it. I removed my accounts from all the social media platforms. I distanced myself from unnecessary influence.

But, by the time I realized the importance of a career, it was almost too late. I never got a chance to understand what was written on the board. The words just flew and I couldn’t understand them. I guess my basics were strong enough for me to understand more complex topics.

I waited for Brett for an hour but he never showed up. I watched as people came in and left after getting their work done, but I just lay there - waiting for him to walk in as soon as possible. When it was clear to me that I couldn't sit there anymore, I decided to leave. He didn’t have my number so there’s no point waiting for him to call me.

It was 8 already by the time I left. Mom was having a night shift today so she would not know whether or not I reached home. She generally checks with me if I've reached home but she seemed to have forgotten today. It was probably for the better - I would not have to explain anything to her.

I decided to walk back home and took the normal route that I always take. Five minutes into the walk, and I suddenly felt a hand tug at my bag and a hand clasped my mouth shut. I widened my eyes and yelled but my voice died down in the throat.

“Shh.. baby. It’s me.” His voice resonated in my ears.

No, this can’t be happening.

When I finally whirled around, I met Parker in the eye.

“Still the badass Chloe, aren’t you?” He said, his eyes roaming over my face.

I tried to push him away and stepped back. Why the hell was he here? He said he’d leave me alone once I did what he wanted me to do with Sapphire. Why the hell was he messing with me again?

“What do you need?” I gritted out, moving my body from his proximity.

“Oh, darling, I need you,” he said and smirked at me. I looked away in disgust and glared hard at the floor. He came closer and caught hold of my waist.

“What the hell-” I never got to complete it because he pulled me closer towards himself.

“Why are you doing this, Chloe?” He said. “I thought you liked me.”

“Like?” I laughed. “Parker, I hate you.”

“Hate is too strong a word, baby.”

“That’s right,” I said. “And that’s what I feel about you. Ever since.. since that.. night..”

“Oh..” he drawled on with a smirk on his face. “The memory is still fresh in your mind isn’t it?”

I stared at him wide-eyed as he came closer. When he was about to plant his lips on me, I jerked away.

“Are you rejecting me, Chloe?” He asked.

“Yes,” I said, glaring at him in annoyance.

“Then, I'll need to take you by force.”

He gripped my face and pressed my body closer to his. He brought his lips closer to mine and just when he was about to brush them across my lips, I released my hand from his grasp and slapped him hard across his face.

He stumbled back as I gasped for air. Finally.

I watched as his face grew red with anger, his eyes locked with mine and seeing how dangerous his scowl was, I immediately regretted slapping him. No!

“How dare you!” He growled.

His eyes sparkled with anger as I stared at him. I didn’t know why I provoked him knowing that I was helpless here. There wasn’t a single human around me that would probably help me from him. His steps toward me tormented me and I was forced to focus on his pounding pace.

“Really, Chloe?” He said, gripped me by my arms.

He sealed my wrists behind my back. Though I fought back, his strength over-powered mine. I felt his nails dig deep into my already injured hands.

“I heard you met with an accident.” He said, glancing down at my foot which was wrapped with a band-aid.

“How does this feel?” He said, stamping on my injured leg.

I cried out in pain and tears welled in my eyes. They flowed past my cheeks as he pressed harder on my wound. I felt something sharp on my wrist and yelped in pain when I felt the throbbing sensation. I realised my wrist was bleeding when I felt my blood trickle down my palm.

“Please..” I said. “It's hurting..”

“It is killing you, right?” He asked me. “It should. Because you’re the worst human I’ve ever seen. The worst. You’re so dumb.”

“Please,” I begged.

“It’s hurting, right?” He said. “That’s how I felt when I saw you with Brett yesterday. You went to the hospital, and now you two are partners in history. You don’t understand things when I’m nice to you, do you?”

“Parker..”

“I told you to stay away from him. That you were mine. And that no one gets to be with you.”

My hands bled as my palm was soaking. But Parker showed no sign of mercy.

“You are so dumb.” He said. “You don’t even pass in the exams. You fail everywhere. You’re useless.”

His words stabbed me and ignited more pain than my wounds. Tears came flowing out of my eyes and I furiously tried to get myself free of him, but he was too strong for me.

“You are not going to be with him, do you understand?” He yelled. “I’m going to be out of the state for ten days and I don’t want you to be with him. If I find out..”

He came closer to me and whispered.

“I’m not going to spare you.”

With that said, he let go of my arms and took his leg from my foot. I instantly fell back and crashed onto the ground.

He walked away and got into his car. Without a second glance, he raced off, leaving just the dust behind.

I looked at my wounded hands and cried. It hurt so much. The blood wasn’t stopping. The energy in my body felt like it had been drained out of my system. I felt so fragile and weak. I clutched my foot and pressed my hand to stop the blood.

On the middle of the road, I fell and waited for someone to come and help me. There was not a single soul in my sight and it made things worse for me when nobody came when I called for help. Realising that I had to stay strong and work it out on my way, I mustered up all the strength I had to stand up.

And slowly, I walked back home.