A Deal with the Bad boy

High school hell 2

‘’I already hit 10k views’’ Sophia squealed bouncing up and down beside me in my treehouse, her blonde ponytail bobbing with each jump.

‘’Soph I told you not to post that video, it was taken without consent it’s basically defamation of character. You’re basically bullying her online’’ The video she’d taken of Valerie losing her temper was embarrassing, to say the least. And even though Valerie could be a nightmare, I didn’t think she or anyone deserved to be humiliated like that

Sophia waved her hand dismissively. ‘’Come on Alara, We all know Valerie’s a b***h and she deserves a bit of humiliation the world has to offer’’

‘’How could you say something like that Sophia!?’’

‘’Defamation of character is serious, Soph’’ I pressed on. ‘’You’re damaging her reputation, it’s not fair. What if she loses opportunities because this video?’’

‘’Come Lars its funny’’ she giggled, I felt my anger boil over. ‘’Funny? You think humiliating someone online is funny? That’s bullying Sophia!’’

‘’Not someone its Valerie! She deserves every bit of humiliation, Valerie is the spawn of the devil, Lucifer, Lilith. She’s everything terrible and horrible! You think my little video would affect her? Ok what bout last year when her nudes we’re leaked? Or when her s*x tape was leaked? Or when she f*****g shared the link to her only fans account to every boy in school deliberately! I just gave my account a lil boost so yeah judge me all you want Alara’’ I watched as she stormed out of the treehouse, I can’t support whatever she’s doing it’s wrong. Valerie’s a person!

*********************

I quietly made my way through the hall way on Monday morning, still reeling the sting from my fight with Sophia. My mind was a jumbled mess and my heart felt like it was racing a million times an hour. I didn’t know who to turn to or what to do.

As I approached my locker, I suddenly felt my legs give out from under me. I let out a tiny squeak as I fell to the ground, my face burning with embarrassment, as I looked up I saw Valerie standing over me, her eyes blazing with fury.

‘’You f*****g think you’re so funny, don’t you Alara?’’ she spat. ‘’Posting that video of me online, thinking you can humiliate me like that?’’

I shook my head repeatedly, ‘’No, Valerie, I didn’t post the video’’ Her expression twisted in disbelief. ‘’Don’t f*****g lie to me, Alara. I’ve seen you on that channel, you’re practically her f*****g sidekick’’

I cried shamelessly, ‘’that doesn’t mean I had anything to do with the video, Valerie’’

‘’Bullshit!’’ she yelled, I curled into a ball on the floor crying as Valerie and her minions hit me repeatedly and threw all sorts of things on me, The hallways were filling up with people, their faces blur as they watch me suffer.

‘’Get out your phones! All of you’’ She ordered, ‘’Record now now!’’ I felt like I was going to die of embarrassment, the crowd was closing in, their phones pointed at me like weapons. I was trapped, unable to escape.

‘’Please stop, please stop’’ I begged and begged but all I could her were the menacing laughs come from Valerie, the burning sensation in my chest got heavier and heavier and then suddenly everything went dark. The sounds of laughter and camera clicks faded away and I felt myself drifting into a void. I couldn’t fight it anymore, I succumbed to the darkness and I let out a soft sigh as my world went black.

**********************

I slowly opened my eyes, groggily taking in my surroundings. I was in a hospital bed, surrounded by the sterile smell of antiseptic and the soft beeping of the machine. My mum sat in a chair beside me, her eyes red-rimmed from crying, Miss Johnson stood nearby with her face with concern.

‘’Alara, sweetie, you’re awake’’ my mom whispered as her voice trembled. ‘’Hey Kiddo’’ Miss Johnson chirped in softly, I blinked my eyes in confusion, what was I doing here? I don’t know how to feel or what to say. The events that I believe occurred seemed distant like a dream couldn’t quite recall, my mom reached out and stroked my hair, and her touch was warm and comforting.

‘’What……happened?’’ I asked finally, my voice flat.

My mum and Miss Johnson looked at each other before looking back at me, ‘’You passed out in the hallway Alara, Valerie had been bullying you, it became too much…but whats important is that you’re safe now’’ The fog in my head began to clear and the memories came flooding back, I remembered the every single detail it was like I was reliving the moment. I froze trying not to cause any more trouble for myself and my mum stroked my back.

‘’Hello Alara, I’m Doctor Patel glad to see you’re awake’’ a kind-faced woman entered the room as her eyes scanned my chart.

‘’I’m sure you’re wondering what happened’’ she smiled. ‘’Well you passed out due to severe stress and anxiety’’ she explained gently. ‘’Your body and mind were under immense pressure, and it temporarily shut down to protect itself’’

I blinked trying to process the whole thing, ‘’How long….how long was I out?’’

Doctor Patel’s expression turned sympathetic. ‘’You’ve been unconscious for three days, Alara. We’ve been montoring you closely, and you’re stable now. But we want to examine you for a few more days to ensure there are no complications’’

My eyes widened three whole days? Was it that bad?

‘’Alara you don’t need to worry, we’ll take good care of you here. If you need anything at all don’t hesitate to ask. The nurses are here to help, and I’ll be checking in on you regularly, Just focus on getting some rest and letting your body heal. Everything else will fall in place, Excuse me’’

‘’Thank you’’ I whisper, she nods and leaves just us three in the room, I ask the questions that’s been nagging at me.’’Miss Thompson, what happened to Valerie? Did she get in trouble for what she did?’’

‘’Well, Alara unfortunately she didn’t face any disciplinary action. The school administration decided not to pursue any charges’’ She answered, I’m honestly not surprised, she’s Valerie Thompson the mayors daughter...it’s hardly surprising she escaped the consequences, her father’s influence practically makes her untouchable. Eastwood high wouldn’t risk facing his wrath and potentially losing their funding by holding her accountable for her actions.

‘’Ummm……what about Sophia?’’ I turn to my mom, her expression turns sympathetic, and she takes my hand in hers. ‘’Oh, sweetie Sophia never came to visit you’’ she says gently.

My heart clenched, ‘’what? That’s not possible right?’’ I turn back to Miss Johnson expecting a different answer, but she gives me the same sympathetic look as my mom.

A tear rolls down my eyes as the truth sinks in. Sophia of all people, didn’t come to visit me. I mean I took the fall for her and she couldn’t even be bothered to show up once? I know we fought but isn’t it this more serious than every fight we’ve ever had? I angrily brushed off the tears falling from my eyes as I try to distract myself with a book Miss Thompson got me.

***********************

I was discharged from the hospital just yesterday, Doctor Patel suggested I start therapy again soon. I hadn’t thought about therapy in years, not since my dad left and my mom suggested it to help me cope with loss, but I think I really need it.

As I walk through the hallway, I’m surprised by how normal everything feels. No one’s staring at me, no one’s whispering or pointing. It’s like I’m another face in the crowd, and it’s a welcome relief, I’ve always loved that about high school – there’s always a new topic of gossip, a new drama to focus on. And I’m grateful to no longer be the centre of attention.

My heart does a happy flip as I stroll to my locker, but I find Sophia standing there. Her whole face screams ‘’guilty’’- it’s like she’s wearing neon sign that says ‘’I messed up and I know it’’ I huff and walk away, still hurt and angry that she didn’t visit me in the hospital. I don’t know if I can ever forgive her for that.

I quicken my pace wanting to enter the first room I ever see, But as I swing around a corner I slam into a rock-hard chest. I look up to see Jake Woods, I can’t help but feel intimidated by his towering height and broad shoulders. His eyes are even more piercing up close, a deep blue that seems to see right through me. I feel an unusual flutter in my chest as I take in the strong lines of his jaw and the subtle curve of his nose. His dark brown hair is perfectly messy, with a few strands falling across his forehead in a way that makes me want to reach out and brush them back. And his skin is like golden sunshine, warm and inviting. I feel like I’m drowning in the depths of his eyes…… I force myself to look away, I can’t believe I was staring at him like that

‘’Oh s-sorry’’ I stutter, my face burning with embarrassment. I try to step around him but he doesn’t move. Oh no what does he want from me? My mind races and I panic.

‘’What’s your name sweetheart?’’ His deep voice send shivers down my spine as i swallow hard trying to find my voice.

I stutter ‘’I-I’m Alara’’ my gaze darting down to the ground too intimidated to meet his piercing blue eyes.

He asks another question ‘’what year are you in?’’

‘’I’m a sophomore’’ I whisper, he hums thoughtfully. ‘’I don’t think I’ve seen you around before’’ of course not, I’m invisible. I’m not worth his time.

But then he asks ‘’Alara, what do you desire the most?’’ I’m taken aback by his question but the way he says my name makes my knees weak, it’s like an enchantment.

‘’Well, ummm first….I’d love to make my mother proud, to overcome my anxiety, and make more friends’’ I answer foolishly, great now he thinks I’m a loser.

But instead of mocking he nods and pulls me closer, his face inches from mine. My thoughts consumed by the proximity of our faces. Why is he so close? Why is he looking at me like that? Is there something on my face?

He tucks my hair behind my hair and says, ‘’I need you to be my fake girlfriend Alara, can you do that for me?’’ He whispers.

Excuse me what?