Claws And Flaws

~Chapter 11

HARLEY

I frowned as I continue searching my bag for my lunchbox. But still nothing.

"Hey, you okay?" Asher asks besides me.

"I can't find my lunchbox." I said pouting.

"It's fine, I'll just go and buy some food for us. You good with burger and fries with a cool drink?" He says. I nodded.

"Thanks for that."

"Come one, it's nothing." He says as he got up and left to get our food.

I should stop grinning like a fool. We are just friends right? It was just yesterday that I started eating at their table and I feel fine, actually I feel modified about them. It has been chilled and fine. I know I might have spoke too soon about them considering I just joined yesterday but I am excited I didn't feel left out or different. They might be silent but at least they are not hurtful.

I stare back at the table but flinch. I felt like my heart beat stopped for a second. My eyes widen as they were all looking at me with burning glares. This is a bit new.

I thought, I made friends. I did right? We just haven't communicate well.

"What do you think you are doing in this table?" Klein asks. What? I was stunned by his question for awhile. How am I suppose to answer that question?

"I... Asher-" I stuttered but got cut off.

"Don't even call his name, you f*****g slut." Janine says cutting me off.

"Yeah slut!" Felicia sneers.

"You don't fit in this group and you will never. So don't feel like you are part of us now. You are nothing, you hear me? You are nothing. f*****g Hell! What does my cousin see in you?" Klein says. I gasp at his harsh words. That was harsh. Why does this look like they were actually waiting for the right time to say all this to me? Come to think of it, I have been with Asher the whole break yesterday and today was the first time he left me at the table to get something. I mentally chuckle at my stupidity. 

I gulp down their hurtful words and looked down away from them.

"Hey!" Gregg calls. Is he calling me? I look up at him and he was looking right back at me. He unzips his bag. "I heard you are smart in class." He then takes out three books. He throws it to the table in front of me. "I want it done by tomorrow." He says. I let out a little chuckle.

"Gregg, this isn't right. I don't-"

"You have something to say nerd?" Klein cuts me off, moving forward and gives me the most warning and daring look. I look down and shook my head no. My eyes were already whaling up with tears. This is bullying. I hate bullying. I never wanted friends at the first place.

"Me too." Leo suddenly said as him and Andrew both took out two books each and putting it on top of Gregg's book in front of me as it makes a bang sound on the table.

"You are damn lucky my book isn't there because I already gave it to some nerd." Klein said.

"Take mine too." Janine says with a scornful smile, taking out three of her books and putting them on top of the rest of the books.

Am I sleeping tonight?

I bite on my bottom lip to hold in my sob. This is too much.

"This is who you are to us b***h. A nothing b***h who does our homework for us, right?" Janine says. I turned away from her and she snickers.

"It's a shame I also gave mine to a nerd too." Emily said pouting.

"Me too." Felicia says.

"He's coming." Janine whispers.

"Put the books away!" Klein whisper yells at me, harshly. I flinched and with my shaking hands I try fitting all the books in my bag, but they are just much. Of course they didn't want him to know.

"Just take out your books and put this in!" Andrew mutters.

I nodded and did as he says and my books were the ones out. I will just hold them when I'm walking.

Asher passes me and seats on the chair next to mine. He puts the blue tray on the table.

There were two burgers on it and lots of fries. But I just couldn't smile at the beautiful food. I wanted to cry but I was afraid to in front of them.

"Here comes our deliciousness." Asher says. He throws a fry into his mouth. Then puts the next one in front of my mouth. "Take this." He says.

I slowly open my mouth as he drops it in. I chew on it slowly.

"Taste good right?" He asks. I slowly nodded. "Come on, speak up."

"Y-yes," I gulp it down. "It does." I fake a quick smile to assure him. I quickly look around and they were all acting normal. Some were busy with small talks. I looked back down at the food.

"Let's eat up." He says.

.....

The bell finally rings for break being over. I immediately stood up. Being the first one to get up.

I just wanted to leave the cafeteria. I just couldn't take it anymore. It was suffocating after what happened.

I took my now very heavy bag with my own books on my hand as I walk fast to the exit.

"Harley! Wait up!" Asher yells.

I stopped on my feet, breathing in then out but didn't once look back as I waited for Asher to catch up with me.

It isn't his fault after all. He just wanted me to make friends. I should not blame him.

I felt a hand on my shoulder as I flinch.

"Hey! It's just me." Asher said chuckling. I nervously chuckle too and nodded.

We left the cafeteria together. I felt a bit relief leaving them.

We started through the corridors.

"Harley!" I froze at the voice of the person calling my name. Asher turns around looking at the person that obviously called me.

"Klein?" He calls surprised.

"Yeah bro. I just want to have some moment with Harley. She forgot something." Klein said behind me.

"Really?" Asher asks turning to me with a questioning look.

"Yeah, I think so." I said then turn to Klein.

"Come Harley, let's talk over here." I nodded as we moved a clear distance away from Asher so he doesn't hear us.

"Look, don't tell Asher about anything that happened in the cafeteria. If you do, you are signing your death. I only warn once." He says in a deadly tone. He got me shaking. I quickly nodded. "Let's go." He says as we went back to Asher.

Who was looking between us with a suspicious look. I really hope he noticed.

"See you around Ash!" He yells as he walks away through the crowds.

Asher walks closer to me, as he searches my face.

"Is there something wrong?" He asks. I quickly shook my head.

"No nothing. W-we should be heading to class now." I said quickly changing the topic.

"What did Klein said to you?" He asks folding his muscular arms while starring at me.

My palms starts sweating as I try to form up a lie. I looked left and right. What should I tell him? I need to make up a lie. I can't tell him.

"He,....he was just reminding me of the math work he wanted to help me with. You know, Klein can be very smart with math." I said chuckling nervously.

"Yeah, so not true. He is actually average. But you are way smart than him. That, I know."

"Yeah, it's just a single method I'm confused with that he can help me with." It doesn't feel good lying at Asher like this. But I have no choice.

"What about me? I'm sure I can help you with it to." Asher said.

"Yeah, but this one, only him can help me." I said emphasizing the word 'only'.

"Okay. If that's what it is." He says shrugging. He then puts his arms around my shoulder pulling me closer. "Come on we're getting late to class." Asher doesn't even care if we are late to class. I am sure he is just saying that because he knows I don't like being late fore class.

I nodded in agreement.