BULLIED Series

Chapter 5

I've seen this trick much more than once with Hunter.

He sighed loudly and asked again.

"Iris, what's wrong?"

He sounded unbelievably genuine but I can't fall for it.

Now I was crying harder than before. I can't take any more hits today, please I need a break.

"please let me go" I whispered

"huh?" I knew he had heard me but is acting like he didn't. I'm slowly angering him.

"please" I whispered now looking down, I've been thought never to look at your superior in the eye.

He tried to grab my chin to look at him but I flinched and jerked away.

He sighed again, but louder this time and captured my hand.

"look at me" his voice was suspiciously calm for someone who is about to turn me into a punching bag.

"Iris please"

please? he's begging me?

That's another thing I haven't heard in forever.

Slowly I looked up and I met his eyes, full of concern.

"I would never hit you" he said as his eyes searched mine.

Is he for real? he doesn't wanna hit me?

"r-really?" I asked with a wavering voice

"Yes really, I just need you to tell me what's wrong with you, why would you think I wanna hit you?"

He wasn't gonna hit me, he even sounds like he cares about me. Should I tell him? but what if I do and Hunter finds out? He would treat him the same way he treated those who wanted to fight for me.

And guess what happens after that.

They all run away from me, run far far away.

So I shouldn't put him at that risk. I can't put anyone through that risk.

But what if he's just pitying me and doesn't care? yeah that's it. I can detect that façade anywhere since I witness it firsthand from my parents.

"nothing" I grumbled, pulled my hand away from his and returned to my original position. looking out the window.

"Did you just say nothing? you have a bandage around your head"

I didn't grace that statement with an answer.

"Iris is someone hitting you?" his voice came out strained like the word hitting had a venom within it.

"No" was all I gave as a response and still kept my gaze out.

"why are you hiding this and bottling it up? why not just talk about it, you look really hurt"

I'm okay.

That's what I tried to say but rather I saw tears cloud my vision.

"please let me in" his voice sounded so weak and fragile, shallow and tender. but I won't fall for this fake care again, I've had enough.

Who does he think he is? we just met yesterday and he's already trying to c***k me, so he can use my misery for fun. Nobody cares it’s that simple.

"I can't" I wanted to sound strong, but my weakness overpowered, and it came out shaken.

Without another word he faced his view and began driving again. And I resumed my usual activity.

crying.

Chapter 9

Savior

“I've been looking for a savior

I've been looking for a real

one to hold on to, I've been

looking for a savior”

SAVIOR- IGGY AZALEA FT QUAVO

After a few curves and turns we were approaching the restaurant. I sat up on my chair, getting ready to hop out.

But he just passed by the building.

"err-you've p-passed the place" I muttered to him.

"yeah, I know. I'm dropping you off at home" was his curt response and he continued driving without giving me a glance.

Maybe I really offended someone who just bought me dinner.

"Do y-you need my ad-ddress?" God why am I such a whimp.

"Not necessarily. I know where I'm headed" his words came out through slightly gritted teeth.

He knows where he's headed!!

I felt all the blood drain from my face.

I'm dead.

He turned to look at me and burst out laughing.

Why are humans so impeccable. what is so funny in murder!?

"Gosh Iris take it easy, I mean I know where you house is, no need to turn all blue"

"oh" I said then let out a really awkward laugh.

"sorry if I'm making you uncomfortable, I didn't mean to scare you"

I didn't dignify that with a response. I just faced my window once more to view my horrid image.

Our drive home was oddly silent and I had no idea I had fallen asleep till I felt a light tapping on my shoulder.

I turned to the direction of the impulse and opened my eyes by a fraction of an inch.

"Iris, you're home" Clement said as soon as he got my attention.

After stifling a yawn, I blinked a few times to adjust my blurred vision and saw my 'house'.

"thank you"

And I was shocked because that thank you didn't come from me.

It came from the guy who bought me an expensive dinner, the same one who I accused of trying to a***e me and this same guy brought me home.

And he's telling me thank you.

"uhm... are you okay?" I really needed to ask, maybe spending time with me has caused a few knots holding the brain together to loosen.

He just gave another vibrating laughter and I had the opportunity of observing his features again. This guy is really cute. How can someone be so pretty?. I'm a girl and I'm as hideous as the ground can be.

"I said thank you cause I mean it, you could have just walked away when I asked you to join me but you didn't, sure you said as limited words as possible but your personality is kinda fun... you know... leaving out the hurt part" he said and lowered his voice like he was talking to an estranged animal while saying the last words.

I couldn't still believe my ears. he's being nice to me. Maybe I could give him a try?

"thank you" now it's my turn to express gratitude.

"don't sweat it" he grinned at his statement and continued to speak

"Hey, we can be friends right?"

Friends? the only friend I have is a thousand miles away and here is someone asking to be friends?

I don't even know how to be a friend, maybe that's why people find it easy to avoid me? I'm not the friendliest nor the prettiest. I'm not fun nor interesting. I'm just a below average girl with a heart broken from all aspects and he wants to be friends?

What could I possibly offer? my tears? a body in replacement for his punching bag? what?

"Why do you want to be friends with me?" I wanted to sound brave saying that but as usual I had to be a failure and my voice came out ragged like I just ran a marathon.

"Why shouldn't I be?" he added a shrug.

Is he taking pity on me cause I don't have any friends? He now considers me lonely and helpless because I'm miserable.

"You don't have to pity me" I needed to let that out of my mind. But when I did he looked confused.

"Pity? why would I, like I said, you're amazing and I'll really like to know you better, If only you can trust me"

"You never said I was amazing" to be honest. I never heard him say that to me.

"Well, I'm saying it now, you are amazing" he responded with a smile that could blind the stars.

I had to look down cause I was terribly blushing. He is the first person in my entire lifetime over here to say that to me, maybe he doesn't mean it.

But his eyes look a whole lot genuine of his words. "Iris?" he called out

"Yeah?" I couldn't still look up

"you're red"

"o-oh, s-sorry" This car should just magically swallow me now, he's disgusted by my blush. I'm useless.

"Iris?"

I was too embarrassed to answer him, I just shut my eyes trying not to cry from my disgrace.

"Iris look at me"

No response from me.

"look at me" he persuaded but I can't. I've learned not to look anyone in the eye.

"I can't" was all I said but that wasn't all that happened, I felt a warm hand take a soft and gentle grip at my chin and tilted my head to look into perfect glittering eyes.

But then that face contorted into somewhat of shock.

"Why are you crying, did I say something wrong?"

I could only respond by shaking my head with a light tear grazing my cheek.

"Then why are you crying?" he asked wiping away the tear with his thumb.

Why am I crying? I'm crying cause I'm scarred, I'm crying cause I'm in pain, I'm crying cause I'm hated, I'm crying cause I've been rejected, I've been hit, hurt and torn apart a million ways than I can remember. I'm crying because I'm scared to trust. I'm crying because I'm so terrified of death but I'm more scared cause that death is my only salvation.

I have a billion reasons to cry but I just can't tell you. I can't tell anyone.

"If we become friends, promise to never hurt me?" I never knew when those words escaped my lips. But once they did I slammed my hands on my mouth to shield my regret.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to say that, please forgive me" I blurted within seconds.

He stayed, still holding my chin with an unreadable expression. He dropped his hand from my chin and did the unbelievable.

He brought out his pinky and said

"Pinky swear, I promise in my whole life and the life after that, and the life after that, never ever to hurt you. I swear by the friendship of Scooby and shaggy"

With my hand still covering my mouth and my eyes opened wide, I took in what just happened.

He isn't being serious is he?

While I was still in my thoughts, he raised one brow and watched me, with his pinky still up.

"You're serious?" I asked him as he gave a really dramatic gasp and placed his second hand on his chest.

"uh-un.. sister no one, I repeat, no one jokes with the bond of scooby and shaggy"

I couldn't believe it and I also couldn't hold it in.

I burst out laughing. Not a fake laugh I have to give Megan over the phone, but a real one that got my stomach hurting. He made me laugh. Wow.

"Sooo... do we pinky swear?" he asked when my laughter had died down.

I just smiled and placed my pinky over his after giving me a satisfied smile he spoke.

"Goodnight miss Iris, I'm highly pleased to be your countenance" with a bow and I bowed in response.

"Goodnight mister Clement, tonight was fun" and with that I got out of the car and waved at him before walking up to my porch.

Maybe this is real. Maybe he could really be the one I can hold on to.

Chapter 10

Earth to Move

“stuck inside my head

like a song you can't forget”

EARTH TO MOVE- MAROON FIVE

I walked up to my doorstep and rang the bell, after a few seconds of waiting, rattling keys was heard from the other side and the door was opened by the woman who gave birth to me.

At that point Clement now started his engine and drove off while my mom stared at his moving vehicle.

"Where were you? and who was that?" she asked while standing with her hands on her hips and preventing me from going in.

"I don't know, plus it's cold outside and I'm freezing " I said and pushed passed her.

"Oh sorry about that" she said

"No need" and I began heading to the kitchen to fetch a glass of water but heard footsteps walk in.