Falling For Xavier Reyes, My Bully

BEATRICE "Rat girl, rat girl!" The whole class is on their feet, pointing and laughing at me. I feel tears sting my eyes. I'm a joke. A loner. A plague to avoid. Ever since I transferred to this fancy high school in New York, life has been a living hell. Our life used to be perfect in Illinois but Mom got a work transfer. She sat us down one evening and broke the news. "I'm sorry to break this guys, but we are moving to New York City." Typical Mom, uproot our lives like it meant nothing. Teddy, my little brother had stormed to his room. "Why Mom?" I stayed, hoping I could change her mind. "It's not my fault, Beatrice." Mom snapped, "How else am I supposed to take care of you?" She turned on me, her voice bitter with regret. "You know, if you kids weren't so needy, my life wouldn't be this difficult." It's what she always does, blame us for existing, blame us for putting her life on hold. So here I am, stuck in a life I can't escape. "Loser!" Sean, a quarterback and popular guy in school guffaws. The rest of the class bursts into giggles. Boos and snorts follow me to my seat. I clench my fists in pain. They'd written mean stuff on my desk. "Go and die pig. Get lost, trash. You are so ugly." How can these people be so mean? My hand shakes uncontrollably. It's tough but I won't let them see me cry. Mr Lenny finally walks in, breaking their attention. I am left alone for the next forty minutes. But when class closes, the bullying resumes. The bus ride home sucks. My spot is at the back. And it's terribly lonely there. Getting off is the worst. I have to endure their name-calling, the whispers, the stares. It's not much better at home. Mom is hardly around and babysitting Teddy falls on me. I love my brother no doubt, but sometimes, it's exhausting. It's hard trying to be strong when I'm a mess inside. They are right, you know. I'm fat. I started gaining weight when we began moving. Mom went from husband to husband. Trying to fill the hole Dad left behind. I don't think she ever got over him walking out on us. So yeah, my life's pretty bleak. Pete, Mom's new boyfriend moved in with us two weeks ago. I wish he didn't. I never liked him when he began dating Mom and I still don't like him now. There's just something off about him. "Hey kid," he says from the couch. I left him sitting there this morning. "Back from school." "Yeah," I mutter, heading for my room. "You know, I'm not leaving any time soon." I pause, looking back at him. "Sooner or later, Beatrice," Pete eyes me with a creepy smile. "You'll get used to me." I hate the fear I felt at his words. I wish I could run from this house. But the thought of leaving Teddy alone gives me a second thought. Besides, I am too afraid. I have no money. No means of getting by. I don't think I'll be able to survive. The next day in school. I endure their treatment as usual. Sean is especially horrible today. "Whale alert," someone mutters behind a cupped hand. I keep my gaze fixed on the floor, my arms wrapped tightly around me. I slide into my desk near the window, second row from the back. Thankfully there are no words on it. No teacher has arrived yet, and so they peck at me. My jaw clenches. This is normal. This is survivable. I just have to get through the day. Then the door opens and the classroom atmosphere shifts. Conversation stops and then resumes with new energy. I look up. He walks in like he owns the world. Tall, built like a quarterback player. I forgot to breathe. His jet-black hair tousled just enough to look effortless, hot. His blue eyes scan the room lazily until they land on me. I look away instantly. Xavier Reyes. I have heard his name whispered already in the halls. Girls gasp when he walks by. Guys either hate him or worship him. Oh no, he's walking toward me. He slides into a seat behind me and my heart goes into overdrive. I don't turn around, but I can feel his presence behind me. I hope he ignores me. That would be perfect. "Hey," says a low and smooth voice, from just over my shoulder. No, it can't be me he's talking to. I hesitate, then turn halfway, just enough to meet his eyes. Mistake. His gaze is piercing, not cruel like the others, but intense, curious. "You are the new girl right?" he leans back in his chair like he has all the time in the world. "Clearly," I say flatly. He raises a brow. "Got a name or should I keep calling you Mystery?" I blink, thrown off balance. "Beatrice." "Beatrice, huh," he repeats it softly like he is tasting it on his tongue. "Not what I expected." I narrow my eyes at him. "What's that supposed to mean?" “Nothing,” he says, holding up his hands with an easy grin. “Just thought you'd sound more like... I don't know, a librarian or a nun.” There it is. The arrogance. The joke. “Glad I could disappoint,” I mutter. But Xavier doesn't seem fazed. If anything, my glare amuses him. “Relax, Mystery. I'm just messing with you.” He leans in closer, dropping his voice. “You really should work on that attitude, though. People might start to think you're mean.” I turn back around without another word, heart hammering. I hate that his voice lingers warm and smooth in my ears. I hate it affects me. Mrs Carter walks in, and Xavier falls silent. But halfway through the pop quiz, I feel something tap my shoe. I don't look down. Not until class ends. A piece of paper lies folded beside my foot. I open it. “You should smile more. Or don't. The scowl works for you.” --X. My first instinct is to crumple it. But I don't. Instead, I fold it again and tuck it into my notebook. This is going to be a long year.