Damaged

Cannot Break Me

Jessica's POV:

 I had finished the ice cream and letter. I put the letter with the first. I grabbed my phone shoving it into my pocket carrying the container of ice cream and spoon downstairs. 

          My mind burdened with the new information, causing me not to watch where I was going. Instead of going downstairs I ended up on the roof looking at the scenery. Then I felt something looking at me. I looked at the tower. 

          That’s when I saw it. I black figure with red eyes standing in the window. My eyes wide from shock and swallowing a lump in my throat. I then heard it speak into my head.

         “Not now, but in the future I will come for you,” the ominous voice stated. Then it disappeared. I couldn’t move and sweat dripped down my face and back making me feel cold. I had dropped the tub and spoon. 

         In that moment Anthony appeared in my line of vision. But I kept feeling those words scrape around my brain uncomfortably. My thoughts rumbling in my mind. 

         I was pulled out of my mind as I felt someone pulling me into their arms. I started to shake and I clung to Anthony. I clutched his shirt into my hands on his back. 

         “Shhhhhhhhhhhh,” he rubbed my back with his left hand and his right hand cradling my head. My whole body trembled. I was terrified at what I saw. Terrified from what I heard. 

             Something felt odd. The tower did not exude darkness anymore. I felt like there was nothing in it at all. It just felt empty. 

             I wasn’t going to tell anybody what I saw. If I did it might rouse suspicion about me in general. I can’t say anything about myself yet. Not until the time is right.

            After what happened on the roof it took a lot to convince Anthony not to dig any deeper about it. I could see that same suspicious look on his face. But he let it go.

            It’s been two weeks since school started. My new friends are nice and we hang out at lunch. But my chemistry partner is giving me some trouble. I’ve been having some problems with him. He hasn’t bullied me yet and I’m not going to give him the opportunity to do so. 

         I can see it in his eyes though. I would never have thought someone like him would bully a girl. He’s the type who is respected and gives respect back. Being the mute girl though gives him the giddiness to bring about pain for me. 

          I have been bullied though. When the cheerleaders get the chance, they can get me cornered.i make it easy though because when I’m not with Duke or Maggie (the girl I sat with in AP English). I’m hiding somewhere to read or be alone. The cheerleaders seem to know where to find me. All they say is cruel things and then disappear. What I’m more worried about is when they become physical. 

          Well, ladies and gentlemen, today is that day. The day that I most feared. Is was study hall and had gone to the bathroom. I can’t remember their names, but about three of them came in followed by two jocks. They looked to be football players. 

            One of the cheerleaders locked the door as the football players grabbed each of my arms. The cheer captain stood before me and  her lackies for a better word grabbed my leg. Now I thought I was getting a swirly, but then I felt my wide strapped tank top being lift from the bottom. 

          You would think they would start easy. No they were not going to start easy. The beefy football player pulled out his switch blade and handed it to the cheerleader. I prepared myself. She made four shallow cuts on my belly. The first I started to scream lowly so the football player to my right covered my mouth. She did it deep enough to bleed, but shallow enough where I didn’t need stitches. Doesn’t matter though. They hurt like hell. 

           Once they were finished they let go of me. My breathing erratic, but I didn’t shed a tear. 

           “This is just the beginning b***h,” the head cheerleader spat. When they were gone I went to the cuts on my belly. She made really long cuts into a square around my belly button. Little drops dried below each line. I cleaned it up and stopped the bleeding. 

             On the way back to study hall I stopped by my locker and grabbed my light blue hoodie and threw it on. 

            I felt a little burning all day. Going through all my classes. I pasted a smile on my face for my friends, but they seemed to know it’s fake. I had to wait till Will got out his club activity. The others are in some sort of club. I wasn’t in any club. 

           I just sat in the library working on homework. 

           When Will came to get me I had finished my homework. He scrunched his perfectly tweezed eyebrows together. 

          “You look a little pale. Are you okay?” He asked me. I just nodded my head. I had started getting a headache a while ago. So it’s no wonder I’m pale. 

          We left school. It was just the two of us, but instead of going home he headed somewhere further down the road. I looked at him in confusion. He just smiled and kept driving. 

          I have managed to not get a ride home Will. Just to school. I had a bad feeling about this. He drove about a mile down the road from home and turned on a dirt road. We reached a clearing that was secluded. My heart began to race and I began to sweat. 

           He stopped after coming of the dirt road into the clearing. I had gotten out and he did as well. The clear was small and round.  I didn’t realize Will was behind me until he wrapped his arms around my waist. Will was about five feet nine inches. His breath tickled my ear. 

           “Do you realize how beautiful you?” He asked whispered and then nipped at my ear. I stiffened in my spot. I felt terrified in this moment. 

            “No wonder the girls at school hate you. Your too beautiful and they’re jealous of it,” he whispered and gave a wet kiss to my neck. My heart is now pounding in my chest. My blood racing through my veins heating me. Not in a good way. 

           “I have to have you,” he whispered the turned me around laid me down all the while I tried to fight him off. He forced a kiss on my lips and forced his hips between my legs. I was wearing a knee length, flowy jean skirt. 

          I hadn’t realized that he had his pants unzipped and I could feel his hard on. I started to panic and tried to fight him. I bit his lip hard. 

          With a voice I didn’t realize I had I screamed full force. But he just laughed. And tried to continue, but he was ripped off of me and thrown a few feet away. 

           Damien stood in front of me, his back to me. I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked to see chestnut colored eyes. 

           “What the hell do you think you were doing?” Damien demanded angrily. 

           “We were just having a little fun, right Jessie?” He looked my way with a smile.

           “No, this asshole tried to r**e me,” my voice shaking because I literally just cleared my vocal cords with that scream, but was also filled with anger.  

           “Elias, drive Jessica back with Will’s car, he and I are going to have a nice walk back,” Damien said seething with rage. He grabbed the keys off of Will and tossed them to Elias who caught it easily. 

             Elias helped me to my feet and I fixed myself. He led me to the car and helped me in. He then ran to the other side, hopped in and drove off. It was quiet all the way back.  He didn’t say a word and I was thankful. 

            Back at the house, I went straight to my room. I didn’t want to be around anyone. I told Elias using my voice that they are just going to have to fend for themselves tonight. 

            I locked myself in my room for the rest of the night. I was unable to sleep. I had cleaned the wounds on my belly, showered and got into more comfortable clothes, but I just couldn’t sleep.

            The next morning I didn’t want to leave my bed, but I had to go to school. I was going to wear all black. I wore a black, long sleeve, gothic dress that had a corset type bodice puffy shoulders and sleeves that went to start of middle finger and flared out.  The skirt of the dress went down to my knees I pulled on a pair of black tights and black boots with thick heels.

            My mood was black, so I dressed accordingly. I put on red eye shadow, liquid eyeliner on my top lids creating wings and pencil eyeliner on the bottom. Added mascara and then some blood red lipstick. 

          I trudged downstairs only to be greeted by Daniel. I figured they were told about what Will did to me yesterday. 

          He looked shocked to see me in a gothic look with my platinum blonde hair. But he held his arms open welcoming me into a hug. I let him.    

          When I pulled away that’s when he looked at me.

          “With what happened yesterday and with the kids not liking you, we have come together with a plan on bringing you to and from school. Will has been punished for what he tried to do to you. No matter what we don’t condone that type of behavior,” he walked me to the kitchen as he talked. I had grabbed the box of fruity pebbles and milk,  and he grabbed me a bowl and spoon. 

          I got my food situated before he continued.

         “We adults have all agreed to take you back and forth to school. Even Adam, Damon, and Anthony also offered their services as well. Damien will be down in a few and he is going to bring you to school and pick you up at 3:30 after school. He has to do something today and won’t be able to pick you up,” he said.

           “It’s okay,” I whispered. “I’ll do my homework in the library. I’ll meet him in the parking lot at 3:30.” Daniel gave me a small smile.

           “Your such a kind girl, you know that?” He asked rhetorically. I just smiled a little. To be honest I don’t think I am at all. I’m just considering the fact that he’s not going to be there till 3:30 so I’ll just be doing something in the meantime. 

            I finished my breakfast and washed my bowl. I grabbed my shoulder bag and headed for the hallway.  

            I was met with dark messy curls, sexy dark eyes, tight black long sleeve, blue jeans and tan work boots. 

           He smiled at me and only raising an eyebrow at my attire. I just shrugged my shoulders. I was about to walk by him, but before that he grabbed my shoulder bag from me and carrying it for me as we made our way to the car. 

           It made me blush that he was being such a gentleman. He opened the passenger door of his black Nissan Ultima. I got in and then he opened the door to the back seat setting my bag on the seat. He ran around the back and jumping into the driver's seat. 

          He buckled in and turned the car on and backed out. I had already buckled when I got in.

         Out of the driveway and on the road, he decided to say something. 

        “I missed out on bringing my son to school,” he said sadly. I looked at him.

        “It’s not your fault,” I said in a whisper. “You couldn’t have foreseen the events that took place. You will always have another chance to have a family. I know Johnny needs you in his life. Then you can always fall in love again. Have the big family you always wanted. Don’t give up because you still have a long life ahead of you, just take one step at a time,” I took his hand that held the shifter. His hand tensed, but I didn’t remove my hand.

          “I don’t believe I should have that,” he whispered, not realizing I heard him. I just smiled.

           “You deserve it more than you think,” I whispered. “Don’t worry about what your ex thinks. Don’t worry about the words your son has told you. Damien, you seem a little like me. Holding your feelings back to be considerate of those around you. I may not know all the things your son has said to you, but if you know that they are lies, then they are lies. Your wife lies to your son, that is a given. I know what it’s like for one parent to turn on the other. My father did it to my mother. My father even kept me from her for two years. I loved my mother and I knew she wanted me in her life, unlike what my father told me. Just think about it this way. He did it to hurt my mom, just as your ex did it to hurt you.” We were in the parking lot now. Just idling in the drop off zone. 

          “Why would she want to hurt me?” He asked rhetorically.

         “From what you have said about the situation, it seems that you blamed her for aborting the child, but she is not blameless in this. I bet she did love you, but when you blamed her she became hurt by you, and in turn she turned that pain into hate. Though her reasons were also unjust because she didn’t tell you she didn’t want anymore children. She in turn hurt herself by doing that, but instead of taking the blame she found it easier to blame you?” I whispered. But instead of crying or lashing out he chuckled. 

         “Sometimes I really wonder about your mental age. You don’t act like a normal fifteen year old,” he said chuckling.

          “Sometimes we have to grow up faster than others,” I whispered not meaning to be sad about it. I felt a hand on my head. I had removed my hand from his a few minutes ago. His hand was now sitting on top of my head. But he was smiling at me. “I’ll see you out here at 3:30,” I whispered before getting out.

         “See you then,” he said before I closed the door. He drove away. I looked up to see my bully and her possy.

         “w***e,” she spat going by me, but I just chuckled. She stopped and turned around angrily at me. “What’s so funny?” She spat again.

          “Really? w***e? Is that the worst thing you can say to me? It’s just a word,” I whispered with confidence. I left her dumbfounded and walked to my locker and grabbing what I needed and putting away what I don’t. Carrying myself with confidence to chem class I was met with Duke. He eyed me suspicious.

          “Who are you and what have you done with Jessie? He question jokingly and firmly.

         “Good morning to you too,” I whispered.

         “I see someone ate their confident O’s,” he joked again. 

          “A lot has happened, but I’m still here,” I whispered.

         “Stuck in the darkness today though huh?” He said, and I just nodded. “Don’t worry though. I’m here and Maggie too. We will stick by your side,” he said as we walked into the classroom.

          The rest of the day was uneventful other than the fact that my clothes really stood out. I got stares from every single student and teacher. Except Mr. McKraken. He seemed not so bothered by my attire. 

          “Why does my attire not bother you?” I asked whispering.    

          “Not really the weirdest thing I’ve seen anyone wear,” I immediately paled at the stuff that he must of seen. My mind immediately went something s****l. 

          His smile wiped from his face.

         “Hey, don’t be imagining me and something s****l. My wife likes to cosplay and she wears different outfits when I get home,” he defended himself. My eyes widened because he guessed exactly what I was thinking.

          This conversation happened because I ended up getting bored in study hall and decided to bug him. To be honest I do this sometimes. It’s fun messing with him. David tells me that it’s easy to make fun of him because he’s got such a bubbly personality, but the instant you make fun of him he drops that happiness. Today was no different.

         I processed his wife and cosplaying. A smile was brought to my lips. I really want to meet her now. Show off some of my stuff too. Yes I’m a closet cosplayer. Believe it or not it’s mostly dogs and cat ears with like work outfits. 

         “I have to meet this woman,” I chuckled and he groaned. 

          “No, never happening. You are not allowed to meet her,” he said sternly.

          “Why not? I just want to share some cosplay with her,” I whined before turning around to leave. 

          “What?” He said as I left going back to study hall. I sat reading the rest of class. 

          I just finished my homework and I was walking my way down the hallway to the parking lot to meet Damien. 

         I was stopped by queen b***h and her lackies. She was fuming. Probably from what I said to her this morning. 

         “You will wish you never said what you said to me when I’m done with you,” she sneered. She was pretty, but her personality sucked to be honest. I just tilted my head to the right and raised a brow.

          “Grab her,” she ordered her lackies. They were about to when someone was right behind them. She cleared her throat getting their attention. 

            “What do you think your doing after school hours?” The woman asked. The woman looked to be in her thirties. Chocolate brown, wavy hair reaching the middle of her back. Her Hazel eyes sparkled with mischief. She looked to be five feet seven inches. She wore a navy pant suit with a white button up blouse and had white pumps with a black bow.

           “We were just saying hi to our new friend, Jessica,” one of the lackies with golden blonde curls said. 

            “My office, now,” the woman demanded. 

            “But it’s-“ the brown headed lucky was shut down fast.

            “You are still on school property. Office. Now.” She seethed this time. The kids scurried.

            “You must be Jessica. I heard about from my husband.” I looked at her confused. She just smiled and walked away. Still confused I walked out into the parking lot. Damien stood by the passenger door. 

            I will tell you now I have no shame in saying it. The men that I hang around are hunks. I can’t deny that they are not only good looking but muscular as well. I wouldn’t doubt they all workout a lot. All I want to do is feel their muscular arms.

           He was waiting for me because the moment I was close enough to the car he ran to the passenger side and opened the door for me like a gentleman. He also held his hand out. I looked at his hand confused.

           “I’ll take your bag m’lady,” he said with a British accent. I blushed and handed him my bag. I slid into the car and he shut the door. Damien ran around the car and opened the door behind his seat and sat it on the seat. He shut the door and sat in the driver’s seat.