bully love

chapter 9

Michael looked absolutely furious.

If he had been a cartoon character ,smoke would've been pouring out of his ears.

I stood there like a statue , unable to move.

"I told you to stay away from my girlfriend," he said through gritted teeth ."Is it really that hard to understand? why can't you mind your own business?"

His blue -green eyes burned into mine.

"You're not only unbelievably stubborn, but you're also the most annoying person I've met ."

Ouch.

I folded my arms across my chest.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" I snapped. "Your precious girlfriend started everything."

His jaw clenched.

"She broke something that belonged to my mother."

I took a shaky breath.

"It was the last gift she ever gave me."

For a spilt second, something flickered across his face.

Then it disappeared.

"She came at me with her two little followers , grabbed my phone ,and smashed it on the floor."

I stepped closer.

"So yes, i slapped her."

I shrugged.

"Tit for tat."

His expression darkened.

"So maybe stop treating me like I'm some criminal and keep your girlfriend on leach."

"A chorus of gasps echoed through the hallway."

Every student nearby had stopped to watch.

Great.

Again.

Michael stared at me in disbelief.

"You've got a lot of attitude."

"And you've got a lot of nerve."

For a second , neither of us spoke.

Then he started walking towards me.

Slowly.

Purposefully.

Every step made my heart beat faster.

Run .

My brain screamed at me.

Run , Hope .

Before i could move, his hand wrapped firmly around my wrist.

I gasped.

The warmth of his hand sent an unexpected shiver through my body.

Butterflies erupted wildly in my stomach.

His cologne surrounded me.

Fresh.

Masculine.

Dangerously addictive.

I hated that i noticed it.

Without another word, he dragged me down the hallway.

His grip was tight enough to hurt.

"Micheal!"

I struggled against him.

"Let go !"

He ignored me.

Students quickly stepped aside as we passed.

Whispers followed us everywhere.

He kicked open the door to an empty classroom and pulled me inside before locking the door behind us.

Only then did he release my wrist.

I rubbed the sore skin immediately.

"What is wrong with you?" I shouted.

He took a step closer.

"No one, he said coldly ," and i mean no one, has ever embarassed me infront of the entire school.''

His eyes never left mine.

"You think slapping jasmine made you look tough?"

He laughed bitterly.

"It didn't ."

"It made you reckless."

I scoffed.

"You weren't even there."

"I heard enough."

"No."

I shook my head .

"You believed enough."

Silence filled the classroom.

"You have no idea what she did."

His jaw tightened.

"I don't care."

I laughed.

A humorless laugh.

"Of course you don't."

His eyes narrowed.

"I'm warning you one last time."

He pointed a finger at me.

"Stay away from Jasmine."

I met his glare without flinching.

"And you make sure she stays away from me."

My voice remained steady.

"I didn't come here looking for enemies."

I swallowed the lump in my throat.

"I came here looking for fresh start."

Neither of us spoke.

He stepped even closer.

Close enough that I could hear his breathing.

"Was that a threat?" he asked quietly.

"Think whatever you want."

I looked straight into his mesmerizing eyes.

"I don't care."

I pushed past him.

"Oh, and one more thing."

I paused at the door.

"Go to hell , Michael King."

Without waiting for his response, I walked out.

I didn't stop walking until I reached one of the benches outside.

The movement I sat down , every ounce of strength left at my body.

I looked down at my wrist.

It was already turned purple.

A Perfect outline of his fingers was forming on my skin.

"i***t,I muttered.

The tears I'd been holding back all day finally escaped.

I buried my face in my hands.

Why?

Why did his words hurt so much?

I'd been bullied my entire life.

People had called me names since kindergarten.

So why did hearing those words from Michael King hurt differently?

I couldn't understand it.

I couldn't tell aunt Stella.

She would only worry.

Rose would probably storm into school and slap jasmine herself.

There was only one person I wanted to talk to.

Lynn.

I quickly called her.

She answered almost immediately.

"Hope?"

The movement i heard her voice , I broke down.

"Hey... Hey ... what's wrong?" she asked, panic filling her voice.

"I thought ...."i sobbed . "I thought moving here would make everything better."

My breathing became uneven.

"But it's happening all over again."

There was silence for a movement.

Then Lynn spoke softly.

"Listen to me."

I wiped my tears.

"You survived everything life threw at you before."

She paused.

"And you're going to survive this too."

"But it hurts."

"I know."

Her voice was gentle.

"But one bad day doesn't decide your future."

I nodded even through she couldn't see me.

"I miss you."

"I miss you too ."

She laughed softly.

"Now wipe those tears."

"You look ugly when you cry."

I sniffled .

"Shut up."

"There she is."

A small smile appeared on my face.

"I'll call you tomorrow."

"Promise."

"I promise."

"Take care , Hope."

"You too."

The call ended.

By the time i had cried myself empty , the sun was beginning to set.

The sky glowed with beautiful shades of orange and gold.

Birds flew back toward their nests.

I called Aunt Stella and told her I'd take the bus home.

She insisted on picking me up.

It took nearly five minutes to convince her otherwise.

Luckily, the bus arrived almost immediately.

During the twenty -minute ride , Michael's words replayed endlessly inside my head.

"You embarassed me."

"Stay away from Jasmine."

"You're reckless."

I leaned my head against the window.

Why was I letting him affect me?

People had called me worse.

Far worse.

So why him?

I sighed heavily.

"Forget him,hope."

I stared out the window until the bus reached my stop.

After reaching home, I went to straight to my bedroom.

I didn't even bother changing.

The movement my head touched the pillow, sleep claimed me.

'You're nothing but a joke."

Laughter echoed around me.

"Look at the fat girl!"

Jasmine wrapped an arm around michael while everyone laughed .

Michael looked at me with disgust.

"You're the ugliest person I've ever seen."

Their voices became louder .

Sharper.

Crueler .

The laughter surrounded me.

It wouldn't stop.

I couldn't breathe.

I jolted awake with a gasp.

My heart pounded wildly.

Another nightmare.

I hadn't had one in weeks .

The room was dark.

Silent.

Only the moonlight slipped through my curtains.

I walked quickly onto the balcony.

The cool midnight breeze brushed against my face.

I closed my eyes.

Night had always comforted me.

The silence calmed my restless mind.

Then, out of nowhere-

"He's hot ,though ."

My conscience interrupted.

I groaned.

"Seriously?"

"You know I'm right."

I rolled my eyes.

Everytime I thought about Michael....

Something strange happened.

My heart raced.

Butterflies fluttered.

And I hated it.

"Stop it."

"You like him."

"No."

"Liar."

I sighed deeply.

maybe

Just a little.

But nothing good could ever come from feeling like these.

Someone like Michael King could never love someone like me.

So it was better to bury those feelings before they grew.

The first rays of sunlight slowly painted the sky blue and gold.

Birds began singing.

The fresh morning air felt refreshing.

Maybe a jog would clear my mind.

I changed into black track pants ,a matching t-shirt , and running shoes.

With my earphones in , I stepped outside.

The cool breeze welcomed me.

I started jogging.

Trying my hardest to push michael out of my mind.

When I returned home, the aroma of fresh coffee filled the house.

My stomach growled instantly.

Aunt stella was making breakfast.

She looked a little tired .

"You okay?" I asked.

She smiled.

"Just didn't sleep well."

After breakfast, I got ready for school.

The day passed suprisingly peacefully.

Jasmine tried several times to provoke me.

I ignored every single comment.

Thankfully....

I didn't run into Michael once .

When i got home that afternoon , a large parcel sat outside the front door.

There was no sender's name.

I frowned .

"Who could've send this?"