My bully, my crush

Amelia's p.o.v I laughed at the silly faces my best friend kept making at this weird guy. He kept staring, and she of course kept giving him silly faces. It was funny and immature of us but we didn't care, I wasn't making the faces with her though. The guy eyed her warily and left making me double over in laughter. China squinted her eyes at him in amusement as he walked away and burst out laughing as soon as he was out of sight. "That guy is a weirdo." She laughed closing her locker. We were minutes early to school so the hallway was littered with just few early birds. "Trust me, he thinks you are one too." I replied smiling at her. She kept quiet in thought and began laughing again. "I know right? He should have known better than to stare at us. Its rude." She defended and I closed my locker. I nodded supportively and we walked to the library. I had maths first while she had p.e first. I dreaded times like this, because my crush, Cole Rick attends maths class with me. Aside from being a gorgeous handsome jerk and of course my long term crush, he's also my bully. He picks on me over little things, he doesn't actually bully people, just me and a guy I had a thing with in 6th grade. Mine was worse considering his perfect girlfriend, Lacey, also bullies me. I slumped on a library bench exhausted, China sat beside me. "You thinking about Cole?" She asked me and I faked a smile nodding. She knows me too well and also knows that this obsession started in my 5th grade. I was in high school now but I still couldn't get over him. "You know you're hurting yourself right?" She asked again and I nodded still yet. I'm an extremely shy person so it doesn't help that I get picked at often. "I know, but I don't just know what to do to get over it, over him." One thing China doesn't know was that I wasn't obsessed over his looks or status, I was obsessed over him. Sure I liked the fact that he's really smart, but that couldn't be the main reason why, right? "Tell me just one thing you like about him." She requested closing her note and putting her attention on me. "His IQ?" It sounded more like a question. I shrugged with a sigh turning to my book absentmindedly. "His what? C'mon girl there are lots of nicer smart guys, even in your maths class." She mentioned trying to make me get over him, she's starting to feel irritated and I could feel it. "Are you sapiosexual?" I turned back at her. "What's that?" "Having s****l attraction to people with high level of intelligence." Oh. I'm not s****l attracted to him because of his intelligence, so no. "No." I replied blankly and she sighed rubbing her temples exasperated. "I'll get over him, just don't get yourself to worked up over it." I lied still looking at her. She opened her book ignoring me. "China." I called softly. "You've been saying this since 5th grade, and till now, nothing's changed. You want to remain dumb in love, go ahead." She retorted a little harshly taking me by surprise. I knew she was tired of everything but I didn't expect her to actually show it. "China." I called softly but she ignored me. I didn't like doing this to my best friend but seeing Cole everyday in school doesn't make getting over him easy. I qualify couldn't ignore him without him gaining my attention. It was hard even for me, the hurtful things he says to me even when I still deep down cared about him. The bell rang and I watched as my best friend stood up leaving me there. I gathered my books and placed them in my bags heading to my maths class. My mind was in a mess and I didn't notice when I hit someone. My books fell down and I bent to pick it muttering a low 'sorry' at the person I bumped into. Standing up I stared at Olive, the other boy Cole picks on and the guy I had a thing with in 6th grade. I was in my 10th grade now. "Hey. Sorry I wasn't looking." Olive apologized smiling at me. I smiled back at him. We were still friends after all. "Yeah sorry too.Bye." I smiled politely rushing to my class. I hated being late. The teacher wasn't in yet so I went to my usual sit, close to the window and in the second row. I sat down looking through the window going back to my comfortable thoughts. "Yo everyone. Mrs Martins won't be in class!" A boy excitedly announced dragging my attention and everyone jubilated happily. My face etched into a frown, knowing what would be my fate if I stayed here any longer. I stood up to leave the class but stopped as everyone became quiet. They walked in. The they being Cole, Lacey, Ernie and Max. Ernie is Lacey's best friend while Max is Cole's best pal. I heaved loudly staring at them as his eyes landed on mine. I removed my gaze still standing up. This is exactly what I was running from. Whenever we were free and we happen to have the same class, his girlfriend publicly embarrasses me. That only added to my damaged confidence. Ernie was once my best friend. Those good old days, till date I don't even know why she started acting this way towards me. It started when we entered high school, I couldn't stop her so I just had to get over it. Ernie, China and I were all best friends in 5th grade. That was before she met Lacey obviously. "No Mrs Martins? why?" Max asked the guy who had announced it. "Her husband got involved in a car accident." He replied with a smile, geez that's mean. "Would he be fine?" A girl asked from behind the class. "What am I? His doctor?" The boy replied rudely and the whole class laughed at the girl, I felt bad for her as I had wanted to know if the man would be alright too. The boy snickered going to his seat. "Going some where?" Lacey came towards me as the class was now silent. I shook my head sitting down. "I prefer you standing." She dragged my hair up causing me to whimper standing up. "Class I have an announcement, or rather still Ernie has an announcement." Lacey smiled at the class as Ernie turned to them all. "Go on love." "This girl here, who happen to be my ex bestie, is madly obsessed over Cole." What!!!!!! She did not. The class erupted into laughter and some threw things at me, I just stared at Ernie, why would she? "I...I....I am not." I stuttered effortlessly not even knowing how to start. She looked at me, then turned back to the class. "It all began in elementary school. I for one thought she was over him until some one confirmed it that she wasn't. China." She called out and my best friend walked in with a smile. She looked at me and I shuddered in disappointed. I trusted her. The whole class too gasped in shock knowing China was my best friend. "And the sweetest part? This three were best friends. Can you imagine?" Lacey asked them throwing a smug look at me. I looked at Cole and he just stood there staring at me with a blank look. "Nothing to say?" she asked me faking concern. I looked at China blinking in my tears, I suppose she was actually fed up with my obsession over Cole, even if this was going too far. I packed my things and made to go when Lacey slapped me, hard. I felt my eyes glisten at the pain but I held back the tears. "I'm talking, you dare not walk out on me. And you dare not like my boyfriend." She snapped her fingers and Ernie handed a bottle of water which she poured on me. And it was hot boiled water. I whimpered lightly at the impact and sat down quietly. Cole walked over to me and gripped my jaw harshly. I lowered my eyes but his hold on my jaw tightened and I had to look at his eyes, his beautiful eyes. "You are not my type and I hate embarrassments. This should be the biggest of them all and trust me you'd regret it. I can't ever love you, ever." He gritted through his teeth as his hold on me tightened with each word. I was getting a bruise after this. He removed his hand and walked away with his best friend "And that is the announcement. Thank y'all for being attentive." Lacey smiled and walked away with Ernie. I lowered my head for a good ten seconds before packing my things and running out of school. The tears freely flowing down. I've never been this ashamed of myself, of my friends. And for Cole to outrightly regret me kept tugging at my heart. I was physically broken and emotionally. I need to hate Cole, I really need to hate him. My only best friend could go to that extent just because she was fed up? I wasn't happy and then the whole class laughed at me. I bent my head walking quietly home. My last self confidence crashing in my own front as I stepped on it. I reached my destination, bringing out my key I opened the door and sat down there in pain. It was one thing for Cole and Lacey to publicly humiliate me often but China? The house was quiet as mum had gone to work. She knows I like Cole, she works for his dad. But never did it cross her mind that he bullies me, I couldn't tell her too because she'd end up confronting his dad and losing our only means of survival. Dad died mysteriously last year, at least mum tried to convince me so. I knew it was a lie but I let it slide since I couldn't prove it. I quietly went to my room and slept off till I heard mum's voice. "Amelia love did you leave school before dismissal?" I sat up with sleepy eyes and nodded. "Oh God were you crying?" She asked noticing the swollen eye. She lightly touched my bruised jaw. "Who did this?" She asked calmly. I've never been physically abused so it was her first time seeing it. "And baby your cheek." She stared at me quietly. "A girl slapped me. We had a misunderstanding and yes I left school early, I wasn't feeling well." I lied smiling at her. She looked at me sternly. "I'm serious mum. The girl apologized later on." I added so she wouldn't go acting all super mum on an innocent person. She sighed. "Your cousin is downstairs. He'd be starting in your school tomorrow. Go say hi." I jumped down my bed and ran downstairs. Mum told me yesterday that my best cousin, Leo would be staying with us, permanently. I was overjoyed. "Leo!" I shrieked with my million dollar smile and he turned to me with a wide smile. I ran to him and hugged him tightly. I missed him. "How has my best cousin been?" He asked as we disengaged with a smile. His smile turned to a frown as he saw my face. "What happened to your face baby?" He asked sitting down with me on the couch. "I got into a little misunderstanding and then this happened." I shrugged lying to him too. I felt bad. "Oh. Sorry sweetie. Hope you beat it very well?" I laughed nudging him playfully. "I didn't beat her. I don't fight. So you are coming to my school tomorrow?" He's my age mate so we would be in the same grade. I at first didn't want him to see my miserable situation in school, but then I decided to bribe him into not telling mom. His parents are late so he's like a brother. He is a brother to me. "Definitely! Hope you know cool pretty girls?" He winked at me and I smiled. He was a flirt and a playboy but I was cool with it, supposing no one gets pregnant for him. Besides, he's was beautifully handsome. "Wouldn't you want to find out?" He laughed and I joined soon after. "I sure would. Do you have any plans this evening?" He asked coyly and I laughed. "Are you asking me on a date? Well I do but anything for you cuddle buddy. When should I be ready?" He laughed holding his stomach making me giggle. We always played fake dates like this when we were much much younger, the good ole days. "By 9. And since you're already in, I should better let you know." He stood up. "We'd be going to a friend's party." And with that he ran away knowing just how much I hated social gatherings. *************** "Amelia! I'm coming in if you're not coming out." I heard Leo yell and mum chuckled. "She needs to be pretty enough for her date night, don't you agree?" I heard mum's voice and I laughed opening the room door, I was ready. Since it was a party, I dressed casual. I wore a denim short and crop top, my signature party outfit. "You look gorgeous." Leo complimented while mum laughed at my figure slowly descending the stairs. I reached where he stood and he held my hand kissing it like a perfect gentleman. "Why thank you." I smiled and started walking away holding in my laugh. As soon as mum began laughing, I lost it. Leo joined a split second later. I was supposed to compliment him back but well, I do my things my way. I really missed Leo. We left the house in smiles entering his car, it was Bugatti as his parents were really rich before they died. We drove in a comfortable silence, I wonder how everyone's look would be on me tomorrow. "Uhm Leo?" I called awkwardly and he hummed in response. "Promise me that whatever you see tomorrow, you won't tell mum." He looked at me quietly before breaking into a smile. "Lia got a boyfriend, Lia got a boyfriend." He sang and I shook my head smiling. "I'm serious Leo. Promise?" "Sure thing babe." He winked at me and I smiled. I really admired his carefree nature. He calls me Lia, its like a trying to match names stuff. He did it when we were four years, saying our names didn't match. So while I call him Leo, he calls me Lia which is short for Amelia. His full name is Leonard but he hated people calling it in full. We reached the venue and I started getting nervous. I hated social gatherings as I never had self confidence. Leo held my hand assuring me I'd be fine. I forced out a smile. "Calm down hun, your bestest cousin is here." I smiled at him. "I thought he's my date." I replied easing of my previous mood while teasing him at the same time. "Let's just say he can be both." I chuckled and he squeezed my hands, then we entered. As expected, it reeked of alcohol and sweat. I crunched my nose in disgust passing through the sweaty bodies while holding Leo's hand. "Come let's go say hi to my friend." He yelled over the loud blaring music and I nodded holding his hand tight. We reached the kitchen which was less noisy and Leo went over to a boy, who was talking to someone. The boy smiled at us and dismissed the girl he was talking to. "Hey man." He smiled at Leo. He wasn't as gorgeous as my handsome cousin but at least he was handsome. I wonder why all this people drank when they were not of legal age. "Elvis, meet Amelia, my plus one." He winked at me before smiling. "And Lia meet Elvis, the host." I shook his already extended hand. "Hi. Great party." I complimented before disengaging. "I aim to please. You both make sure to have fun okay?" He asked nicely smiling at us, I bet he thinks we are a couple. "We sure would." Leo replied and Elvis excused himself to go greet others. "What would you want to drink?" Leo asked me as he went to the fridge. I was about replying before the words got stuck in my throat. Talking to Elvis was Cole and the rest, Lacey glanced towards me and attracted the other's attention, including Elvis. I suddenly felt claustrophobic. "Leo. Can we please leave? Like now?" Leo turned to me with a quizzed expression. I glanced at Lacey who was now focused talking to Elvis. Cole however kept glaring at me. "Uhm okay." He closed the fridge. "Go to the car, I'll tell Elvis we're leaving." I nodded eagerly and made my way to the door when a hand gripped my arm tight. I turned, Cole. "Who's that boy?" He asked moving his head towards Leo who was talking to Elvis. I kept quiet as my mind drifted to what had happened in class. "Talk to me." he shook me violently. "Yo take your hands off her." Leo spoke up standing beside me. Cole glared at him but still held me. "I said take..." Cole punched him before he could finish causing Leo to stagger. The whole place became quiet and I turned to Leo in shock. My hand was freed though it hurt, while Leo was bleeding. He looked at Cole and smiled sinisterly, he turned to look at Elvis who had a sad look on, like if they fought in here, his party would be scattered. He smiled at him and walked away with me. He held me tight and I whimpered, he immediately loosened his hand. "I'm so sorry Leo...dammit." I apologized as we entered the car. "Was he the reason you wanted us to leave?" He asked me as I helped clean his bleeding nose. I nodded. "When we get home, you'll tell me everything I need to know about him, about you two." My hand froze on his nose, but I nodded not wanting to anger him. He started the car and I began counting the minutes before I get to trust someone else, about my obsession with Cole.