Ashamed
731 Words
Chapter 9
Ashamed
Amira's POV
The hallway buzzed with the noise of early morning chatter, lockers slamming, and sneakers squeaking against tile floors. I clutched my books tightly to my chest, dodging past a group of girls huddled around a mirror. The scent of cinnamon rolls from the cafeteria still lingered faintly in the air, but I barely noticed it. My eyes, for reasons I hated to admit, were already searching for her.
Peyton.
She was near the end of the corridor, standing by her locker, laughing at something Cassie said. Her hair was tied up, her books hugged under one arm, her smile so casual it made something twist deep in my stomach. She looked so… normal. Like the events of yesterday had barely left a scratch on her. Like our eyes hadn’t met across the field and ignited something I couldn’t name.
I wasn’t going to talk to her. I didn’t even know what I’d say. I just wanted to see her.
And maybe—maybe she’d see me too.
I stepped forward.
That was when it happened.
Cold.
Wet.
Sudden.
A bucket of water came down on my head like a slap from the universe. Ice soaked through my hoodie, my hair, my clothes, my shoes. Everything clung to me at once—fabric, embarrassment, shame.
Laughter erupted. Harsh. Cruel. Too loud.
I stood there frozen, water dripping off the ends of my sleeves, my books ruined, my socks squelching in my sneakers.
"Oops," a voice said, mockingly sweet.
Brielle.
She stood with two other girls, all of them snickering like they’d just won a prize.
"Guess someone needed a shower," one of them added.
More laughter.
My face burned.
I couldn’t move. Couldn’t speak. Couldn’t do anything except stand there and drown in the humiliation.
That was when Lexi appeared.
She shoved through the crowd like a storm, eyes locked on Brielle. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
Brielle blinked innocently. “It was just a joke.”
“This ‘joke’ just earned you a week of detention,” Lexi snapped. “You too,” she pointed to the other girls. “Principal’s office. Now.”
The crowd dispersed fast. No one wanted to be on Lexi’s bad side.
Brielle rolled her eyes, but she left, muttering something under her breath.
Lexi turned to me. “Are you okay?”
I nodded, even though I wasn’t. My throat felt tight. My skin felt like it didn’t belong to me anymore. “Yeah. Fine.”
“You’re soaked. Come with me, I’ll take you to the nurse. Maybe they have spare clothes.”
I nodded again, legs heavy, like they weren’t part of my body.
But before we could walk away, I looked up—just once.
Peyton was still at her locker.
Still.
Watching.
Our eyes met for the briefest second.
Then she turned.
And walked away.
Just like that.
She saw.
And walked away.
Lexi didn’t say anything as we walked to the nurse’s office. The silence between us screamed loud enough. My wet shoes squished with every step, a trail of water following behind us.
I should’ve said something. I should’ve fought back. I should’ve cried. I should’ve cared less. I should’ve been braver.
But I wasn’t.
I just felt small.
Invisible.
Unwanted.
The nurse handed me a towel and some spare clothes that didn’t fit quite right. Lexi waited outside while I changed. My hands trembled as I peeled off the wet hoodie, the drenched shirt beneath it. My skin was cold. My chest was tighter than it should’ve been.
I kept thinking about the way Peyton turned.
Not even a flinch.
Not even a step.
Just… left.
And that made something inside me hurt worse than the water. Worse than the laughter. Worse than Brielle’s stupid grin.
Because I didn’t expect her to save me.
But I didn’t expect her to walk away either.
When I finally stepped out, Lexi handed me my bag. “Want to skip the first class?”
“No,” I said, my voice barely mine. “I’ll go.”
She nodded, didn’t argue. “I’ll walk with you.”
I didn’t thank her.
Not because I wasn’t grateful.
But because if I opened my mouth, I might cry.
And I wasn’t going to cry.
Not here.
Not for them.
Not for her.
- Writer
