Victim.

Slut.

⊰ sʟᴜᴛ ⊱

━━ Cassie's pov.

My heart had been pounding away in my chest since the moment I woke up this morning. Dread had made my every step heavy.

I could tell my mother was worried. She hovered around me, repeatedly asking if I wanted to stay home, or if I felt sick. Another crease in her forehead appeared everytime I told her I was going to school.

She let me, this time.

The sound of the heavy bus mechanics alerted me to my ride, simultaneously causing my stomach to plummet into my shoes.

I inhaled deeply. I could do this.

Six steps into the transport, and I began to second guess that thought. Idle conversation had been cut short upon my arrival, and whispers broke out among my peers.

The word "slut" rose above the whispers, and snickers traveled through the small space quickly.

I felt nauseous. I was going to be sick.

I reminded myself to breathe.

I stepped forward again. Eyes burned into my skin, humiliation seeping out of my every pore. I stopped at an open seat. The only other occupant a freshman with pimply cheeks and thick glasses. He grimaced, as if he had stumbled upon a dog s**t on the sidewalk.

"Can I sit?" My voice was barely audible, shaky and cracked.

He nodded curtly, pressing himself to the window as I sat. I knew what he was thinking. "w***e, slut".

My eyes pricked with tears. No. Breathe. Inhale, exhale. I closed my eyes, willing my thoughts to block out the whispers and jarring laughter.

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"Can you get up?" a nervous voice cut through my silence.

"Huh?" I looked up, the view from the window dragging me from my groggy state completely.

"Oh." I stumbled out of my seat, swinging my bag over my shoulders as I quickly climbed off the bus, making my way into the school.

I felt claustrophobic almost immediately. The roar of voices, the heat of the bodies, the cramped space. No where to turn, no where to hide.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. I wouldn't look at anyone, I would be fine. A foot slide out in front of me, and I stumbled.

"Look, the w***e is on her knees!" An obnoxious voice yelled from behind me, earning giggles and harsh laughter.

I wanted to open my mouth and defend myself. Speak. Anything. But no words seemed to find their way to my lips.

My mother had told me that the truth would come out eventually, and things would change, because the truth would always surface. But so far, I was still the liar, the slut.

I clenched my jaw and stood, forcing my feet to lead me to into the day.

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Somehow, I made it through the day without breaking down. Thank god.

I opted for walking home this time. A repeat of this morning would surely be the last straw for today.

It was a sunny day. Bright blue cloudless sky, pretty little flowers, just in time for spring. I allowed myself to relax and enjoy the walk home. The sound of an approaching vehicle registered, but I ignored it until I heard a yell. A cold object hit my side and hit the ground, chilling liquid soaked my shirt and the sidewalk as I ducked, covering my head as the vehicle drove away.

I bit my lip hard. The cold liquid and stress of the day finally pushing me over the edge, tears filling my eyes until my vision blurred.

I felt heavy, sick, numb. Somehow, I ended up in my room, curled up in the center of my bed. I allowed the tears to flow freely in the safety of my dimly lit room. Time passed, and eventually I ran out of tears to shed.

My door opened slowly, the loud creaking drawing me from my whirlwind of thoughts.

"Sweetie, are you alright?"

that was my Mom.

I nodded, lifting my head up to face her.

She sighed. I wanted to apologize, but for what? Causing her stress? Pain? I don't know. I closed my eyes, if only to keep my shame at bay as the bed dipped at my side.

"Baby, are you okay?" she questioned, her rough, callused hands rubbing my arm as she spoke.

I opened my mouth to say yes, hesitating as I considered saying no. I chose a different option.

"I'll be alright, Mum."