Chapter 44

After sitting there for a few minutes, I got up and went in to my 3rd hour class. Once I opened the door and entered, there was no more by a whisper in the room; all eyes went to me as I took everything in. They kids, the classroom, and finally the teacher as he stood on the other side of the room by his desk. I could tell I just interrupted him from speaking.

Silence. Then: "Miss. Higgins," I heard the man say to me, his eyes in mine as he addressed me. "Welcome," he said, face blank. "Please, take a seat," was all he said, his eyes looking me over with no interest. From where I stood across the room, the students between us staring, I took him in. Mr. Harris looked to be in his 30s or so, his hair ginger as his skin was pale white. He was rather skinny as well but tall. His face was thin, eyes a light color I could see. I looked away to the other students after he said that, looking among them for a seat.

Taking a shaky breath, I walked towards the only open one. Looking at the kid I would be sitting next to, I saw his eyes already trained on me and observant. He had this snotty look, his posture different; he sat tall and oh so mighty. He didn't change his facial expression by the time the whispers started and I sat down.

When I sat down, I looked ahead and saw Mr. Harris still standing there. His eyes were on mine. "Tell us, my dear, why are you here Albany?" Mr. Harris said, eyes and voice loud directed at me so everyone could here this. My head started hurting again. I mean, was there one class that could go by without the impulsive need to hit someone run through me? I guess not because his hardened face softened and that was when I saw amusement.

The room was totally silent. Looking around before back to him, I was surprised I answered seriously and without sarcasm. "This was the only school that would accept me. However now that I am here, I see that is not the case."

He nodded but went on. "Okay well I meant overall, what is your goal here in school or in this class? You're life?"

"Is it any of your business?" I asked, pointing that out.

"I think it might help us understand you a bit better. Most here are having a hard time." He chuckled under his breath. Prick.

"Shocker," I murmured. "I'm here to amuse my fellow students. I'm doing a great job at it." I said with obvious sarcasm. I went on with sincerity though. "And with your class, you tell me what my goals are. What are you going to be drilling in my head, teacher?"

He didn't smile. He looked pissed off. Hell, I was pissed. He was trying to make a show out of me and it was working with a few snorts and sneers. If it was with what I said or at me, I don't know. He clearly wouldn't have been fine with harassment towards me.

He started to slowly walk around the class casually. His eyes never left mine though. "Depends on how much has already been drilled. According to your past, it should have been more often. I personally think you would be better off in a school especially for you're kind."

Translation: a mental hospital. Students seemed to get the joke as they laughed at his words. "Thanks, because I wanted your opinion," I snapped back, sitting up more and staring at him hard. He wants to fuck with me, fine. I'll be polite and return the favor. The students around me also showed what they thought from the gasps or embarrassed laughs. I smirked up at Mr. Harris.

His face blank, he told me in a flat voice, "May I see you in the hall for a moment?" It was more of a demand than a question.

Groaning, a scowl forming deep upon my stubborn lips, I stood up quickly and pushed my chair back, heading for the door in an instant. Swinging it open, I stepped out in the hall and a moment later, I heard him tell the class he would only be a moment and to start working on something. His eyes meeting mine as he stepped out, he shut the door and faced me in the empty hall.

His nostrils flared as he stared down at me, showing me his dipped eyebrows and true anger in his deep blue eyes. "Don't... you ever dare... try to turn the tables around on me. You are here to cooperate and that's a privilege for someone like you. I can snap you like a twig if that's the game you want to play. You are screwed up, my dear," he said saying a little lighter. Lips tightened. "I'm a strong believer in punishment when called for. As far as I'm concerned, with you, it has already been called for. You deserve nothing but pain. You terrorized, beat, violated people. You are mentally insane. I can't imagine what else you have done."

Mouth shut, mouth shut... I already bitched my last teacher out. I didn't need to do it to this one too and risk even more. Mouth shut, don't scream at him....

I could only imagine what Luke would think or do if he were here. I mean, before when he arrested Patrick, Luke lost it with just a few insults. He pulled over and started to beat him. Good thing he wasn't here because he would have gone beyond what was 'called for' in the bully's eyes.

"Do we understand each other?"

"Yes," I said tightly.

After a few more deathly glares, we went back into the room to continued what was to be another hour of nothing but fear for what would happen next.

***

When Mr. Harris escorted me to my next class, I felt my spirits lift somewhat. British Literature. Meaning: Mr. Rush. Thank god. Hopefully a little break.

However, when he saw me from behind his desk as I was one of the first of his students in his room, his eyebrows lifted and eyes grew slightly when he saw me. He rose, walking over to me. He didn't look happy at all. He pursed his lips when he got to me and quietly spoke with me.

"What happened to you? You look terrible," he said in worry, eyes looking me over.

I shrugged. "What I expected on a first day. At a new school. I'm fine."

"Luke's going to throw a fit when he sees you like this. Do you know who did it? Names or anything?" he asked, looking concerned. He clearly wanted to punish the ones that did this to me. Of course, it would have been an organized and ineffective punishment. They deserved an ass beating if you ask me.

I shook my head and noticed more of his students were coming in. I heard the gasps around us and knew people recognized they had a class with me. I internally sighed and saw Casey-- I mean Mr. Rush notice too. He didn't look too thrilled over it either.

"Do you want me to call up Luke?" he asked, concerned. His pretty brown eyes looked helpless.

"No," I shook my head. He was worried enough and didn't need me dragging him out of work over something I would have to deal with at some point anyway. Plus, he was going to feel terrible later on. He was convinced that this would be a better experience than my last school. Oh was he wrong.

"I don't suppose you would be okay with me addressing this next class on the issue."

I shook my head. "No. Really, I'm fine."

More people started to come in and it demanded some of our attention. Mr. Rush knew he had to start class soon. Sighing, he crossed his arms, thinking. "I don't understand how this happened. You were to be supervised at all times."

"And you don't think adults are cruel?"

His lips tightened and he understood what I meant. He wasn't happy about it either. I could tell he was going to have a talk with some of my teachers from earlier at some point today. He looked guilty for not doing anything then and there it seemed but what could he have done?

After everyone took their seats, Mr. Rush gave me a reassuring smile and told me to take a seat too. The bell rang and when it did, Mr. Rush walked towards his desk and grabbed a few papers behind it, coming around and standing before the class. I saw him look around at the students and was clearly upset - not at them in particular but rather what the students were doing to me in general. He couldn't do anything right now but I could tell he would later on.

Of course, everyone was being obnoxious and talking. Crazy chick in the room will do that to a group of rumor-spreading teens. When they all settled down, he jumped right into a basic introduction. He went on for a bit about the shit teachers are required to tell us. Apparently, over and over in the course of a day. Then had to go over classroom rules and all that junk. He finally got to the actual subject.

"British Literature. Be prepared for a lot of reading. We will be covering different works from writers during times of war and other major events of the Middle Ages and other eras. You can count on Shakespeare as well as multiple sonnets by others. Also, it is to be expected that you write a few papers of different styles throughout the course of the year. First though, we will cover the basics of the ways of persuasion and argumentative writing. Logos, pathos, ethos are things we will be working constantly with too." He paused after a moment, looking around to all his students with a straight face. Wow, he was really different it seemed when teaching. "Any questions? The English department is getting nailed this year with ways for you guys to do better. From your past work, in general, kids are failing more in English than in any other subject, which is why we will be constantly busy this year, often with multiple things at once."

All the while the dude was talking, a girl next to me leaned over towards me I noticed from the corner of my eye I internally sighed. Never a fucking break....

"Hey," she said, under her breath towards me. After I kept my head forward, she continued with the same word repeatedly before I was grinding my teeth, annoyed. I turned to her finally and raised an eyebrows, waiting for what ever it was she wanted.

She gave me a smile but it looked forced. She had straight brown hair with blue eyes that widened slightly as my eyes met hers. The girl also, I noticed, was rather skinny. Like really tooth-pick-model skinny. She wore tore up and faded blue jeans with a grey tight shirt. She had big boobs too I guess is worth noting. She also wore a lot of jewelry I noticed. Diamond studs on her ears, matching necklace, and a few beaded bracelets. Searching her face, I saw that she looked a little nervous but she appeared more superior than anything. I didn't like it. She gave off an air that said she was a snotty brat. But hey, I knew not to judge when everyone judged me and got the wrong idea.

"What?" I pushed, waiting for her insults.

"I just noticed you were having... a rough time today," she said, a little hesitant.

I scoffed. "Uh, yeah what gave it away?" I said, shaking my head and looking ahead again. She could try to be nice all she wanted. I'm not dumb enough to fall for dumb tricks on the first day of school. She was persistent though.

"Look," she said, leaning over towards me in a whisper as to not disrupt Mr. Rush. "I know that it's been hard for you. But... I wanted to invite you to sit with us today at lunch."

"And why is that?" I asked her, amused. Did she think I was stupid?

She scoffed. "Where else are you going to sit? Oh, and I'm Madison by the way."

That was true. To be honest, it was something I was dreading all day. I would be fine waiting in my next class while everyone ate. I didn't want to face people, even if I could have gotten food out of the deal. That was just because I was being a chicken. I mean, one day, I would have to face the dreaded walk to the lunch room. I don't think Luke thought about that. He seemed to find a way to keep me supervised the whole time by having my teachers walk with me to every class. But what about during lunch time? That would be a bitch.

"I also want to give you a chance," she said, sighing. "I don't know you but that shouldn't matter. I want to understand what all the fuss is about because you don't seem that crazy."

I smirked slightly. I liked what she said but I mean how could I not be suspicious? Thinking it over, I guess it wouldn't hurt. I mean, what's the worse that would happen? A few insults and other harassment's. I mean, I was scared to face so many people during that time but maybe sitting with them could be security. Even if they are a bunch of fake assholes.

Heavily sighing, I turned back to her. "Don't think that I'm trusting you," I said, trying to be polite but it wasn't going great. "But..." I groaned. "Fine. Where are we sitting?"

***

Though I didn't act that on edge, my body clearly was. My shoulders were tense and my fingers wouldn't uncurl from fists. I became really on edge when we walked in through the halls and into the cafeteria and nobody bothered me. That really freaked me out. Nobody went near me or said anything. Of course, I got the cold looks and the shocked stares, the whispers and gasps. But nobody directly came up to harass me. It was strange and therefore I was on edge even more.

I was walking with Madison and she noticed how tense I was. She gave a laugh that was incredibly annoying. All I got out of her was teenager to the extreme. "Oh don't worry. They wont bother you since you're with me," she said proudly.

Just for security, just for a little while, I will sit somewhere else tomorrow... because honestly guys, I wouldn't be able to put up with her preppy-ness much longer.

After we got out lunch, I followed her over to a table where a few others were sitting. Oh god. Once they saw that she brought me to sit with them, the would go bat-shit and try to fly away. Walking towards them, I noticed that we were going to be sitting with one other girl and two boys. Probably her best friend and both of their boyfriends. Ugh.

Once they saw me sit down with Madison, they could only stare. The girl was more just amused while seemed uneasy at the same time. She wasn't what held my attention though. One of the boys started to shake. I laughed because it was pathetic. I watched as the other boy sitting next to him rolled his eyes and glanced to him. He gave him a sympathetic smile and rubbed his arm up and down, trying to soothe him while shooting me daggers. That deserved a raised eyebrow. I also recognized him from a privious hour. He was the one that I was sitting next to in history and was really snotty about it to. And not snotty as in mean. Snotty as in girly-pathetic-snotty. Looking at him now as he tried soothing the boy next to him, it was clear they were both gay. Especially when the trembling boy rested his head against his shoulder and looked scared, wanting to be held. I can tell you right now that I can put up with a lot of shit; I wouldn't put up with this for too much longer. Only one word could describe this: pathetic. Not because they were gay or anything. Nope, I was fine with that. It was the overreacting that was overly gay and annoying because he was scared shit-less over nothing. I sat down across from him. Oh how very scary. Not to mention his partner was being a stuck up bitch. But it was the girl that was the first to speak.

"Albany," she said in a squeaky voice. "This is Beth." She pointed to the two boys on the other side of the table. First, to the one that seemed scared shit-less. "This is Nathan." Then to the little snot. "And this is Darren, his boyfriend."

When she was done, they all looked to me, still shocked it seemed that I was actually here and in sight. "Um, hi... I guess."

My eyes fell on the two boys because I could feel their stare the most. The boy, Nathan, looked up to his boyfriend Darren with worry. He didn't even take notice. Darren just stared at me with disgust when I met his gaze. He sat tall, like Madison was, tall and proud. He's a little bitch is what he is.

"I'm still trying to figure out why the school accepted you," he said, his lips screwing up tightly, his eyes refusing to look away from me. Nathan's eyes widened at his words to me and I saw him take his hand in fear, wishing for him to stop. He didn't though. Damn, this was a first. Have you ever heard of a gay guy that wasn't the nicest person you ever met? I know, this was a first. "The board is getting shit over this and for what? So some girl can graduate when it's already clear as day that she doesn't have a chance in hell in the real world?" He scoffed, shaking his head dramatically. "Talk about pathetic."

I nodded. "Talk about pathetic," I said looking straight at him.

Madison interrupted us and gave me a fake smile. I saw she was stiff still, not enjoying this at all with me. I didn't get why she invited me to sit with her then. "So... I heard that you were arrested when walking through town and that was how you were caught right? I never got that straight," she said.

She was trying to find excuses to keep me distracted or talking. I had no idea why but I wasn't stupid; I was ready for anything at that moment. My guard was up.

"Yep. Arrested and taken back to my chamber," I said, not wanting to bother with them and their strange looks between each other.

"Wow. That must have been... something else."

I took in a deep breath. Jesus. I was considering just getting up and walking away. I'd rather face the other hateful kids here than these three ass-wipes.

I nodded slowly and noticed for the first time that I didn't take a bite of my food. Hell, I didn't even know what I got for lunch until that moment when I looked down and away. You knew I was nervous and on edge when I wasn't hungry. In fact, I felt a little sick if anything.

"Hey, weren't you arrested for drug possession?" The girl, Beth, asked at the silent and tense table. They honestly sucked at making conversation.

"Yeah."

She nodded and glanced over at Madison in that moment, giving her a meaningful look. The others shared that look too and I started catching on. Nothing but leaches. Because this wasn't just making conversation like I assumed. This was heading towards a topic they wanted to talk about with me.

"Do you still have any?" Madison asked, drawing my eyes back to her. "Our dealer disappeared out of nowhere." Her eyes showed a spark of sneakiness, which I wanted to laugh at. So narrow-minded, so dumb, acting as if this was top secret information when I looked around the table. They all sat forward more and towards me as so nobody would here. All accept Darren; he just sat there and glared at me. He was obviously the one opposed to asking the crazy one for drugs.

I laughed under my breath. I didn't find this humorous. This was just another 'fuck you' today. I was laughing because I knew anybody going through this today would seriously quit school and life. Apparently, God still wanted a good laugh because the suffering never stopped.

Though I knew from the start they were trash, it made me mad to know they were trying to use me. I wasn't surprised. I just found it funny because I wouldn't handle it well if I took it to the gut. I hurt enough as it is.

"So you just want drugs out of me, right?" I asked, looking around to all of them. they started to look a little nervous. All except Darren, of course. He answered me immediately.

"What did you think we wanted from you? Friendship?" He smiled, amused. His eyes were cold through, dancing with ice in mine. "You should know by now that you have no meaning. You are here to be used because that's all that you can do."

I wasn't even going to bother to listen to any of them any more. I stood up and they all flinched at my quick movement. Scowling down at Darren, I found myself ashamed. And of myself mostly. Why did I give them my time? Why bother, even if just for security? It's as if I wanted to let people in unconsciously. I wont be doing that again.

"You know," I said, looking back at him with more threat and fire than he had. "I guess the saying you are what you eat really is true."

His eyebrows dipped, not understanding. He glanced down at his sandwich, not understanding before looking back up at me with a questioning face. I answered for him.

"You're a dick," I said, smirking at him before I turned around and left the table, my food and everything. The issue now: I was free for grabs and had nowhere to go for at least ten more minutes. Great.

I didn't know where I was going. I didn't hesitate though, especially since nobody was on my ass yet. I swiftly moved down the halls that were mostly empty. I was lucky my locker wasn't that far; I made it there before anyone harassed me yet. It was once I was standing there, in the open. In the shooters range, the lions den. I was quick to get my things for next class, keeping my head down as I took out me books. From memory, I knew my next class: Web Design with Mrs. Williams. Let’s hope she wasn’t as immature as some of my other teachers since I was going in there early.

With nowhere else to go, and no reason not to go, I headed down the hall I knew her room was in. This hall held more students than the last unfortunately and I was instantly approached by a boy that met my gaze. He didn’t hesitate, marching right up to me. People like this scared me because they didn’t fear me like most others did to at least some degree.

He didn’t stop or even pause. “Ah, the little whore,” he whispered to me when close enough. Frozen with uncertainty of what he was doing, he grabbed my arm from the side and I gasped as he pulled me along with him when he continued to walk down the hall. I resisted in the second I had, pulling back and trying to jerk my arm away. It happened fast though; he pulled me down a different hall – a darker one with nobody there. The second out of sight of any lingering person, I felt his arm guide me towards the wall. Pinning me there, I finally got a good look at him as he pushed his palms against my shoulders, holding me there.

“Get the hell off me!” I grunted, trying to push him back. An image flashed in my mind the moment I saw him and my position. His features were that off a cocky kid; a smirk, brown hair styled up, brown eyes, and olive skin. He didn’t look like Luke. But him pinning me like he was, the memory of the first night I met Luke came back. He pinned me after chasing me down, holding me there as I tried resisting. It didn’t work. I felt helpless like I did that night when he arrested me. He was too strong. I tried pushing the asshole back but looking at his face, I knew it was hopeless. He was clearly amused.

"Baby killer have a rough day?" he asked in a light voice, seeing my distress and anger. "Awe," he said in a sigh, his hands traveling down from where he was holding me at my shoulders. I saw his eyes turn dark with a craving that made me cringe when his hand reached my breast. "I can make you feel better." Trying as hard as I could to push him away, groaning, he pushed me hard back against the wall. His hands were forced to lock around my arms if I was to stay put. The tightness at which he gripped me would later leave bruises.

I took a deep breath as I stopped struggling, looking up into his taunting eyes. "You would make me feel amazing by just leaving my sight. Don't fuck with me," I growled at him. He seemed a little surprised that I wasn't that scared by this. I was just feeling violated but even that I was use to.

A minute later, he didn't seem to care whether I was scared. He at least knew he was able to physically dominate me. He moved closer to me, pushing my entire body against his and the wall. It gave him the chance to let one hand go and move towards my ass.

"Come on," he said, more seriously. "I can tell you want me."

"Yeah?" I asked. "What gave it away? Telling you to back the fuck off and to leave my sight?"I growled, putting my strength into trying to force him back. It didn't work of course. I was good at come backs, good at hiding my fear. And honestly, I wasn't to surprised or petrified at the moment. Was I scared? Yeah. Hell, I was scared the whole day. But after so many little quips, every insult, after every push in the hall, after so much shit from narrow-mindedness, I felt it get somewhat numb. Numb and just defeated. This would be the one case where some would be correct about me: my brain was fried. I could handle the day. I just didn't want the time after that to think about all the things they said.

I felt helpless, worthless, and done with everything. I didn't stop swearing at him or pushing but that was instinct, to fight on. I was weak yet I would always try to fight, even if I'm not sure for what. The thing that gave me victory this time though wasn't a force from me. Rather, the voice of a strong willed woman.

"Mr. Swanton," a voice growled in shock and outrage. His hands stopped and his cocky smirk dropped. We both looked towards the source of the voice in that instant and saw that a woman stood there, eyes wide and fury covering her face. Once she saw what he was doing, she was walking swiftly down the few feet into the hall to us. He started to back off of me immediately, backing up and away. She yelled at him in a loud and menacing voice, "Office! Now!" Voice stern, she raised her hand and pointed to where he better start walking. He stared at her, mouth open in shock. He was taken by surprised that he got caught. Hell, so was I. Who knew that someone would notice - or openly so.

When he didn't move and only stared at the woman, she stepped a few feet closer until she gripped his arm and started towing him back towards the main hall. She said something to him I couldn't hear as I stood there, staring. Then I watched as they stopped and his face went pale. Whatever she told him, he didn't like. That boy showed no fear towards me before; he was now. He instantly tried defending himself but she wouldn't have it and yelled at him once more to go to the office. Finally doing so, I watched as the woman turned back around and started walking back towards me.

This time, I got a better look at her. She looked to be in her 40s, her hair stringy blond. She had a pretty heart-shaped face, her eyes kind blue. She had a small figure and was short but I felt the persistence she had in her presence. She was strong-willed and confident, I could tell.

After approaching me, she asked me if I was fine first and surprisingly, didn't ask any more. She led me back out of the hall and stayed close to my side as she told me to follow her. I was waiting for something like a trap or for her to punish me for what happened. But that's not what happened. "I'm Mrs. Williams by the way," was all she said as we walked. "Meaning, I have you in my next hour." By that, it was obvious she already knew who I was. Shocker.

After she took me to her room - which was nothing but rows of computers - she closed the door behind us for the remaining few minutes before the bell rings. Alone now, she started to ask me questions and was more concerned for me. It was strange too. She didn't judge me or anything. She was worried about me, especially after taking me in and seeing the damage today has done to me. It was shocking that two teachers in a row seemed to accept me. Mr. Rush and now Mrs. Williams. What was even crazier was that Mrs. Geraldine was nice as well.

Web Design went by without incident. She kept an eye on everyone. I mean, sure some people talked to me and threw a few insults, a couple stares. But that was it really. She went over what we were going to do in this class and once the bell rang, I realized nothing happened and felt relief for once today. Even more so when I saw she was going to escort me to my next class like she should.

Before we entered Physics and before she left me with my teacher of that hour, she gave me a smile and said that that boy was going to be suspended after what he did. Apparently, the principle called her and told her at the end of 5th hour and she thought it be best to tell me. "I don't want you to feel threatened here. I want this to be a comfortable place for you and since that isn't happening, there are no excuses to the way you are being treated in addition." taking a deep breath, she smiled politely and left to go back to leave me for my next class.

Mrs. Geraldine was a pretty woman that looked to be in her mid or late 20s. She wasn't as comforting or nice as Mrs. Williams was but she didn't treat me any less than the others and didn't seem to have any prior hate towards me. So yes folks, huge shocker: three good teachers in a row! How awesome was that! The only thing that really came up in Physics was when a girl raised her hand.

"Yes?" she asked her students.

"This doesn't really have anything to do with physics, but why is she allowed here?" She said, glancing to me in disgust from where I sat across the room, at my own table. It was nice, with nobody sitting around me. There weren't too many kids in the class. Of course, there were still ways to bring me down she thought and that was to openly talk about it and ask. "I mean, I just understand why the school would allow this."

"Because she is a person. With rights, feelings, and goals. You however don't have the right to judge her based on something you heard from an ignorant seven year old," she snapped at her, keeping a straight face though. She gave me a reassuring look but other than that, it held no more than a little significance. She was indifferent about me. And that was the last clear opinion I was aware of aimed at me today. Because when the bell rang, this hell was over. Now, only to face another.

***

Mrs. Geraldine escorted me to the front doors when school was over. People weren't as persistent as before to pick on me since they had better things to do, like go home. But that wouldn't help much when Luke sees me. He came five minutes early so he would be there by the time school was let out. I saw him waiting in the parking lot, leaning against the side of his cop car. His arms crossed, I couldn't really see his expression but rather just that he was tense. Hell, I bet he was freaking out and anxious on the inside. I can only imagine what he will do when he sees me. My arms were bruised, my hair down and messy, my chin left with a clear cut from when I fell. My clothes were somewhat stretched out from where a few decide to pull or grab at me. I still, even hours later, felt as if I had spit over my skin but knew it wasn't noticeable. I still felt gross and dirty and knew I looked it.

Leaving school and walking out towards the parking lot, I didn't want to face him. I felt embarrassed and humiliated as it is. The last thing I want is him seeing me like this. But with nothing else to do, I continued walking towards him. His eyes met mine as I approached him. I saw him tense even more. But by the time I stopped and stood right in front of him, letting him take me in, I knew he wasn't taking what he saw that great. He froze in his place. All he did was stare at me. His eyebrows lowered slightly but there was nothing more than that; no eyes that widened, no jaw dropping. Some might think he didn't care. No, it was the exact opposite. He took in my sight and didn't know how to react. Such a darkness started to slowly fill in his eyes but other than that he just remained standing there, staring at me from where I stood right in front of him. Luke didn't do anything for what felt like forever. Just... stared down at me with an expressionless face, one that held eyes filling with hatred. Hatred. How often do you see such a thing like that in Luke?

"Luke...?" I hesitantly asked.

He finally moved. Luke pursed his lips and broke eye contact, looking towards the ground with a broken expression. He looked ready to burst. He managed only to shake his head in that second. He closed his eyes and leaned against the car more, shaking his head a little faster it seemed, as if not wanting to accepting the sight of me from being abused.

This wasn't going to be good. Especially because he wasn't acting out yet. He was still trying to accept how much abuse I received today. He also knew that this was just a fraction; he knew my physical appearance didn't include insults, laughs... any attack on me mentally. Yeah, he was trying to let that sink in.

Taking a deep breath, I said, "I-I'm fine," trying to reassure him. I don't want him to get worked up over this, over what happened and was over with - for the day. He doesn't need to hurt just because I was. "Luke, I'm fine. I survived the day. It was rough, but what did you expe--"

Still not one word from him, he started to break. He grasped my arm and began to walk swiftly towards the school, guiding me with him. With just how fast his pace was, and the fact that his hand on my arm was shaking, I knew this wouldn't be good. He dragged me back towards the school door, beyond furious now. It was clear he was going to do something about this. But that's just it; what could he do?

"Luke," I said, louder, trying to get him to stop. "It's done. It's over with. you can't do anything about it; it wasn't like what happened to me could be controlled with my stat--"

Before I could finish, we were back through the school doors. He pulled me with him through the now empty halls of the school and with purpose, led me straight towards the front office.

"Luke!" I hissed, trying to stop him but he wouldn't. He burst through the office front doors with me and didn't wait for an okay to go back into the principals office with me either. He barged in, by now his breaths were erratic and his shaking was obvious, and stopped with me instantly at his destination. He was here to confront the principle. It wasn't his fault for what happened. Luke didn't seem to care.

"Prenta," the principle, who's name is Mr. Heilding, said in surprise from behind his desk when he looked up and saw us. His eyes wide from our sudden entrance, he looked between us, not knowing what to think. "What's this about?" he asked. I doubt this happens all the time, people just barging in without notice. From his expression, it didn't. His eyes showed suspicion and questions, his body uneasy and unsure with the amount of tension around us. His grey eyes held interest in our business, his looks clearly in money from how clear and neat he looked. All his grey hair was combed back, his face of that of a 60 year old man looked desperate to stay new with not a scratch.

A silence stretched on between us all, Luke trying to get under control and the principle waiting for an answer. Finally, he got one as I finally got something out of Luke besides an overreaction.

With me, he stepped forward towards his desk until we were both looking down at where he was sitting. Luke's teeth were clenched when he spoke. He didn't let go of my arm. "Look at her. Look at what you did to her!" he said, his voice slow and menacing. Dark and angry, wanting some damn answers. I don't think he let his head clear yet because it wasn't like it was the principals fault. "She has been beaten down in her life long enough! I'm in her life to change that and the last thing I need is to have this harassment happen where it is beyond unnecessary!"

Mr. Heilding didn't appreciate the way he was being spoken to. He stood up and leaned against his desk, sighing as he looked between us. He rubbed the back of his neck, clearly not wanting this. He even looked a little annoyed. Hell, I would be too. It wasn't his fault.

"I didn't do this to her, Mr. Prenta. I think Albany here would agree with me since she is the one that I guess experienced this harassment. I had no control over other actions."

"Then get control over your teachers!" Luke said back. "Without even asking her, I can bet that at least one teacher violated the agreement of staying at her side at all times during their hour with her. Otherwise, this wouldn't have happened," he hissed, pointing at me. His eyes were in a firm lock with Mr. Heilding. "I'm sure more since just looking at her, I assume she has had several different encounters with students and maybe teachers that ended with her getting abused, bullied, or harassed in some way.

The principal cut in, finding an opportunity to defend. "Actually, I had a couple of different reports today from teachers that had Albany in class today. Rush got off the phone with me a while ago, complaining of the same thing and I assured him of the same thing I will assure you of now: I will speak to each teacher individually about this matter and make sure this doesn't happen again. I also had a student sent down to me earlier today for apparently sexually assaulting Miss. Higgins here. I suspended him--"

"S-Sexual assult?" he asked, his voice a little higher and looking up at his face, I saw him go white and look more than pissed off. He looked upset at this, disgusted such a thing happened to me. I wanted to tell Heilding here to shut up; Luke didn't need to know that and have more of a reason to get worked up.

"Yes, and he is suspended and being properly punished because of it." He paused, taking a deep breath. His eyes turned more threatening towards Luke. "I don't want to remind you of this, Prenta, but this is one of the only schools in this area, maybe the only one at all, that would accept Albany. Not only does that give us attention we don't need, it hurts this school's reputation just the way media alone works. I strongly suggest you be careful about the complaints you have to see the need to be addressed. It wouldn't take long for her to be on her way to another school if you will be blaming me of everything an immature teenager does here. "

"And I shouldn't have to remind you of my position. That I honestly just don't give a shit about the school's reputation, about what the media thinks of her or anyone else for that matter. That shouldn't have anything to do with how she is treated. You strongly suggest?" he asked, getting louder and even more upset. "How about I suggest something for you. You will not threaten us about leaving this school. Go the fuck ahead, get rid of her. Kick her out. That will only look bad on your part, sir, and it would make me even more persistent to show you how wrong you people are of her. There wouldn't be this issue if people like yourself would just open your goddamn eyes and decide for once in your lives that it's okay to not be a prick once in a while. Understanding might actually get you somewhere. But you will never know, you stubborn bastard."

Luke was ready to burst even more - if that was possible.. Looking up into his face as he stood there, he started to shake a little harder, his face more pale now, his eyes even more dark after he paused. Before he let all his anger and feeling out further, he didn't say another word and he swiftly made an exit with me.

Not a word yet spoke between us, we walked back out towards the car. I knew that this wasn't all of his out burst. Oh no, not at all. He yelled at the dude but what did that do? Maybe resolve a small fraction of the massive amounts of hate that filled him. No, he was shaking with the need to let it out and at some point, he would. All I could think though was that, though a terrible day that left me defeated, it came down to him saving me. Before, he told me to behave and that this would be better than my last school. Seeing me made him do a 360 degree turn and he no longer cared about how I did with this school if it meant tolerating such BS. It made my eyes open even more at him; he valued me over what I could offer in this world. This was more than getting me a good future, I realized. This showed that he wanted me to be free, to have rights, to be myself and have a chance to just live like he wanted me too. It made me proud of what he just did.

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There is her first day of school over! Now what do you think will happen? How will Luke handle this do you think? Hope you liked it :)