I sigh in relief as I walk out the front gate. He is nowhere to be seen.

The beast.

The one I want to avoid at all costs.

His devilish smile and sadistic attitude is something to fear. At first, he appears normal. He's a male with stunning ocean-blue eyes, straight pearly white teeth, and a voice that can pull anyone in. He is like a hot flame. The flickering heat may be attractive to the eye, but if a person moves in too close, they'll burn. He'll stay cool while everyone else turns to ash. Everything he touches is infected by his inferno.

He's a devil disguised as an angel.

And his family are no different than him.

But is was not always the case.

When my mom became the top maid at the Dudley family home, I was ecstatic. They offered to pay for my schooling, and let us live in a cottage on their estate. It is a tiny, cream-yellow building with grey pillars holding a small porch in front. The door matches the grey decor, and there are windows on each side. At first, it was very cozy and welcoming. I felt like I truly belonged somewhere for once, that I had a home to call mine.

But that was an illusion.

My mom was very grateful and wanted the best education for me. At ten years old, I stepped foot into the threshold of the cottage--my new home. Now seventeen, I wish we never moved here.

It's all because of him.

I groan and make my way down the street, eyes watching for any movement.

I think back on the day I met him...

"Valerie, this is the young master Sebastian. He's the same age as you," Carmen, my mom, smiled sweetly.

"Hello," I curtsied. His eyes narrowed as I did this. All of a sudden, his hands went to my chest and he shoved me, hard.

The force of the push had me falling backwards, and my head slamming into the corner of the coffee table. Seeing stars, I tried to sit up but shrieked in fear when he yelled,

"No! You stay down, ugly!" He stood above me with a disgusted expression, looking at me as if I were a slug under his shoe.

Hot tears trickled down my red and freckled cheeks. The pain was almost unbearable, but I stayed silent. I did not want to be hurt again.

"Now young master," Mom tried to calm him down as her eyes moved back and forth between us. I could tell she was not only worried for me, but for herself.

"You will stay out of this," he warned. "Otherwise, I will tell my parents that you stole from their room." The threat was clear. It was said by a child, but my mom visibly paled. After the boy left, my mom tended to my head. The entire time I felt afraid. If my mom couldn't protect me, then who would?

I didn't think things could get any worse than that, but I was dead wrong.

It turns out, he attended the same school as me--a private school for elite children. When I walked into class the next day, I was welcomed with open arms. I quickly made friends, and they did not seem to care that I was poor. Or they didn't realize it. But when class was about to start, I heard his voice from the classroom door.

He was smirking while two other boys walked behind him. When he looked up and saw me, his expression changed. A light flickered in his eyes, and I immediately understood what caused it.

He smiled and it caused shivers to run up and down my spine-and not in a good way. I felt it within my soul. He walked to the front of the class and shouted for everyone to be quiet. The teacher sat at her desk and did not bother stepping in. She most likely wanted to please him like everyone else.

The class became so silent you could hear a pin drop.

"I want to make an announcement!" His eyes moved about the room like a predator. "Anyone who becomes friends with Valerie Summers is dead meat! I will see to your destruction, and your families will no longer be close with mine," he threatened while pointing at me. I looked around the room and tried to gain their sympathy; but everyone ignored me.

It appeared that his threats worked.

The girls who sat close to me moved their desks further away from mine, and the boys turned their heads and avoided my stares.

I clenched my fists and gave him my best glare, biting my bottom lip angrily. He returned my stare with a glare of his own, and I knew from that point on that I'd need to stay strong. This boy would never win this.

Unfortunately, his threats spread around the school faster than wildfire. Everyone has avoided me since that day. Even teachers. They even email me my marks, not wanting to be seen speaking to me.

He is the worst enemy to have. He is like a virus that infects everyone around him. He is my virus. My mom even avoids me most of the time. He has that much of a grip on those around him.

For seven years I have stayed out of his way. Maybe twice a week I see him at school or home. I have been bullied ever since he made his threats.

...

I look at my phone and realize I'm going to be late.

"Shit!" I quicken my pace and feel rocks scatter behind me as I run.

Running into the courtyard of Mills Elite High School, I sigh in relief at seeing students still filtering into the building. The guard shakes his head at me as I pass his station.

"Why don't you get driven to school like the others?" he criticizes me. I shrug and make my way into the building. My class is just starting as I sneak in through the back entrance of the room.

"Nice of you to join us!" One of my classmates yells.

I flinch.

The teacher turns and slams her pen down on the smart board sill. "Detention for you, Miss Summers!"

I glare at the dick head that tattled and sit down at my desk.

After Math class, I make my way to English. The teacher, Mr. Evans, is secretly nice to me. He brings me his favourite books, and we talk about them through an online schooling system. He is the nicest person at this school. During class, he pretends I don't exist, but I know it is for both our sakes.

"Hello, Mr. Evans," I say in a monotone voice. He nods and continues writing on the smart board. As I sit down, I feel something stab my behind. It hurts, bad. I can feel my skin pinch and a swollen, bruised feeling spreads. I touch the area and breathe out deeply, shaking.

Someone put a pin on my seat, facing it up. The sharp needle stabbed into my right butt cheek. I put the object on my desk and watch as it rattles, turning in a slow circle before stopping. The point had been all the way in my flesh. I feel something on my cheek and realize I'm crying.

"Who the hell did this?" I scream, tears streaming down my face. It's not as painful as other injuries I've had while being at this school, but the abuse needs to stop. I can't take it anymore.

The class stares at me like I've finally lost it. I turn to Mr. Evans, expecting him to defend me. To protect me. He sees the pin in my hand, but doesn't say anything. He just stares at me with sad eyes. Mr. Evans not doing anything hurts me more than the pin.

Grabbing my stuff, I run out of the class room. I avoid going near the entrance to the grounds, and instead jump over the brick wall surrounding the school.

I go to an arcade located deep in the city, hoping to relieve my stress and anger. It isn't busy due to the time of day, and I am able to play the game I want the most. I sit in the booth and aim at the zombie, shooting the supposed crossbow and meeting the target.

I imagine it's his head I'm shooting. Sebastian.

I see a shadow appear at the corner of my eye and flinch.

Did he follow me here?

"You skipping too?" I turn to see an unfamiliar face. Even though it's not my tormentor, I stay alert. I know enough by now not to trust anyone.

The guy has blonde hair that falls over his face, and striking green eyes. He smiles at me, and I notice he has very prominent dimples. He almost resembles at cat.

"Yeah," I mumble. He nods, and then points at me "you want to skip together?"

I stare at him for a long moment and wonder what his aim is. Does he know Sebastian? Was he sent to torment me on his behalf?

Before I can refuse, he grabs my hand and pulls me out of the Walking Dead booth. "Let's play this game. It's the easiest to get tickets from."

I stare at the screen in front of us, and then back down at our hands still clasped together. I've never been in this type of situation before. I don't know if I should tell him off, run, or stay.

"Do you want to be the chicken or the duck?" He turns to me and I quickly shove his hand away.

"Why are you talking to me?" I move a step away from him, hoping to create enough distance that if need be, I can run.

"Because you're here?" He motions about the room, "no one is here. Most people are at school," he scratches the back of his head nervously.

"That's only the reason?" I watch his face, trying to see if his expression is genuine.

"Is there a reason why I shouldn't talk to you?" He raises an eyebrow at me, and I frown.

"Well," I go to remind him of Sebastian, but stop myself. Does he not know who I am? I think it over, and realize he probably doesn't. He isn't wearing a school uniform. He probably goes to one of the public schools nearby.

"No, there isn't a reason. I'm just not used to this sort of thing."

"Used to what? Skipping?"

I shrug, not wanting to tell him that I've never had real friends before.

"Well then, we should make the most of it, right?" He smiles at me, and I return one. Maybe I should allow myself this treat. To converse with another human and feel normal.

"What's your name?" He asks me, and I almost tell him a made up one. But then think of the future, and how odd it would be if he found out.

"I'm Valerie. You?"

"Aiden," he replies, holding his hand out for me to shake. I hesitate, but shake his hand. The fluttering in my chest makes me panic, so I change the subject.

"I'll be the duck," I say and swipe my card to pay.

"Alright, game on," he swipes his card on the other side.

...

After two hours of playing in the arcade, he suggested we take mini photos in a booth. We sit inside, too close together. We are so close, I can feel the heat of his breath on my face. I choose the background and smile awkwardly. Once done, we wait for the photos to clear.

After a few minutes, the pictures are in my hands.

"You're so cute," Aiden says out of nowhere, completely unexpected. I've always been called ugly. I've never been called cute.

I blush and turn my head to the side so I can avoid his stare.

"Can I have your number?"

I look back at him with wide eyes, mouth open like a fish.

"You want what?"

"Your number, Valerie. So we can meet up again," he leans down and ruffles my carrot coloured locks.

I take my phone out and stare at it, not even sure what to do. I feel like I'm completing a milestone of some sort.

"Do you not want to exchange numbers? It's okay if you don't want to. We just met and you probably think I'm some fuckboy."

"Yes, I mean no, I don't think of you like that. Yes, you can have my number," I hand him my phone. He puts in his number, and does not say anything about my lack of contacts.

"I have to go now, but I'll call or text you later tonight. It was fun hanging with you Val," he waves and walks out the door of the arcade.

My phone buzzes in my hands, and when I look down at the screen I smile.

Just wanted to text you now.

It was really fun!

-Hottie Aiden.

I make my way outside with a smile for once.