** 3 Months Earlier **
I quickly wrote the last math problem down as the teacher droned on in front of the class. I tried to get as much of my homework done as possible before class was over. I adjusted the sling around my neck that held my left arm over my chest. The dislocated shoulder has been reset but I still had to wear the sling for a few more days.
I heard the classroom door open and close but didn't bother to look up as someone entered the room. The teacher stopped talking as a new student was introduced to the class. Alexander Crux. I glanced up long enough to see a tall guy with straight black hair that fell into his dark eyes. Wide shoulders and narrow waist. He looked like a model in the school uniform. Looking around I could see some of the girls giving him shy smiles. I rolled my eyes and returned to finishing my homework.
I felt Alexander pass my desk and sit in the only empty seat behind me in the back corner of the classroom.
Homework now complete I turned in my seat to face Alexander.
"Hi, I'm Una Johnson." I gave him my signature bright smile. "Do you-"
"Not interested," Alexander grumbled while glaring at me. I'm sure that it would intimidate a normal person but I was use to such hostility and could see that Alexander was mostly harmless. I continued to smile.
"But you didn't let me finish," I giggled.
"I said I'm not interested." He leaned forward till our foreheads were nearly touching. I could smell his minty fresh breath and clone. "I'm not interested in you or whatever it is you're going to say." His eyes were so dark they were nearly black. He was giving off an icy aura but I wasn't intimidated.
Shrugging my shoulder I continue with what I was going to say. "Do you need help finding your next class?" The bell rang ending class.
"No." He got up and excited the room with a group of new fan girls following after him.
I collected my books in one arm and weaved my way through the crowded hall to my next class with a confident smile on my face despite the many glares and hostile looks thrown my way.
I had gym but I couldn't participate. A Doctor's note was turned in at the beginning of the school year stating that I had fragile bones and a weak body that easily broke. But this was a lie given by my father because I was constantly coming to school with a broken bone or a new bruise. Everyone thought I was naturally clumsy and broke my bones by random falls and accidents. However if a large man, my father, was beating on a small teen, his daughter, then there would be broken bones.
I took my seat on the bleachers and pulled out my notebook to continue my essay on basketball, the current sport the class was learning about and participating in. Since I couldn't play I still had to learn about each new activity and sport the class did. I heard a high pitched laugh and knew it was Savannah without even looking. She and my brother shared this class with me. I heard her laugh again and this time I did look.
She was with her two best friends, Jessica and Amy standing next to a bored looking Alexander. Everyone was wearing gym clothes except Alexander. Much to my sister's annoyance and my own satisfaction, I watched as Micah pulled him away from the girls to introduce him to his guy friends. He must be someone important for Micah to go out of his way to make friends with him.
Soon Mr. Davis our gym teacher entered the gym. He was middle aged with a good physic wearing the standard gym teacher outfit of sweat pants and white t-shirt. Blowing a whistle class began running laps. Alexander took a seat on the bottom bleacher a few rows below me.
I gathered my things then made my way down to him. He didn't spare me a glance.
None perturbed I pulled my notebook back out to continue with my essay.
"Did you forget gym clothes?" I asked after writing a few more sentences.
"Obviously," his short reply. I noticed Savannah giving me a death glare. I smiled and waved at her. "What are you doing?" He asked me as I looped my free arm into his and laid my head on his shoulder.
"Shhh, I will buy your lunch if you stay still. Do you see how red her face is turning?" I couldn't help but chuckle.
Alexander looked around. "Who?"
"My sister, Savannah. The tall blonde you came in with. Laughs like a hyena." I explained as he frowned down at me.
"You're using me to make her angry." His voice turned a bit colder as he unwrapped my arm from his.
"Hey I offered to buy your lunch in return. Besides you don't need to do anything but sit and look pretty. She will still chase you maybe even a bit more now, but it's worth seeing her feathers in a bunch. So thanks." I explained still smiling as his face turned darker. "Are you ok?" I put my hand on his forehead and saw his expression turn from anger to shock at my action. "Your face is turning really red."
He pulled his head back. "Stop touching me," he growled.
My smile wavered for the first time today. Maybe I had pushed him too far.
"Is she bothering you?" We both looked up at Savannah and her two loyal beast. Guess she heard what Alexander said. I will not buy him lunch. Couldn't even throw me a bone here.
"No."
At the same time, "Yes." I shot him an accusatory look but smiled back at Savannah. The bell for the end of class rang and Alexander quickly left us to join Micah and his friends.
I stood up to leave but Savannah pushed me back down.
"Careful Savannah, you might break it," Amy laughed.
"Stay away from Alexander. He's not interested in broken things like you." She hissed while pressing a manicured finger painfully into my collar. I pushed past her without waisting my breath.
The school day droned on with me rushing through homework assignments and smiling at all the haters throughout the day. The words 'Glass Doll' the stupid nickname, followed me wherever I went. It was exhausting. This fake happy facade that I kept, but I refused to show weakness or how much everyone's harsh words actually hurt me. If they knew it got to me they would be a lot worse. So instead of being angry or sad I did the one thing that annoyed them the most by looking happy.