(This chapter does get dark, so please read with caution. This is a warning.)
I hide behind a wall close to the staircase. I watch Alexander and Hope get close to each other and wait til the halls are clear to speak. They stand only a few inches away from each other, face to face, but not touching.
"What's going on with you, Hope," Alex asks her.
"What are you talking about? I'm doing great." she answers, putting on a smile. She did look better than that day she came to school drunk. Her hair is neat, make up is clean, and she doesn't look sleep deprived.
"I know when your putting on a good show. You know you can't hide anything from me." Alexander goes to grab Hope's wrist when she tries to walk away. It's a calm gesture, but she flinches away from it.
"I just needed a break from school, ok? Everyone needs a break every so often. Is that a crime?"
"Hope, is this about the kiss," Alex asks softly and Hope pauses in disbelief.
"Not everything revolves around you, Alex. It was a stupid kiss. Why would I stress about that? It's always about you males and your prides."
"I'm not making this about me and it wasn't a stupid kiss for me, but if that's how you feel about it, then ok. I know for a fact you don't really think that and your just trying to find a way to start an argument and push me away."
"Maybe I just don't want to be bothered. Why don't you just leave me the hell alone," Hope snaps at Alex. Alex's eyes seem to burn with realization.
"Is he touching you," Alex whispers in a lower voice. "You know you can tell me anything, right?"
"What are you talking about," Hope acts confused, but I can tell she knows what he means because her voice cracks.
"Your acting the same way Daniel did when... Hope, tell me is he hitting you. I swear if that asshole is touching you." Alex puts his hands on both sides of Hope's face, forcing her to look him straight in the eyes.
"He's not. I promise," she answers with a stern voice and breaks away from him. She walks off to the bathroom, leaving Alex by himself. Alex walks off to the cafeteria, probably not knowing what else to do.
I walk to the bathroom deciding to check on Hope. I don't know what I just overhead. Is someone hurting Hope? Who's hurting her and what does Daniel have to do with it? Why am I so freaking clueless?
I open the door to the bathroom and I see a horrifying site. One didn't think I would see. I run over to Hope, knocking the knife out of her hand before she fully slits her wrist. Her blood drips on the bathroom floor.
"No, no no, Hope. What do you think you're doing," I scream at her. She starts full on crying right in front of my eyes. It's an agonizing sound.
I pick up her wrist and it's full of old cuts and a new one from just seconds ago. I check her other wrist and it looks the same. I grab some tissues and put pressure on the new cut on her wrist. My own eyes tear up at how dark this all is.
Fuck.
I don't bother asking her why she would do this because I understand. She feels like she's at the edge of her cliff and there's no way off of it. She feels alone in her torture and that there's no one to pull her out. She feels helpless and broken.
"I'm here," is all I tell her and I hold her as she cries. I repeat the same thing over and over.
I believe the strongest people hide the darkest pains.
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"You ready to get started on the project?" I close my locker and David appears in front of me. He's going to be so mad when I tell him I can't do it today. I'm dreading his reaction.
"I'm really sorry, David. I really am. We can't do it today because I have detention." He pauses for a while and I can't tell how he feels.
"You know what? I'll just ask Mrs. George for a new partner," he says coldly, starting to walk off. I'm caught off guard. I know he would be angry, but not mad enough to drop our partnership.
"What?! No, you can't get a new partner. I really need this and I know you do too. We still have a week and a couple of days." He turns back to me as I speak and scoffs when I say I really need this.
"Spencer, you can't fool me. I've seen the house you live in, your family, and the people you hang with. Your set for life and you don't need this like I do. If I keep waiting for your help, I'll never get anything done."
His words make me angry. He doesn't know me or my family. He doesn't know how we have everything that we have or how messed up and broken our family used to be. He doesn't know all the pain that my friends hide.
"You're very quick to judge a situation you don't know. I don't judge you by how you look or act, so you shouldn't judge me either. I don't have to explain myself and all you have to know is that I want to do this. I need to do this."
"Fine. Meet me tomorrow with an idea. If you come empty handed, I'll find a new partner." He walks off and leaves me fuming by myself.
"Crap," I mutter under my breath and kick my locker. I try to calm myself down and walk to detention.
"Welcome to detention, Ms. Kingsley."