The next morning, I got up early or fair enough to say, I didn't sleep properly. The red eyes with big bags under them, tears stain on my pale cheeks, dried lips, and messed up hair were all I could see in my mirror. My face had lost its regular glow. The thought of not getting a chance to talk to Carsten scratched the walls of my heart. I tried to put on a fake smile but soon it faded away. I somehow reached my school.
As I entered my class, I tried to find him but he wasn't there. "Is he so angry with me that he didn't come to school today?" was all I could wonder. Then suddenly with a bang on the classroom door, three boys entered the class. I was surprised at the sight. That trio included Jason, Carsten, and Strahd. Strahd was the most horrible, wayward boy and I hated him the most. Carsten allowed him in his circle, which meant he was gonna get spoiled soon along with Jason.
The three of them went past me totally ignoring me as if I didn't really exist. In the following two classes I tried to talk to Carsten but he ignored me. The next hour we had the library period. I walked down the corridor alone as both Sophia and Naomi were absent that day and Seb was probably busy in some sports event. I picked up a book from the rack and made my way to my seat. As I was moving, I was suddenly stopped by three guys. And yeah, of course, they were Jason, Carsten, and Strahd. I gave them a "WHAT?" look but instead of replying to me, they snatched my book and threw it away. That poor book got dashed against one of the racks and slipped under it. I was afraid because it was Carsten who threw it. And with a smirk, he pushed me hard and made his way out of the library. My head got bumped against a wooden table and it was hurting really bad.
To make situations worse, Anna, Abby, and Dylan walked in and saw me in that condition. Anna made a dramatic pitiful face and said " Aww, poor baby girl. Got pushed by her boyfriend. So sad. " Bitch. Total bitch. I wasn't ready to dispute. At least not with that sore head. I just quickly made myself stand and ran towards the central hall holding back my tears.
The moment I reached the hall, I could no longer hold them back. I just screamed, knowing nowhere to go. As my scream turned into soft sobs, I felt a hand on my shoulders. I wish it was Carsten but it was someone else. Putting a sympathetic smile on his good-looking face he spoke: "Don't cry, dear. Everything is gonna be alright."
me: but you don't know what has happened to me and I can't handle this. I am way too weak.
him: I know what has happened to you. I've known you for a month or so.
me: But I don't know you.
him: Oh Sorry. I forgot to introduce myself. I am Reece Chandler and I'm a year senior to you. (he smiled as he completed his sentence.)
me: Oh nice to meet you. ( I smiled back but I just wanted to be alone.)
me: Oh well. How did you know me?
R: Oh I-I I mean, I- I was just following you.
me: What? ( I was really losing my temper, first all those Patrick stuff and now this.)
R: I mean I kinda like you, so I was just trying to know more about you.
me: Oh. ( And I just got my mystery solved. If you remember, I said that I had a weird feeling of someone following me on the exhibition day. So yeah, it was most probably Austin.)
R: Well, does that hurt?
me: What?
R: Your head.
me: How did you know?
R: I was in the library too.
me: Yeah It kind of hurts.
R: Oh, let me help you then.
me: No, thanks. I'm fine,
R: Nope, I don't think so.
me: Okay. ( I gave up)
So he filled a bottle with cold water and applied that cold bottle to the portion of my head which got bumped against the table. As he applied it to my head, I noticed that he was charming, sweet, and gentle. His hair seemed perfectly combed and he had a quite handsome face. But the most attractive part of Reece was his pair of glasses which made him look even more stunning.
I could feel my pain fading away.
me: Thanks a lot.
R: You're Welcome.
me: You should... ( I was cut off mid-sentence)
R: Hey! wait. There was someone at the hall entrance...