Chapter 3

3

I sat there on the floor, a world of difference between me, and everyone who hated me.

I wanted to say, "I wasn't always like this."

I was so full of hope when I started school, ready to study hard, respect my teachers, and be friends with everyone.

But Britney shattered all that.

It started when she failed English and I got the top grade in the class.

The principal used me as an example when she scolded Britney, and that's when she started targeting me.

"Jake..." Britney whimpered, burying her face in his chest.

"Thank you for standing up for me, but Chloe clearly likes you, you're hurting her feelings."

She knew exactly what to say to humiliate me.

The class went "ooh"ing, saying "she's not worthy," "a toad lusting after a swan."

Jake spat out, "I'm disgusted just looking at her."

My head was spinning.

Jake didn't know it, but I fell for him the first time I saw him.

I felt like I'd known him forever, and I couldn't help but sneak glances at him.

One time, Britney forced me to clean up after her, and when I refused, she dumped dirty water on my backpack.

Jake stopped her, saying casually, "Leave it alone."

That one time, he helped me, maybe without even meaning to, but I remembered every single detail of that day.

"Chloe, why are you just sitting there? Apologize to Britney!"

Jake glared at me like I was trash, and when I didn't move, he suddenly stepped forward and shoved me to the ground.

The back of my head slammed against the corner of a desk, and when I touched it, a sticky liquid ran down my hand.

I knew that rusty smell all too well. I didn't need to look to know what it was.

Everyone gasped.

Jake frowned.

"Stop faking it."

He said that, then helped Britney out of the classroom.

I stayed on the floor, and no one helped me up.

They all thought I was pretending to get hurt.

But I was really hurting.

My head, my stomach...

The real pain is when you can't even cry out, or react.

That day ended with the principal taking me to the nurse's office to get my head bandaged.

She sat by the bed, sighing, her eyes full of pity.

"I know what's been going on, Chloe, and I believe you, it wasn't your fault."

I looked up at her, my eyes watering.

I suddenly wanted to cry.

She gently stroked my hair, "Honey, there are so many opportunities in life. Don't let one bad moment ruin you. You can always pick yourself up, and people who abuse their power always get what's coming to them. Believe me, there will be people in this world who will love you without holding back."

After school, the principal took me to buy a new dress and took me to her house and cooked me dinner.

She said that as long as she wasn't working late, I could eat at her house every night.

Years later, I would still remember her holding my hand and leading me to the nurse's office, giving me a ride home on her bike.

I held up my fingers, tracing her face in the setting sun.

A good teacher like that can save someone's life during high school.

Because of her, I was determined to stay in school.

I was still young, I had to live life to the fullest.