I woke up on Monday morning with a heavy chest, but an optimistic attitude. I lied on my back in my dark room, unsure of what the day would bring. I hadn’t talked to Riley all weekend. I half expected her to at least text or call me the day previous day to ask how the date went. I received no so message, however. It was for that reason I rose from my bed with a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. I knew she was upset, but I didn’t really understand why. I figured she was the one who set the whole thing up with me and Hayden, but it must have been a slap in a face for her to see me holding her hand when I had loyally been at Riley’s side ever since I can remember.

I walked over to my window and pushed the curtains apart. The sky was mostly clouded over and looked like it might rain. I pursed my lips over to the side, as I wrongly hoped that the weather would change the feeling inside of me. I dropped my hands from the curtains and shook my head, trying to rid myself of the negativity and bring back the slight optimism saying everything would be fine and work out.

I headed into the bathroom and proceeded to get ready for the day. My thoughts changed to seeing Hayden. I was actually excited to see her in school in just over an hour. I hadn’t tried to talk to her since dropping her off at home after our date because I didn’t want to seem needy or anxious. It was just one date after all.

I had made it a quick shower and wrapped a towel around my torso while I made a decision about what to wear for the day. I grabbed from the middle of my closet containing my usual attire. I slipped on a pair of khakis, a button down shirt, with a sort of striped patterned vest, and of course my glasses. I brushed out any wrinkles in my clothing and headed back into the bathroom to have a look at myself in the mirror. My hair was a mess and pointed in every which direction. I messed it up further by brushing through it quickly with my hand. I tilted my head slightly still studying myself and made a sudden decision to grab for my hair gel. I styled it as I normally would, and had to say it felt nice just to look like me again.

I let out a relieved sigh before exiting the bathroom, grabbing my bag, and heading down the stairs. The smell of cinnamon could be smelled from the instant I stepped off the bottom step, and I allowed my nose to lead me to the kitchen.

When I entered I noticed there was a plate filled with homemade cinnamon rolls, with a small note attached in mum’s handwriting.

Morning darlings,
I had to run into work early today. I made these for breakfast before I left, however! Enjoy and have a lovely day!
See you tonight,
xx Mum

I grabbed a roll and instantly took a bite, unable to resist the delightful smell any longer. I poured myself a cup of juice with my free hand and walked over to sit at the table, leaving the note in its place for Gemma to read when she finally emerged from her slumber.

I ate quickly wanting to leave a bit earlier for school in hopes of being able to walk with Riley to make sure everything with us was alright. When I was finished, I rinsed off my plate and headed straight for the door, not wanting to waste a second.

When I left the house, the cool air tickled against my cheeks as I walked with haste towards Riley’s house. I arrived in perhaps the quickest amount of time possible and left a few quick and happy knocks against her front door. Soon, a familiar sound of footsteps running down the stairs sounded from behind the door only to be opened by Riley herself.

“Hey Marcel.” She half smiled stepping out and closing the door behind her.

“Hey Rils.” I greet her back as we begin our trek towards school. “Uhh I haven’t heard from you in a while.”

She adjusts her bag against her back before looking with worried eyes at me. “Yeah… I’m sorry about that Marcel. I just have… been busy. Ya know?”

“Sure.” I smile trying to look reassuring.

Riley nervously tucked a strand of her golden blonde hair behind her ear and then asked, “So uhh… how did your date with Hayden go?”

I can’t help but smile, realizing once again how excited I am to see her at school. “It went very well. She actually… umm kissed me at the end of the night...” I trail off, rubbing my hand behind my neck, not sure if that was exactly the proper thing to say.

Riley’s face turned to surprise, but no smile appeared. “She what?!”

“Yeah. I dunno. It just sort of happened I guess.” I tried to say comfortingly.

“Marcel… I didn’t set that date up for it to… become something. It was just supposed to be a… like lesson in talking to other girls!” Riley exclaimed full of concern.

“I know… but things just sort of went really well.” I said while pushing my glasses up my nose further.

Riley shook her head in protest as we reached closer to the school. “I don’t have a good feeling about this Marcel.”

“Why?” I asked questioningly.

She began scanning the distance back and forth with her eyes, looking for an answer. When she spoke there was a certain seriousness. “I just don’t think it’s a good idea.”

I gave her a confused look with a raised eyebrow. “You’re the one who set it up!” I exclaimed with a hint of annoyance in my voice.

Riley rolled her eyes and calmly stated, “You just… don’t know Hayden the way I do, Marcel.”

We entered the school grounds and walked up the steps as I thought through why Riley would think me kissing her friend would be a bad idea. “Aren’t you friends? Shouldn’t you be excited about this?”

Riley’s eyes grew wide as we pulled open the doors to enter the school building. “No. I’m not excited about this to be honest,” she stated uncomfortably.

“Why not?” I pushed her further.

Riley, looking annoyed, opened her mouth to speak when she was cut off by a rather happy voice. I turned to see a gleeful Hayden. “Hey Marcel,” She hugged her arms around me quickly before releasing me and looking to Riley. “Hey Riley!”

“Hi.” Riley stated shortly before turning and stocking off.

Hayden stared off wearily at her before looking up and walking with me. “What’s wrong with her?”

I looked off in the direction Riley took off in and shrugged my shoulders. “I dunno.”

We soon arrived at my locker where I swiftly put in my combination and opened the door. Hayden leaned on the other side while I began placing in books, and taking others out. “How was the rest of your weekend?” I asked.

“It was nice. I kept thinking about what a lovely time I had with you.”

I looked at her sparkling smile and big eyes and returned the same look. “I’m glad you enjoyed yourself.”

I continued getting my locker straightened out as Hayden stood silently for a few minutes studying me. When I finally closed the door, she rubbed her hand over my slicked and combed back hair. “You changed your hair again. Why?” she asked with slight disappointment in her voice.

“I-uh. Well technically it was different on Saturday. This is my normal hair actually.”

“Oh. Yeah” She said with a serious face, making me feel a bit self-conscious.

The feeling continued as we soon bumped into Seth who had a strange look about his face at the sight of Hayden and me walking together. He stopped us in our tracks as he asked, “What’s going on Hayden? Why are you with… Marcel?”

I watched as Hayden seemed to sort of retract inside herself. She took a few seconds to respond, which took me by surprise as she was seemingly a bubbly person usually. “I just was-uh talking to Marcel. That’s all.”

“Oh.” Seth stated as he glared at me. “Walk me to first period?”

She looked at me with a strange and twisted face before turning back to Seth with a weak smile. “I’d love to.”

I watched her walk off with Seth, but shrugged it off, relieved nothing dramatic started after having a run in with him. I decided to trot off to first period myself, realizing I was a bit later than normal.

I entered the classroom and slid into my desk, being one of the last few people to arrive. I had caught the attention of Valerie of course. She flipped her long curly hair behind her shoulder to get my attention. “So Marcel,” she started.

I looked at her with a straight face, feeling annoyed. “What is it, Valerie?”

An evil smile spread across her face, “I heard you had a date over the weekend.”

“I did, but I don’t see how it’s any of your business… or how you even know about it.”

She laughed to herself and stated, “We live in a small town, Marcel. It’s hard to keep secrets in a place like this, you know!... Too bad your date was only a pity date.”

This comment gained the attention and giggles of several other people in the class. I looked at my desk with furrowed eyebrows not sure what she meant by that. “What are you on about?”

I sensed her smile widen further. “Surely you didn’t think a girl like Hayden Fletcher would go out on a real date with a guy like you. I heard the whole thing was setup?”

I rolled my eyes. “I don’t really owe you an explanation.”

“Whatever.” She smiled as our professor entered the classroom.

I didn’t like the thought of people knowing everything about my life, just to make a big joke out of it. I didn’t think that Hayden wouldn’t be too affected if she was teased slightly about seeing me. I really did like her, and thought highly of her. I could tell she had a good head on her shoulders, and hoped she could see past everything and the social stigma that surrounded me.

The morning part of my day passed by relatively quickly, as I kept myself interested in the subjects at hand. I didn’t have the chance to see Hayden since early in the morning, and I figured I’d see her after school since I didn’t happen to have a single class or lunch hour with her.

When the noon hour came, I walked calmly to the cafeteria. As usual I dished myself a plate, along with Riley’s as I knew the good selections always ran out before she got the chance to get here. I had already taken a few bites of my meal before Riley arrived and sat down.

“Hey!” she greeted me.

“Hello, Rils.”

She picked up her fork and studied me carefully while taking a bit. When she was finished chewing she asked carefully, “How are you?”

I looked at her with a strange face. “What do you mean?”

Her icy blue gaze locked on mine. “I’ve been hearing a lot of things today, Marcel…”

“About Hayden and me, you mean?” I asked. She gave me a slow nod while taking yet another bite. “Riley… I wish you wouldn’t worry about it. It’s nothing I haven’t dealt with in the past.”

She pursed her lips to the side. “I know. That’s not what worries me. I know your strong and can handle it… even though you shouldn’t have to… but I’m just worried as to how Hayden will handle it all. She has never been on the opposite side of being bullied Marcel. She’s usually the one doing it… to be quite honest with you.”

For some reason, unbeknownst to me, I was quickly able to snap on Riley to defend Hayden. “Riley she is supposed to be your friend. Shouldn’t you have more faith in her than that? Besides I really think I like her. Shouldn’t you be happy for me? I think Hayden is a lovely person, and that she had a genuinely fun time with me over the weekend!”

“Yeah I know, but--,” Riley started, but I cut her off.

“No!” I half way shouted getting more defensive. “I don’t know why you don’t want me to be happy, Riley. I have always stuck around with all the awful blokes you’ve dated and never faltered to be at your side. Why can’t you do the same for me? I know I’ve always just sort of been there for you, and it might be scary for you to not have my full attention, but I never expected you to try and go against my happiness.”

My breathing was heavy as I had somewhat raised my voice at her. Her face dropped in awe at my words in disbelief. She took a few seconds to process, but then stated in a stern tone, “What even are you Marcel? This isn’t you! How can she have you under this…spell after one date? It wasn’t supposed to amount to anything! It was supposed to be a learning experience and nothing more… And what is this about me not wanting you to be happy? I’ve always wanted that the most for you!”

I’ve never fought with Riley before, not like that. I hated the feeling, but something inside of me kept on battling with her. “Then why can’t you just accept the fact that she might be able to make me happy! I think I can trust her! Why can’t you? You’re supposed to be my best friend, aren’t you?”

“Yes! I’ve always been you’re best friend, and you mine!”

I could feel the fight escalating quickly as the world around us began to disappear. “Then if we’ve only ever just been best friends, why are you so jealous of the whole situation?”

To that Riley had no such response. She sat there staring at me with her mouth half way open in complete distraught with her hands folded over chest. My anger level came down realizing what I may have done. In a much more soothing tone I stated, “Riley… I didn’t mean that.”

She sat up straighter in her seat and her eyes felt like daggers digging into my heart. She spoke with anger in her voice. “No, Marcel! That’s fine. You can think whatever you want. I just wanted to protect you! If that is being a jealous person, than I am sorry. All I’m saying is… I don’t think you getting involved with Hayden is a good idea. I have a terrible feeling about it. If you don’t believe and trust me… then that hurts because I’ve always wanted what is best for you.”

I couldn’t look her in her icy blue eyes anymore and quickly placed my attention to my practically empty tray. I mustered up enough breath and stated, “You don’t need to protect me anymore Riley.”

Before there was any time to add anything else Riley grabbed her plate in her hands and stood up quickly from her chair. I looked back into her face. Her eyes were beginning to form with water as she stated, “Alright. Fine Marcel. Then don’t come asking me for help when Hayden doesn’t stick up for you the same way I always have. I hope you’re happy with your decision… after everything we’ve been through together… I can’t believe you!”

With that she turned on her heel and exited the cafeteria leaving me in isolation from everything else. I sat still in my seat unsure of how I had just let that happen, and already regretted everything I had said. The world around me continued, but my life felt frozen.

When the bell rung, I shook my head and pushed my glasses up nervously. I hoped Riley would come around, and I decided to simply focus on Hayden. I really did think highly of her. I wouldn’t have stuck up for her against Riley if that wasn’t the case.

I went through my afternoon classes with two things on my mind: being focused on my studies and talking to Hayden after school. I wanted to prove Riley wrong. I wanted to show her that Hayden wasn’t going to turn on me, and that we did have a real connection after last weekend.

Classes passed quickly fortunately enough for me, and when the final bell rang out I was the first to exit the classroom for once. I walked with a fast pace to my locker and filled up my bag with all my books, before heading to try and find Hayden.

I rounded the corner to where her locker was located, and she stood there with a slight frown upon her face while she organized her own books. I took a last deep breath before walking up to her.

“Hi, Hayden.” I stated a bit shyly.

She had been preoccupied and took on a look of surprise seeing me walk towards her. “Oh… hi,” she stated with a mellow tone.

I could feel something was wrong with her, and something in my chest began to hurt sensing that Riley could have already been right. “Is there… something wrong?” I asked quietly.

She closed her locker, with force behind the flick of her wrist. “You know what, Marcel?” She spoke with hurt and anxiety in voice. “I’m not to be honest. Today has been the hardest day of my life.”

I pursed my lips to the side. “I’m sorry to hear that. Is there something I could do to help?”

She threw her backpack swiftly around her shoulders and her brown eyes grew wide. “There is actually. Leave me alone, please?”

My mouth fell open, not expecting her to be so blunt. “Wh-What do you mean?”

“Do you realize how much I’ve been teased and bullied today… just because I went on a date with you? I just don’t think I can handle that, Marcel!”

“I know it’s tough at first, but I thought maybe you actually liked me. Did you?”

Her face and shoulders fell as her cheeks turned red. “I di-,” she almost finished until she was cut off by the horrible voice of Seth.

He walked up to us with a frown upon his face. “Is he bothering you again, Hayden?”

Hayden looked flustered, and just shook her head. I noticed her retreating inside herself for the second time that day. She looked at me with something hurtful in her eyes. She eyed Seth nervously and then back to me. “To answer your previous question Marcel…no. I went out with you for one night. Just leave me alone. Okay?”

I was speechless. I didn’t understand what was happening. “Hayden… I-”

Seth laughed and added, “You heard the girl, Marcel.”

Hayden’s face twisted up further. “Seth… please stay out of it.” She faced me one last time. “I’m sorry… if you thought this was something more. I was just doing something nice… for a friend. You were just a… pity date.”

With that she turned and flipped her hair to walk towards the exit, with Seth cackling and following close behind her. I stood there with furrowed eyebrows and a doubly bruised heart. How could Riley’s prediction happen so quickly. I blinked my eyes a few times as people brushed passed me trying to leave the school. I was still in awe of what happened.

When the hallway was nearly vacant, I realized that I needed to get home too. The walk home was a complete black out. When I arrived home I slumped up the steps and slung my bag to the floor, immediately climbing into my bed. My body felt cold and my heart felt heavy. I wanted to talk to Riley, but knew she wouldn’t want to talk to me after everything I said. I hated that I lost her in all of this. I hated myself for sticking up for someone who put me down too soon after it being predicted.

My family all arrived home soon after I did, but I didn’t leave my room to greet them. I knew I would have to talk to them about it, and within time I would want to… but in that moment I just wanted to be alone. I figured I better get used to it, as it was about to become my life.

I felt so many emotions and I wanted to disappear. To be honest, I didn’t think anyone would notice if I did. As I lay in my bed, the clouded sunlight outside my window eventually turned into darkness. My mind and eyes eventually grew tired and I drifted off into a light slumber.

---

The next few days passed in a complete and utter blur. I went through each day alone, lost in a sort of haze. I felt like I had nowhere to turn to. Everything I thought that had been, was gone. My heart felt like it could burst at any possible second, knowing I was the pathetic ‘pity date’ of Hayden Fletcher. Everywhere I turned there was someone with a mocking smirk spread across their face, or with something sarcastic to say.

As the days dragged on, I just sort of took each remark as they came. I tried my best to let it all go in one ear and out the other and keep my face to the ground. It was a pointless battle trying to defend myself to the entire school. So I just stood by aimlessly as I allowed people I barely knew to throw hurtful comments my direction. I hardly even flinched as Kyle and his friends returned to their old ways of treating me between almost every class. This time around Kyle didn’t have to worry about Riley seeing him bully me as she made sure to completely avoid me in every way possible, not that she would want to help me after all I had said to her. Kyle also had no leverage on me anymore. If Riley didn’t care about me, he could fairly well do whatever he pleased.

Seth for one finally took the opportunity to get his ‘revenge’ after Kyle made him take all the blame for my punch to the face. His new favorite thing was punching square in the stomach as he walked by, making me groan and my books fall instantly to the ground while he mockingly whispers, “Fucking pity date. How’s that feel?” He also made sure to show off to me how good of friends he was with Hayden, always throwing his arm around her whenever he saw me walking down the hallway.

Also everywhere I turned there was never anyone on my side. There was no one who wanted to stick up for me. Hayden jumped ship the first second she realized what it was like to be linked to someone like me. I hadn’t seen Riley except in passing in all that time, and when I did, she couldn’t even bring herself to look at me. That alone was enough to rip my heart out. I don’t know how I could’ve been so stupid to lose her.

Any and all confidence that I had been working so much to gain over the past weeks was already lost. I walked through my life, just letting everything happen to me. I quickly retreated back into my little Marcel shell, perhaps more so than ever before.

The only thing I looked forward to was going to work after the school day ended. Barbara, Margaret, and all the other lovely people who worked there always knew how to keep me in high spirits, even though they had no idea anything was wrong. They were probably the most polite group of people and they just knew how to put a smile on my face. Most people hate going to work, but for me, and definitely in the past week, it was a place for me to sort of get away from it all. I didn’t have people there making fun of the way I look, the way I talk, my interests, or things about my life. I also didn’t have people there grilling me with questions about what was wrong with me. At work, I continued to be myself and help out the sweetest elderly ladies I knew.

While at home, of course I couldn’t keep everything going on a secret from my family. It was times such as this when I needed their comfort and support the most. However, I hated for them to feel sorry for me all time as the conversation never changed to anything else but my life when we were in each other’s company. I couldn’t bring myself to tell them the whole story about Hayden and what was happening to me at school. I didn’t want them to worry. I just had to keep telling myself I was so close to graduation, I could practically taste, and then all of this will be over. However, it didn’t stop Gemma from making continuous remarks about Riley and Hayden, only making me feel worse that I lost Riley.

Every night after coming home, I tried to be by myself and keep busy as much as possible. I of course had my valedictorian speech looming over me, but I had no such care or ambition to begin writing it. I instead focused on my course work. When I wasn’t doing homework, I found myself in the basement singing any and every song that came to mind. It was nice to sort of let all my emotions out, even if it was just for a few minutes.

Then at the end of the night I would drag myself up into my room and slink myself down into my bed, where my brain would suddenly be flooded with everything that has been said and happened to me throughout the day. The thought of me being by myself yet another day of school hanging close over my head kept me without sleep throughout most of the nights. The week dragged on for what felt like centuries, it was a good feeling when it finally was about to come to a close as I lied myself down Thursday evening.

---

I woke up early Friday morning with a burning headache. The night, like most night’s that week, had been restless. I lied in bed for a few hours as the sun gradually attempted to peek inside my window, although I already knew it was supposed to rain again for what seemed like the thousandth day in a row. However, although it was rather gloomy, the weather all seemed very fitting to my life.

I eventually shrugged the blankets from my body and climbed from my bed. I didn’t bother looking out the window or opening my curtains, and instead slumped off to the bathroom to get ready for the finally the last day of the wretched week.

I allowed my shower to last longer than usual. I found it extremely refreshing to allow the steaming water to massage soothingly against my neck and down my back. I closed my eyes and tipped my face backwards, rubbing gently against my eyes. While doing so, wishing it would just wash away all the terrible events that have taken place in the past week. However, I knew how ridiculous it was to think that. I did it all to myself by pushing away the one person who actually cared about me, and thinking that someone else who never cared to begin could replace her.

I stepped out of the shower, looking at the time. I was running later than usual, but shrugged my shoulders knowing it didn’t really matter as I didn’t have to try and meet Riley. I already knew she wouldn’t be there, and if she was, she wouldn’t answer the door for me.

I quickly got myself ready, putting on my usual clothes. I slipped my large glasses onto my face while looking in the mirror and sighed. “Only one more day of this for now…” I thought to myself.

Not having any time to visit with my mum in the morning, I quickly raced out the door shouting, “I’ve got to get going! See you, mum! Love you!”

I didn’t wait for a response from her as I was already out the door and heading off towards school. It had been a few days since I last tried to walk with Riley, and I didn’t think I could ever get used to not at least trying to escort her. In fact, Friday had been the first day I had not first attempted to walk in the direction of her house before heading to school.

The walk was lonely and quiet. Two things I was beginning to desperately hate. As I was about halfway down the road, the clouds suddenly opened up and began releasing rain drops, which fell more rapidly with each step I took. I quickened my pace and was relieved as I entered the double doors to the school. I brushed the excess water from my jacket and began walking down the narrow hallway towards my locker.

As soon as I rounded a corner there stood Seth, waiting leaned with his arms folded against my locker. My heart did a nervous flip inside my chest as my stomach instantly churned. I didn’t think I was ready for another day of this beginning so early.

I took in a deep breath as I continued to take careful steps towards Seth. His head soon turned towards me, and an evil grin spread across his face, making my heart pound perhaps even more nervously.

“Hey there, Marcel!” He hummed from a few feet away.

“Hi.” I stated with my head hung low towards the ground.

He placed a large hand over my shoulder making my body cringe. “Whoa!” He laughed at my frightened movement. “I’ve just been meaning to talk to you.”

He released my shoulder roughly, as I made stern eye contact with him. I fixed the sleeve of my shirt and questioned with a hint of anxiety in my voice, “What do you want, Seth?”

“I just wanted to ask you about Hayden.” He said with a toothy grin.

“I don’t have time for this.” I stated with as much confidence as I could muster before trying to move past him to get to my locker.

“Oh. Come on Marcel,” he stopped me. “All I was wanting to know was if it was alright if I asked Hayden out on a date? You know, I didn’t want to step in on your turf or whatever.”

I stared at him with blank eyes while he chuckled loudly to himself over his own idiotic statement. I rolled my eyes discreetly and stated, “You can do whatever you want, Seth,” as I made the final move to push past him to get to my locker.

I wildly started turning the lock with my combination, wanting to get away from the situation as quickly as possible. Seth stood behind me for a few minutes, composing himself of his ridiculous laughing fit.

As I opened my locker, he slammed his hand once again over my shoulder. “I figured you wouldn’t mind. After all your date with her was only a pity date.” He huffed out a few more times loudly before bringing his face close to mine, making me freeze in position as he whispered, “Have a nice day Marcel. I’ll be seeing you later.”

Terrible shivers ran up my spine from his terrifying words as he released me from his grip and coolly walked away. I finished getting the books I needed from my locker and headed off to first period with awful thoughts in my head about what Seth, and most likely Kyle, could have in store for me later.

I arrived in the classroom and caught the gaze of none other than Valerie and her loyal gang of followers. I slid into my seat expecting nothing less than a low blow comment from her.

As always, she never disappointed. I could hear her whispering to her friends about something with her hands placed securely around her mouth… as if that could shield the tone of her obnoxious voice.

Soon she turned towards me with a large and cheeky smile plastered across her face. I rolled my eyes waiting for her typical remark. She opened her mouth and chimed, “Hey… pity date,” followed by the many giggles of most people in the room.

At that point, I already had too many other important things to worry about than Valerie and her petty friends. Something inside me snapped for just a second as I sternly spoke with my eyes piercing hers. “Valerie. Say whatever you want. If you think making your little remarks are funny and bother me, let me clue you… I have more important things to worry about than what you think of me. Someday I could be accomplishing great things… and you? Well your head is still going to be stuck here… in high school.”

I cupped my together on my desk and turned towards the front of the classroom when I finished speaking. However, as I changed my attention, I caught a glimpse of Valerie’s face. Her eyebrows arched high while her mouth gapped open in surprise. I had hoped it was enough to get my point across.

No sooner as I had settled into my seat, the bell rang once again to signal it was officially time for first period to begin. I felt good standing up to one of my shadows, but there were a lot worse to face yet. It took all I head to keep focused in class to distract me from having a run-in with Kyle or Seth, or worse…both.

The time on every clock passed slowly. Every tock striking down the clock felt like just another person mocking me. I found the days as of late had been passing similarly since I didn’t have anyone to share them with anymore. I usually could at least look forward to lunch or after school because those were the times I would get to see Riley. However, I didn’t have her anymore… so there was nothing to get excited about with each passing hour, only fear of what would happen to me next.

I sat in my last class of the day, still untouched and unscathed by Seth or anyone else for the day. I watched the clock intently as it ticked closer and closer to The final bell of the day rang out throughout the school, and I was feeling anxious to just go to work and then be done for the week. I hadn’t caught a glimpse of Seth or Kyle since the morning, I followed closely behind my classmates, hoping to avoid them for the last few minutes. I wasn’t sure how much more I could handle before at least getting a short few day break from them all.

I rushed as quickly as possible to my locker. My heart relaxed only just as I turned the corner to see nobody standing near it waiting for me. I walked up to it, fumbling to grab onto my lock with a steady hand. Once I finally had it opened I threw all of my books into my bag, afraid of taking too much time deciding which I needed for the weekend. I zipped the bag up and swiftly swung it around my shoulders.

Unfortunately to my dismay, as soon as I closed my locker door I heard the voice making my skin shiver all over my body.

“Oh, hey Marcel! Did you think we were going to let you go home without saying goodbye for the weekend?” Kyle’s piercing voice rang out for all to hear while a tight gripped hand clamped over my shoulder, pulling my backpack roughly off my shoulders and to the ground.

I turned around to meet the horrible gaze of not only Kyle, but the rest of his posse, all with devilish smiles splattered across their faces. My stomach churned into knots as I could already feel the pain they were wishing to inflict upon me. Wanting it to be all over I just asked, “What more could you possibly do to me?”

Kyle released his harsh grip upon my shoulder and instead stepped closer so his face was intimidatingly close to mine as he spoke roughly, “What more could we do to you, Marcel?” He asked with a bit of fake humor in his voice. “You mean what more can we do to you so you will finally see what a prick and complete pain in my ass you are!” He motioned quickly with two arms, slamming me hard backwards. My feet fumbled over my bag on the ground, causing me fall hard into the lockers with head knocking against the metal door. My hands flew into my hair, massaging at the back of my now throbbing head as the hallway was filled with gleeful laughs of all my hateful peers. Kyle’s voice continued to ring loudly in my ear as he continued, “Let me just say thank you for finally showing Riley what a fuck up you are this week. I can do whatever the hell I want now Marcel, and you can’t dangle your fucking precious little friendship with her over me anymore! You have nobody now!”

The words took a toll on my heart, as Kyle took a step away from me while he continued to laugh, and instead allowing Seth took a step forward. “See Marcel. You’re pathetic! Nobody likes you. Nobody has, or will ever like you!”

Seth planned to continue, but was cut off by a familiar female voice. “What’s going on?” Everyone’s standing by and watching the encounter turned their attention from me to Hayden. She coolly walked to the front of everything and stood next to Seth, making sure not to look at me when she asked again, “What is this?”

Seth smiled down into her face. “Nothing. Just reminding Marcel here of the kind act you did for him over the weekend.” Her face slowly turned towards me, pinned harshly up against the lockers, with worry in her eyes. For a second I thought she would have a change in heart and be on my side. However, Seth wrapped one of his large gorilla arms around her shoulders, causing her to break eye contact with me. Seth continued, “Hayden… why don’t you tell Marcel here that he was just a pity date, so he never bothers you again.” A devilish laugh escaped from his lips, causing all the others around to do the same.

My heart beat picked up, and I thought it would beat out of my chest. I watched anxiously watching my doom fold out in front of me. Hayden’s eyes widened, however, when she looked back to me. I thought there was a chance for me, but then she gulped and let out a light sigh. Her eyes then turned dark as she allowed Seth to tighten his arm around her. Her eyes felt like daggers piercing deep into my skin as she began to speak. “Marcel.” She started to begin; her voice was lost of all and any warmth I came to know only one week prior. “I did a nice thing for you last weekend. I took I pity on you. A girl like me could never even think about actually going out with a guy like you. You’re a fool if you think that date actually meant something to me. You’re pathetic, Marcel!”

I stared at her in awe, but her gaze fell to the ground. Seth hadn’t noticed as he dropped his arm from her shoulder and stepped closer to me, causing me to look sideways as he stood near inches in front of me. “Now, got that in your head? I’m going to take this girl on a real date Marcel, and show her an actual good time. How about that? Promised you I would this morning, and I never break a promise.” He snickered an evil laugh while pushing my head and shoulders further into the lockers, making my bones grind harder against the metal. I just shut my eyes tightly and gritted my teeth in pain, as usual, not wanting to make things worse for myself.

I felt another body close in on me, and figured it had to have been Kyle. Not a moment later, Seth or Kyle gave another blow with his closed fist to my stomach, which caused me double over in pain and my glasses to fall from my face as I let out a loud groan. Then a series of boisterous chants began filling the entire hallway. My brain couldn’t focus on one single thing being said to me, but I figured it was most likely for the best.

I couldn’t say for how long it went on for. My ears were ringing from all the noise when I opened my eyes. My vision seemed impaired as the room was spinning and everything looked like a blur. I expected more hits to strike against my body, but they never came. Seth had actually backed away from me. I squinted my eyes and could only barely tell the attention had briefly been taken away from me. I reached for my glasses on the ground and quickly slipped them back onto my face, making everything a bit more clearly. I followed everyone’s gazes only to meet the eyes of someone I had truly missed. Riley. Her blonde hair fell perfectly over her shoulder as her wide and bright doe eyes stared from me, to Kyle, to everyone else. Everyone must have been waiting to see what her reaction to the spectacle of me would be as they all had not expected her to find out about this.

I shook my head realizing once again the current situation at hand. I couldn’t take it if Kyle had Riley do what Hayden had done only a few minutes prior. The truth of it was that I could take the beatings, I could take the harsh words, and I could even take anything Hayden had to say to me… the worst thing that had happened to me was losing Riley. I couldn’t face her. I couldn’t have her say I told you so… not this way.

So while everyone stared and waited for what her reaction would be, I took matters into my own hands and fled the scene. I swiftly grabbed my backpack and slipped from the small crowd encircling me, with only a minor amount of people noticing.

I ran as fast as I could out the doors and away the school grounds, not feeling a thing in my body. My mind was focused on one thing, and that was getting as far away from everyone as possible. It wasn’t until the bakery was in sight, that I took the time to slow down and let my lungs catch up with my heart beat. I froze on the side of the street for a few seconds, resting my hands on my knees as I hunched over. I felt the pain and soreness of my body starting to come back since leaving the school.

My breaths eventually slowed and I stretched out my limbs, hoping it would help subside some of the tight aching in my stomach and back. I straightened out my clothing and glasses before entering into the bakery doors, with a slight peculiarity in my step I couldn’t really help.

The bell rang over the door, sending all the attention from within the store my direction. I met Barbara’s gaze with a large smile, hoping it would deflect from the rest of me. “Hullo, Barbara!”

“Good afternoon, dear.” Barbara stated with a weak smile while she eyed me curiously as I walked closer to the counter. “What’s the matter?”

I got behind the counter and relieved myself of my backpack as she finished up with her customer before I answered, “Nothing. I’m just fine, thanks.”

Although I tried my best to sound cheery, there must have been a hint of something in my voice to alert Barbara that was not the case. “Marcel, I know something is wrong, are you going to tell me what it is, or am I going to have to work it out?” Barbara said with concern and a bit of sarcasm in her voice.

Knowing there was no way I could lie to her, I let my shoulders down in an early defeat. “It’s just some stuff at school I guess.”

She nodded her head, “Is everything alright?”

I put my hands on the swinging door. “Don’t worry. They will be,” I said in a reassuring tone before heading into the kitchen.

I placed my apron over my head, and stood next to Margaret who was working on getting some bread ready to go into the oven, as Barbara followed right behind me. “Hullo, Marcel.” Margaret greeted me.

“Hi there.” I stated back.

Barbara, however, didn’t waste a minute with small talk. “Marcel…Has someone been hurting you?”

Margaret along with a few other of the ladies’ attention turned towards me with curiosity and worry. My eyes grew wide as I didn’t want them to fuss about me. “Erm… everything is all straightened out now. I’ll be okay. No worries here!”

Everyone slowly looked away seemingly satisfied with that response as they began to work with their hands once again. Barbara took longer to accept my response, but she eventually dropped her questioning look and stated, “Well do you want to help me in the front tonight, love?”

“Sure!” I smiled back to her.

I walked over to the time clock and punched in my little card. I followed Barbara back out to the front and began helping customers, transferring new baked goods from the kitchen and into the counter window, and helping out in any other way possible. There was a fairly steady flow of customers, so there wasn’t much time for conversations.

It wasn’t until almost closing time where there was finally a lull in customers coming into the store. I began to sweep the floor as Barbara sat in the chair close to the register. “Marcel… I don’t really understand what is wrong with you, deary, but I just wanted you to know that whatever it is… things do get better. All your life things will go wrong when you least expect it, but each time you’ll learn to forgive and forget and pick up all the pieces.

I stopped mid sweep and pushed my glasses higher onto my nose, really taking in all her thoughtful words. I balanced the broom against the counter and walked closer to her. “You know. That is probably the best advice I’ve ever received. Thank you.” I said reaching put my arms.

Barbara wrapped her arms around me lovingly for a few seconds. I realized these ladies were sort of like a second family to me, which made me extremely grateful. As I let go of her she added, “You’re a lovely young man, Marcel. Someday…the world will know it.”

I let out a large grin. “Thanks Barbara.”

She just nodded happily as I proceeded to continue sweeping the rest of the bakery. We cleaned up and finished getting the bread ready for the next day, before we could leave. Barbara let me leave a few minutes early as they still had to lock up. I undid my apron from around my waist and pulled it from my neck and looped my backpack around my arms before waving all the loving ladies a good evening for the night.

The dark night air was moist, but felt nice against my warm skin as I began my walk home. I still had Barbara’s advice looming in my head, trying to decide what do with it. I couldn’t believe what had happened at the end of the school day. While it was hard thinking about the abuse, seeing Riley’s face before I slipped away was what haunted my mind.

The walk seemed short as I drug my feet up the few steps and into the dark house when I arrived home. I dropped my bag at the foot of the stairs and walked into the living room, pouring myself in a chair. My week from hell was finally over, for a while I thought. I didn’t understand how in the beginning of the week I could go from practically on top of the world, to losing everything by the end. Somehow in one week I had managed to reveal girl behind the ugly mask of my first date and kiss, become an even bigger joke to be poked fun at during school, and lastly to top it all off… I lost Riley. The one person who would usually stick up for me in all of this, but now was too upset with me to even talk to me. I whole body ached from deep within my bones. I had been pushed around all week, yes that was true, but perhaps the most hurtful wounds were caused by emotional damage, and continued to plaque my mind.

My mother and Gemma were both out for the night, as it was their Friday ritual. So all I could do was keep myself busy in my quiet solitude. I decided to resort to the only constant left in my life, my studies. I grabbed my back pack from next to the stairs and plopped into a living room chair, turning on the dim lamp placed next to me. I unzipped my bag and clapped my hands together, deciding which subject I should do first. I ended up picking up my literature book, opened to the ear marked page, and began to read.

I lost track of time as the night grew darker outside the curtain drawn windows. I was only eventually taken away from my school work after the doorbell rang from the front door a few hours later. I furrowed my eyebrows out of confusion, not expecting anyone at the rather late hour. I set down my textbook on the table before getting up and walk towards the door. I made sure to turn on the porch light while placing a hand on the handle. A bit curious, I carefully opened the door. I had let it swing completely open before meeting my gaze with a pair of dark eyes. My face quickly turned to surprise, as I found Haydenstanding before me in the dim light of night.

Her face was serious, yet full of worry at the same time. “Can we talk, Marcel?”

I didn’t feel really sure, but I figured she came for a reason and I needed to give her a chance to explain herself. I look to the ground as I let go of the door. “Uhh… Yeah. Sure.”

I grabbed a jacket quick from the closet and headed out to meet Hayden, closing the door behind me. We walked silently down the path and then the road for a few minutes. We made sure to stay a few feet apart, each with our hands stuffed into our pockets.

Everywhere around us was quiet. It was almost as if the night was waiting to listen on the conversation to be had. It seemed darker than usual, as the moon was lost somewhere behind the clouds. A cold mist filled the sticky air as we continued to walk, still with no words being spoken.

We eventually reached the neighborhood park, which was of course completely empty of any other people. She walked to an old picnic table, and I followed. As she sat on one side, I made sure to strategically and carefully place myself opposite her, with my hands folded on the surface waiting for some sort of explanation from her.

She continued to sit silent for a few moments, looking quickly to me and back at the ground. There was something obviously on her mind, and to be honest I just wanted her to get on with it after everything she put me through. So a bit annoyed, I urged her, “Hayden, you came to talk to me. Please. What is it so we can get past this whole thing?”

Her dark eyes froze on mine as she began to stutter, “M-Marcel… I-uh I know I came here…I just wanted to talk to you about everything.”

I leaned back on the bench, folding my arms across my chest. “What is it then, Hayden?” She remained silent. “Do you have any idea how much you ruined everything for me in the smallest amount of time possible?”

Her eyes began to wander, scared to meet mine. “I know. I feel terrible. I’m a horrible person. I just don’t know how you put up with people treating you so awfully all the time…” Her voice trailed off as tears began to well up in her eyes.

I hated seeing people cry no matter what the circumstances. I pushed my glasses up on my face and placed my hand back on the edge of the wooden table, realizing I couldn’t be completely heartless in all of this. I shouldn’t have expected anyone to actually put up with everything I go through on a daily basis. Never the less, I didn’t expect her to completely turn on me the way she did and treat me exactly as all the others.

I let out a loud sigh while shrugging me shoulders while she rubbed gently at her eyes, trying to hide the fact that she was on the verge of crying. “Hayden…” I began as her watery brown eyes finally met mine again, “I’ve dealt with cruel people like that all my life. They think…they can judge me based on how I look, or my interests. I understand how it must have been hard for you since you’ve never been on my side of it before. So I can forgive you for everything you might have said about me before last weekend… But I don’t understand how you could agree to go out with me, spend an evening with me, and have it go without flaw...” I trailed off and looked at the trees behind her head not wanting to look her in the eye myself in that moment, “at least I thought you enjoyed your time with me. I tried my hardest to be a good date for you.”

Hayden’s head tilted to the side and her mouth fell open just slightly. “Marcel… I really did have a lovely time with you last Saturday. I can honestly say it was the best date of my life. Nobody has ever treated me with the respect and thoughtfulness that you did…” she said as another set of tears began to form. “…but I’m not as strong as you to have my friends making fun and hurting me every single day.”

Hayden looked like she could keep talking, but the more she said, the bigger hole she ended up digging making me angrier and upset with her. I had to cut her off before she could continue, “Hayden… You think those are your friends? If they are so quickly able to drop you just because you went out with someone like…me?” My voice started to rise, getting gruffer as I went on. “I know I’m not the greatest looking or the most interesting guy around, but I do know for a fact I would have treated you a million times better after one date than they have your whole life!”

She sat speechless looking from my piercing eyes to everywhere else in our surroundings. Her face looked broken, and even after everything I hated seeing her that way. I hated seeing anyone look that way.

The night air seemed quiet, intent on waiting what would be said next. Hayden eventually took notice of the silence and took a deep breath before looking at me with a defeated face, “They’re all I’ve got.” Her face fell as she wiped her sleeve along her eye line, swiping away a few more straggling tears.

My heart fell as I realized I couldn’t place all the blame on her, even though I had every right to be upset. I could understand how she didn’t want to lose the friends she’s had her whole life, as I knew what that felt like. My eyes locked on hers with complete seriousness behind them. “I don’t necessarily forgive you for what you did Hayden, but… I understand.” Her eyebrows squinted together not sure what I was getting at, but allowed me to finish, “You see… I lost my best friend this week. Riley… I tried sticking up for you because I thought you weren’t like all the others. She was your friend, but she told me she didn’t think you had the right intentions. I didn’t get why she would say that about someone she was so close to. I realize now that her feeling must have been pretty strong for her to say that about you… But for some reason I still stuck up for you… when the truth of it was I should’ve listened to the one person who has been there for me my entire life.”

Hayden’s face was full of surprise. “Y-you stuck up for…me?”

I nodded slightly. “I tried… but I lost Riley in the process. She hates me for betraying her opinion. Hell, I hate myself for not listening to her. She is… was my best friend… and I should’ve listened to her.”

Hayden brought her hands up to her face as she began to weep all over again. “R-Riley stuck up for you earlier. She doesn’t hate you Marcel… She hates me…”

I squinted me eyes at her, although she didn’t see me through her clamped fingers. “What?”

She took her hands away from her face, revealing her puffy dark eyes. “Riley yelled at me after what I did. She stuck up for you in front of everyone. She said that you are the greatest person she’s ever known and that I’d be so lucky to have a guy like you. And that everyone else could never be even half as great of a person as you. I-I know it’s true because you really are the s-sweetest guy. I don’t know why I can’t be more like Riley.”

I looked past Hayden as a beautiful image of Riley springs into my head. Not really talking to Hayden, but more to myself. “Riley… is one of a kind.”

Hayden froze a little at my comment before saying, “Yeah. She uh-really is. She really does love you Marcel. I don’t think she could ever hate you. I just hope you can both find it in your hearts to forgive me someday.”

I let out yet another sigh, “Hayden… It’s just high school. Soon we will all be off and doing more important things. Someday this will all be a memory, and it won’t mean a thing if we all hated each other or if we were good friends.”

She pursed her lips to the side. “I just feel like a horrible person.”

With a stroke of confidence I reached my hand across the table and placed it only just over hers. “Don’t…I’m used to it. It will all be over soon. There are more important things to lie ahead.” I pulled my hand away from hers, and back towards my side of the table. “I don’t need your pity. I want you to go on and live whatever life you choose to live. Make yourself happy with whatever you want. I’ll be okay. You don’t have to feel bad for me.”

She shook her head slowly at me. “You really are too sweet Marcel. Riley is so lucky to have someone like you in her life.”

I shrug my shoulders slightly, “And I for her.”

A slight smirk raced quickly across her face before disappearing. The air was silent for a few moments once again until Hayden returned my gaze with a questioning look, “Umm… Marcel?”

“What is it?” I asked in a kind voice.

“Do you think I could still ever hear you sing?”

I was taken aback as the question was so far from my thought process. “Erm… I dunno to be honest.”

“Oh.” Hayden said while looking down at the surface of the old wooden table. “I understand I guess, but your secret talent is still safe with me… even if you don’t trust me.”

I allowed a short smile to break from my lips. “Thanks Hayden. I’ll-uh…trust your word for that one.”

She returned the smile and stood up suddenly as we both felt the conversation coming to an end. I repeated her motion and we stood face to face. Hayden shrugged her shoulders before speaking one last time. “Well, Marcel… Thanks… for being so… understanding.”

“Yeah… of course,” I spoke softly.

“I’ll see you around then.” she said with a slight nod of the head before turning on her heel and walking out and away from the park. I stood and watched as a girl walked out of my life just as fast as she had walked in.

I felt myself beginning to understand things about myself. After everything that happened, at least one thing was for certain. There was a reason I was always loyally at Riley’s side. She was always going to be the one to be there and care for me when I needed it. I knew for sure…Riley was the only girl who would ever love me, for me.

Notes

UPDATE! Thank you so much for being patient for this chapter! It has taken me ages, and a lot of time has gone into writing it. It is the longest update ever, so hopefully that can make up for the long wait a little at least a little. ;)

Thank you all for reading this story and keeping up with it. Please tell me your thoughts on this chapter and what not. I absolutely love reading your comments :)

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