Rise -On Hold-

The weekend flew by. Lucy and I had a blast on Saturday as I let her loose in Primark, I gave her a budget and she didn’t go a cent over it, which was a good thing because it meant I could buy some things for myself as well. I had three new shirts in different colours and two new jeans and a pair of new shoes and some underwear, I was done for 50dollars and Lucy for 100dollars, it was a good thing I had to work tonight because I did need to get that money back and this was the only way.

The thing I was also happy about was that because we went this early we didn’t bump into Amy or one of her friends and the money I made on tips at the diner were not too shabby as well. I made at least 700dollars in two days, so yeah I wasn’t complaining. I dropped Lucy of at her school and made my way to mine and at first I didn’t notice the stares as I was listening to music and I was actually really enjoying myself and I know I had a smile plastered on my face and I also was wearing a dress, this was something I hadn’t done before and it was also not a black dress it was a floral summer dress and my hair was down. I just felt really good after a relaxing weekend and nobody could take it away from me.

My happiness was short lived though, I was standing at my locker getting my books for the next few hours when a shadow fell over me, I already knew who it was because of her perfume and before I looked up I took a deep breath. “Hi Amy.”

“Hi Emma, what a nice dress, you’re wearing.” She smiled sweetly at me and I felt my stomach turn around because I know she was going to do something. “Uhm Thank you.” I smiled at her, trying not to show my fear but she knew I was terrified of her and that’s when my eyes fell on the spray can in her hand, I took a step back “I told you to stay away from Liam, didn’t I?” I nodded vigorously, praying she wasn’t going to use that can on me.

“Care to explain why he was at your pore excuse of a trailer on Friday night?” I was shocked that she knew about this because I hadn’t told anyone and the only one who could know was Lucy and Liam himself. “How do you know that?” I mumbled and she laughed her evil laugh. “I had someone follow him.”

“Look nothing happened I swear, we had to do an assignment for biology, which is due on Wednesday and that’s why he was there, I swear nothing happened.” I know I looked plain scared right now and I also know that I had red spots on my face right now as I always got them when I was nervous or stressed. “I can’t let it slip though, I mean I have a reputation to uphold.” She shrugged and that’s when she aimed the can at me and before I could protect myself she sprayed my new dress. I felt the first tear slide down my cheek and when she was done I looked down and saw the word that she had sprayed on me. I was branded as trailer trash and it was for everyone to see.

I grabbed my bag with spare clothes and ran to the toilets. The minute the lock closed behind I let myself slide on the ground and cried until it stopped, that’s when I knew I could get up and collect myself. I quickly changed into old jeans and a black shirt. I walked out of the stall and pulled my hair in a ponytail and after one last look in the mirror I walked out and straight to class. This was my only class where I could be myself and as I started to program, it didn’t take long before I heard phones going off, mine included and when I looked I saw a picture of me looked shocked when Amy sprayed me with paint. I sighed because this was a normal thing, at least twice a week she did something like this, trying to get me to cry but I almost never cried in front of her, I didn’t want her to have that pleasure.

The next class was biology and I was already dreading this because I didn’t want to evoke any more trouble with Amy. I walked in and there he was waiting for me but he didn’t smile this time, he looked really angry about something but I wasn’t going to ask anything, there was no way I was going to risk it, I just needed to get through this class and make myself disappear afterwards. “Hi Emma.” I just gave him a quick nod and moved my chair away from him just like the first time and I focussed myself on the school board. I heard him sigh but he didn’t say a thing.

“Good morning class, I hope you all had a good weekend.” We nodded and I was praying we didn’t have to work on the assignment but I really didn’t have any luck today. “Let’s work on the assignment shall we?” The teacher sort of told us and I felt my body go stiff when Liam pulled my chair closer, “Stop sitting so far away from me Emma.” I mumbled an apology and that’s when I spotted Amy looking inside the class room, it almost made me move away again put this time Liam followed my stare and his eyes grew dark when he saw Amy standing there, shooting her daggers at me. “Emma look at me.” I didn’t and just kept staring at my laptop.

That’s when his hand slipped under my chin and that shocked me to my core, never had a guy touched my face and no he was actually holding my chin gently, he made me look at him and when I did that he was smiling again and I was feeling a bit out of breath. “Stop ignoring me Emma, because it will not work, I want to be friends with you.” I shook my head slowly and I know he saw the fear in my eyes.

“We can’t be friends Liam, let’s just work on the assignment and that it, I can’t talk to you, I’m sorry.” I mumbled as I pulled me head out of his hold and that’s when I felt his anger radiating from him. “Okay let’s finish it then.” We asked each other the questions that we hadn’t done yet and within an hour we were done and dismissed. Before Liam walked to football practice he stopped and I bummed right into him. “You looked really beautiful in that dress Emma, you should wear colour more often.” With that he walked away leaving me stunned but I quickly made my way to Lucy’s school but I didn’t get far as Amy appeared in front of me. “I warned you twice now Emma but apparently you have trouble listening so let me show you what happens if you disobey me.” She snapped her fingers and two guys walked from behind a van. “You know what to do.” She stepped away giving them room when the first hit fell, I blacked out after that but I do know I woke up because someone was calling my name.

“Emma, wake up please.” I opened my eyes and stared at my little sister who was crying and I pulled her into an embrace. I carefully got up and was happy to discover I didn’t have something broken but I definitely had some ribs bruised and my face was probably a horrible sight. “What happened?” My sister demanded but I just pulled her with me. “Nothing, I’m fine okay.” I told her but she wasn’t stupid but she let it drop anyway. We walked home in record time and I immediately walked into the little bathroom and I was shocked to see my reflection, I had blood everywhere but I was glad they didn’t give me a black eye, I only had a swollen cheek but that was easy to hide. I stepped under the shower and let the warmth seep into my sore bones and afterwards I felt a bit better.

Notes