《His Heartwarming Secret》


 CHAPTER 1

    CHAPTER 1


    "Be Winters, do not make mee in there!" My older brother Jedd bangs on my bedroom door


    which has be a daily routine of his. I cover my exposed face with the warm sheets, sinking back


    into dreand.


    "Be!" He warns me through the cracks in the door and I sigh, feeling myself pull deeper away from


    sleep and merging further into the grim reality of my life. I''m not a morning person . . . At all.


    "Leave me alone Jedd!" I murmur sleepily, my voice groggy. I hear him sigh behind the door, his


    footsteps retreating.


    "If you''re not up in twenty minutes Be, I''m breaking down your door!"


    "Keep your hair on Grandad, I''m getting up!" I yell in response, throwing my duvet to the side and


    groaning from the sudden cold that hits my warm sleepy body. I hear Jedd mumble something about


    difficult teenagers outside my bedroom and I roll my eyes at him. He''s twenty, making him three years


    older than me but acts like the age difference between us is years apart.


    I pull down my hair from its ponytail and head to the bathroom, pushing open the door. The strands of


    my hair cascade down my back, tickling the exposed skin. I rotate my head left and right, relieving the


    tension from sleeping in one position all night. I reach for my toothbrush, applying some toothpaste


    before getting to work on my teeth.


    My eyes wonder over to the small photo pinned on my bathroom mirror. It''s a picture of Jedd, Dad and I


    taken a few years ago at a summer BBQ. I''m holding a burger in my right hand, Dads arm swung over


    my shoulders. The smile on my face is the definition of ufortable from having my picture taken.


    My parents divorced when I was five but truthfully it didn''t affect me. My mother and I never seem to get


    along. She''s into dresses, I prefer hoodies. She''s into perfect makeup, I like the natural look. She''s into


    long hair extensions and I religiously wear my hair in a ponytail every single day. My mother also loves


    her heels whereas I love and treasure my converse.


    After a quick shower Izily walk over to my dresser, tugging my hair out of the towel. I begin to blow


    dry it, ncing in the mirror every so often to make sure I''m getting every strand.


    My eyes drift down my nose which is tall, rounded at the end with a button like shape. My lips are


    slightly fuller and a natural pale pink colour. A few freckles littered across the bridge of my nose and


    cheeks that I sort of like. I feel ufortable. . . out of ce when my hair isn''t tied in a ponytail. I


    chew on my bottom lip before grabbing a hair tie and scraping back my hair before securing it in


    ce. Much better. My choice of outfit is pretty much the same every day.


    Hoody, denim jeans and good old converse.


    It saves time in the morning and most importantly it''s the definition offort.


    What more can a girl possibly want?


    I finish off with some deodorant before grabbing my school backpack and heading out the door. I run


    down the stairs two at a time and hear Jedd''s old car rumble to life outside signalling he''s ready to go.


    "Shoot," I mumble under my breath, bursting through the kitchen door. I dive for thest piece of toast


    that looks like it''s seen better days.


    "It''ll have to do," I groan, bncing it in my mouth as I sprint down the hallway and outside. I open the


    passenger door with my free hand, wobbling unsteadily from everything I''m juggling. I slide in, throwing


    my backpack to the floor beside my feet. Jedd sighs, pping his palm to his forehead in a dramatic


    manner.


    "Morning sunshine," I say, biting into the toast and grimacing from its texture. I chew slowly, avoiding


    Jedd''s scrutinising re.


    "Be we have this conversation like every day. You need to start waking up earlier, I can''t bete for


    college anymore." Jedd lectures me, keeping his eyes trained on the road ahead as he begins to drive.


    I swallow the toast in my mouth, feeling slightly guilty.


    "Sorry. I was upte studying for my maths exam today." I tell him truthfully. I crammed hours of


    revision inside my brain and fingers crossed, it''s going to pay off.


    "Don''t stress about it Bells, you always ace your exams." Jedd responds, boosting my confidence. He''s


    partially right, I''m a straight A student and proud of it. I work my bottom off studying every night after


    school because I have nothing else to do really.


    I''m not exactly what you call a . . . social butterfly.


    I distance myself from pretty much everyone in school due to simply being socially awkward. I don''t


    have a single friend. The idea of even keeping up friendships causes me to sweat and worry.


    What if I say the wrong thing?


    What if they decide they don''t like me after all and ditch the friendship?


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    There are way too many risks with having friendships so I avoid everyone. I''m the person that waits in


    ss a little longer so the hallways are empty before I run to catch my next one.


    I''m the person that always sits at the back of the ss, avoiding eye contact with the teacher the entire


    lesson. . . I''m sure 90% of the school don''t even know my name, teachers included.


    I feel the dread inside of me begin to increase the closer we get. Eventually Jedd slows down, pulling


    up to our regr spot. He turns towards me, giving me a smile.


    "Good luck on the exam, remember to breathe." He tells me before reaching over and ruffling my hair. I


    groan yfully, swatting his hand away and reaching down for my backpack.


    "Thanks, I''ll see you after school," I smile at him, stepping out of the car. Before I leave, I narrow my


    eyes at him, pointing in his direction.


    "Stay out of trouble." I warn him. Jedd replies the same way he has done for the past four years. It''s a


    daily habit of ours, a special sibling goodbye.


    "I''m an angel, you don''t have to worry about me. Bye Bells." He waves at me before driving away. I


    watch his car descend in size until it''s impossible to make out anymore. I sigh and turn in the direction


    of school, bracing myself for six hours of ufortable hell. I observe the front, watching as crowds of


    students spill inside the doors of Heywood High,ughing and chatting.


    It takes me a while but I finally pluck up the courage to make my way towards the building. Just another


    year to go and I''m out of here. In the meantime . . .


    Here goes another lonely day to add to the countless others.

 CHAPTER 2

    CHAPTER 2


    I weave my way past the crowds, keeping my eyes trained on the floor. I''ve practically memorised the


    route to my locker without having to lift my head up once to check my surroundings. Skills, right?


    As quick as a sh, a pair of bright trainerse into view and I stop abruptly to avoid crashing into


    them.


    "Ew, why are you walking like that?" A high pitch voice fills the air causing me to freeze. I nce up


    nervously and meet eyes with someone I never thought I''d cross paths with. My eyes widen and I begin


    to stutter incoherent words, already backing away.


    No way is this happening to me.


    I refuse to believe it.


    Its no other than Beatrice Walden.


    Beatrice Walden doesn''t know the meaning of the word unpopr. Ever since I''ve known her, she''s


    always been surrounded by her so called friends. She''s the mean girl, alpha female, ss A bitch of


    Heywood High. She''s also one of the highest members of the Popr''s. The social group who walk the


    corridors thinking they own the entire school. The people whough, sneer and joke about their less


    popr peers.


    She reaches up with her hands, running a perfectly manicured nail through her dark locks. Her hair is


    always curled to perfection, makeup immactely done alongside it. When she isn''t snarling or teasing


    people, some would dare say Beatrice Walden is pretty.


    Her glossy lips curl up as she notices me and she lets out a heavy sigh, almost as if I''m the biggest


    inconvenience in the world to her right now.


    "Can''t you watch where you''re going? It''s not hard, look up!" She says firmly, humour lining her voice.


    She res at me from head to toe and I feel myself disappear inside myself. I shrink back against the


    wall, too stunned to speak. It feels like my tongue is being held hostage, refusing to let me apologise or


    respond to her.


    "Hello? I''m talking to you. What are you. . . mute?" Beatrice mocks me, standing with one knee bent as


    she res at me to respond. The girls standing on either side of her narrow their eyes at me, sick


    smirks on their faces. I can feel the tight hold on my lungs as I struggle to keep myselfposed. My


    palms begin to sweat and I can feel my legs trembling under my weight.


    "Does she speak English? Hellooo."


    A hand is waved in front of my face and all three of them burst intoughter. It fills the air and bounces


    off the walls in the corridor and I flinch, my throat tightening until it bes difficult to breathe. I quickly


    dodge to the side and force my legs to scurry down the corridor, my head hung low. My cheeks burn


    with heat and embarrassment and I want the ground to open up and swallow me whole.


    Calm down Be. It''s over now.


    The bell rings loudly signalling the start of the school day and I watch as the corridors slowly began to


    empty, crowds of students disappearing. I reach my locker and rest my back on it, closing my eyes to


    take a second to breathe.


    In, out, breathe. In, out, breathe.


    Isn''t it weird how something as normal as breathing can suddenly be such a difficult task to do?


    The thought of being unable to breathe, your throat tightening further and further until it feels like your


    gasping for an ounce of oxygen scares the living crap out of me.


    These are the times I wish I had someone who''s always there for me. To help me when I need it and to


    have my back against people like Beatrice Walden. Growing up I wished for a twin sibling to keep me


    company. The thought of having someone to lean on, talk to,ugh and bond with has my eyes zing


    over in fresh tears. Whenever Dad or Jedd question myck of friends I wave it off and act like it


    doesn''t phase me. The harsh reality of the situation is that I''m so lonely.


    I don''t know how to ovee that.


    *****


    "ss, please leave your homework on the desk before you leave, thank you." The teacher instructs


    before turning back to herptop. Everyone stands from their seats, the chatter in the room rising


    quickly. English is finally over and I have PE to get through before the school dayes to an end.


    PE is my least favourite subject.


    I for one, have the sport skills of a snail.


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    I''m uninterested in sports, I''m awkward and I flinch every time a ball heads my way. The majority of my


    PE lessons are spent aimlessly day dreaming at the end of the football pitch. Staring up into the sky


    and seeing what shapes I can make out of the clouds is literally one of my favourite things to do. I love


    how as each minute passes, the clouds would slowly change shape bing something totally


    different.


    Sometimes I wish I could do the same. . . change myself in a matter of minutes to suddenly be a


    popr social girl surrounded with the best of friends.


    Maybe fall in love with somebody?


    I''m slightly embarrassed to admit that I, Be Winters, have never had a boyfriend in all of my


    seventeen years of living. Unless the boy who lived next door to me when I was five counted. He''d held


    my hand for almost 1.5 seconds before he realised the dating life just wasn''t for him.


    I sigh quietly, noticing the ssroom is empty before I grab my backpack and head for the door.


    "Miss Winters?" The teacher stops me and I turn to face her, slightly shocked that she knows my name


    without having to check her register.


    "Yes?" I reply quietly, keeping my eyes glued to the floor. "Your homework please."


    I nod my head and silently take my homework out of my bag before cing it on her desk.


    Ipleted it the same day it was handed out.

 CHAPTER 3

    CHAPTER 3


    "Girls, guess what? Ethan asked me outst night! Can you believe it?"


    "No way!"


    "Oh my gosh, finally!"


    "Ethan grew some balls. It''s about god damn time."


    I clutch my gym bag to my chest, weaving my way through the crowd in the girls changing room. Half of


    the girls are undressed, parading around in their underwear without a care in the world. The


    conversation in the locker rooms always gives me a headache if I listen too long which isn''t a surprise


    considering all the girls ever talk about is boys.


    Thetest discussion is Ethan and Melissa.


    Ethan has been crushing on Melissa, the girls captain of the football team for months before he''d finally


    asked her out. Apparently their first date is going to be at Melissa''s pool party she''s hosting on the


    weekend.


    That doesn''t sound like much of a date to me . . .


    I''m a hopeless romantic who spends endless hours watching stereotypical love movies on Netflix.


    Every single time a couple split, I blubber like a baby even though I predict it happening from the start.


    My ice cream or popcorn bowl always ended up mingling with my tears. . . Gross.


    My idea of a first date would be something intimate yet simple. A chance for both of you to get to know


    each other without the presence of several others.


    Somewhere quiet and romantic?


    A restaurant maybe.


    But then there''s always the worry of eating like a starved pig in front of your crush.


    I finally reach the toilet cubicles and enter the free one, locking the door behind me. This is where I


    change every PE lesson. It''s small, cramped and smelly but it''s out of sight and I''d choose that any day


    over everyone seeing my SpongeBob SquarePants underwear. I''m ashamed to admit I also have the


    matching bra on.


    I quickly change into my gym clothes, a bright red shirt with the words HEYWOOD HIGH printed on the


    back in block white letters. I opted for the size that was two sizes bigger as showing what little shape I


    have to my body doesn''t appeal to me.


    Underneath I''m wearing red and white stripe shortspleted with white socks and my trusty old


    converse. The entire school basically looks like the human version of Where''s Waldo in our gym


    clothes.


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    "Girls, line up please!" Mrs Hollins yells loudly, attempting to grab the attention of the ss. Everyone


    lazily walks over to her, continuing with their conversations. Mrs Hollins let out an annoyed breath,


    rolling her eyes. I watch as she raises the whistle to her lips before blowing into it. The shrill of the


    whistle catches me by surprise and I wince, covering my ears with my hands.


    "Girls, I want you in line now!" Mrs Hollins screams, stomping her foot down onto the grass in a childish


    manner. She craved the students attention and respect by actingid back however times like this


    proved she''s theplete opposite.


    Eventually a line is formed and I join the end of it, keeping my distance from the two girls giggling on


    the end. Mrs Hollins eyes drift up and down each student before theynd on me.


    "You!" She points at me, causing my heart rate to speed up. I hold my hand up half heartedly, looking


    incredibly awkward. She gives me a slight frown before continuing ¡ª


    "Go get the ss footballs, hurry up."


    She throws the gym keys at me and theynd in a heap on the floor in front of my feet. I simply look


    down at them and stare.


    "You were supposed to catch them," Mrs Hollins sighs, shaking her head. I bite my cheek hard,


    bending down to retrieve the keys.


    "Didn''t you know? She''s mute," Beatrice''s voice fills the silence and several people burst outughing.


    My cheeks burn with embarrassment and I resist making eye contact. I clutch the keys tightly, feeling


    the cold metal dig inside my palm before turning and heading for the equipment room where the


    footballs are stored.


    "Quieten down ss!"


    My footsteps speed up and I close my eyes, breathing in slowly and breathing out. Finally I reach the


    equipment room and try the first key inside the lock, no luck. There''s around ten different keys and I


    nce down at them before sighing heavily. It takes me a while to find the right one but when I do, I


    smile and pull back the door before stepping inside. The room is dark with no light beside from the


    natural sun peeking through the slither in the door. It doesn''t do much to help me see.


    "Shoot," I mutter holding out my hands in front of me to stop myself falling. I can barely make out any


    shapes in here so what hope do I have in finding the footballs?


    "Would you like some help?"


    A voice startles me from behind and I miss my footing as I stand on something hard which causes me


    to lurch forward. I yell out as I connect with the floor,nding painfully on my side. I wince and feel


    around, grabbing a metal pole from underneath me that''s poking into my back. Pain res up my body


    and I clench my jaw, the frustration beginning to increase.


    "Stupid idiot of a teacher!" I curse Mrs Hollins, blinking back the tears in my eyes from the sudden pain.


    "Are you okay?" A deep voice cuts in and I immediately freeze realising that I''m not alone.


    "Hello?"


    The voice calls out again. I can vaguely make out his outline, tall with broad shoulders.


    "Hello," I let out a small squeak, my voice timid. I hear him walk towards me, the shadow of his


    outstretched hand inches away from my face. I stare at it, feeling a blush creep up my neck and cheek.


    "Take my hand, I don''t bite."


    I nod in the dark before realising he probably can''t see me nod. Urgh Be Winters, you idiot. My small


    hand reaches out uneasily until it meets with his and I feel his fingers close around mine tightly, pulling


    me up using gentle force. I wince, groaning a little from the pain ring up my side.


    "Are you hurt?" He asks me, his voice low yet raspy. He sounds like he''s just woken from a nap and


    every time he speaks, my nerves increase.


    "Y-yes, I mean no I didn''t, it doesn''t matter." I whisper, my voice shaking. I haven''t spoken this many


    words all day and it feels weird. I notice how he hasn''t let go of my hand even though I''m firmly steady


    on my feet. My palms began to grow mmy so I quickly pry it away from his grip before he can notice.


    "You don''t sound so sure but okay."


    "Thank you," I say quietly, not daring to look up at his face even though I probably couldn''t make it out


    in the dark anyway.


    "No problem. Try leaving the door open a little to let the light shine in." Mystery Boy chuckles quietly,


    hisughter causing goosebumps to skim down my arms.


    "That p-probably would have been easier." I respond,ughing along nervously.


    "I''m guessing you''re from Mrs Hollins ss?" He asks me, handing over the dreaded bag of footballs. I


    take them from him, clutching them against my chest.


    "Yes I am, thank you."


    A moment of silence passes between us before he clears his throat. I can vaguely make out his


    shadow moving further away from me and towards the door.


    "See you around Clumsy."


    His words hold a smile behind them which causes the corners of my lips to tug upwards. I briefly catch


    a glimpse of the back of him as the door opens.


    Dark hair and broad shoulders.


    Once I''m alone, I breathe out deeply, my nerves settling back down to the surface. A simple interaction


    causes me to sweat with nerves and worry. As I leave the equipment room, I search the area to find out


    the identity of Mystery Boy but it''s toote . . . he''s already gone.

 CHAPTER 4

    CHAPTER 4


    I blow out forcefully, trying to move a strand of hair that''s loose from my ponytail. Carrying the bag of


    footballs is probably the most exercise I''ve done in a year.


    "Speed it up Winters!" Mrs Hollins yells, her irritating voice floating through the air. I roll my eyes


    knowing that she can''t see me from the distance between us.


    "Speed it up Winters! Do this Winters!" I mutter to myself, mimicking Mrs Hollins. I give up attempting to


    carry the bag and instead throw it down onto the ground before dragging it from the handle. I''m not


    exactly the tallest or strongest girl in my gym ss.


    I drag the bag until it''s next to Mrs Hollins and take my ce back in line. She begins to lecture the girls


    on a football tournament so I zone out, ignoring her. My thoughts turn back to Mystery Boy and I turn


    slightly, peeking at the boys ss who are practicing across the field from us.


    From this distance, I can''t make out anything beside their hair colour. More than half of the boys


    running around have dark hair - fail. I sigh heavily, giving up and turning back around to face Mrs


    Hollins who''s low key ring at me from the side.


    "Winters! You''re on Beatrice''s team," she yells over to me and I immediately feel my lungs tighten and


    my breathing shallow out. I remain rooted to the spot, looking like a deer caught in the headlights.


    "Winters, move now!" Coach Hollins yells over at me, blowing her whistle in order to snap me out of my


    little daze. I immediately scurry over to Beatrice''s team who are all ring at me. If looks could kill, I''d


    be buried 6 feet under right now.


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    Beatrice''s hand lurches out, gripping onto my elbow tightly and I stop, frozen to the spot. The skin


    contact with her makes my stomach turn with nausea. She leans in until I can feel her hot breath


    fanning against my ear as she speaks.


    "Stay out of my way, mute."


    Her tone is threatening, low and vicious.


    My eyes widen and I nod, letting her know I understand. Beatrice releases my elbow and I cradle it to


    my chest before scurrying away from her. I stand behind the group, out of sight. The familiar feeling of


    my lungs tightening fills my chest and I close my eyes, forcing myself to calm down. I can''t have a


    panic attack . . .


    Not now. Not here.


    What am I going to do?

 CHAPTER 5

    CHAPTER 5


    I don''t understand why Beatrice and her friends are giving me such a hard time for simply bumping into


    them. That''s the sad thing about bullies, they don''t need an excuse. They prey on the vulnerable, the


    timid and I''m unfortunately one of the easiest targets.


    I nce up to find Beatrice and her friend ring at me from under their longshes. Beatrice''s eyes


    spark with humour as she notices the fear in my eyes. I take a step back and she lets out a choked


    laugh before raising her finger and sliding it across her throat. Her friend watches me recoil from them


    in horror and begins to fall aroundughing, kneeled over at my reaction.


    I feel my stomach tighten in multiple knots and the one piece of toast I ate threatens to find it''s way


    back up. I turn away from them, tears pricking the back of my eyes. I hate showing my vulnerability to


    people like Beatrice but I can''t help it. I want to be strong but how does one stand up-to someone like


    Beatrice Walden?


    An idea springs to mind and I quickly clutch my stomach, trying my best to act like I''m in excruciating


    pain. I limp over to Coach Hollins, my face scrunched up in false pain.


    "Mrs Hollins? I don''t feel so good," I groan, squeezing my eyes shut and wishing she''d give me a free


    period or send me to the nurse.


    "What''s wrong Winters?" Coach Hollins sighs, I open my eyes, giving her my best pained expression.


    "I feel sick, really sick." I respond quietly which isn''t a total lie thanks to Beatrice and her friends. Coach


    Hollins observes me carefully, her eyes drifting up and down my body.


    "You seem fine to me."


    "I really don''t feel good Coach," I groan louder, clutching my stomach tightly. I take a slight peek at her


    expression but she doesn''t look convinced at all.


    This is it Be. . . desperate times lead to desperate measures.


    "I get really bad period pain. If I don''t lie down, I end up bleeding everywhere. It''s like a crime scene


    from a horror movie." I exaggerate. A look of horror shes over her face and she actually takes a step


    away from me as if my period is contagious. I mentally roll my eyes at her . . . Why is a period freaking


    her out so much?


    "Oh, I really don''t feel good." I emphasise, kneeling over. Mrs Hollins finally holds her hand up, eyeing


    me warily.


    "Alright fine, pack up and go home Winters."


    A grimace shes across her face and she turns and walks over to the ss. I mentally fist bump the


    air and can''t help my lips from tugging up into a victorious smile.


    Great acting skills Be, the period card is actually genius.


    As I''m walking off the pitch, my eyes connect with Beatrice''s cold stare. I feel goosebumps scatter


    across my arms and I shudder from the icy look that shes through them. She doesn''t break the stare


    so in an act of bravery, I lift my arm up and give her a little wave. Her face shes with surprise and


    before she can retaliate, I turn around and walk straight off the pitch.


    That''s 1 point for Be.N?velDrama.Org owns this.

 CHAPTER 6

    CHAPTER 6


    I search my backpack until I find the keys and let myself into the house.


    "Hello?" I call out, pushing open the door and stepping inside. "Dad? Are you here?"


    No answer.


    He usually leaves for work early in the morning before Jedd and I wake up and doesn''t return untilte


    at night. I don''t see much of him and Jedd is more of a parent to me which isn''t Dad''s fault. I''ve always


    been grateful for both of them but I do wish I could see Dad more often.


    I sigh and drop my backpack in the hallway before heading straight for the kitchen. Whenever I''m home


    alone, the house instantly bes eerie. . . Like I''m starring in a horror movie. I pull open the fridge,


    ncing inside at the contents ¡ª


    Milk, cheese, a few takeaway boxes fromst night and one single strawberry yoghurt. Fabulous.


    I let out a low groan, hearing my stomach rumble from theck of food I''ve consumed today. I don''t


    ever eat lunch at school, the cafeteria is too intimidating for me. Walking inside a room crammed with


    students chattering and socialising is my idea of a nightmare. Instead I''d throw a sandwich or an apple


    inside my bag and eat it outside in thefort of my ownpany.


    My eyes scan the kitchen andnd on a note stuck to the front of the fridge. Sprawled across it messily


    is my Dad''s handwriting ¡ª


    Casserole in the oven, see you both tonight. Dad x


    ¡°Yes!" I cheer, doing a little happy dance that resembles a penguin. I te up some casserole along


    with a drink and some carrot sticks before heading upstairs. My room is my safe haven and I can spend


    the rest of my life locked up in here as long as I have food.


    It''s time tounch Netflix and find myself another legendary romance movie.


    *****


    There''s a soft knock on my bedroom door and I pause the movie, sniffling a little ¡ª


    "Come in!" I yell, my voice wobbling slightly. The door opens and Jedd appears, looking rmed at my


    tear stricken face.


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    "You''ve been watching soppy movies again, haven''t you?" Jedd says, shaking his head. I don''t miss his


    lips turning up into an amused smile.


    "Yep." I reply, shutting myptop screen and sitting up on my bed. I grab a cushion and hold it close to


    me.


    "The girl in the movie finds her true love on holiday but it turns out he''s a cancer victim and doesn''t


    have long to live. They both go on this epic journey to do awesome things together before he dies. . .


    I''m almost at the end. It''s so sad, isn''t it?" I sniffle once again, wiping away a tear from my cheek.


    "Clich¨¦ more like," Jedd scoffs, taking a seat at the end of my bed. I watch him out of curiosity,


    wondering what he''s doing here. He crosses his legs and looks at me with an intense stare that makes


    me squirm.


    "What is this . . . a one man intervention?" I joke half heartedly.


    "I think we should talk." Jedd responds slowly, choosing his words carefully. Talk?


    "Talk about what?" I frown, fiddling with the stringing undone on my fuzzy pyjama socks.


    "How did school go?"


    He sounds awkward and his eyes drift to the floor to avoid holding eye contact with me. I practically see


    the pity ooze from him and I wince. My thoughts turn towards Beatrice and how her gang bullied and


    embarrassed me.


    "School was fine."


    I climb off my bed, heading to the other side of my room so Jedd can''t see any expression on my face.


    I''ve never told him how difficult school is for me, admitting to your sibling that you''re struggling isn''t


    exactly easy to do. Jedd has always been popr, surrounded by constant friends. He


    wouldn''t understand how it feels to be like me, a loner.


    I hear him sigh heavily from behind me and I close my eyes for a moment, trying to mask over the hurt


    in my features.


    "Bells, I care about you. I know you''re struggling in school." Jedd says softly. I turn around, feeling


    myself grow defensive.


    "I''m not struggling."


    "Youe home from school unhappy every single day Be. You rarely leave the house and you


    never have friends over. It''s unhealthy." Jedd says, his tone bing desperate.


    I stare at him, my chest rising and falling heavily. I feel the back of my throat tighten up but my eyes


    remained glued to his. He looks back at me with the same intensity, brown eyes masked over with


    concern. I watch as his hand reaches up,bing through the strands of his dirty blonde hair.


    "I care Be, that''s all."


    "I''m fine," I whisper, my voice husky with emotion. It takes every ounce of willpower I have not to break


    down crying in front of Jedd right now. I don''t know why I can''t do it, admit how lonely I am to him.


    Maybe I know that if I say the words out loud, they be a reality and I don''t want to face that.


    "Can you leave my room please?" I whisper, watching sadly as he pauses for a moment before


    standing up. He walks over to me and hesitates before rethinking his actions and heading for the door.


    I wait until I hear the soft click behind him before I let out the first cries of many.

 CHAPTER 7

    CHAPTER 7


    The conversation between Jedd and I whirls round and round in my thoughts all night. I don''t sleep


    much but when I finally manage to nod off, the sun begins to rise, peeping through my curtains.


    I finishcing up my converse and stand off my bed, stretching. A dull aching pain res up in my sides


    and I wince, cing my hand over it. I walk over to my mirror and gingerly lift my hoody, examining the


    tender area. A light bruise is beginning to form, looking alien against my pale skin.


    Now I''m tired, grumpy and in pain.


    Great start to the day Be.


    I reach for my backpack before heading out of my room quietly. The n is to leave the house before


    Dad and Jedd wake up. I don''t want to be interrogated further and an awkward car ride with Jedd is the


    last thing I need today.


    I tip-toe down the stairs, avoiding the creaky ones that will alert Jedd of my presence. I reach the


    bottom of the stairs and turn to walk towards the kitchen to grab some breakfast. A shadowy figure


    moves on the other side of the ss door and I immediately duck, mimicking something out of a action


    movie. Abort Mission Be!


    I crawl the opposite way, heading straight for the front door instead. Opening the door without making


    noise is a difficult task however after a minute or two of fumbling with the locks, it springs open. I let out


    a sigh of relief before darting outside into the crisp morning air.


    I sprint down the road, my converse pping against the concrete floor. A small smile appears on my


    face that eventually widens into a grin as I realise I left without being seen.


    Watch out James Bond, Be Winters is in town.


    *****


    I''m halfway through ss when my phone begins to go crazy inside my pocket. The vibration surprises


    me, causing me to jump up in my seat. I throw an apologetic look to the person next to me who''s


    staring at me as if I''ve sprouted another head.


    I warily pull it out of my pocket and nce at the screen. Three unread texts from Jedd and two missed


    calls. I physically wince knowing that he''s mad at me for ditching him this morning. Whenever Jedd is


    mad at me, he lets me know why and then will proceed to ignore me for days, weeks even until I whole


    heartedly apologise.


    I unlock my phone underneath the desk and read the texts quickly ¡ª


    What the hell Be? Where are you?


    N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    Not cool. You could have at least told me you''d rather walk to school.


    Hello? You''re actually impossible.


    I instantly feel guilty, knowing I should have let him know I was walking to school. I quickly lock my


    phone, deciding to reply back to himter.


    "Belinda Winters, is that your phone underneath the desk?" The teacher says loudly, causing me to


    snap my head up in her direction. She''s staring straight at me, her eyebrow raised and I hear sniggers


    erupt around me.


    "My name is Be." I say quietly, my eyes glued to the desk in front of me. I feel my cheeks heat up in


    embarrassment and I quickly stuff my phone back inside my pocket. The teacher pauses and stutters a


    little, realising that she''d gotten my name wrong.


    No biggie Miss. It''s not like you''ve been teaching me for thest year or anything. . .


    "Miss Winters, hand over the phone please."


    She holds out her hand and tilts her nose in the air as if she''s above and beyond the rest of us in this


    ss. I can''t help noticing she doesn''t even try to use my first name. Anger and annoyance curses


    through my body and I sit up straight, staring at her firmly.


    "I wasn''t on my phone." I lie, fully aware of the entire ss staring straight at me. An ufortable


    silence falls upon us and I feel the tips of my ears burn red, spreading down to my cheeks.


    "You know the rules regarding phones."


    "I was checking the time, that''s all." I murmur, my voice growing quieter. I can feel multiple sets of eyes


    on me, causing me to squirm under their gaze.


    "That''s a lie, I saw her. She was texting underneath the desk.¡±


    Beatrice¡¯s voice fills the silence in the air and you immediately freeze.


    Oh, no she didn¡¯t.

 CHAPTER 8

    CHAPTER 8


    I snap my head up, meeting Beatrice''s burning gaze. She appears amused yet it''s so clear in her eyes


    that she''s lying intentionally to snitch on me. I feel my throat tighten, my breathing bing restricted.


    The rest of the ss are now ncing between Beatrice and I, waiting for the explosion to happen.


    Will I stand up for myself or will Beatrice win as she usually does?


    "Is Beatrice telling the truth?" The teacher sighs, her hand still outstretched ready for my phone.


    Beatrice is challenging me with her narrow beady eyes, waiting to see whether I''ll stick up for myself or


    not. I tear my eyes away from her, squaring my shoulders up bravely. I won''t let her win.


    "No I wasn''t texting, I''m aware of the rules. I was checking the time, I swear."


    I can practically see Beatrice seeping with anger from the corner of my eyes but I will myself to keep


    my back turned on her. The teacher nces between Beatrice and I onest time before she sighs and


    drops her hand.


    "Very well but if I catch a glimpse of it again, I will confiscate it Be."


    I nod quickly, letting her know I understand. At least she knows my name now . . . I slump back in my


    chair in relief, grateful to have the attention diverted away from me. I spend the remaining part of the


    lesson trying to avoid catching Beatrice''s burning stare.


    *****


    The bell rings and I stand up, grabbing my books and putting them inside my bag. As usual I wait a little


    longer before leaving the ssroom so the students can disappear out of the corridors. The second I


    step outside, I''m surrounded by three girls . . . Beatrice & Co.


    Beatrice towers over me and her two friends stand on either side of me, keeping me trapped. From the


    look on Beatrice''s face, she''s very angry at me.


    "What is your problem mute? I can feel you ring at me all day." She hisses, closing the space


    between us.


    "I d-don''t have a problem with you. Can''t you just leave me alone?" I whisper, hating the way my voice


    became so mouse-like around her. Her lips curl up into a sneer and she takes another step forward,


    her heels clicking against the floor.


    N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    "Who the hell do you think you''re talking to?"


    I feel myself beginning to shake in fear, I hate confrontation. Beatrice continues to take steps towards


    me until I''m cornered between the wall and a locker. I have nowhere to go. Being confined in small


    spaces limits the amount of oxygen filling my lungs and I can feel panic begin to settle in.


    "Let me go, I need to go." I plead with her, my voice trembling. I don''t want to have a panic attack in


    front of Beatrice and her friends, not here. Beatrice scoffs, her eyes running down my body and back


    up again.


    "Weren''t you wearing the same clothes yesterday? Oh my god, you''re disgusting!" She teases, holding


    her nose and wafting the air in front of her. Multiple students pass us and choose not to help despite


    seeing the terrified expression stered across my face. I guess I''m not good enough or popr


    enough to defend.


    "It''s a different hoody." I answer her, my eyes glued to the floor. My hands begin to tremble by my side


    and I force myself to remain calm despite it bing increasingly difficult to breathe.


    "Do you always shop in the boys section?" Beatrice asks me, giggling at her own joke. Her friends on


    either side of me burst intoughter on cue and I feel fresh tears prick the back of my eyes. I bite the


    inside of my cheek, forcing myself to block out theirughter. It doesn''t work and the sound continues


    to ring inside my ears mockingly.


    "Oh my god, she''s going to cry. Look at her girls, she''s turning into a crying mess." Beatrice scoffs,


    flicking my cheek with her pointy acrylic nails. Her floral perfume invades my senses and I squirm,


    backing up into the wall. The dull ache in my body begins to throb and I let out a small whimper,


    clutching it with my hand. At this point I''m beginning to breathe in short little pants, desperate for


    oxygen to relieve my strained lungs.


    Beatrice''s eyes widen at my distress and before I know it, she''s disappeared from my view. I finally


    hear the click ck of her heels descend down the corridor. . I let out a deep breath, feeling like I can


    breath once again. The pain in my side continues to throb and I close my eyes, grateful that the


    corridors are beginning to empty.


    I don''t know how long I remain slumped against the wall, grateful to gather my thoughts in the silence


    whilst I have the chance. The thought of going to my next lesson causes my stomach to stir and I


    groan, doubling over slightly.


    "Hey, are you feeling okay?"


    The voice is low, lined with concern. I quickly snap open my eyes and when theynd on the person


    standing in front of me, my mouth drops open too.


    Brody Baxter.


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