She Hides Behind a Smile

Is It Love?

Natalie spent the rest of the month and half of the next in the hospital. Her uncle constantly taunted her everyday, speaking down upon her until she actually began to believe what he said about her. Not once did her friends come to see her, none but Wendell, but even so he seemed detached from her. He wasn't his naturally friendly and goofy self, he was more of cold and forcible towards her. Natalie guessed that he resented her for trying to tell him the truth, so she didn't bother asking about his changed behavior.

Once she was finally released from the hospital, Natalie spent most of her days in her room. Her uncle didn't come up to bother her much anymore, but he did call her downstairs and beat her until she nearly bled to death at times. Wendell came, but he acted like he didn't see anything.

"Natalie.." A faint voice called.

Natalie was seated at her desk with her head down, and she was tapping her fingers against the desk rhythmically to keep herself in a calm state.

"NATALIE REŃEE BRIGGS!" The teacher called her name furiously.

Natalie yelped a bit, and she slowly looked up with her hoodie casting a deep shadow over her face. She stopped her tapping, and a soft whimper escaped her lips. The entire class stared at her, and she clutched both of her fists tightly.

"Detention after school. Three hours." Her teacher said and slammed a book down on her desk.

Natalie nodded and looked down, and she put her hands into her lap. She managed to keep her grades from slipping, but she couldn't sleep well and that affected her mental health more than usual. She pushed her hands into her hoodie pockets, feeling around a bit before holding the glass shard from the mirror between her fingers. Natalie held it, finding it somewhat comforting and relaxing to do such. It was like a little piece of her soul she held onto.

After classes, Natalie walked down to the library. She sighed, heading there for detention, and she texted her uncle Edward that she would be at school late. Of course, he responded with threats of beating her once she got home, but it seemed like nothing new or surprising to her.

"Look who finally showed up." A voice said behind Natalie.

A hand firmly gripped her shoulder, making her turn around quickly and flinch. She opened her eyes, only to find the face of Wendell smiling down at her. Natalie looked away, and she shoved her hands into her pockets, cutting her fingers in the process but showing no emotion.

"What're you doing here Wendell?.." Natalie asked in a monotonous manner.

Wendell gently rubbed her chin underneath her hoodie, and Natalie shivered. For some reason, his touch felt a lot less settling than it had before, and this scared her.

"Detention. Or more like, I'm watching YOU for detention today babe." He said, his voice turning from calm to quite menacing.

Natalie gulped and stepped back, and she quickly walked into the library. She looked around, only to become completely terrified once she saw it empty, and heard the sound of the door key jangle on Wendell's fingers. He approached her from behind and sat her down in a chair, then he leaned down and gripped her chin firmly while ripping her hood off her face.

"Now. Let's see what your punishment shall be today... dear." He growled out with a lustful tone.

Natalie quickly shook her head, starting to tear up and cry as she couldn't even find her voice. All that came out were soft squeaks and pleas, and she started breathing shakily. As she attempted to finally get clear words out, she was quickly cut off by Wendell.

"W-Wendell ple-"

SMACK.

His hand collided with the side of her face before he wrapped his hand around her throat. "No words. No sounds. And I might take it easy on your slutty ass. Understood? Nod only if you understand, or I'll rip your vocal chords out."