𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚎 𝚋𝚎? {𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚕𝚒𝚎 𝙳𝚊𝚕𝚝𝚘𝚗}

'sᴄɪᴇɴᴄᴇ ᴇxᴘᴇʀɪᴍᴇɴᴛ,

Carrying the load of books, we walked out of the class. Reaching the exit staircase, Neil gestured at me to follow the group outside.

"That was weird," Pitts stated.

"But different," Neil added, making me smile. I made an agreeable sound, still unsure if my opinion or presence was welcomed.

Knox sighed, "Spooky if you ask me."

The class was interesting; intense but enjoyable. Mr. Keating's words kept replaying in my head. A part of me was spooked like Knox, only because it made me want to live - break out of my shell. It sparked a fire I didn't know existed.

"Think he'll test us on that stuff?" Cameron asked, breaking my train of thought.

"How is he so dense," I muttered under my breath, slowly inching towards Charlie. It was an instinctive attempt to be close to the only boy who shared my dislike towards him.

"Come on Cameron, don't you get anything?" Charlie sounded incredulous. I smiled at the ground, he was the only person who wasn't afraid to voice his disdain towards Cameron. I admired him for it.

"What? What?" He looked at us, confused that he missed something.

We laughed and the conversation took a turn for the worse.

"What are you laughing at, Della-the-dickwod?" He hissed at me.

Charlie tensed from beside me and took a step forward, I wasn't sure if it was threatening or protective.

"That was unnecessary," Neil spoke before Charlie. "She's my sister, you could stand being a tinge more respectful."

"Please," I started. "If that's the best insult he's got, I don't think he's capable of disrespecting me."

"Oh, is that a challenge?" He straightened up as if to throw another insult.

"Don't push it," Charlie gritted and put a hand on his chest to push him back.

The others looked uncomfortable, Todd was standing beside me now. It was a show of silent support and I smiled at him.

"Cut it out, man." Pitts jumped in with Knox to separate the two boys.

I swallowed at the pure hatred in Cameron's eyes. A small crowd of students was now around us, trying to escalate the situation for their sick enjoyment.

"I'll leave," I stepped back, almost bumping into Todd. He looked at me with concern and I managed to feign a smile. "Please don't fight. I'm the intruder here, I didn't mean to cause trouble. Sorry."

I quickly said the apology before my heart could rationalize it. I knew I wasn't at fault, I also knew that Cameron deserved the heat he was getting but I didn't want to cause a scene. The boys have been friends for years, I would hate to drive a wedge between them despite my burning rage towards the git.

On my way back, I was met with more stares. I kept my head low and ran straight to my room.

"Hey, sweetie," Lennox grabbed me when I reached my floor. He studied my face and continued, "No girl this beautiful should be sad."

I grit my teeth, no picking fights. Father would have my head. The only reason I was allowed at Welton was because of Neil. But Lennox's slimy hand gripping my arm after what Cameron pulled made my stomach twist with anger.

I look up at him in warning, still holding onto the last bit of control. I wanted to stay here. Be there for Neil. If I did something even slightly out of order, father would take me back home in an instant. Mr. Nolan wouldn't be all-too-keen on keeping me here either.