Her Will to Live

Chapter 4: Rumours

GRACELYN'S POV
"Ahhh," I shriek from the loudness of my alarm, falling onto the circular rug on my polished wooden floor. "Shit."

I quickly trample downstairs after freshening up in preparation for school. Mum left a note on the counter which she must have placed there before leaving for the lake house, wishing me a good first day back.

My eyelids struggle to stay open as I stroll down the streets, the dark clouds casting a shadow in my path.

Ding Dong

"Ughhh," I groan realising the bell has rung signalling classes are beginning. I sling my swaying backpack strap over my left shoulder and sprint through the school grounds and up the stairs towards my locker.

I arrive at my locker out of breath and grab my required items for my first class. I'm dreading walking through the doors knowing I'm bound to receive an immediate detention.

"Nice of you to finally join us Miss Mae." My teacher states, her tone reeking of sarcasm. "Detention for you after school!" She exclaims while I find my way to a seat. I make eye contact with Zahiya and she immediately draws her attention away from me. I'm confused to say the least, especially considering she was fine just last night. I decide it's best to sit away from her for now to give her some space, so I pass her desk and make eye contact with a boy who's generally shy. One look at me and he begins to look on edge. I huff and settle for the empty seat at the back left corner. What the fuck is going on? I wonder.

I typically sit with Zahiya - even if we've had a slight disagreement - so I don't understand this unusual behaviour. It's ten times stranger with the unconfirmed knowledge no one else wants to sit with me either. I always try my best to be kind towards others, but you would think people would find it a privilege having the opportunity to sit with one of the most popular girls. Well newsflash..apparently that is not the case.

"What is the answer Gracelyn?" My thoughts are interrupted by the teacher calling on me.

"Oh uhm- the answer is.." I begin to panic.

"You would know the answer if you actually listened Gracelyn. Your behaviour today has been way out of line. Pick yourself up and get out of my classroom!" Miss teacher who's name I have yet to learn basically screams at me.

I don't believe I have done anything wrong so I just glance up at her with a stern look on my face. "Excuse me Miss-"

"Mrs Davern!" She snaps.

"Oh..well excuse me Mrs Davern, but I don't believe I have done anything wrong so therefore you have no reason to send me out. I'm also sorry for being late and will ensure it doesn't happen again." I try my best to persuade the teacher to let me stay.

"Okay well I shall repeat the question." Her eyes send daggers at me. She opens her mouth to repeat the question, but is cut off when a boy angrily storms into the room. The same boy who's house I slept in last night.

Instantly the girls begin to swoon over him and whisper about how hot he is I presume. That is until the whole class turns their attention to me. I raise an eyebrow at the staring faces waiting for an answer as to what is going on.

"Omg I thought you'd never show up." Falon the platinum blonde rich witch says blushing at the boy. "Now we can confront the mother-"

"Falon!" Mrs Davern cuts her off. "What on earth is happening here?"

"We're in your class," the boy states confidently as two more boys who I just now noticed enter the room on either side of him. How can one friend group be so hot? I question to myself. The boy on the left side of 'green eyes' has shaggy blonde hair, brown eyes and is slightly taller than the rest. The boy on the right side has light brown hair, and what seems to be hazel eyes. All three of them appear to be muscular indicating they work out.

"Well you're late and now you're all given detention." She growls angrily.

Ding Dong

"Well there goes the bell, see ya!" The blonde boy who seems to be the goofy one says.

Dang I'm good gathering all this information in this short period of time. Although, I still don't know why everyone is acting so strange around me all of the sudden.

I head to my locker to put my books away for recess. Those two class periods went hella quick. But hey, I ain't complaining.

I reach my destination: the cafeteria. The doors shut behind me, echoing through the room and all eyes focus on me. It's not like that's unusual, but considering the circumstances and everyone's weary facial expressions..it's pretty odd.

Everyone leans in to the person next to them whether they're at the front of the room waiting at the lunch line, or they're sitting down at the rectangular tables that cover the remaining room.

"You two faced slut!" Falon screams over to me catching everyone's attention once again.

"That was pretty shallow of you using him just to get into bed with you." A small, shaky voice says to me.

"What the hell?! I haven't done anything wrong. Someone care to explain what the actual fuck is happening right now? I begin to shake angrily.

"Oh you know just the usual." Falon says in an innocent voice as she struts up to me, her heels clicking on the floor. "You freaking brat! I cant believe you would try to force yourself onto Xavierx. Then you had the audacity to sleep with him when you know damn well he's mine." She really seems to believe the lies spitting out of her mouth.

"What the hell are you talking about? How much crack did you snort this morning Falon? I have never forced myself onto anyone and never would do such a fucking thing. I've never even been close to being romantic with anyone before and I haven't even heard of someone who goes here called Xavier before. You've really lost the plot this time."

"Me?" She points a finger at herself. "More like you have lost the plot. Xavier is the boy who's house you slept at last night. The boy who is in our class and you didn't even know his name?!" She screeches. "You're so unbelievable. Not only do you attempt sexual assault, but do you steal my boyfriend!" Her makeup is beginning to sweat off of her face.

"Well for starters, you're boyfriend? Aren't they fricking new here? Literally a few weeks ago you were all over the footy guys and now here you are trying to recruit more guys for whatever silly little game you're playing! Oh and you did not just accuse me of attempting sexual assault. I know you dig low, but this is too far. Why the hell would I ever do that? I don't even know the guys. I passed out wasted in an alleyway according to 'Xavier,' and he took me to the guest room in his house. You're story," I pause and gesture to everyone in the room, "all of your damn story is wrong!" I quickly remove myself from the scene before I throw up.

The doors slam behind me causing gasps to erupt. I barge my way through a group of three boys who are walking confidently towards the direction of the cafeteria. I turn around whilst walking backwards in the same direction I was striding off to, "you're sick." I say with a sinister chuckle shaking my head in disbelief, and point my finger at Xavier before I turn back around.

I aggressively rip my bag out of my locker, slam it shut and leave the school property. Tears begin to stream down my face uncontrollably as I enter my home. I race up the stairs to my room, enter the messy area, and slide down shut my bedroom unable to move any further.

My crying turns into heavy sobs. My body begins shaking so much, I roll onto my side and wrap my arms around my shins with my knees brought you to my chest and struggle to calm myself down.

This was definitely not what I was expecting for my first day back.