The Pain that Lingers

Chapter eleven: Listen for Lies

Lucy 

I hated thinking bad thoughts. 

My subconscious mind kept going back to that night with Tyler. 

Why am I thinking about that asshole? I shrugged. 

I got up on a Saturday getting ready for a job interview. I want this to look good for my college applications. I scored an interview at some nursing home. I dressed nice, but not too nice. 

"Where are you going sis?" Logan asked. 

"I have an interview." I blatantly said. Logan could tell that I did not want to talk to him right now. He was hounding me and invading my personal space. I rolled my eyes when he shut my door. I headed out to my car for the interview, I hope it goes well because I desperately need a job if I ever want to save up for college. 

Once the interview was done, I felt so relieved. The manager told me that I would be a good fit and that he wanted to interview me again over the phone. I got home and threw my purse on the floor and headed to my room for a nap. 

"DAD!" I yelled mortified. I stood over his bloody body, and he was dead. I screamed and screamed until I jolted awake, only I wasn't awake. I was awake, but in my own subconscious mind. I felt someone's hands on my body, and I started to scream in my head. 

"Wake up!" The voice shouted. Finally, I woke up from my nightmare. 

"Logan?" I said confused, I rubbed my eyes to make sure this was real. 

"You had a bad dream!" Logan said. 

"Get off of me!" I said kicking him away from me. 

"What happened to you? And don't bullshit me." 

"What happened?!" I said, panting. "You want to know what happened, Logan? We'll here is what happened. I was raped by my ex-boyfriend, then my other ex-boyfriend decided to backstab me with my best friend, or so I thought. Then I witness our damn father almost get murdered; then he moved us to a new city where I am hated and am tormented every day, and YOU just so happen to be friends with them!" I yelled at him. He was shocked at by what I just told him. He lowered his eyes feeling somewhat guilty. I did not want to shock him like that, but the real truth had to be told anyway for him to understand the harsh reality. 

"I'm sorry. I understand you're upset with me. I want to be there for you." Logan said, pulling me into a hug. "I promise if by me hanging out with Marcus and Jayden makes you upset, I won't do it anymore." I cried while he was hugging me. 

"I want you to know that whoever hurt you in that way, I will kill him." Logan said. 

I sucked in a deep breath, "It was Tyler..." I revealed. 

"Tyler? As in my best-friend Tyler!?" He said with anger written all over his face. 

"He wasn't who I thought he was, you know. He made me feel... special at first." I say wiping away my tears and sniffling. Logan pulled me back into a hug and we sat there for a good ten minutes. 

"Look, I promise I'll stop hanging out with them. Lu, I am so close to finding out their secrets." he said. 

"Fine! Just don't trust them." I spoke. 

"I won't, I promise." 

___________________________

I walked into school on Monday with my head held high. 

I wasn't going to let anyone, and I mean anyone push me around like a rag doll today. 

Third period rolled around quickly, and it was time for lunch. I haven't spoken to Karina all day today. I wonder where she is. Jayden walked in the cafeteria with Marcus, Skylar, Candace and her minions. 

I did my best to avoid all eye contact with these people. I just wanted to get through the day. I got my lunch and sat down, alone. Someone quickly came into my view as I was eating my turkey sandwich. 

"Hey!" Ethan said.

"Ethan, what's up? How have you been?" I asked. I was concerned about him. Ethan was nerdy, but he wasn't ugly looking. If he cleaned himself up, I'm sure he would have all the girls at his feet. 

Ethan reminded me of Clay, but in a positive way. 

"I'm good. I just got back from DECA." Ethan said eating his cafeteria pizza. 

"How can you eat that stuff?" I asked, scrunching my nose. 

"You get used to it! Plus, it's from dominos." Ethan said.

I accidentally took a peek at their table. Logan was sitting far away in the distance watching me. Logan is a "man" of his words. Ethan notices me glancing at them. 

"So, what's the deal with you and them?" He asked. 

"I don't know to be honest. I hate everyone sitting at that table, except maybe for Skylar. I don't know her but Marcus, Jayden, Candace and her minions are the cruellest people I have ever met!" I explained. 

Ethan hesitated, "You should've seen what they did to the last girl who went here, it was sad." Ethan spoke. 

"What do you mean?" I asked. 

"There was this one girl who went here a long time ago. Her name was Nova Elridge, she went here last year. The girls in that 'group' bullied her to death. No one knows what happened to her, or if she is even alive." Ethan said. 

"Wow." I say, truly shocked about what he just told me. 

"Did you know her?" I asked. 

Ethan paused, "She was my girlfriend..." he said looking down. 

"I'm so sorry, Ethan!" I say holding a handout to his. He took my hand and squeezed it. I looked over at their table again and met with his eyes. Boy, I wish I hadn't looked over. Jayden's forehead tensed; I could see his veins popping out. His jaw was clenched, and he seemed like he was ready to come over here. 

The first bell rang signaling us that fourth period was starting. When that went by, I headed to my car, Logan said he had practice so he couldn't drive. I had to stay behind while I put my books in my locker. While all the car's left, there was only my car and one other. I don't know whose car it is. 

I felt someone push me against my car. I tried to fight with all my might but ended up losing feeling in my arms. 

"What do you think you're doing hanging around Ethan Blake!?" The voice asked. His venomous voice coursed through my ears. 

"My life is not your business. You don't get to push me around or control me. Stay the hell away from me before I call the police." I say with fear. 

He turned me around, Jayden's body was on top of mine on the driver's side of my car. 

"Stay the fuck away from Ethan, or else!" Jayden said with anger.  

"Is that a threat?" I say with fury, "Because I'm pretty sure if you're threatening my friend, I will not tolerate it." I yelled scrunching my forehead and tensing up my face to make him back off and to let him know that I was serious. 

When Jayden let his guard down, I kicked him in the balls. I groaned and held them on the ground. He's lucky I don't show him the video of Skylar and coach, because I'd love to see the look on this jerk's face.