Maybe This Will Be Different

Fear

Ashley's POV

We arrived back at school everything was quiet.  Everyone must be in class I thought. We started in music, Stef was looking for Dru; he had to tell him what happened. Dru was in one of the practise rooms, playing the drums when Stef went in. I stayed outside and kept an eye out for anyone coming, anyone being Elliot.  Stef was in five minutes when I saw someone coming out of the boy’s toilet, I took a step back. I looked carefully to see who it was, he turned around and I quickly got a look before stepping out of view. It was him. I jumped into the practise room and locked the door, turning to see Dru and Stef looking at me. I gave a nod to Stef and his face turned white, he knew what I was signalling. Dru on the other hand took a moment to catch on. But when he did, he went quiet, he knew me and Stef were in trouble. Stef got down and crawled over before pulling me down.  We crawled over to a cupboard and got in. Dru started playing again. We were hiding in the cupboard, knees to our chests, when we heard the door trying to be opened. Stef grabbed my hand and tightened his grip, he was scared, really scared. Dru stopped and must’ve opened the door, we listened in to see who it was. “Y’all right Elliot!” Dru said a bit too loud. I closed my eyes wishing that we weren’t here, that we were invisible, that he wouldn’t find us. “Hey Dru.” “And what can I do for you then?” “I was looking for... Stef. Seen him?” Stef’s grip got even tighter. “Nope why?” “Just need to talk to him” “Right, if I see him I’ll tell him. What’d he do?” “Nothing... I just need him to explain something to me.” “Oh...” “Oh yeah, that new boy, I wouldn’t mind seeing him either!” My heart was pounding through my chest. “And what of him?” “Same reason.” “Right. Bye Elliot.” “ehm... Bye” I then heard the door close, “Guys he’s gone” Dru whispered.

We gave it a few minutes before coming out. My hands were shaking, Stef looked petrified. “So guys, he is looking for you then, good luck” “Thanks”  I said, I looked at Stef and took his hands, “Stef calm down, you’re okay, it’s all okay, he’s gone” He nodded at me before we both stood up.  “Ash where are we next ?” I smiled to myself, “Music!” Stefan sighed in relief as did I, there was no chance Elliot could get us for now. Before the bell rang, we thanked Dru and cleaned ourselves up.  I turned to Stef, “Okay Stef I need you to be strong okay?” “W-why?” “In this class, we can’t give anything away!” “So you are embarrassed to be with me...” “No! Of course not! I just don’t want it to get any worse for you.” “Okay...” We then left the room and went into class. We took our seats and kept our heads down. The teacher came in and quieted the class. As she was calling the register she stopped suddenly, “Ashley Horne?” She questioned, “Here...”  “Where were you this morning?” “woops..” I muttered to myself, “Oh I was late sorry...” “Very late by the looks of it.” “Yeah...” “Stefan Abingdon, what about yourself?” “Appointment miss....”  “Very well...” She then carried on with the class...  The whole class I was fidgeting, looking around, twiddling my thumbs. I don’t want to go through what happened last time, it was hell and from what I have seen and experienced here, it’s worse.  I have to think of a way I can sort this out, I told Stef I could get him out of this, what if I can’t? I will hate myself forever because I know Stef could be going through worse at home.  I wish he would tell me everything.  The bell rang and I realised I spent the entire time thinking. We got packed up and tried to blend in with everyone else. We shuffled with the rest of the class but everyone started going separate ways... “Stef where are you now?” “Religion, you?” “Science. We can meet at lunch okay?” “No... I’ll have to sit beside Elliot and the gang.” “Oh...”  We didn’t realise that it had gone quiet around us. “Got you!” someone shouted, Stef was then being dragged away. Elliot who else? “No! Let him go!” I grabbed Stef and tried to pull him back, Stef began crying, “Let me go!” I tried pushing Elliot off but then I felt arms grab me and pulled me back, I started to kick and punch but nothing was working, “Toilets” Elliot nodded. We were both dragged into the toilet, put on our knees facing each other.  I looked up at Elliot who was standing behind Stef, he had a smirk on his face....