BIG-J

9

As I prepared for bed, I lay down and couldn't help but think about the events of the day, particularly the kiss with Dominic. It felt both surreal and exhilarating, but there was also a sense of unease that lingered within me. Unsure of how to divert my thoughts, I decided to text James, hoping for some distraction.

"Hey," I sent the message and anxiously awaited his response. Moments passed, and just as I started to lose hope, his reply appeared on my screen. Surprised, I sat up and read his text: "Wassup shorty." I rolled my eyes at his typical response and typed back, "What are you doing?"

James replied, "Busy." I couldn't help but be curious about what he could be busy with at such a late hour, so I asked, "Busy with school?" His response came swiftly, "You wish, but nah, go sleep." Reacting with a heart emoji, I bid him goodnight and settled back into bed, trying to let go of the thoughts swirling in my mind.

The next day brought a whirlwind of distress and torment as I made my way to the locker room for PE class. Excitement for the activities ahead quickly turned into dread as I opened my locker, only to be met with a deluge of water cascading down upon me. Shocked and soaked, I looked up, trying to comprehend what was happening, only to find Elinia standing before me, flanked by her two friends, Victoria and Serena.

Confusion and fear swept over me as Serena held me down, preventing any escape, while Victoria, fueled by malice, poured yet another bucket of water over my already drenched body. The repugnant smell of fish filled the air, intensifying the humiliation and adding an unbearable stench to the torment.

With a twisted smirk on her face, Elinia approached, taking out my PE uniform and tearing it to shreds, ruining it beyond repair. She positioned herself in front of me, her voice dripping with condescension. "Know your place," she uttered in a bratty and scornful tone. The words stung, but what followed was even more painful as she slapped me across the face, adding physical agony to the emotional torment already engulfing me.

Struggling to find my voice, tears streamed down my face as the pain overwhelmed me, rendering me unable to stand. Every fibre of my being ached, and I could only lie there, battered and broken, while the tears flowed uncontrollably.

As I lay injured and helpless, I mustered all my strength to crawl towards the locked door. I prayed and hoped that Dominic would notice my absence and become concerned, searching for me. However, as hours passed, my hopes dwindled. No one came to my rescue, and despair settled in, tears streaming down my face.

Just when I had lost all hope, I heard a voice calling out my name. Summoning the last ounce of strength I had, I shouted, hoping to be heard. Miraculously, the voice approached, unlocking the door. However, the first words that greeted me were, "Ewww, it stinks in here."

I recognized that husky voice immediately. It was James. Our eyes met, and at that moment, I could see a mixture of softness and anger in his gaze. True to his usual self, he didn't say much. Instead, he brought me a few towels and gently dried me off. When he asked me to stand, I tried my best but ultimately fell back down, my injuries too severe to support my weight.

James' POV:

As soon as our eyes met, seeing her fragile and injured state, a surge of emotions overwhelmed me. Anger and sadness clashed within me, wondering who could have caused her such pain. I struggled to calm myself down, focusing on finding a towel to cover her body, which was visibly hurt. Seeing the confusion in her eyes, I couldn't help but find it adorable. I had to come up with a solution, so I suggested, "Hop on." Anushka looked puzzled for a moment, but then I lifted her gently and placed her on my back, grinning mischievously. Carrying her, I made my way to the park, asking her to wait while I went to get some coffee and first aid supplies.

Returning to her side, I carefully tended to her injuries, wanting to make sure she was as comfortable as possible. The concern in my eyes couldn't be hidden as I asked, "Who did this?" Anushka hesitated, not wanting to cause more drama, and replied, "It's okay, just leave it." I insisted, determined to find out the truth, but she remained silent. Understanding her need for privacy, I accepted the silence and accompanied her back home, grateful for the opportunity to help her.

Anushka's POV:

Once James left, I immediately texted him to express my gratitude. True to his usual self, he responded with his usual wink, which brought a smile to my face. As I was about to settle into bed, I received a text from Elinia. The message sent a chill down my spine as I read her threatening words, warning me against mentioning or telling anyone about what had happened.

Overwhelmed by the threat and the weight of the situation, I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of worry and fear. I gazed at my reflection in the mirror, tears streaming down my face, questioning what I had done to deserve this targeted treatment. Insecurities flooded my mind, and I found myself in the midst of a breakdown.

Feeling mentally and physically drained, I knew I needed a break from everything. The weight of these thoughts was making me sick, and I made the decision to take a day off from school. It was a necessary step for my well-being, allowing me the space and time to heal from the emotional turmoil I was experiencing.