Progress.

Chapter 2.

Willow

About a week had passed already, I was warming up. I had people I could call friends. Sophie and I hit it off, we had a lot in common! After school, we would study at her house, sometimes James or Noah would join, and my mom was so happy for me! My dad and I had a bad fight a few days ago, my body aches a little still. Every morning I try to cover the bruises or marks left behind with concealer. But today, I forgot since I was rushed out of the house by my dad. Luckily it was cold so I could easily cover them with a hoodie.

I haven't given up on Anthony, I will keep trying to lighten him up. He's so grumpy. Whenever I would attempt to make conversation, I would be ignored.

I walked the hallways, pulling on my hoodie sleeves, my head hanging lower than usual. I moved my hair behind my ear trying to fight through the people. I entered the small classroom and sat down in my seat. I hadn't seen Sophie all day, all I got was a loud "Hi Willow!'' across the hallway from Lucas.

As the teacher talked, which I just picked at my skin, papers started being passed around, our test scores. The teacher made us do some pre-lesson quiz, it was graded. the paper was placed on my desk, I flipped it over reading the 'D+' in the right corner.

Thickness lined my throat.

My heart rate picked up.

I quickly excused myself to the bathroom, when I rushed to my locker. My hands shook as I tried to spin the lock. It didn't work.

Was the pin wrong?

My hands trembled as I dropped my backpack, everything scattering against the ground. My breathing started to become rapid as I kneeled on the ground attempting to collect everything. Tears welled in my eyes, my lip quivered.

I couldnt breathe.

My whole body shook.

No. No No No.

Anthony

As the school week passed as slowly as ever, I didn't show up to many classes anyway. My parents were pretty much pissed at me, my friends were mad at me for not showing up, and honestly, school just sucked in general. Being a senior in high school was hell. But nothing will beat junior year.

Oh yeah, Willow has not left my mind for a fucking second. Every time those innocent blue eyes looked at me, or the way her words rolled off her tongue, or the skip in her step, or her small laughs...

Dammit.

I always found my eyes lingering on her when she wasn't looking. Whenever she would try to make conversation with me, I would ignore her. I only did it so maybe it will help get her out of my mind but I always end up feeling bad. She's too innocent for me, she should stop trying to get involved.

I roamed the halls, avoiding class and teachers. As I focused on my phone, music playing through my earbuds, I heard a noise. I took out my earbud and listened as I stopped mid-hallway. It was a heavy breathing... whimpering sound. My eyebrows furrowed in confusion as I slowly turned the corner where the sound was coming from.

My eyes met a small girl kneeling on the ground looking frantic.

Willow. Shit.

My thoughts fought with each other, should I go by her? I could tell it was turning into a panic attack, an anxiety attack. My little sister grew up with anxiety so I knew a lot.

Fuck it.

My legs started moving towards her before I could think. I stood over her as she threw things back into her backpack.

"Willow.'' I breathed out, kneeling in front of her. She looked up and I watched a tear run down her cheek, It hurt seeing her like this and it shouldn't.

She looked like she couldnt breathe, as if she was suffocating.

"Relax, sit against the locker''.

"No.. no I-" she stuttered.

"Willow,'' I demanded a bit harsh. I watched her flinch as she leaned against the locker, resting her face on her knees. I collected her things into her backpack, hearing muffled whimpers coming from her.

Once I was done I sat next to her waiting for her to calm down, I couldnt just leave her.

"You can go home. It might be best.''

"I'll be fine..'' she stretched out her legs, wiping her tears. Her sweatshirt sleeve lifted a bit revealing a bruise on her wrist.

What the hell?

I brushed it off, my eyes trailing back to her face. "Come on.'' I stood up putting my hand out. She looked up before taking my hand, her soft hands mine as I pulled her back to her feet. I handed her the backpack back, she slung it over her shoulder.

We walked back to her class in silence, my mind still on the bruise on her wrist. We stopped as she turned to me sniffling and wiping her tear-stained cheeks.

I watched as she tugged down her sleeves, her hands having small spots where skin was missing.

"Thank you.'' her voice cracked.

I nodded in response before giving her one last look and turning back around to continue my walk around the hallways.

I didn't need to know what happened. As long as she was ok, I was ok.

I didn't know why I felt this way.

I didn't even know I could.

Something about that girl.

God dammit Willow Vandezand.