"If I could go back to when I was little
I'd say it's alright to be stuck in the middle
When all the best things about you don't ever gotta change
It's a cold world, so unforgiving
You know how you don't have to just take what you're given
You don't...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!! COMMENT AND VOTE! IT HELPS US WRITERS STAY MOTIVATED:)
ORIGINAL TIMELINE (APRIL 16, 2003)
Alexis's footsteps echoed softly as she walked, her heart still fluttering with excitement from sneaking around with Quinn. She'd just spent hours with him, sharing laughs, secrets, and stolen moments, and now she was alone, her cheeks warm from the memory. A small smile lingered on her face as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, watching Quinn disappear into the back corridors with a quick, shared glance that spoke volumes.
As she turned a corner, though, the thrill of the evening evaporated in an instant. Val and Brian stood ahead, waiting like predators. Alexis's heart dropped, and she felt her pulse quicken, her smile fading as she met their judgmental stares. Their faces were twisted with sneers, an ugly delight flickering in their eyes as they eyed her up and down.
"Well, well," Val smirked, crossing her arms, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Look who decided to crawl out of the gutter."
Brian snickered beside her, his gaze hardening as it settled on Alexis. "No way you were just hanging out with the nerd," he sneered, almost as if the words themselves left a bad taste in his mouth.
Alexis's cheeks flushed red, embarrassment creeping over her. She shifted uncomfortably, clutching her bag tightly, as if it could shield her from their cruel words.
"He's my friend," she mumbled, her voice almost a whisper, trying to keep the tremor out of her tone. Her eyes darted to the floor, trying to avoid their mocking gazes.
Val and Brian exchanged a glance, and then their laughter erupted, loud and cruel, filling the empty mall corridor. Each note felt like a slap, stinging her deeply, and she could feel her chest tightening as shame settled over her like a weight.
"Seriously? We thought you were cool, Alexis," Val said, her tone dripping with contempt as she looked her up and down, like Alexis was something pathetic. "But that's just... lame."
The words cut like knives, each one sinking deep into her. Alexis blinked rapidly, fighting back tears. She'd always been sensitive, and moments like these hurt her more than she could ever admit. She had thought maybe Val and Brian would accept her, would see her as someone worth their time. But their laughter, their disdain-it shattered that hope.
"You're mean!" she choked out, her voice cracking, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. Brian's smirk widened, and he leaned in, his voice a low, mocking whisper. "Aw, is little Alexis gonna cry now?" He took a menacing step forward, lifting his hand as if to intimidate her.
Before she could fully process the threat, a shadowy figure loomed behind Brian. The air seemed to still, a chill settling over the corridor, and before anyone could react, a gleam of metal arced through the air. In an instant, a massive axe came down, embedding itself into Brian's skull with a sickening crunch. Blood sprayed in all directions, splattering across Alexis's face, warm and sticky.
