Ellie found herself at a crossroads, unsure of how to respond to Damien's probing question. The weight of her secret pressed heavily on her chest; she was reluctant to reveal the truth about the bullying she endured. With a forced smile that barely masked her turmoil, she replied, "Well, it's just something we do between friends. You don’t need to worry."
Damien's gaze bore into hers, a piercing intensity that made her heart race. He could see through her facade; the way she averted her eyes betrayed her. "So, for you, friends throw water at each other and mock their appearance?" he asked, his voice laced with seriousness.
Ellie felt the pressure mounting, a suffocating sense of dread enveloping her. She desperately wanted to shield him from the reality of her pain. Meeting his gaze, she retorted, "I find it ironic coming from you, considering you killed my bird. Remember?"
Damien's expression shifted, a flicker of realization crossing his face. He sensed that Ellie was concealing something deeper, something that gnawed at her spirit. The tension hung in the air, thick and palpable, as both of them grappled with unspoken truths.
He took a deep breath, his voice trembling as he said, "I am truly sorry for killing your bird. Please, will you be my friend?" Ellie was taken aback by his unexpected plea, her heart racing with a mix of surprise and sorrow. Yet, with a heavy heart, she replied, "I would have loved to, but you shouldn't get involved with me. You will regret it." The words slipped from her lips before she could fully process their weight. She was desperate to protect Damien from the darkness that surrounded her—Jake, Emily, and Mathew, the relentless bullies who thrived on tormenting anyone who dared to stand beside her.
"Then I don't care about your opinion," he declared, his voice resolute and unwavering. "I will be your friend whether you like it or not."
At that moment, Ellie felt a flicker of hope mixed with dread. Could she allow someone else to share in her pain? Would Damien truly be safe, or would he become yet another target in the cruel game of adolescence? The tension hung in the air, thick and suffocating, as she grappled with the weight of her decision.
Ellie couldn't comprehend why he was so insistent on being her friend; after all, they had only known each other for a brief time. Yet, there was a flicker of warmth in her heart at the thought that someone cared enough to pursue a friendship with her. She masked her happiness with a sarcastic retort, "Do as you like," hoping to maintain an air of indifference.
Damien, undeterred by her tone, flashed a genuine smile and inquired, "What are you still doing at school at this hour?"
With a heavy heart, Ellie replied, "Well, my driver's mom is sick, so I have to take a taxi home." Her expression turned somber as she added, "I hope she gets better."
In a moment that caught her off guard, Damien offered, "I can drive you home in my car, if you’d like."
YOU ARE READING
The Accepted Outcast
Teen FictionEllie Malcolm was born with unusual features: she had no body hair, pale skin, and wide blue eyes, which made her seem unattractive to others. As a result, her classmates bullied her, and she felt unloved by her parents. However, everything changes...
