Just Have Faith

Chapter Fourteen

I pulled into school and parked my car. Well, my mom's car. After locking it and taking a deep breath, I walked into school. Time to deal with my so called friends.

First, I brought my backpack to my locker. As I was there, I saw Nick. Instinctively, I pulled my sweatshirt sleeves down. He was with his friends and I didn't want to bother him. I put my things in my locker but kept my book with me.

I walked to the cafeteria and saw Abbie and Amiya sitting at a table. They looked at me and then just turned back to their conversation.

I heard a laugh that I had become all too familiar with. It was a laugh that set off alarms in my head. "Little Layla, all alone. Where are your friends?" I clenched my jaw, staying silent. "Are you going to talk?"

"They're over there," I said quietly as I pointed to my regular table.

"Did they ditch you? Because, it doesn't surprise me," Josh said.

I stayed silent. I honestly didn't know what was happening with my friends and I.

All of a sudden, I felt a hand grip my wrist; my left wrist, my scarred wrist. "Are you going to answer me?" Josh asked.

My wrist was burning.

"Josh, you're hurting--"

"Hey, let go of her!" Nick, he pops out of nowhere whenever I need help.

I felt Josh's grip release. Then, his hand left my wrist completely. I rubbed my wrist.

"What do you want, Rivers?" Josh spat.

"You never hurt a girl," Nick stated simply.

"I wasn't hurting her," Josh said.

"I saw her rubbing her wrist, Chandler." Chandler is Josh's last name. "And you try to tell me that you weren't hurting her, yeah right."

"I wasn't," Josh denied once more.

"Layla, was he hurting you?" Nick asked.

I slowly nodded. "See, Chandler, you did hurt her. That's a- Wait, what's that on your wrist?"

Oh crap.

"I- I have to go to class," I stuttered as I stood up.

"Layla, wait," Nick said. I ignored him, though.

"Run away, you're weak anyway," I heard Josh say.

He was right. I was weak. I can't stand up for myself. I can't take the emotion or the depression. Some days I want out, but I can't leave. It wouldn't be fair to my friends or family.

"Shut up, Chandler," I heard Nick spit. "You don't know her."

"Ha, I know her better than you do, buddy. Trust me," Josh said.

Their conversation faded out as I walked towards the bathroom. When I got in, I locked myself in a stall. Leaning against the cold wall, I pulled my sweatshirt sleeves down.

I can't believe he saw! I hope Nick didn't piece everything together because I don't know what I'd do if he found out.

When I walked out of the bathroom, I heard my name being called. I turned and saw Nick running towards me.

"I need to talk to you," Nick said.

"Why?" I asked.

"I just need to talk to you, Lay. Is that such a crime?"

"Just, not now, okay? I have to get to class."

"I have the same first period as you, remember?"