Open Deception {Temporary Hiatus}

{One}

My hell started in class, like every other day. I watched the clock tick by the minutes as the rest of the class finished the review problems on the projector. Mr. Monroe was preoccupied with Sandra, his favorite student while the same group of girls giggled over a text message. My days were a broken record of the same people doing the exact same things.

I, of course, had already finished the problems before the final bell rang so I decided to open the novel that I borrowed from the library. It wasn't as interesting as I had hoped but I decided to push through it anyway.

"When the doctor finished his sentence, she remained speechless. Cancer. Darlene struggled with the thought as she carefully swallowed."

Letting my head rest against my palm, I sighed. The writer made the plot predictable and I was disappointed to find that it would be cancer after all. I grudgingly continued anyway. From the corner of my eye a few moments later, I noticed Colt waving at me. His shaggy blonde hair fell over his forehead as he quirked a goofy grin in my direction.

"Psst."

I shook my head and continued to read my book. Forgetting where I had left off, I re-read my sentence while brushing my bangs behind my left ear.

"Come on, Harper. You know you want to look at me."

I rolled my eyes then placed a bookmark between the pages. Turning slightly in his direction, I set the book down and raised an eyebrow.

"What shall I grace your presence with today, Colt?"

His grin widened as he raised his notebook. Pointing to a problem among his chicken scratch, I watched him bat his eyelashes before he spoke.

"What's number seven?"

I considered giving him the wrong answer. I'd done it in the past but figured he might catch on. "You do know that's cheating, right?" I watched him shrug, his smile never fading.

"Harper, does it look like I care?"

I raised my eyebrow once more and let out a sigh before rolling my eyes. I quickly scanned my answers and said, "X equals negative four." He slapped my back with a grin.

"There you go, princess. Was that so hard?"

He didn't wait for a reply. Writing down the answer, he reached for my paper. I tucked the answers under my textbook and laid my arms across to shield them. Colt reached for my wrist just as Mr. Monroe turned around.

"Colt, Harper, is there a problem?"

Mr. Monroe's beady eyes focused on us through black rectangular frames. Colt released my wrist and shook his head. I glanced from Colt to Mr. Monroe then lowered my gaze. "No sir," I mumbled as I shifted uncomfortably in my seat.

"Good."

With that, Mr. Monroe walked toward the front of the class. His frown was apparent but not unusual. I focused on his movement as his gaze refocused onto Colt. Clearing his throat, he snapped his fingers. I turned as Colt's head snapped up.

"Colt, let's hear these answers, shall we?"

Colt huffed as he reached for his paper. Holding it in front of his face, he turned toward me and whispered, "Fucking bitch." I felt the heat of his gaze on my skin and quickly looked away.

I listened as he gave the answers that Mr. Monroe requested. Most of them were wrong and I stifled my laughter. A few times, I noticed him casting his infamous death glare but shrugged it off. Colt hated being called on, this wasn't new. When Mr. Monroe was satisfied that Colt had all but one incorrect answer, he called on me to continue.

I swallowed knowing full well that Colt was angry. I read through each of the incorrect answers that Colt had given, trying to maintain my composure. When I completed the answers from the sheet, Mr. Monroe gestured from Colt to myself.

"Now Colt, if you would quit messing around, you might just learn something and give the correct answers for a change." His eyebrow quickly raised then lowered.

Colt's head remained hidden behind his textbook. I knew he'd opened it some point after he finished reading his incorrect answers but feared his thoughts. All former traces of his goofy smile disappeared. I breathed but forced myself to look forward. Colt continued to pester me throughout the class by flicking paper wads at me and tugging my red hair.

As he pulled my hair a third time, I cried out watching his fist pull away. A few strands lay entangled in his fist. Closing my eyes for a moment, I imagined that he no longer existed. With my thoughts proving unsuccessful, I took a chance and looked at Colt. His eyes lit with a purpose.

Tension built in my neck and shoulders as I replayed scenarios from the past. The clock revealed the bell's impending arrival as I considered my options. Once it rang, I collected my things and quickly exited the room. Detouring to the girl's bathroom, I leaned against the wall and counted down from one hundred. My wait took forever.

Colt's voice echoed down the hall as he threatened to hurt me if he saw me. I gave up counting after reaching seventy-five and walked toward the mirror. My hair looked frazzled from him tugging on it so I quickly ran my fingers through it. My attempts were feeble as the waves refused to cooperate.

The final bell notified me of my tardiness as I collected my belongings. Placing my ear against the door, I listened for Colt's movement. The halls remained quiet so I carefully opened it, unsure of what to expect. Breathing a sigh of relief, I walked out of the bathroom and turned toward the stairwell.

As I climbed the first couple of steps, my body met resistance. I could feel myself being shoved against the wall, a hand gripping my throat. My books fell to the floor but my attention was forced on Colt's face, anger clearly expressed.

"You little bitch."

His hot breath hit my face alongside saliva. I winced struggling to get free. Colt's grip tightened as he slammed me against the wall. He lifted me up so that my feet no longer touched the floor. I tried to kick him but it didn't work. Colt used his body to stabilize my hips against the wall. Blocking my airway, he put his lips up to my ear.

"I don't want to hear your fucking excuses," he spat, "You should have given me your answers. But no, poor miss perfect can do no wrong."

I tried to pull away but he wouldn't allow my body more than an inch away from his. His hot breath hit my neck as chills spread throughout my body. I felt my blood run cold. Colt opened his mouth to say something else but footsteps in the hallway interrupted.

"Aren't you lucky. I'll find you later."

With that, he disappeared up the stairs. I scrambled to gather my belongings then followed his example, racing up the stairs. After stumbling over my own feet, I finally managed to reach the top. Turning to my right, I opened the door and entered my English class where Miss Salton's concern spread across her face.

"Is everything alright, Harper?"

I could feel my face flush as my cheeks turned pink. Knowing that I probably looked worse than expected, I quickly nodded then headed to my seat. I ignored the stares from around me as I placed my books on my desk. Miss Salton began talking about the lesson plan. I waited a moment then reached for my compact mirror.

Carefully, I opened it and examined my appearance. My neck already showed signs of bruising and my hair was all over the place. With my makeup smudged near my temples from the mascara, I looked like I needed to go lay down. I cursed Colt for making me look ridiculous then focused on the lesson. Murderous thoughts slowly crept inside as the minutes passed.