Scarred Knees

thirteen.

Serena

Thirteen

I FEARED HIM. The way he stared at me with that look painted on his pale face brought me uneasiness as my mother left the room. He got up from the ripped couch and slowly made his way towards me until he was inches away. The familiar hand that I remembered as warm and friendly now felt cold and hard while it rested on my knee, a smirk making its way to his lips. I tried to push him off subtly, only to be be restrained by his muscular frame before his actions led to something unforgivable.

My fingers ran over the clothed legs until they reached my knees. I hated them. They only brought back bad memories of what happened years ago before everything went from bad to worse. It was like his filthy handprints were still lingering on them when he touched me. I seriously considered amputating my legs for a while.

I found myself staring out the large window once more as the soft sound of rain filled my ears. Everyone in my last period class were babbling about some new kid that was supposedly in the roster of our advanced math group. It's been a while since people have shown such interest in one person.

I could overhear Cassey talking to Reese on the other side of the classroom as they gushed at the new kid. The room was silent apart from loud snores that led to our excuse of a teacher. New kid stood at the door awkwardly as everyone documented his looks.

He was fairly tall with hair swept upwards, a earring in his left ear, and a grey button down tucked neatly into his khaki pants. I lost interest in him as soon as Cassey erupted out of her chair to greet him. My mind wandered again before I felt a presence beside me.

"...and this is Serena. Don't be caught dead with her. If you need a pick me up during lunch just call." Cassey cheered, and I could only imagine the wink she sent plus the dirty thoughts racing through her mind. A sigh left my lips as I ran a hand through my hair. Why couldn't she just shut up?

A loud screech entered my ears and I turned voluntarily to see the boy taking a seat next to me. Up close his features seemed more pristine. I could smell the cologne radiating off him and I came to the conclusion he was one of those kinds of people.

"Hello," he greeted boldly. "I'm Finn." His outstretched hand that was waiting patiently for me to shake told a lot about him. I reluctantly raised my hand and shook his. Might as well try to make friends. "Serena is my name." I hardly knew anything about him, but the air that surrounded his being made me feel like a bug preparing to be stepped upon.

"Very lovely name." He faintly complimented. Was he trying to charm me? "So what lesson are you and your peers on in this class?" I scoffed slightly at his words. "We're on lesson whore," I chuckled. "There is no teaching in this class. Your friend Cassey over there gives the teacher sexual favors so we don't have to do anything." Finn's eyebrows raised in surprise before he started to laugh. "That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard."

"Finn!" Cassey called from across the room. Finn's smile was replaced with a scowl. "Come hang out with us!" He glanced at me apologetically before getting up and joining Cassey and her friends.

-

To say I was surprised was an understatement. My hands were clammy when my eyes caught his from across the silent library. The nerves were starting to show. What was Daniel Mathis doing here? He looked as pristine as ever and not even a single hair was out of place. Damn him.

When the literature teacher said she had a tutoring job for me to attend, I didn't think she meant him. I imagined a little nine year old to be struggling with how to spell a word correctly.