She Told Me Not to Worry (SEQUEL to He Told Me Not to Tell) COMPLETE

33

Kenzie's POV

I was really nervous for school, but I didn't tell Mom. I didn't want to worry her.

I tried skipping breakfast, but Mom wouldn't let me. "I'm just not hungry this early in the morning," I explained.

"But you will be before long if you don't eat now."

I didn't want her to know how I was really feeling, so I ate. If she found out, she'd probably freak out. Besides, I'm probably just being dramatic. I'll get over it.

"You ready?" Mom asked as she appeared in my room. I just nodded and started to walk past her and out of my room. She gently grabbed my arm to stop me. "Hey, are you okay?" I just nodded again. "Are you nervous?" I nodded, this time I but my lip as I tried to hold back tears. She pulled me in close and held me. I wrapped my arms around her. I didn't want her to let go and send me to school. "Listen, everything is going to be okay. If people start bullying you, you need to let me know. I'll try and make it better. Okay?" I nodded, still staying silent. She gently took my chin and lifted it so I was looking at her. She smiled and brushed my hair out of my face. "I love you."

"I love you, too, Mom," I responded.

"Let's go before you're late."

When we got to school, I was hesitant to get out of the car. I didn't want to face what was going to happen inside that building, with all of those other kids. I didn't want to face Connor. Who know what he's been spreading about me, or if he talked about me at all. I was hoping for the second option, but I knew it was unlikely.

Mom gave my hand one final squeeze before I got out and faced the day. I walked in and I couldn't help but feel eyes on me. Everywhere I looked, people kept glancing at me. Some would whisper to someone else as they were looking at me. Are they really all staring, or am I just being paranoid?

Every class, I kept feeling judged. Some of the looks I got, most of them actually, were not kind. I didn't even look at Clarissa. She probably hates me even more now.

At lunch, I found Mikayla and her friends. Try we're laughing about something, then when I showed up, they got silent. I. Was about to sit down when Mikayla stopped me. "Listen, you're probably a really nice person, but we have a good reputation here. We cat let it be ruined... By a slut," she whispered the last part.

"A what?" I asked shocked.

"Connor told us all about Thursday night."

"Okay, nothing even happened. And I didn't even want him to."

"That's not what he said. He said you were begging for him as things got intense," she smirked.

"No, that's a lie. I was trying to get him off. But nothing happened. He was stopped."

"Sorry, but everybody believes him. You'll have to find a different table."

And just like that, they all started talking again like I was invisible. I turned and searched for an empty seat. There was a table that no one sat at, and I decided to take that. I sat down and refused to even open my touch box. After a few minutes, I felt the presence of someone else sit by me. I looked over to see Clarissa. She had a sympathetic look.

"You hate me," I said.

"No I don't."

"Look, I'm sorry. I should have listens to you. He is a jerk."

"It's okay, I'm not mad."

"You aren't?"

She shook her head. "But I am worried. Are you going to be okay?"

I nodded. "Do you think this will pass?"

She nodded, but I saw doubt in her eyes.

Well, at least I have my friend back.