Heart Key (#Wattys2016)

Chapter 8: Love Song

Song: Love Song

By: Sara Bareilles

"Well Mr. Brown was looking fabulous today." Chloe jokes as she sits across from me at lunch and I nearly gag at the thought. Emma laughs before reaching over to pat me on the back as I choke on my food.

"Yeah right, and I'm going to win the Olympics in hurdles." Chloe busts out in laughter at that. Yeah, the last time I tried to do hurdles I kept face planting until I got a concussion. The sad thing is, no one tried to stop me. I got quite a few hits on YouTube though. 

Emma looks at me in confusion and I quickly explain and she looks at me for a few minutes before busting out in laughter. Her laughter mixes with Chloe, making a loud ruckus and causing people to turn and look at us. Not that they don't already do that.

I mean Chloe is the golden boy's girlfriend and Emma is a girlfriend of one of the other golden boys. I'm just the girl who hangs out with them. After a few minutes of their laughter I roll my eyes at them before speaking up over them and saying, "I'm glad my former concussed head causes you two so much enjoyment."

They slowly calm themselves down and I frown at them angrily, refusing to look at them as I stare down at my food. "Aw, is little Marcy pouting?" Chloe coos and I cross my arms but still refuse to look up at them.

"Come on, we were only kidding." Emma tries but I still don't look up as I turn my gaze to stare out the window across the room. I can hear them discussing my state in whispers just as Logan, Sam, and the rest of the golden boys walk up.

"Is Marce pouting again?" I hear Logan ask but I still refuse to look at any of them as I watch a bird fly around outside. "Yeah, but we can't figure out how to make her stop." Emma says, with a hint of worry playing at the edge of her voice. I can hear them all start to discuss it and I contemplate leaving the table when a cookie blocks my sight.

But it's not just any cookie, it's my favorite, a sugar cookie. I feel my eyes widen as I reach for it but it's quickly pulled away from me and in the direction of the golden group. Yep, that's what I'm calling them from now on.

I catch myself from looking over but instead thrust out my hand and say, "Please place the cookie on the hand in order for it to be inspected by my stomach."  I hear some laughs but then Logan says, "Ooh, this must be bad, she's in robot mode."

I can practically feel Emma and Chloe nod as I motion them to hand the cookie over. I hear some more discussion  before Nick's voice says, "Stop pouting and we'll give you the cookie." I consider it but then I think of a better idea.

I wait a second more before launching myself over the table and snatching the cookie from them before taking off across the cafeteria and out into the hall where I quickly slide into the Janitor's closet as I devour the cookie in two bites.

"Where'd she go?" I hear Emma ask as I quiet myself down and listen to their footsteps pass. I smile when I hear them disappear before carefully peaking my head out of the closet. Seeing no one in close range I carefully slip out of the closet only to be pinned to the lockers a few seconds later. 

I let out a grunt of surprise as the locker handle digs into my back, causing sharp pain to shoot up and down my spine. Tears spring to my eyes but I quickly blink them away as I look to see who my attacker is.

Nick? I look up at him in surprise as he smirks down at me triumphantly. I feel myself swallow nervously before grinning up at him hopefully. "H-hey Nick." I stutter as I glance at how his arms have trapped me. I hate being trapped.

"What's with the attack. That hurt." I tell him as I reach up to push him away. He quickly grabs my wrists and drives them against the lockers, causing me to wince in pain. "You know that I've liked you. I've like you for a long time, yet, you refuse to go out with me every time." He pushes my wrists harder and harder into the locker as he speaks and the pained tears return each time.

"I-I just don't want a relationship. I-I'm sorry if I've h-hurt you but a lot more pain comes from falling in love." I tell him and I fight the tears that are threatening to spill over with each word. He stares down at me, his eyes darkening as he does and I can't help but look up at him fearfully as he starts to lean towards me, staring at my lips as he does.

There ain't no way my first kiss is going to be against my will! My mind shouts and I quickly bring my knee up and hit him right where the sun don't shine. He groans in pain and looses his grip on me. I quickly shove him away before taking off down the hall and into the nearest classroom.

 I pant from the run, holding one hand over my heart as the fear slowly leaves me. I look down at my wrists to see bruises circling around them and feel a trickle of blood run down my back. I take a few seconds to catch my breath before I let the tears fall.

I slide against the wall and to the floor before pulling my knees up to my chest and crying into the fabric of my pants. I feel my shoulders shake as I cry and the pain fan throughout my chest. I cry for a good few minutes until I feel a hand land on my shoulder.

I look up to see Emma looking at me worriedly as she pulls me into a hug. "N-Nick." I stutter, trying to explain but she shushes me and smooths my hair in a soothing manner. "It's okay." She whispers. "You can tell me when you're ready." 

I sniffle gratefully as I run my hands along my face to rid myself of the tears that soak my face. It takes me a few minutes until I've stopped crying and all that's left of my pain is the shuddering breaths I always get after I cry.

"T-thank you." I whisper and she offers me a sympathetic smile before pulling away and standing to her feet. She offers me a hand to help me up and pulls me to my feet. "Whatever happened, I'm sure it'll be alright." She tells me and, as much as I want to believe her, I simply shake my head before leaving to get to my next class.