When The World Turns

Chapter 5 (Official)

-- Rrrrrrrrring --

"Alright class," Mr. Miller calls out. "That's it for today's lesson. Make sure to review your notes for Friday's exam. Class dismissed."

Nice, gotta go before Adri-

"Heyy" Adrianna interrupts my thought, perfectly on cue once again. She slams her hand down on my desk, making me flinch.

In the process, I knock over my pencil. "Damn it, you're making me drop shit"

"You're the one who dropped it," she giggled. "Don't blame me, freak."

I roll my eyes, "Sure, alright now"

"Keep rolling 'em and I'll poke your eyes out"

"Okeyy," I mutter sarcastically, getting up and picking up my pencil to place it in my bag

She grumbles and shoves me down. "Really?" I look at her.

She giggles and sticks her tongue out.

Mimickingly, I stick my tongue out back at her only for her to flip me off with her right hand

"Alright, see you later now," I respond.

Adrianna proceeds to walk past me, shoving me to the side with her shoulder. I let out a sigh, grab my bad and head for the door as well.

"Might be a second late, not the worse thing," I mutter, eyes on the floor.

"Stop talking to yourself, shithead," Jason's voice cuts through the hallway, followed by a hard shove that knocks me off my feet. His usual smirk plastered across his face, "Move, bitch!"

I can hear Adrianna snicker as she continues her walk, gaining distance between us with each step. Leaving me in Jason's hands.

"Shut up," I mutter under my breath.

"What's that? I dare you to repeat it"

Feeling irritation coming in, I lash out at him. "I said, shut up."

He grabs my arm roughly, griping his fingers into my skin and slamming me into a locker, not loosening his grip for even a second.

"Who the fuck do you think you are?" He snaps, yanking me closer. "You think you can talk back at me? You're nothing. You're not even worth the dirt under my shoes."

"Jason, you're hurting me. Let go." I wince, hoping for once he might listen.

"You worthless whore," he growls louder, making my stomach turn. To no avail, I continue resisting his hands. With little to no warning, he slams me again, harder this time. As I try to steady myself, his fist slams into my stomach, like a sledgehammer, knocking the wind right out of me. The pain shoots through me like fire. I double over, gasping but no air comes, as if my lungs forgot how to function. I desperately clutch onto the locker to stay upright.

"Slut!" He spits, smirking before walking off.

I whimper, still clinging on the locker for support, trying not to lose myself in the pain or the panic. My legs disobediently tremble as I make my way down the hall and into the stairwell.

Sunlight pouring through the tall glass window, welcoming me in, and the silence wrapping around me like a warm blanket. I struggle myself down, taking a seat on one of the steps. Still wincing at the pain, still throbbing in my core.

"So beautiful" I whisper out, a tear slipping down my cheek.

Almost like letting loose, like something huge and heavy is trying to crawl it's way up. A sob escapes before I could stop it, loud and jagged. It's like all the pain I've swallowed finally teared free.

"I don't belong here. No one loves me. I can't take it anymore," the words pour out. "I want to end it already."

"You okey?" A gentle voice cuts through my sobs, making me jolt.

"Sorry," The soft voice responds to my reaction. "I didn't mean to scare you. I heard you and.. wondered if you're alright."

I wipe my tears with my sleeve, hoping whoever this person is didn't just see my current state. I look around, scanning the area to see where the voice was coming from. Behind me.

I turn around slowly and see him.

For a second, everything else fades. The hallway, the pain, even the sunlight feels quieter. Standing there is the most beautiful man I've ever laid my eyes on.

His skin glowing in the soft light, deep brown eyes meet mine, gentle and curious. And his curls, soft, perfectly tousled, like they fell into place without trying. My breath catches. I blink, just to make sure he's real. He smiles so effortlessly, making something in my chest shift.

"Looks like I'm not the only one who enjoys this spot," he let's out a small chuckle. "Ethan Gomez, and you?" He extends his hand out, waiting for my respond.

"Oh uh," I stumble my words out with a sniffle, "Max Mei Lin."

"Pretty name," he continues smiling. "Not to be noisy, but are you alright? I've been told I'm a good listener."

I blink up at him, still stunned. His presence so bright and gentle, so out of place in my chaos.

His voice felt like sunlight through a storm. And for the first time today, I didn't feel so alone. "Oh uh.."