"Trust Me."

[3]

It's now Monday morning. Ugh, school. Should I just stay home? I literally have no desire to get out of bed. No motivation.

But I can't have another absence go on my record. I've already had enough and I don't want to chance staying back. I get dressed, do my makeup, my hair, eat breakfast, all in an hour and a half.

It's now 8:15 and school starts in 15 minutes. Fuck. I can make it. I hop in my car and drive to school trying my best to avoid all red lights. I almost ran through a few but I survived.

It was not exactly 8:25. Shit, I got to hurry. I park my car in the parking lot where I always do, grab my purse where I keep my homework and such and dash to the front entrance of my school.

I push past students that know they will be late but honestly don't care because they're not very concerned about staying back or attending college. I race up the stairs, grab my books from my locker, and head to my first period class.

I walk in as everyone's eyes are on me. "Carmen. Late." Ms. Martin informed me. I swear this lady hates me. Her daughter probably brainwashed her into hating me. Figures.

I walk down the aisle to sit at the very back row where the only seat in the entire room sit empty, untouched. I sink into my seat as quickly as possible trying not to cause turning heads.

I began listening to what Ms. Martin was saying but it was hard to concentrate with every student whispering. Automatically, I knew they were whispering about me. But why? Because I'm late? People come late all the time?

I turn to my left and see a girl staring directly at me. I've never really noticed this girl before. When she noticed I caught her staring, her head shot forwards.

I turn to my right to see Scott. Of course. I hadn't really ever noticed him in this class until now. He wasn't paying any attention to me. He seemed mad. Angrier then usual. I guess I could consider him an acquaintance now that we got through everything that happened. Well I guess we did.

I decided to try getting his attention. I lightly kicked his left foot with my right. He turned his head slowly towards me, said nothing, and turned back.

"Scott." I whispered. "What's wrong with you?" It took him a moment to answer.

"What's wrong with me?" He asked as if I had just accused him of doing something that I had obviously known I did. I stared at him in confusion.

"Forget it." He whispered through gritted teeth. I gave up and continued listening to Ms. Martin babble on and on about whatever.

Shortly after, the bell rang out meaning everyone dismissed from their first period class. I rushed out before everyone else could and waited for Scott to walk out into the hallway.

"Scott, why are you ignoring me?" I tried keeping at the same pace as him but kept falling behind. "Scott!" I grabbed his arm to turn him around to face me.

"What do you want, Carmen?!" He shouted. Everyone turned to stare at the source of the shout. Scott rolled his eyes, grabbing my arm and leading me into Coach's empty office. Not this again.

Scott must have seen the look on my face because he assured me that that wouldn't happen again. "Look. I don't want problems. And I'm not sure whether I should be mad at you or not." He looked at me waiting for a reply. He must have been waiting for me to confess to whatever it was he was 'mad' at me about.

"What are you even talking about?" I ask him confused as ever.

"You don't know?" He asked.

"Know what?" I almost yelled. I was so frustrated that everyone seemed to know something except me.

"Someone spread a rumor that I-" He paused. I waited a few moments but he didn't finish.

"Well?" I asked impatiently. He sighed.

"Someone.. said you were telling people that I raped you."

I stared at him in confusion. "What? I swear I never told a soul. I mean I didn't even tell my best friends."

Scott began to think. "Who would've spread a rumor like this? I mean if no one knew-"

I thought for a second, then realized. Who's the one person that has known everything about me my whole life? Always so worried about my life and what I'm doing?

Of course it was her.

Lydia. Lydia Martin.