Rainbow in the Darkness

Chapter 12

I walked into school the next day with a big smile on my face. I had had a great nights sleep and I was finally able to tell Derrick that I loved him. I walked right over to my locker, excited to finally tell Derrick those three special words. I walked up to my locker, not expecting to see Derrick to be holding a single rose and a card. I was in complete shock, but I kept walking to my locker, wanting to leap into his arms and proclaim my love for him. Once I got to him, I stopped in front of him and looked up at him. Derrick had a guilty expression on his face. That's when I knew that the rose and card was an apology for acting the way he did yesterday afternoon.

"Abi, please forgive me. I didn't mean to act like that. I was just worried about you. I-"

My lips pressed up against his, stopping him from apologizing further. I pulled back and said those three special words. "I love you."

Derrick's expression changed completely. He went from being sad to being the happiest man alive. You would have thought that I gave him a million dollars. "I love you, too, Abi," he said, pulling me into a hug.

"If you couldn't tell, you are forgiven," I said into his chest. I felt him kiss the top of my head, sending a shiver down my spine.

I pulled away from him, opening my locker and grabbing my books. I knew we didn't have much time until first period started. We decided to walk to first period separately today. I had a test that I needed to be on time too and Derrick was one strike away from detention. I walked down the hallway to my first period class when someone grabbed my wrist and yanked me to the side. It was Bianca, the girl who kissed Derrick.

I was too shocked to say anything, but I didn't have to wait long until Stacey started talking. "You know your little boyfriend is only with you because he thinks you are easy. Why do you think he brought you to his house? He knows you are just a little slut that will sleep with him. You will always be Easy A." Before I could even give her a response she walked away. I tried to stop the tears from forming, but no matter how hard I tried the tears wouldn't stop from falling down my cheeks. I was happy that Derrick hadn't seen this little encounter. He would have flipped out. I brushed away the tears and quickly walked to class, sitting into my seat seconds before the bell rang.

It was eighth period when the principal came on the loud speaker.

"Attention everyone. We are having an emergency assembly ninth period. Every class is mandatory to attend. Anyone who does not attend will get suspended. Thank you."

Everyone was confused about the principal's announcement. No one had any idea what the assembly would be about.

Everyone slowly walked to the auditorium. I had a bad feeling walking into the room. I felt like something bad was going to happen. I tried to brush away the feeling, but something was going to happen and it wasn't going to be good. I followed my fellow students and sat down, trying to blend in with the crowd.

The principal and vice principal walked into the auditorium causing everyone to become silent.

"So, it has been brought to my attention that there has been bullying in that halls." My heart dropped. Could have Derrick told? He wouldn't do that to me. Would he? "This is supposed to be a safe environment for everyone and we will not have this school become toxic. It has brought to my attention by an person who shall be remain anonymous that this bullying has only gotten worse over the past couple of days. We are making some changes to avoid further problems. There will be teachers in the hallways at all times and they will not hesitate to send you to my office where you will be suspended. There will also be more teachers on duty in the cafeteria. We also expect all of you to report any bullying if you see any. This school will a safe place for everyone."

My breath was coming in faster. It was getting hard for me to breathe. I think I was having a panic attack. How could he have done that? How could he have betrayed my trust? I looked around the room, catching the stares of my ex-friends. All of them looked at me with disgust in their eyes. They made me feel like vermin, a deadly disease even. I could tell they were also pissed off at me, but I didn't do anything. I knew they would blame me, which is why I didn't want Derrick to tell anyone. I knew this was going to happen. Now they were just going to bully me even more, except this time they would do it sneakily, like in the girls' bathroom or anywhere else no teachers were.

I needed to get out of the auditorium. I needed to be away from them as well as be away from Derrick. I could see him across the room. He was staring at me, looking guilty. All the students were talking and the teachers were having an intense conversation, so I snuck out the back of the auditorium. I needed to get home. I pushed the door open and started walking towards my car. I could care less about the homework that I needed to complete; I just needed to get home before any of them saw me.

I heard the door open and shut behind me. I knew who it was. Derrick. He came out to talk to me. "Abi..."

I ignored him.

"Abigail, please." His voice cracked. He was sad, but I was too angry to care.

"Leave me alone."

"No."

I spun around and looked at him. I was furious now. "No? You think you of all people is the person I want to see right now? You told the principal! You just made everything worse! Now they are really going to get me! Did you see them looking at me like they were going to kill me? They are pissed and all because you told the principal! Just leave me alone Derrick." I spun around and started jogging to my car.

I didn't even want to think what tomorrow was going to be like. I didn't have Derrick to protect me. I had just lost the one and only support system I had. I would have a very hard time at school tomorrow.

I didn't even want to think about what my parents would say if I told them what was going on during school. They had no clue that I was being bullied. It's not their fault. They were great parents, really they were. I'm the one to blame for them not knowing. I hid it very well. They didn't know anything and they never will. It would break them if they knew their little girl was being bullied at school.