Graceful| Grace Helbig-Sequel #Wattys2017

Chapter 18

Hartley's P.O.V 

I've started. I've started cutting. It's the only way I can feel better about everything. The bullying at school, the adoption, everything I hate it. I went back to school a few days ago, people bullied me for the fact that I gave my son away and I didn't face up to my responsibilities. I tried to explain my situation but that didn't work. Even at a new school the bullying would not stop.

"Honey wake up its time for school." Grace whispers to Hartley, while shaking her.

I slowly wake up. I cover my armpits with deodorant, and start putting on my school uniform. I pull down my sleeve of my blazer to cover the scars of my self harm. I spray my wrists with Wonderstruck perfume by Taylor Swift. I make my way down stairs and towards the kitchen. Mom had food already on a plate, on the table. I sit next to Eve and pick at my food.

"Not hungry?" Mom asks, picking up Everley as she is screaming the house down.

"No, not really. Can't I stay home from school? I don't feel well." I ask, putting my head in my hands.

"It's probably just nerves. Now go get Everley in the car. I will be there in a second." Mom explains passing me Everley.

I hold her as far away as possible, as she squirms in my arms. I open the front door and walk a few paces to the car. I balance Eve on my hip and fling open the car door. I place Eve into her car seat and strap her in.

I slam the door shut, making sure I don't brake it. I make my way round the other side of car and sit in the passenger seat. I pull of my phone from blazer inside pocket and put my earphones in, so I don't have to listen to moms inspirational talks.

It takes a few minutes for mom to drive me to school.

"Have a good day." Mom says, as I get out the car.

"Thanks." I reply stubbornly. I look at the school gates, I take a deep breath and slowly walk in.

I walk towards the school lunch hall, where no one goes. The rumours had obviously spread around the school. I know exactly who started them; Maddison.

I hear a lot of 'oh my god I would never put my son up for adoption' and 'what a slut' but I ignore it. Till one girl came up to me.

"Oh My God why didn't you just grow up and deal with your mistakes. If I had a baby I would never give it up. That's cruel."

"Shut up." I whispered, trying to ignore her. She shuts up and walks away from me. I head off towards the school hall. I wait for ages till the school bell rings, to clarify that I need to head to morning tutor (some people say form). I walk by myself to my tutor (or form) room, and go and sit next to one of the immature popular boys. I take my pencil case and organiser on the table, ready for the lesson.

"Hi Hartley." He greets, punching his friend in the arm making him watch.

"Hi Wilson." I reply embrassed. I look up at the exact moment Maddison walks into tutor. She glares at me for a second then carries on towards the popular girls table.

"So how's your baby?" Wilsons friend Jake asks.

"I don't want to talk about it." I whisper putting my head in my hands.

"Oh come on. See if my girlfriend got pregnant I would help and stick around. I would give my baby up for adoption. I mean that's just cruel. You should face up to your mistakes...I mean.."

"Oh my god shut up." I scream at him, just as my tutor teacher walks in.

"Hartley. Stop shouting and screaming and sit down now. Stay behind for a minute after tutor." My tutor teacher says, pointing at me.

"So where is the baby's father?" Jake asks.

"He doesn't have one. He has two mothers that love him very much." I explain to shut them up.

"OH MY GOD HARTS SON WAS ADOPTED BY LESBIANS!!!!!!" Jake shouts out to the rest of the tutor. So all of my tutor room know.

I start silently sobbing into my arms, wishing the ground would just swallow me up. I feel a panic attack coming on. I grab my bag and shoved everything on my desk into it, trying to get out the classroom as fast as I can, and before I freak out in front of everyone. I don't wait for permission, I just storm out of the class. I try and get out of school grounds, but I never make it, I collapse onto the school field. Just in front of my favourite teacher. I start clutching my chest as I try to get air into my lungs, but nothing would work. I started to feel very lightheaded, and I started to black out. 

"Hartley? Hartley whats wrong?" I hear my favourite teacher Mr Pond ask, rushing out after noticing me on the floor.

Mr Pond's P.O.V

All of a sudden Hartley's eyes roll backwards to only reveal the white bits of her eyes. Her breathing suddenly slows down. Until it stops, then starts again.

I take off her bag from her back so she doesn't injury her back. All of a sudden, she starts to violently shake. All over her body. I try to stop her, but nothing works. I see a student walk towards us, so I call them over.

"HEY. QUICK I NEED YOU TO GET THE SCHOOL NURSE AND QUICK. TELL THEM HARTLEY IS HAVING A SEIZURE OR JUST SAY SHE IS HAVING A FIT." I shout. The student quickly dashes off towards the nurses office.

"It's ok Hartley. Your going to be ok." I whisper, holding her head. She continues to fit for another few seconds then she relax's unconscious.