I walked into school with my head dropped and my hair hanging over my face. I didn't make eye contact with anyone or acknowledge anyone who called my name.
I tried to block out their voices and only focus on Michael's arm around me but it didn't help much. Their voices continued to whirl around my head as we walked to class.
When we reached the door, Michael turned to face me and took my hands in his.
"I'll meet you back here" He said.
I simply nodded at him; terrified at the thought of being without him today. Everyone at school knew not to mess with Michael or anyone he cared about because Michael surely would do something about it.
"You can text me if you need me" Michael reminded me before he kissed my forehead.
When the bell rang, Michael dropped my hands and turned to head in the direction of his class. I hesitantly entered my English class, my head bowed again. I took my seat in the front of the class and flipped open my book.
All I could focus on throughout the whole class was the group of boys who sat not far from me. I had bruises and cuts from everyone of them. Michael had no idea that these kids had beaten me up multiple times. I never told anyone and Michael never saw the bruises because I kept them hidden.
Behind me, I could hear them whispering about meeting up at the skate park after school. I tensed up when I heard them mention my name.
At the sound of the bell, I jumped up from my seat and got out of there as quickly as I could. As promised, Michael was waiting for me outside. He had me under his arm again as we started down the hallway.
He pressed his lips against my temple as we walked. We stopped at my locker so I could get my stuff before we headed out to his car. I could see some girls giving me dirty looks as Michael opened the car door for me. To this day, I still wondered why Michael chose me when he could have any other girl in this school.
"I'll be over tonight" Michael whispered as he connected our lips.
My parents were in the next room and we didn't want to risk them finding out about Michael spending most nights here.
"See you then" I attempted to give him a smile.
He looked at me for a moment before he shrugged and went back down to his car. I talked to my parents for a moment before I headed upstairs to start my homework.
"Hey sweetie, can you run to the store real quick and get me some milk?" My mom questioned from the doorway of my room.
"Sure" I mumbled.
"Do you want to borrow my car?" she asked.
"I can walk" I replied. "It's not that far"
She smiled at me before she disappeared down the stairs. I slipped on a pair of shoes and my jacket before heading out the front door.
I shivered from the cool air as I walked down the sidewalk. The only sounds were the birds chirping and the faint humming of voices.
I froze when I heard someone call my name. It was a voice I recognized; one that sent chills down my spine. Hesitantly, I kept on walking.
That was a mistake because he easily caught up to me and yanked on my hair. I fell to his feet, wincing in pain. He only kicked my side as he waited for his friends to join him.
All of them were here and all of them looked angry. I knew as soon as I was yanked off the ground that this would be the worst pain they've ever caused me.
I let out a shriek of pain when I felt one of them drag something sharp down my arm. They did it to both my arms before I was lifted up again. This time they pushed me up against a tree. I screamed when a knee was rammed into my stomach. I felt multiple slaps and punches on my face before everything abruptly stopped.
I looked up from my spot on the ground to see Michael throw one of the boys to the ground. The other boys cowered away from him. He yelled something at them and went to punch one of them. The boy fell to the ground as the others scrambled away.
As soon as they were out of site, Michael was at my side. He gripped my forearm as he inspected the blood running down my arms. He brought his other hand to my chin and tilted my face up towards him. My vision was hazy as he looked at me.
"Stay with me babe, we aren't far from your house" Michael said to me as he carefully lifted me into his arms.
I felt the swaying motion as he walked down the sidewalk. I tried to keep my eyes open but my head was pounding and I felt like I was going to throw up.
"Oh dear, what happened?" I heard my mom gasped. "Come in, come in"
I felt Michael lay me on the couch before his hands were pushing up my shirt sleeves. Michael pressed something cold against my arm and gave me an apologetic look. It took a moment but I felt the sting as he cleaned both the cuts and wiped all the blood.
"Y/n sweetheart, do you need anything?" My mom asked as Michael was rolling down the sleeves of my shirt again.
"Can I just go to my room?" I mumbled.
She stepped closer to me but Michael already had me in his arms.
"I got her" Michael murmured.
Michael kept me in his arms as he laid down on my bed. I buried my face into his chest, hoping my pounding headache would go away soon.
"Y/s how come you never told me about those guys?" Michael questioned.
"That was the first time it happened" I lied.
"Was it really?" He raised his eyebrows at me.
"No" I whispered.
I felt his arms tighten around me when I did.
"Look can we not talk about this right now?" I sighed.
"Y/n-"
"Michael please" I whispered.
"Okay love" He murmured, kissing the top of my head.
