Grace’s POV
I swiped the tinted power over my left eye vigorously hoping for a dim reaction. I brushed my teeth and swung my bag over my shoulder and walked down the hallway. I walked pass my father, who was passed out on the couch. I hoped that he wouldn’t wake up, because honestly, I wasn’t in the mood for is bullshit. As I walked out the front door, I noticed my mothers car gone. She must’ve gone to work earlier today. I strolled down to the bus stop, to only see the lousy bus pass right before my eyes. “Great.” I mumbled. Around 34 minutes later I had made it to campus, only a few minutes before class. I kept my head down and walked to my seat. As I was walking to my seat I tripped over a girls foot. I apologized for being so clumsy, even though it hadn’t really been my fault. It was a habit that I just couldn’t help. I stumbled to gather my notes. “Look at her.” She giggled. I felt my cheeks burn up. “Aw, little Grace is embarrassed?”. I got to my feet and rushed to my seat. I felt wetness around my eyes knowing that my eye was bound to be exposed within seconds. About 10 minutes later, I felt a strange jab at my hand. I looked down and saw a note. The second I looked up I saw a group of boys laughing their asses off, in that moment I knew something wasn’t good.
“Mrs. Grace Alvares.” My professor stated. “Is there something you would like to share to the class?” He proceeded as he snatched the note from my hand, that I hadn’t got to read yet. He began to read “You-“ But he stopped himself. “Who wrote this note!” He stormed. That same group of boys burst out into laughter. My face was completely flushed. “I will talk to you all later. Back to the lesson.” After what felt like an eternity of nothingness, class was dismissed. I jumped from my chair and fled the room. I walked until I heard the same chimes of laughter from before, and sped up. By the time I had made it to the local diner I was out of breath completely. I rushed into the bathroom and walked into the stall and quietly sobbed. I couldn’t stop my tears, but eventually I did. I grabbed a piece of toilet paper and dabbed my eyes. I took out my pocket mirror and sighed. “Why do things like this always happen to me.” I looked at my mimicking eye in the mirror, full of tears and regret. I remorsefully took out my backup kit and dabbed my eye. I left the stall. I then headed to the front and proceeded to my booth, that the kind lady had assigned me. I was sitting quietly reading the menu, when I felt a light thump on my shoulder. My eyes met with Aarons kind ones. His smile soon faded into a blank expression full of questions. “What happened?” He gestured to my eye. “Uh. This morning when I was walking to school,” I stuttered. “And uh this ball-“ He stopped me. “What really happened, Grace.” He looked at me with a blank expression. “Well, you know. Elijah” I started. “Yes I know, that.” He said in monotone. “Well he um-“ I got cutoff again. “Grace, you should leave him there are other guys out there. Guys who will appreciate you better, not doing things like, like, this.” He claimed gesturing to my eye once again. “Really it’s fine. We’re okay. It was just an accident.” I put on the most plastered smile. But the truth was, Aaron was right. I was interrupted in the middle of my thoughts. “Grace? Are “you gonna order” He smiled. “Oh yeah,” I giggled. Aaron always made me happy. He made me laugh and just plain out enjoy myself. I love him. I really do, just not in that way. He’s like my older brother. Plus, he would be better off with some picture perfect girl. Not some girl like me. I ordered my meal and was having a great time until Aarons face suddenly went worried. He gestured for me to turn around. I peered over the booth and saw Eli with his arm over some girl, not that I cared I was done with his crap and all I wanted to do now was slap him right in the face. But the problem? He was in control. He knew my weaknesses. He could win any battle, between mental to physical I was completely done. But technically, I had tried to break up with him the other day. I ended up getting a black eye. I looked back at Aaron, gesturing that we should leave. I looked at my watch, time had passed pretty much h ours since I had gotten here. I had forgotten all about my classes, not that that mattered right now. Aaron protectively swung his arm over me, in a way, I knew he was trying to get a reaction out of Elijah. I nudged him. “I don’t think this is the right time, for all I know we would be in the hospital if you do that.” I half giggled. “Well I’ll be in the bathroom then I’ll be right back, make sure he doesn’t see you.” He winked. Jesus, sometimes he was just so cheeky. I walked to the counter to pay for my bill. I felt a thick breath not even a foot away from me. “Grace, what are you doing here.” He smiled and hugged from behind. This was his little trick. Pretending to be the worlds sweetest boyfriend. I couldn’t wait till everyone saw his true colors. “I was just here with a friend.” I gave the worlds most pathetic smile, gesturing over to Aaron who had just gotten out of the bathroom. It was about time. Aaron smiled catching onto what I was doing. “What is he doing here.” He argued. “Don’t get so mad.” I joked. I loved messing with him in public, even though I knew I was bound to regret it. “What’s up Eli” He held his hand out for a hand shake, only to be completely ignored. I couldn’t help but laugh. “I’ll see you later” I directed toward Elijah. Seconds before I was close to actually making it out my arm was pulled at a harsh grasp. It hurt like hell. I knew it must’ve been Eli. “Fuck” I mumbled. “Why leaving so soon?” He regarded. “Well Aaron and I were just going to study at the library” I smiled. “Why don’t you just do that tomorrow?” He said. “Well I would, but it looks like you have better things to do.” I said gesturing over to the girl who had just left the bath room. I stormed out before anything else could happen. I started to hear Aaron and Elijah yelling. I knew this wasn’t good.
