Secrets and Lies ||mildie/sillie||

Chapter 22

School quietened down for a while, Millie's warning for Maddie serving to keep the bitches away from them for the time being. Millie's eye healed fast, leaving behind the smallest of scars you could only see up close, she insisted it didn't bother her, but Sadie knew it did, another scar was the last thing Millie wanted.

"Hey, I'll meet you in the cafeteria, guys" Millie said as the lunch bell rang. Sadie looked at her in concern, Millie had been pretty quiet at school and it was starting to worry her, she didn't like her keeping things to herself. Millie gave her a reassuring smile, "bathroom" she elaborated.

The rest of the gang all walked off, Millie making her way to the nearest girls' bathroom. She didn't really need to go, instead just needing a few minutes to herself. Whilst in there she heard people enter the bathroom and couldn't help but hear their conversation.

"I think it's best if you stay away from us" said a smug voice she knew to be Maddie's, "I mean, we don't really want to be associated with a slut like you."

Millie narrowed her eyes, disgusted at what she was hearing, but deciding not to show herself as she was unsure how many of them were out there. She heard the unmistakable sound of crying.

"I mean, you clearly have no shame, sleeping around, you don't even draw the line at guys, disgusting" she spat. "Come on ladies, let's get out of here, I don't even want to be seen in the same room as her."

Millie heard the door slam and slowly made her way out of the cubicle, not sure what, or rather who, she was going to see on the other side. She saw someone sitting on the floor, head in her hands, clearly distraught. "Hey" said Millie softly.

She raised her head to reveal the face of one of Maddie's right-hand bitches, Marina. Millie inwardly gasped, but took care not to let her surprise show. Despite their many clashes, deep down Millie was an extremely caring and sensitive person and couldn't deny her instinct to help her. "Hey, are...are you ok? I mean, that's a stupid question, sorry" she said, shaking her head at her own idiocy.

Marina couldn't help but smile slightly at Millie's attempts to talk to her, "it's ok, it's just..." she clearly couldn't continue with what she wanted to say.

"You don't have to tell me, it's ok, don't worry" Millie said, reassuring Marina. "Here, let me help you up...you don't want to be upset and catch something from the bathroom floor."

Marina smiled at her terrible attempt at humor, as did Millie, who then proceeded to grab her hands and pull her up. "Come here" said Millie, holding her arms open to give her a hug. Marina held back, their history wasn't exactly friendly, until Millie gave her a reassuring nod and smiled, "it's ok, I promise."

Marina stepped forward into Millie's arms, which closed tightly and comfortingly around her, not letting her go while she broke down again. Millie seemed to know that silence was what was required right now, she was literally a shoulder to cry on, and that was fine with her. She'd needed the same many times, and not having always had it she knew how vital it could be.

After a few minutes, Marina lifted her head, her crying had subsided enough for her to take stock of what was happening right then and there. "Thank you" she said, hoarsely. Millie just smiled in response, making her feel even calmer. "Why...why are you helping me?"

Millie thought about her answer, and carefully said "because there's no one else here, because you need someone, and because I choose to." Marina didn't quite know what to say, she opened her mouth to try and respond but Millie continued, "look, I know you hang around with them to feel like you're someone, but you don't need to, you are special, everyone is, you don't need their approval, and you shouldn't want it."

Marina shook her head, "but it's so easy for you, you're so strong..." Millie couldn't help but laugh slightly at that statement. "What?" asked Marina, looking angry, as if Millie was making fun of her.

Millie didn't take it personally, she knew Marina was feeling vulnerable, and, like any animal feeling cornered, she was just lashing out to protect herself. "I'm not strong, not really..." she decided to take a leap of faith, "it's all an act you know? This" she said, gesturing to herself, head to toe, "it's not real, it's not who I am, and it's not easy, trust me. But I'm not the only one pretending, I can guarantee half the people at this school do the same...to protect themselves from people like Maddie, who really are genuine, stone-cold bitches." She said that last part with a lot of venom. Millie had time for virtually everyone, everyone deserved a second chance, everyone except Maddie who'd caused so many people such harm."

Marina didn't know what to think, her day had started off so normally, gone to complete shit, and was now being turned completely upside-down.

"Come on" said Millie, "you don't want to spend lunch in here do you? The company is second to none but the décor isn't up to much." Marina couldn't help but laugh, and nodded. They exited the bathroom together and made their way to the cafeteria. As they got inside, Marina slowed down, pulling her arms around her body, withdrawing into herself. "It's ok, come sit with me" said Millie, gesturing to their usual table, currently inhabited by Noah and Gaten. Marina nodded gratefully, and followed her over.

"Hey guys" said Millie, sitting down.

"Hey Mil..." Gaten stopped mid-sentence as he saw Marine sit down next to her. "...llie" he finished, giving her a questioning look. Just then the rest of the group arrived, Finn, Caleb, and Sadie. They all gave the same questioning look to Millie.

"Hey everyone. Maddie's being a complete bitch as usual, Marina's going to sit with us from here on in." They knew it was a statement of fact, no need to question Maddie being a total bitch, so as a group shrugged and got on with lunch. Marina gave Millie a grateful look.

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