It's alright. It'll be okay. Just stay positive. Maybe today he won't notice you, hell, maybe he'll see all that he's done and ask forgiveness-
"Well, well. What do we have here?"
Shivers went down my spine as I recognized his voice instantly. The bruises from yesterday still freshly clouded my skin and even though the cuts and scrapes were cleaned, they were still a bit puffy. My joints ached tremendously from no rest on his part, begging me to sleep in today except I had refused them. Instead, I got ready for school as if nothing had happened the day before. Just like I did every morning since September.
"Oh, hey," I said in a very nervous but friendly tone, I shook from fear as my heart sped up inside my ribcage. "Nice to see you again this fine morning, Jason. Is that a new shirt? It looks-"
Suddenly, his hands are wrapped around both of my upper arms, and his figure engulfs me. I could smell the mint scent his breath gave off as he spoke, "Did I give you permission to talk to me, shitface?"
"Uh-no, no you didn't." I replied, I could feel my stomach twisting and his glare was enough to give me a migraine. Good or bad.
"Then why did you intiate conversation?" He snarled. His magnificent blue eyes bored into my wide ones, almost as if they were the ones pinning me against the hard brick building than his strong arms.
"I just thought that uh, well you see..." My mind couldn't come up with an excuse so I quit talking. It's not like I could get in any more deeper shit than I was already in, right? The most being that he would beat me up then and there but other than that...
Without a word, I was dropped to the ground, however I stayed put, that being because Jason still faced me menacingly. I peered up at him carefully, waiting for the familiar blow to the stomach. But...it never came. Instead, Jason fixed his gaze back at me, stepping a little closer than he was before.
My heart was ramming madly into my chest as he whispered calmly into my ear, "If you so much as look at me the wrong way, I'll grab you by your fucking neck and-"
"Get a move on you two, classes are to start in a few minutes and the first bell has already rung." Warned a nearby teacher.
I silently thanked the universe for her intervention despite not catching Jason and what we were actually engaged in. Which was one mean conversation. My foot began to move forward, and I felt pretty good about today. Maybe it'll get better just like I've hoped, Jason's probably losing interest in me anyway and he'll move on, learning to control himself in a new, productive way-
It was a matter of seconds until my body collided with the ground as I heard Jason saunter away, satisfied he could get at least one good laugh in before turning to leave me alone.
• • •
"Hey, were have you been? I didn't see you this morning." Gabe gave me a concerned look as I took my spot next to him in third hour english.
"Ah, well you know," I chuckle, "just hanging out with my good buddy Jason." I winced as I sat in the chair, squirming in my seat to find a position that didn't feel as if my entire body was being grinded to dust.
Gabe squinted, pointing at me disapprovingly, "You have got to stand your ground with that guy. Why don't you tell someone? The guy needs a serious talking to." He growled, his dark brown eyes getting even darker.
I half smile, trying to calm my best friend down, "Dude it's fine. Besides, I think I'm sorta making progress. He's stopped taking my lunch money."
"You don't have any to begin with."
"Exactly. Since I've stopped bringing any, he's stopped his thievery." I countered, smirking to myself.
