ALISON ✔️

49

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

I spent a long time getting ready for school. I didn't want to go and become the subject of pity; they all knew what happened; it had somehow gotten on the news.

I let out a long sigh while I just let my hair fall.

Luckily, I didn't need to spend time choosing an outfit, seeing we had a dress code.

Grabbing my bag, I exited my room and made it outside. I didn't bother with breakfast because I was already late, I hoped to see Sam, but instead, I was met with Mr. Hertz's voice. He walked by me in his office attire.

"I'll drop you."

I stared at him, shocked,

"Where's Sam?"

"He took some time off. Would you rather have him drop you?"

"No." I let out sharply, way too fast, having him smiling, "C'mon, you're running late."

I squealed and quickly got in. Mr. Hertz had never offered to drop me off at school. It was a bit awkward, but I liked it.

"Are you going to be okay?" He asked as we drove.

"No..."

"Ali, you would be fine. I have men watching from a distance." I wasn't worried about that.

I nodded with a sigh, he reached for my hand, and we both fell silent for a while.

"I'll be here to pick you up after school. So we could have lunch together."

The car came to a sudden stop at the school.

"That was fast."

"You seemed lost."

"I was."

I smiled at him,

"Wish me luck." I got out of the car and walked towards the school building.

'Welcome back, Alison.' I muttered to myself as I made my way in. I could already sense everyone's eyes on me.

"I heard she got raped." I heard a girl say as I walked the hallway to my locker.

"She looks so skinny." I heard another girl say. I rolled my eyes and made it to my locker,

I noticed Cherry Gold, my locker neighbor, and her squad staring. Cherry and I used to be friends until she joined the cheerleading squad and completely forgot I existed,

"Look at that hair," She whispered as I attempted to get open my locker, and they all turned heads to me, bursting out laughing,

"Assholes," I muttered under my breath as I finally got my locker open.

"Ali?" A familiar voice called, and I turned to see Emma,

"Hey," I whispered, and unexpectedly she pulled me into a tight hug,

"I'm so glad to see you again." She gleed.

I smiled back and broke away from her, "At least someone is glad to see me." I said and took my eyes around.

"We've really missed you around, Alison."