Just An Ordinary Girl

Chapter 8: Stolen

The next day, I arrived at school and put my things in my locker Ike every other day. Even though it was my second week there, I still felt lost as ever. I searched for Sophie and Ash through the crowd of people, but after about 5 minutes, I gave up. I was walking back to my homeroom when somebody grabbed my hand and yanked Sophie's bracelet off of it. I ran through the hallway trying to retrieve it but the person must have disappeared in the crowd, as I did not see a pink and blue beaded bracelet in the crowd.

I heard them scowl, "That's so white." and they tripped me up. I fell to the floor and multiple feet starting kicking me violently.

"Just leave me alone!" I screamed, trying to escape the crowd. I rushed to my classroom door but when I realized it was locked I decided to sneak back to my locker. I was relatively small, approximately 5"3, so I managed to fit inside my locker and waited until all of the other people left the hallway. After about 10 minutes they have, but the bell didn't ring yet. So I just laid down on the floor and cried.

I saw Alex appear behind me unexpectedly.

"Are you okay?" He asked sadly. "I'm sorry I wasn't there." He said.

"I'm fine." I replied quickly. Wow Emma, you're good at lying. However I didn't want him to think I felt any less. But it was obvious, he knew I was lying. From the bruises to the visible tears on my face, it was way beyond obvious.

I got up and brushed myself off, still the cuts and bruises hurting hard. He saw even more of them now, as when I stood up my arms were more visible and neck was showing. He looked at them worriedly and when he heard the bell ring he ran to class, seeming like he didn't care about my injuries. Rude.

I got my backpack from my locker (I had it on my lap) and looked at the floor to find my lunch bag. I noticed a sticky note on the floor and it read, "I know we only met a few days ago, but...I think I have feelings for you. ❤️". I almost screamed. Stuffing the note in my bag, I ran to class happily. My day was made.

I couldn't stop looking at him in class. I hardly knew him, but it just felt right. Not love at first sight, just a warm feeling inside of me. His dirty-blonde hair looked even more better styled than ever, and his blue eyes looked more shinier than ever. I'm not one to describe someone by their looks, but I couldn't take my eyes off of him. I had to let him know I had feelings too. But I didn't know if that decision would change my reputation forever. Well, he didn't ask me if he wanted to date me, so I didn't have a time limit to figure out.

I walked up to him after Tech class, cleared my throat, and said quietly, "So, uhh...are you going to ask me out on a date, or?"

He laughed and said, "Well, I don't know if I'm ready for that yet. However, that doesn't mean we
can't go out, right?" He smiled.

I smiled. "Right." I replied confidently. "5 tonight?" He asked. "Sure." I said happily. We both parted ways and finished our school day in a breeze. I don't think anybody made fun of me after that moment because rumour must have gotten around about me dating Alex. I felt better knowing that the bullying would tone down a bit, but I wasn't dating Alex just for that.

I pushed open the blue doors and ran to the bus. I couldn't wait for tonight.
-
When I got home, I had forgotten how scarred my face was, and how many bruises I had over my body. When my mom saw me, she immediately bombarded me with questions.

"Where did all those bruises come from? What happened? Are you okay?"

"They beat me up, mom.." I whispered to her quietly with my head hanging down.

"Oh honey don't worry about those bullies. You have to tell someone! I'm sorry but I can't do anything but only let the teachers know." My mom said sadly.

I knew she was right, but I wish that she knew they kept coming back. I couldn't just hit a bully and knock them down forever.

During all the mess and panic that happened, I totally forgot to tell mom about my date. I was about to get ready for my date with Alex at 4:30 but he sent me a quick text telling me he wasn't available. Oh well. Maybe tomorrow? :)
-
The next day at lunch I was so excited to tell Sophie and Ash the news. They would be so happy for me!

"What happened yesterday? There are rumours going around that you are going out with Alex!" Sophie told me, looking surprised. "Yeah." Ash said. I felt like she never formed sentences and let Sophie do all the work. Yet in projects she would just finish the thing in a minute or 2! Ash confused me, but she still was one of my best friends.

"Well, uhh, he sent me this note, that, uhh, asked if, I, uh...wanted to go on a...date! With him." I said nervously. I noticed I was stuttering in my speech.

They looked at me, partially confused. They understood what I had said though.

"It's nothing." I said, after I realized how Sophie looked. She had that 'I-know-you-love-him' look on her face. Honestly it was very embarrassing.

"So, did you go on the date last night? Or are you doing it tonight?" Sophie asked eagerly. "Well he had to do something last night, but I don't know about tonight..." I said quietly. I felt very nervous about the whole ordeal, and Sophie and Ash could see it.

"Are you okay?" Sophie asked. "I can help if you need any."

Ash offered me some of her chips. I said no thanks. Even if I had a few, I don't know how chips could do anything.She always brings chips to school. Maybe I should ask her why some day. It could be eaten to cope with stress? I have no clue.

"I'm fine guys, I'm just a little nervous for our date." I said to my friends.

"You don't seem that fine." Sophie pestered. She sounded like my mom. "It's okay Sophie, I'll be alright." I replied back, like what a child would say to her mother.

"Anyway Sophie, I have to tell you something." I said quietly.

"What is it?" She asked.

"Somebody stole your bracelet."