See Your Beauty

│Through Jaded Eyes│

Everyone stared in shock as Billy Hargrove walked right out the front doors of the school, then everyone turned and looked at me. The hallway was instantly filled with whispers and hushed conversations. I quickly walked towards the library, picking a spot in the back corner so no one would bother me.

No matter how hard I tried I couldn't get him off my mind. Billy Hargrove was going to punch me and then he changed his mind. Being new didn't matter- everyone knew Billy had a reputation and things just didn't add up. The bell rang and I went on to Biology and Billy was there. I didn't even realize before today he was in my class, but there he was. I sat in the empty seat at the back of the class pulling out my notebook and doodling in the margins. He didn't say anything to me and I didn't say anything to him. And that's how it was for the next week or so.

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I knew something was wrong when I got to school and people were pointing at me and whispering when I walked through the doors. It wasn't till I made it to the bathroom that I remembered the bruises that littered my arms. The bruises on my arms were easy to explain, but the one on my neck, that was different- more complicated. I didn't have anything in my bag to cover it up so I zipped my jacket up and positioned it to try and hide the bruise.

The rest of the day was pretty uneventful until the end of the day. I was walking through the parking lot when Billy called my name.

"Aviana." I jerked my head and looked at him. He motioned for me to come over and for some stupid reason, I did. "Get in the car, we need to talk."

I slid into the passenger side and he didn't waste any time interrogating me. "What happened?" He asked motioning to all the bruises.

"I was biking through the woods and took a spill. Why? Is mister tough guy concerned? I can look out for myself thank you." I made to get out of the car but he grabbed my wrist.

"Look at me." And I did. "Tell me what really happened. Now."

"Billy I've already told you what happened, now let go of me dammit."

"Not until you tell me the truth." He had an angry look in his eyes that reminded me all too much of my dad. No matter what I did I could feel my pulse start to race... I had to get out of the car.

I pulled again, but he held on tighter- so tight I could feel a bruise starting to form. I could feel I was losing control, my breathing was erratic, my heart was practically pounding out of my chest, and my eyes were watering. I jerked my arm from his grasp and opened the car door.

"Fuck you, Billy," I screamed before I slammed the car door shut. I took a running start and jumped on my skateboard, I had to get away from him.