Sticks and Stones (A Harry Styles fanfiction)

Chapter 2

Melanie's POV

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The weekends are the best. My time to relax. The time of the week that I can sit around and do absolutely nothing. My parents always work, so I typically have the house completely to myself. I could do whatever I wanted, and no one could criticize me. The weekends were my time to do anything without having to worry about anyone making fun of me. It's my time to escape the bullies.

But it seems like this weekend went by way too fast.

Before I knew it, it was Monday, and I was walking into the hellhole known as Holmes Chapel Secondary School. Already people were laughing at me, for reasons unknown, and I felt like I wanted to completely melt into the walls. I don't know why they target me, and I don't think I ever will. The sad thing is, I believe everything they say. But I can't do anything about it except go through to my classes, praying this will be a short day.

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The bell rings, notifying that class is over and it's time for lunch. Normally, I hate lunch. Cafeteria food sucks, and I hate eating in front of people. But, today was pizza day, so I decided to grab some today.

The plate I got ended up with two slices, so I figured it was a bonus. I grabbed a chocolate milk and went to sit down.

As I was about to pull out a chair to sit down, Justine walked up, her friends Amber and Reagan in tow. Great, I muttered under my breath. What do they want from me now?

"Ew, look, the slut is eating two pieces of pizza." Justine smirks. "Aren't you fat enough?" Amber and Reagan laugh at her 'joke', gaining the attention of a few others in the cafeteria.

"Is that milk? My favorite." She smirked, taking the carton from my tray. She opens it, taking a big gulp. Suddenly, she lowers the carton and spits out the milk, spraying my face and shirt completely. "Disgusting! Chocolate milk." She fake gasps when she sees me, bringing her hand up to her mouth. "Oops! Well, you look better this way. It covers up your face and hides all the ugly."

My vision goes blurry and I drop the tray and run out of the cafeteria. I hear their laughter getting quieter as I run through the halls. I refuse to let any tears escape until I'm alone. I see people looking at me, covered in chocolate milk, but I don't care. I just keep running. I run through the halls to the door that leads to the gym. I run across the empty gym that leads to the football field. Everyone is at lunch, so no one will be out here.

I slam the door shut and slide my back down the wall, burying my face in my hands and letting the tears finally escape. I hate them. I hate all of them. I so badly want to reach for my razor, to feel the cool metal in my hand, to feel it drag against my wrist, to feel that sweet pain, but I have to wait 3 more hours for it.

I pull my knees up to my chest and loudly sob. No one will hear me, they're all at lunch. Nobody would have come after me. Nobody would even have a second thought about chasing me to see what's wrong. I just want the ground to open up and swallow me right there. That would be nice.

Suddenly, I feel the warmth of a hand on my shoulder. I jump at the sensation, looking up. My vision is still fuzzy from the tears, but when it clears up, I see a tall boy with dark, curly hair, sparkling green eyes, and plump red lips. He had a sympathetic look on his face and a football in his other hand.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you," he says. "Are you alright?"

At first I'm afraid to answer. I don't want him to make fun of me, too. But then I see the genuine look in his eyes that show that he really does care, so I tell him.