April's POV
June 30, 2016
I closed my eyes and brought my legs to my chest. "April, you're so gullible." Mark's voice breaks the silence as he closes the shades and lights a cigarette.
The way he says my name makes me shudder, I thought he liked my company. I'm now getting awfully used to every other night, forced to spend it with another one of Jack's friends who destroy me, piece by piece for a couple hours; all wishing they could have me. As they are making bets and using me to play it safe with their popularity.
Jack is my step brother and used to be really close with each other until he came up with a way to become the most known person in school: using me as his bait.
Now I'm just lost, used and broken; full of anger and desperation.
"Gross," I mutter as he blows the smoke in my face, I try to get up but he pushes me back on the bed, my back hits the cold metal headboard and I groan, hurt and in pain.
"I heard what they've all said about you, you pissed everyone off freshman and sophomore year because you're just another slut, you're not special." I love how he thinks all the boys actually have gotten to me. I can't wait to break the truth to him: he can't and will never have me.
"I am not a-" I couldn't say it. I look down and play with the rips on my jeans, Mark is waiting for me to continue. "You have a real bad reputation, I wouldn't try anything right now, April. Listen to me," Mark grunts picking my chin up to face him. "You do what I say," he continues and presses my face harder before shoving me.
"Mark- stop-"
December 31, 2017
"You look great," Kate tells me as I run my fingers through my long brown hair, trying not to ruin the way my hat was staying still on my head.
I wish I was just staying at home in my bed, under all my blankets, watching Netflix till the ball drops at midnight.
"Don't you just love pajama parties?" Kate laughs and I smile at her through the mirror.
"Yeah, on New Years Eve with everyone who hates me!" She rolls her blue eyes and I turn the lamp off. "Okay, let's go!" I adjust my beanie one last time, grab my car keys, wallet and the batch of muffins I helped Kate make, it just so happens to turn out she's a really good baker after all.
**
"Alright, April, why are you here?" Jack scoffs and I take a deep breath, I look around for Kate or Matthew, I couldn't find anyone who could help me get out of this one. He sips his drink and I look down to the floor. What do I do?
"Hey, April." Mark winks at me and I scoff, Brian just laughs and walks away.
I have to fight these battles on my own.
"Kate invited me," I say, standing my ground, for once. Jack's blue eyes pierce into my green when suddenly the front door opens at the entryway and the cold winter air replaces Jack's thoughts as he complains because he's cold.
We both turn to face the door, I knew I'd see him tonight. "Shawn Mendes, how are you buddy?" Jack shoved me out of the way to say hello to Shawn. They look back at me and walk away. Shawn clenches his fist and I get lost in his chocolate brown eyes; I thought we were friends.
June 30, 2016
"Mark- stop-" I manage to say as his lips are attacking mine. "I told you- you do what I say." he says pulling at the bottom of my shirt. "No!" I push him off but he catches himself.
"Feisty, huh?" He smirks pinning my arms up.
"Fearless." I scream kicking him where the sun don't shine. "What the fuck, April?" He shouts in pain, trying to stand up.
"You really think all of your friends seen me naked?"
"That's how the story goes!" He says and I chuckle furrowing my eyebrows in anger stepping closer to him. "You're gonna change the story now? Tell everyone I'm a bitch? Do it."
"I will, I'll say worse." He says and I roll my eyes. "That's what they all say.. yet here we are." I cross my arms as I hear someone else breathing from the other side of the door. "April?" A familiar voice shouts and Mark's eyes widen.
"Is that Shawn?" He says as Shawn tries to break the lock. I look at Mark and stick my tongue out. "I'm sorry, baby," I say before screaming. "Shawn? Help me!"
I drag Mark's arm and throw him and I onto the bed. "You sneaky bitch," Mark mutters, I close my eyes and take a deep breath, pressing my lips to his to shut him up.
"April?" Shawn breaks the door open and shoves Mark off of me. "Run before I kill you." Shawn demands and Mark sighs.
"You little slut," he says to me before leaving and I fake whimper. "Did he hurt you?" Shawn asks and I close my eyes.
"Please, get me home." I say taking his hand into mine. "I'm so sorry this happens to you." Shawn says and I nod. "I'm fearless."
Shawn's POV
July 1, 2016
"Why don't you stop them, Matt. You're always around," my voice cracks as I watch a girl who's been through the unimaginable try to catch her breath. "This isn't high school drama anymore- this is serious and-"
"Why don't you, pretty boy? I see her catch your attention whenever you come back around." He says, "She's different around you too," Kate adds walking towards us.
"I don't know her story, she won't let me in, she's really good at hiding everything when I'm around. She acts like nothing is wrong." I tell my friend and Kate sighs sitting down next to me.
I think back, she loves hanging around with me, so different, happy almost. Maybe I make her happy.
"All throughout high school her step brother and his friends used her for a good time, they would trash talk her, saying they've seen her naked, caught the bad sides of her no one else knew, and made up stories just to one up each other." Kate tells me as I watch April, she's fighting with her brother on the phone.
She looked back at us and sighed, seconds later her eyes found mine, searching for a spark to understand, I couldn't and looked away. "Jack, no!" April bursts.
I hated that kid now and how all of my friends seen her naked, or so the story goes. "Everyone makes mistakes, but they won't let hers go. That's why they do this."
"What did she do?" I casually ask and Matt's eyes widen.
"You okay?" I pull out a seat across for April, she looks up at me and smiles. "I'm good, it's just my brother." She says tapping the home bottom on her iPhone, waiting for the time to pop up. "3 more hours," she says and I smile, looking into those watery eyes.
"Why is it every time I'm here, he's always making you cry," I move closer to her, she blinks and I wipe her tears. "Why is it every time you're here, we become more and more distant? It's almost like we are strangers." She sighs and I half smile. I literally forgot her name.. "I know they've told you every story, none of them are true." She continues, I couldn't even talk.
I remembered back to that night I saved her, I heard it all. I'm just looking at her waiting for those words to come out, "I know." But they never do.
"Nice talk, Shawn." Her voice cracks and she gets up, pushing her chair in.
Why do I always fuck this up?
