The Reason Is You

[4]

I sighed as I hobbled around my bedroom the next day. I guess I hurt my ankle last night...

I could hear my grandparents arguing... Obviously about me.

They must have realised I came home late... But they must think I'm at school right now..

I thought it would be better for me to go, so I grabbed my bag, quickly changed into my uniform, and jumped out the window, instantly regretting it after my poor ankle started aching.

"It's okay! i'm fine," I told myself, running and hobbling at the same time.

I quickly whipped out my phone as I entered the school gates, checking my schedule.

I see... I have English now. Despite me being late, I had only missed half of my first lesson.

I quickly ran to the office and grabbed a late pass before my grandparents found out I wasn't there for my first lesson.

"I'm here! Tori-" "Yes, I see. We were about to call your guardians. Hurry to class." The lady smiled at me, and handed me a late pass, as I ran off.

I entered the class quietly, and snuck to the first seat I saw.

"Tori?" The person next to me whispered.

"Gene?" I whispered back, looking at him briefly, before turning toward the teacher.

"Okay class, partner up with 3 classmates, and start on the group project I have right here. One person from each group please take one." The teacher smiled, before chatter erupted, and everyone began forming groups.

"Well.. Wanna be in my group?" Gene asked me, and I nodded, shrugging.

"Now we have to find 2 more people I guess," I murmured, looking around for anyone else. "Hey- Josie!"

"Tori! Boy, am I glad to see you!" Josie smiled, rushing over to us. "Mind if I join your group?"

"Please do! Now we need one more person-" "Louisiana! Join Josie's group." The teacher interrupted.

My eyes widened in fear, as I quickly hid under the table, as I saw Louisiana's flashy, black boots appear, and she sat at my seat.

"Clean my shoes while you are down there, won't you, Tori?" She cackled, flipping me off.

I growled slightly, and crawled out from underneath the table, as she looked at Gene.

"Hey Gene," She smirked, leaning on his shoulder, with her face centimeters away from his, looking at me from the corner of her eye.

"I'm sorry, who are you again?" He asked, shoving her off slightly.

"Louise, your girlfriend, silly!" She laughed, lightly punching his shoulder, as he glared at her in disgust.

"You are not my girlfriend.." Gene told her, shoving her off again.

"Of course I am!" She growled, glaring at him.

"No you aren't. Can we get started on this?" Gene rolled his eyes.

I stood behind them, glaring at Louisiana. Does she really have to try to take everything good in my life away?

I sighed shakily, and slowly walked toward the teacher. "Can I please go to the bathroom?" I asked. I didn't need to go, I just wanted to get away from Louisiana.

"Be quick," the teacher told me, as I walked away quickly.

I started walking toward the bathroom, but then I saw the janitors closet was open.

I slowly walked toward it, shrugging, and walked in, closing the door. I sat on the floor, and held my head in my hands.

"Why do I have to deal with this.. Why me..?" I mumbled, after a minute of silence, holding in tears.

"Because you don't stick up for yourself?" I heard a voice say.

Not questioning it, I responded. "But what can I do? 'Louisiana, shut up!' Yeah that will work."

"Maybe that won't work, but she picks on you because you let it affect you," the voice said.

"How won't it affect me?" I ask frustrated. I can't help if I'm sensitive.

"If you just simple.. Stop caring. Stop caring what she thinks, or what anyone thinks. It's your life, and you have to live it," the voice told me.

"I don't get it.. I am living my life, aren't I? I'm breathing." I rolled my eyes.

"Yeah, but so is everyone else. I mean take charge of your life. If you want to suddenly flip a table in class, do it. What's the worst that will happen, you will get detention?"

I thought about it for a bit. They were right.

"Thanks Gene." I said, standing up, and opening the door.

"How did you know it was me?" He asked.

"Only you would try to convince me to flip a table in the middle of class." I slightly smiled before walking back toward class.

"Wait up! Hey, what are we going to do for the project?" He asked, running after me.

"I dunno, we can decide with the others."

As soon as we got back to class, Louise looked happy to see us both. "Good! You are both back!" She hugged Gene, and he shoved her off. "Ahem.. Anyway! Tori, how about you get started on the project for us? And you can finish it too. I'll take an A please."

1..

"...How about no?" I clenched my fists and glared at her.

2..

"I'm sorry, what was that?" She asked, putting her hands to her hips and walking toward me.

3..

4..

"I said, 'NO'." I told her.

5..

6..

"Tori, you don't want to do this. Remember what happened last time you tried this?" She smiled, pulling down the collar on my shirt to reveal a scar.

7..

8..

"Oh what are you going to do, hurt me while the teacher is watching us? Come at me!" I laughed.

9..

10..

*BAM*

"OUCH!"

"Someone get the nurse!"

"What have you done?!"