I heard then before I saw them.
“Hey, bitch!” Kaidyn, the “school bad ass” who had tormented me since seventh grade, yelled from behind me.
Laughter erupted from his followers. I kept walking, biting the inside of my cheek to keep from crying.
“Hey! I’m talking to you! Don’t walk away from me.”
I sped up. A rough hand gripped my shoulder and spun me around. I kept my eyes glued to my shoes. Kaidyn grabbed my hair and yanked my head up.
“Will you ever learn not to walk away from me, Leighton?” he taunted.
He pushed me to the ground and laughed loudly. He and his friends walked away, kicking me and spitting insults at me on their way. A tear escaped my eyes as I picked up my scattered belongings.
“Hey, are you alright?”
I looked up to see curly blonde hair and piercing blue eyes.
“Um. Yeah. I’ll live.” I assured him.
“I’m Aiden by the way.” He said, helping me off the ground.
“Leighton.”
“Well, nice to meet you Leighton. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah. I’m immune to it. Thanks.” I shot a smile at him.
Well, let me walk you to class.” He smiled back.
We walked in comfortable silence.
“This is me.” I stopped.
“Would you like to sit with me at lunch today, Leighton?”
“Sure. Wait, my friend. Ash, she’d be sitting alone…”
He cut me off. “She can come, too. I’ll pick you up from your class before lunch.”
“Alright. I have English. Room 356.”
I grinned and walked inside my class. History. I actually enjoy school, aside from the people who try to make me miserable. My teacher, Mrs. Smith, rambled on about the Civil War. Something I learned in seventh grade. I zoned out.
“Leighton Reed! Are you paying attention to me?!” a shrill voice screamed and snapped me out of my thoughts.
“Um… Yes?”
Laughter filled the classroom and tears stung my eyes.
“Detention tomorrow after school.”
That bitch never liked me anyway. I felt something hit my head and a note landed on my desk.
‘Serves you right, loser.’
I slowly closed it, knowing who it was from him. We were best friends before seventh grade. We lived beside each other; we still do. In seventh grade, some idiot decided it was “cool” to pick on other kids. Here I am, in eleventh grade, still being harassed by my ex best friend and his groupies.
Kaidyn’s POV: (next class)
I hate myself. I absolutely HATE myself for causing her pain every single day. Every single day since seventh grade I have hurt her in some way. I’m the reason for those scars on her wrist. I wanted to fit in so bad and I’ve taken it too far. I have to fix this. The bell rang, signaling for lunch. I walked out of my biology class and saw them. Leighton was walking side by side with Aiden. I felt a pang of jealousy.
‘You idiot! You’ve bullied her for years! Why the hell should you be jealous?!’ I thought to myself.
Leighton’s POV:
I walked beside him, earning glares from numerous people. Aiden was popular and very attractive.
“Why are you being so nice to me?” I blurted before I slapped my hand over my mouth.
He chuckled. “Because my friends are jerks to you for no reason. And you happen to be extremely beautiful.”
I laughed. “I’m not sure about that last part.”
He shook his head and interlaced his fingers with mine. Tingles ran up my arm. We walked into the cafeteria and it got quiet. My head stayed down as Aiden led me to his table.
‘Wow. The ugly nerd with the hot jock; how funny.’ I thought.
Ash left last class, so I was stuck by myself at this table. We sat down at the table and Aiden squeezed my hand, reassuring me.
“Aiden, what is this loser doing at our table?”
I didn’t look up.
“We sat down at the table and Aiden squeezed my hand, reassuring me.
“Aiden, what is this loser doing at our table?”
I didn’t look up.
“Yeah. She doesn’t belong here. Loser may be contagious.”
Laughter. I looked up at Aiden. He looked angry, but he said nothing. I closed my eyes and traced the scars on my wrist.
“Why don’t you go make more of those, emo?”
A tear rolled down my cheek and I stood up. I shot a look at Aiden.
“Thanks.” I whispered.
I walked away before he could say anything. I walked through the double doors of the school and towards my house. Tears streamed down my face.
“Leighton! Leighton wait!”
I froze. Why was he following me?
“Please leave me alone. Don’t you torture me enough at school?” I begged.
“Leighton, please let me talk to you.”
“No, Kaidyn. You turned on me. You made fun of me all these years. You were my best friend. I trusted you! I told you everything! You have made my life hell for five years! FIVE! All because you wanted to be popular. You didn’t care about me. You only cared about your self.”
“I know, Lei. I was stupid and selfish and I’m so sorry. I’m going to change.”
“It doesn’t change that your “friends” torture me, too. It doesn’t help that you told all my secrets. Kaidyn, you told the whole damn school my father was an alcoholic! You told them the most private thing in my life! You sunk that low! I go home every day with bruises! You physically hurt me! I’m tired of hurting. I’m tired of being scared to go to school!” I screamed at him.
“I know… I just want to let you know that I’m finished doing those things and if I can do it, I’ll stop them, too.”
I spun around on my heel and ran.
Author's note:
This is dedicated to catlovesyou18 for being my first fan! :)
so this is the first chapter of 'Leaving This Behind'. Hope you enjoyed it. Please Comment and Vote! :D ~Madison
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Leaving This Behind
Teen FictionLeighton Reed, a sixteen year old girl, has been tortured by her once best friend, Kaidyn Jones. After learning of the scars, cuts, and bruises caused by Kaidyn and herself, Leighton's parents decide to send her to live six hours away with the Taylo...