Different Inside and Out

Chapter Five

'Hey mum.' I say casually as I pour myself a drink of water. She's sitting down reading words and words, pages and pages of writing.

'Mhmm.' She replies flatly, me being not at all surprised by her response.

'No hello, how was your day?' I ask her, obvious annoyance in my voice.

'That's good honey.' She blankly says. I sigh to myself and think of how many times she has repeated those lines each night I try to start a conversation with her for the last few months.

*TWO HOURS LATER*

As I climb into bed, I pull out my headphones and laptop and turn on The Weekend. I scroll through my news feed on Facebook and stop to see Joel has posted something.

'So stoked to be starting a band with the biggest dude himself, Ahren Stringer.'

I stop dead in my tracks when I see his name.

'Ahren Stringer.'

His name plays over and over in my head, wondering why Joel would be starting a band with Ahren. I snap my laptop lid shut, and close my eyes knowing no sleep is going to come. I think about today's events over and over and remember the good and bad parts while I drift off.

** MORNING **

As my alarm goes off, I stumble out of bed and put my hair up in a bun, and check my shoulder and see that scabs are forming on the deep scratches. I put on my oldest jeans and one of my Nirvana t-shirts, while brushing my teeth and putting on light makeup and begin to make my way to school.

Fresh air and sun hits my face and I smile to myself as I see the blue skies, knowing it's going to be a beautiful day. I walk for 15 minutes straight until I arrive in reality in the shithole called school. I get my average morning glances from the immature, judging people around me, and ignore them until I get interrupted.

'Hey Jess!' Joel smiles so nicely at me and I gleam back at him. I feel my cheeks going red.

'Hey Joel! I heard you're making a band!' I blurt out before I stop myself. My god he must think I'm stalking him or something, but I don't think he notices.

'Yeah! I met this guy Ahren, have you met him?' he ask with his always warming smile.

'Uh yeah I think so.' I say uncomfortably.

'Well yeah I bumped into him last night and we had a good as chat, and he told me he wants to start a band and that's when my brain just clicked! We're thinking of naming it Amity. What do you think?' He talks about it with such passion and I agree that it's a really cool name.

'Sounds awesome! You'll have to let me know when you guys are bringing out your first song.' He gleams at me and I look across the school grounds when I see Ahren. His eyes meet mine. 'Hey, I have to go. Talk later?' I say and all my words sort of jumble out at once.

'For sure! See you around.' Joel winks at me and I feel my face going red again. I hurry into the corridor. Someone grabs me by my shoulder and I yelp out in pain. I spin around and see Ahren.

'Are you okay?' he asks me and I hear the worry in his voice.

'I'm fine.' I try to say casually but my voice shakes just as I say 'fine'. He glances at my shoulder and his eyes go wide. I look down and see that half of my t-shirt has shifted over to my un-damaged shoulder, clearly showing the scars on my injured side. I grab my shirt and cover up my injury.

"What happened.' He demands. 'Did someone hurt you?'

'Just don't worry about it.' I spin around to walk away.

'Did Hannah hurt you?' He asks. I stop slowly and turn back around.

'It isn't that serious, please just don't worry about me.' I honestly don't need him worrying about me. He grabs my arm as I try my second attempt to leave but he doesn't allow it. Instead he pulls me around the corner where no one can see.

'Jess, please tell me what happened, I really care about you.' He pleads and I can't stop myself while the tears come. I tell him everything. When I'm finished he holds me and promises he will stay away from that bitch. I pull out of the hug and he looks me straight in the eyes. He cups my face in his with both of his hands, and I immediately feel like a bolt of electricity has gone through my body. I feel him leaning in but I don't pull away. I want him to kiss me.

'Well, well, well. I'm sure you can do better than that Ahren.' Hannah stands there smirking at him, not even noticing me. He opens his eyes wide and whips his head to face her.

'Fuck off Hannah, you're not needed here.' I don't expect his language but I like him being rude to that skank.

'You certainly weren't like that when you were the one that leaned in to kiss me last night hey? Bit of a player I see.' My heart stops and tears threaten to trickle down my face. He snorts.

'Nice try but please Hannah. I would rather kiss a fucking cactus than something like you.' He shoots back and I suddenly realise she's just trying to get to me by lying. She is taken aback by his words and her eyes move over to me. I smile at her and she looks like she wants to lunge at me and scratch my eyes out. Instead, she takes a deep breath, dramatically brushes her hair over her shoulder and walks off just as the bell goes.

'Thank-y...' He stops me.

'Don't worry about it. I would do anything for you. See you in class.' He smiles shyly at me and I almost step in the space between us and kiss him, but stop myself.

'See you.' I smile sheepishly at him, knowing I look stupid as he walks away. I glance over and see a familiar face.

Joel.

He saw the whole thing, and I mean the whole thing. When his eyes meet mine, he immediately looks down and paces off. Shit.

** SORRY I HAVEN'T POSTED FOR ABOUT A WEEK. AM TRYING TO WRITE AS MUCH I CAN FOR THE LITTLE TIME I HAVE, BUT WILL UPDATE AGAIN SOON!! ILYS XXX **