Our Differences

Chapter 13

Felicity's POV

Drama was brewing up in the hallways and I didn't want to be a part of it. I scurried off to the library, my safe little den for getting away from all the drama and also the perfect place to write. 

Writing was like venting to someone who wouldn't judge you or your problems. I whipped out my phone from my pocket to check my social media writing app. I had a new follower; nerdyqueen. I continued with my story until the bell rang.

I walked to class, dodging all rushing kids who were running as though they were being chased by a stampede of wild animals. Classes went on as usual. 

I find myself being quieter than usual and pretty inattentive during lessons. I haven't rose my hand to answer a question for days now. I also find myself shutting everyone out from my life. I hate all the people who were mean to me (which is pretty much everyone, I guess). Everyone hates me and I don't know why. I just wonder where I went wrong....

"FELICITY BLOOM!!" I heard a voice yell, breaking into my thoughts. I jumped, staring wide-eyed at my teacher. 

"I have called you four times!" She yelled. "Are you deaf?!" Everyone laughed. I bit my lip. 

"Daydreaming," I heard a girl next to me whisper to the person behind her. "Just another one of her ways of shutting people out of her life like she always does. I heard that she's so insolent her parents don't want to keep her anymore. She is so dramatic and such an attention seeker. Pathetic." 

I gripped onto my desk, shaking slightly with anger. If only you knew my true story.... I thought, bitterly.

On my way to the gym for physical education classes, I met Kristen and her gang. She stuck out her foot and I tripped. That girl was really good at doing that.... Unfortunately. I got up, dusted my jeans and walked away. Or tried to. I felt a tug on my collar as someone pulled me roughly to them by it. 

"No one walks away from me." Kristen said, fiercely. 

"Us." A jock corrected. 

"Oh, shut up, Matthew." She said, dismissively. She turned her attention towards me. 

"Now listen here," she said. "You had better do what I say or I'll-" 

"Or what, you fake-as-plastic jerk?!" I challenged. "Are you going to give me a make-over that's so ugly no one would look at me? Or make me wear those toe-pinching heels of yours?" Kristen glared at me.

"Why you little..." She began. 

I felt a someone lay their hand on my shoulder. I turned around to see Ryan Ross. He was actually my crush but with all the drama going on, it was all I could think about and I kind of brushed off my feelings for him. He was unbelievably good looking. But I knew that a guy like him would never fall for a girl like me. Still, I liked him. 

He looked at me and smiled. "We'd better get going, Fe." He said. He led me away as Kristen made face. 

"Don't worry about Kristen," He  said with a wink. "My friends are over there. Want to join us?" 

I shook my head. He shrugged and smiled as he approached his friends. I stared after him. Ryan Ross just smiled at me! 

Oh, shut up, Fe. I snapped at myself. He's probably just being nice. But inside me, my heart was doing a happy dance.

After school, I was on my way home when I saw Kristen and her friends bullying a girl. I felt indignant. A crowd was forming around them and I couldn't see her face but I decided to defend her anyway. 

"HEY!" I shouted. They turned and crossed their arms. 

"What do you want, loser?" The school basketball captain said. 

"Leave that girl alone!" I yelled. 

"Who?" Kristen asked, stepping forward. "You mean her?" 

Everyone stepped aside and revealed Chloe, crouching on the floor. Her face was stained with tears, her hair was a tangled mess and the remains of the Science project I saw her carry into class that day lay scattered on the floor beside her.

She looked at me, tears shining in her eyes. Help me. She mouthed. I clenched my fists. I hated Chloe. Because of her, my school life is in shambles. But that was weeks ago and she's willing to do anything to make amends. And I'm willing to forgive her and do the right thing. 

"Well?" Kristen asked, raising her eyebrow. 

"Let Chloe go, Kristen." I said. She laughed. 

"You'll just have to make me." She said with a devilish smile. I pushed her to the ground as her friends stood between us protectively. 

"How dare you injure Kristen!" said the soccer team captain. 

"You'll pay for this!" said a girl. 

They pushed me to the ground, slammed me against a wall, hit me and pulled my ponytail. I pushed them all roughly though I'm not much stronger than Chloe so all I could do was helplessly let them beat me up.

"Oh my Lord!" I heard a voice cry. Everyone turned around to see the discipline teacher, Mrs. Kennedy, stand there in utter astonishment at the sight that beheld her eyes. The bullies gave her a nervous smile. 

"You're coming with me." She said sternly. She led the bullies away. Including Kristen, no matter how many times she pleaded 'not guilty'. 

Chloe got up from the ground and looked me in the eye. "T-Thank you..." She said. 

My mouth slowly curved into a smile as I gave her a big hug. I could tell she was surprised at this sudden gesture because it took her a while to return the hug. 

"So... Are we good?" She asked, after we hugged. I nodded. 

"We're good." "Hey." I heard a voice behind me say. I turned around. It was Ryan.

I guess Chloe saw what was going on as she said, "I'll leave you to alone." She winked and scooted away. 

Ryan came closer to me. "You were great." He said. 

I looked at the ground and felt my cheeks heat up. Be cool. I thought in my head. I looked up at him. 

"Thanks..." 

"It was really brave of you to stand up for Chloe like that." He said, looking straight into my brown eyes. He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. "I'd like to get to know you better," he said, rather shyly. "Want to come over to my house tomorrow after school? I'll take you there straight from school." I couldn't stop smiling. 

"Yes." I replied. 

"Great." He said, smiling happily and then leaving.

When the reality of what happened began to sink in, I wanted to run from here to the other end of the world. I've never been this happy in days. Chloe came up to me. 

"Well, Felicity," she said, with a smirk plastered all over her face. "How'd it go?" 

"Better than I thought it would." I replied with a smile.