Survival

Chapter 9

Present Day

I walk aimlessly throughout the halls of my school. The bell just rang and everyone is either rushing, talking, or casually walking to to their next class.

As I walk through the crowded hall, people keep bumping into my shoulder without even bothering a glance, let alone an apology.

I've been at this school for three years. I'm a junior now. Not that it makes much of a difference. Ever since I've started high school, people have fully ignored me. Hated me. For no reason.

When I round a corner, someone rams into me, no doubt running.

I fall on my back and my bag and books have scattered in the hall.

"Watch where you're going, freak!" The man yells at me.

If I hadn't had the air knocked out of my lungs and a pain in my head and back, I probably would have shriveled away due to the yelling.

He leaves and people walking by laugh at me and continue on. My loose papers have been stepped on and ripped as students keep filling the hallway.

No one offers their help as I get up and collect my bag and books.

I try to pick up a my notebook when someone steps on it. I look up and see that it is Jack. With the rest of his friends right behind him.

"Do you want this back?" He asks mockingly, holding the notebook away from me.

I reach for it but he lifts it higher, and he even takes a step closer to me to which I stumble back.

I-I don't like...I don't like how close he is to me.

It takes me a moment to realize that a lot of people are watching us—amused.

"C-Can I have it....back?" I stutter stupidly.

I try not to focus on all the eyes on me. Without realizing it, my wrists begin to itch. I need to go.

The bell rings just as Jack was about to say something. Instead he hands over my notebook. As I reach to take it back he drops it and pushes me out the way.

I slam into lockers with a gasp.

He laughs and aloud he says, "Drop dead, Elsa."

You have no idea do you, Jack? How much I actually want to drop dead. How many times I've played that scenario in my head. If only you knew what I go through.

Would you stop your torment if you knew how much I suffer?

Without looking them in the eye, I reach down and pick up my notebook and wait for them to pass.

Rapunzel, Merida, Jack, all walk away as if nothing happened. The only person who glances back for a brief second was Hiccup.

Everyone scurries to their class. I'm left alone, stunned by what just happened. I don't know why. This is definitely not the first time an encounter like this has occurred. I just never got used it. Who would?

I run to the restroom. Or try to. I end limping due to what happened last night at home.

But I don't want to think about it.

I lock myself in a stall and take out the only thing I seem to have control over. My razor.

I bring to my wrists, and I start to slash deep and slow.

I deserve this. This is the only pain I can control.