From Hate to Love (5SOS)

Chapter #28

*Natalia's POV*

I woke up the next morning at 6am and yawned.

I flopped out of bed and put on a oversized hoodie, leggings and my uggs.

I quickly brushed my hair, put mascara, eyeliner and a nude lipgloss on and also put a beanie on. I looked like shit, I just didn't want anyone to see the cuts.

I grabbed a apple on my way out the door and lifted my hood up. I grabbed Divergent out of my bag and started reading as I walked into the school.

I leant against my locker, "Hey" Bethany approached me, I weakly smiled and started reading again.

"Where've you been?" she asked "I've been sick" I quickly lied, "Natalia, you're lying" she said. "I guess only a real friend would believe me" I said and walked into the girls bathroom, Bethany followed me.

"You can't hide forever!" she said, "I already know what happened yesterday" she said.

I looked at her, "It doesn't matter" I said "I don't give a shit about what Michael or Connor said" I said "I know that's lie too" she said.

I started picking at the nail polish on my fingers, "You're wrists." she said sternly, "What about them?" I crossed my arms over my chest, "Show me them." she said "Why, theres just skin." I said.

"Well if you have nothing to hide you shouldn't have a problem with showing me." she said, I ignored her, "Natalia, I'm serious." she stepped closer to me.

She kept grabbing at my sleeves trying to roll them up. "Leave me alone!" I said, she stepped back.

"Thank you" I sighed and put my arms back down beside me, "Please Natalia" she said, it looked like she might cry.

I turned around to leave but stopped and rolled up my sleeves and turned back around.

"Are you happy now?!" I said and held my wrists out, I started crying and left.

I quickly pulled down my sleeves before anyone saw, tears still streaming down my face.

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I made it through the day and I was leaning against my locker reading again, I didn't feel like going home yet.

Suddenly my book was smacked out of my hands, I was shocked for a second but looked up.

Michael stood there with a smirk on his face, I didn't say anything.

"Well go get it!" he said, I sighed and walked over to pick up my book. I shoved it into my bag and looked bag at him.

"What else do you need me to do?" I whispered shyly and he slapped me on the face, I held my cheek in shock and didn't say anything.

He punched me in the stomach and I dropped to the floor, a few people glanced but quickly looked away, trying not to get involved.

I held my chest in pain and he kicked me a few times. "Pathetic bitch" he said and spit somewhere near my head.

He kicked me a few more times until someone ran in front of Michael.

I couldn't tell who we was or recognize his voice from the dizziness.

"Just leave her alone!" the guy in front of Michael said, "She never did anything to you!" he said.

I could tell Michael was rolling his eyes even though I wasn't looking at him, Michael walked away and the mystery man kneeled down beside me.

"Are you okay?" he asked, I nodded a little and he helped me up, I finally opened my eyes to see who he was.

Ashton.

He handed me a little bit of Kleenex from his pocket (bc who the hell doesn't have Kleenex in their pocket) "You're nose is bleeding a little" he said I nodded again and pressed it to my nose.

"Do you want me to walk you home?" he asked, I nodded again.

Wow I'm great at communicating.

But I probably sound and look like shit, I feel like shit too.

I wiped away some of my tears but they still fell from my eyes like crazy, he opened the school doors for me and Mady and Kassie noticed me.

Madyson came rushing up to me with Kassie close behind.

"Oh my gods! Natalia what happened?!" she asked, Kassie glared at Ashton "What the fuck did you do to her?!" she yelled and got all up in his face.

He stepped back and put his hands up in defence, "I didn't touch her, except for when I was helping her up. Michael beat her." he said.

Madyson looked at me with eyes of sadness, Kassie sighed, "Okay, see ya Ashton." Kassie said.

Kassie turned around and Mady tried to pull me along, I broke out of her grip.

"Ashton, wait." I croaked, he turned around and looked at me. I walked up to him and hugged him with my one arm that wasn't occupied.

"Thank you." I said quietly and he hugged me back.

When I let go my sleeves must have rolled up cause he glanced at my wrists and looked at my worriedly.

"You cut?" he said quietly, I yanked my sleeves down and nodded, "Ever since yesterday yeah, I guess so" I tucked some hair behind my ear awkwardly.

"Nat, you coming?" Kassie called, I looked back at Ashton "I'll see you around. Thanks again" I said, he nodded, waved and walked off to god knows where.

"Let's go to my place" Madyson said, "Yeah, sure." I said Nd started following them.

I noticed Connor staring at me with a worried expression, I glanced at him and sadly looked away.

He didn't even care enough to walk up and ask me what happened.

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We all sat in a circle on the beanbags in Mady's room.

"Beth told us everything." Kassie said, "She wouldn't tell us what Michael said though." she said, Madyson glared at her and kicked her.

"She obviously doesn't want to talk about it!" she hissed at Kassie, "Nah, it's fine" I smiled reassuringly.

"You're sure?" Mady looked at me, I shrugged "Yeah, can't hide forever." I said.

I explained every little detail to what Michael said to what song I listened to while cutting.

"I'm so sorry Nat" Madyson came and hugged me.

"It's not your fault," I began "But can you promise me something?" I asked.

She gave me a confused look, "Yeah." she said, I looked at Kassie, "Do you promise?" I asked her and she nodded.

"If you run into Michael.." I paused and smiled, "Punch him in the face for me"