Beautiful Scars [1] ✔

Chapter Twenty Nine

I stood outside, a déjà vu moment slapping me in the face. I gaped at the school just as I had a few months ago. At that time, I was lost and confused and scared all at the same time. Funny how I felt the same a few months later.

To be honest, I didn't even want to go, but Mrs. Tilly made me. She said it would help to get out of the house and get some fresh air. Not to be mean or anything, but in my opinion, I viewed this as completely idiotic since the school doesn't even have fresh air. I mean, we're inside for crying out loud! The only air the school has is most likely dangerous, but considering the cheerleaders haven't died yet, I guess it's safe.

Anyway, I understood her point. I just wasn't ready to face it alone. I could always run to the movies for the rest of the day. I looked to the left and right to make sure the coast was clear. It was.

I started walking towards the exit of the school, hoisting my backpack higher on my shoulder. Closer. Closer. Almost there...

"Sophia! Where are you going?"

Great. Just great. I muttered a curse under my breath and turned. Principal Reaux was staring at me, a look of both authority and question lingering in her eyes.

I forced a fake smile and said in a chipper voice, "Just getting some fresh air, Mrs. Reaux."

She tightened her lips in disbelief, then gestured to the school. "Why don't I walk you to your first class, just to be sure you get there safely?"

I nodded. Just another thing to add to the list of things I did not want to do.

We crossed the threshold silently, curious and surprised glances following me the entire way. We entered the classroom and I sat down in my desk, a blank and empty gaze looking at the board.

Mrs. Reaux gave me a sharp nod then exited, going to the front office.

As expected, everyone started filing in. Patricia, Aaron, and above all: Matthew. He walked in with a sneer on his face which was directed at me.

I took a deep breath and told myself repeatedly I didn't care when I knew I really did.

Suddenly, class started and we were assigned to work on a paper and for once, I was glad. No one to bother me. But, as everyone knows, sunshine doesn't last forever.

I was quietly doing my paper when I felt a tap on my shoulder.

I turned. Patricia was grinning, her smile like a shark who's about to eat an innocent little fish.

"How are you, Sophia?"

I ignored her, turning back towards to my work.

"Hey! My girlfriend's talking to you."

I looked up. Aaron was leaning on the edge of my desk, eyebrows raised.

"Are you deaf?! Or are you just too ugly to notice?"

I bit the inside of my lip.

"What happened? The cat got your tongue? Or did the mirror take it?" Aaron continued all the while Matthew chuckling along. The words hit me one at a time, wounding me, but the next few sentences were the final blow.

"I think I know what's wrong. Little ugly here is so upset her little boyfriend is in jail. Serves him right for murdering his sister. I always knew he was messed up in the head. Hopefully he'll get the death sentence, since everyone knows Aston deserves to die. I mean - his parents are probably the reason he's so messed up. Or maybe it's the fact that Sophia brainwashed him."

I gripped the edge of my desk, causing it to topple over. Aaron gasped, his eyes widening in fear.

I don't know what happened. It might have been because I was so sick of the bullshit I was getting, or just the anger from everything that happened, but what I did next was completely out of my character and out of my control.

I punched Aaron Miller square across the face and watched in horror as his body crumpled to the ground.