you're not alone. - johannie.

vii.

ANNIE LEBLANC

"Get out!" My dad's voice echoes through my head.

I look at him in terror.

"I said get out!" He says a bit louder.

"Annie!" I look up to see Mr. Dwight and the whole class looking at me. "Pay attention or you'll fail the semester."

The bell rings as the students started standing up to exit the classroom.

I look down at the things on my desk.

I see my notebook.

'GET OUT'

It's written in all caps.

I pull my hair and bump my head on the table.

"Hey, are you okay?" The voice asks as it taps my shoulder.

I look up to see Johnny.

"Annie, are you okay? You're eyes are-" He starts off.

"I'm fine, Johnny." I interuppted him.

I started to fix my things.

"Well, it doesn't look like-" Johnny says.

"I said I'm fine, John!" I tell him.

"We could always talk about it if you-" He says.

I stand up and look him straight in the eye.

"Johnny!" I raise my voice. "How many times do I have to tell you? I'm fine!"

He gives me a look.

After a few seconds, I grab my things and walk out the classroom.

I walked out of school and headed home.

During my walk, I felt a rain drop fall onto my nose.

I stopped walking and looked at my nose.

I looked at where I was and it started to rain hard.

Everything that happened today went to my head.

"Get out!" A voice echoes through my head.

"Are you okay?" Another voice echoes.

"You'll fail the semester." Another says.

"We could always talk about it." Another echoes.

"How many times do I have to tell you? I'm fine!" Another.

My eyes start to blurry and I couldn't breathe properly.

I drop my things to the floor and tears escape my eyes.

I was crying.

I couldn't help it.

I was shivering.

Until someone tapped my shoulder.

I turned around.

The person suddenly pulled me into a hug.

But I didn't hug back.

The person pulled away and looked at me.

"J-Johnny?" I ask, squinting my eyes, voice very soft.

"It's okay, it's just me." He says.

I look at him as another tear escapes my eye.

He wipes the tears.

"Come on, let's go." He says before picking up my things from the floor.

I just nodded.

We headed towards his car.

"Wait, but your car-" I say.

"It'll eventually dry up, it's okay, get in." Johnny replies as he opens the passenger's door.

I gave him an 'are you sure' look and he just nodded.

I sighed and got in his car.

He closed the door and got in as well.

"We're stopping by at my house." He spoke before he started the engine. "To get you cleaned up."

"No, Johnny, I really should be heading home." I tell him.

"No, I insist." He says before driving off.

Great.

Can't wait to get punched in the face by my dad when I get home late.