Skinny Love

Chapter 35

Monday 6th January

Walking to first period English with Lola, Cole and Harry, there's a weird feeling settling inside of me. All morning they've been talking about how their Christmas breaks went as if we weren't talking to each other everyday. All morning they've been casting me weird looks... worried looks. All morning each of them have been on high alert, constantly looking over their shoulders. I mean, I'm not stupid, I know they're watching out for Brodie or any other potential threat to me but they can't keep treating me like I need their protection.

Since the... event of the Christmas party, I've been surprisingly ok. I think everyone was shocked at how well I took it. To be honest, I was shocked at how well I took it but I don't feel bad about it... I don't really feel anything at the minute. That is besides the constant aches coming from my muscles at how hard I've been pushing myself. I wanted to look good for the first day back at school so nobody had anything to notice about me... no noticeable weight gain at least.

As we enter Mrs Ling's classroom, all eyes turn towards us, more specifically, me. Cole pulls me closer to his side as we make our way to our seats, trying to hide me from the stares. I don't care about most of them, only the two pairs of the eyes burning holes in me from the seats behind mine. If looks could kill, I would've been dead as soon as I stepped one foot into the doorway. Cadie must've been told a different version of events than what actually happened like last time then. Usually, this would make me want to curl up into a ball and cry right then and there. But today, something feels different... I just don't care what she thinks today.

"Today, you are just continuing with your essay projects on the novels you picked before Christmas. Good luck." Mrs Ling shouts from the front of the classroom before walking out of the door and leaving the class to work.

I begin to open my notebook and see how far I've gotten with my project but before I can, Cadie's voice interrupts me.

"So, slut, I heard you tried it on with my boyfriend again at the party before Christmas. Just couldn't take no for an answer could you?"

I try and ignore her, continuing reading through my work but I can't get very far before Harper takes her turn to take digs at me.

"Jeez, you'd have thought being rejected by Brodie" the sound of his name makes me sit up straighter, feeling slightly uncomfortable "would've put you off. Guess you're just a persistent little bitch, aren't you?"

I squeeze the sleeve of my cream cardigan into my hand, trying not to let their words get to me or to think of the events that occurred but it gets increasingly more difficult as they continue speaking.

"Oh my God... is that how you got Cole to date you? By throwing yourself at him every time you two are alone?" That comment kind of hurt.

"Actually, Cadie, " Cole begins and by the tone of his voice I can tell he's more pissed off with them than I am "she got me to date her by being a kind, considerate person. Maybe you should try the same and you wouldn't be dating an attempted rapist."

I was completely on board with everything Cole was saying... until he called Brodie... that. Looking around the classroom, I can see all eyes on us. The feeling makes me uneasy.

"Attempted rapist?" she scoffs "And who exactly did he try and rape? Hattie? She threw herself at him!" Cadie was practically screaming now, clearly pissed at the accusation.

"Were you there Cadie? Did you see her try and throw herself at him?" Cole shouts back, his face getting redder with anger.

"Well no-"

"Exactly! You didn't see! All you have to believe is what the attempted rapist said! Why would you trust that?"

This whole conversation is making me uncomfortable. They are discussing my story, what happened to me. And they are doing it in front of a whole classroom full of people. For the first time since it happened, I feel like crying, screaming, shouting. Anything to get them to stop telling the world my business.