The Road So Far

chapter 9

It was the last class of the day, and Hunter couldn't wait for the bell to ring. Staring blankly at the clock, she counted down the minutes, hoping for some kind of escape from the dull routine. A sudden smack hit the back of her head, jarring her from her thoughts.

A balled-up piece of paper landed on the floor beside her. She sighed and picked it up, uncrumpling it to reveal the hateful words scribbled across the page.

SATANIC FREAK!!

Hunter rolled her eyes, stuffing the note into her bag. "Well, that's just wonderful. Everyone thinks I'm some satan-worshiper now. Honestly, that would be easier to explain than what I actually deal with, she thought bitterly. I don't get why they hate me. I haven't even done anything to them."

The bell rang, finally signaling the end of the school day. Relief washed over her as she grabbed her things, cramming the note and her books into her bag with more force than necessary.

"Finally," she muttered under her breath. She couldn't get out of there fast enough.

As she walked out of the classroom, Jack was already waiting for her by the lockers, his face lighting up when he saw her.

"You ready?" he asked, adjusting the strap of his backpack.

"You go on ahead," Hunter replied, her voice a little distant. "I just need to use the restroom real quick. I'll meet you outside."

Jack frowned slightly but nodded. "Okay. Don't take too long. Dean's already annoyed about having to wait for us."

"I won't," she promised, giving him a half-hearted smile as he walked off.

Once Jack disappeared down the hallway, Hunter made her way to the restroom. She pushed the door open and stared at her reflection in the mirror. The girl looking back at her didn't feel like her. Her eyes were tired, dark circles under them from sleepless nights. She hated what she saw, hated how weak and vulnerable she felt. Just as she was about to turn away, a voice cut through the silence behind her.

"Ugly, isn't it?"

Hunter spun around to find Amber, the queen of torment in this school, standing behind her, smirking. Her arms were crossed, and her eyes gleamed with cruel amusement.

"I mean, you really are a freak," Amber continued, her voice dripping with mockery. "The satanic stuff, the way you dress, the fact that no one here likes you—it all just screams loser."

Hunter's chest tightened. She could feel her pulse in her throat, the sting of Amber's words cutting deeper than she wanted to admit. "Leave me alone," she muttered, turning back to the mirror, hoping Amber would just walk away.

But Amber stepped closer, her grin widening. "What's the matter? Gonna curse me or something? Or maybe perform some creepy ritual? Oh wait, you probably don't even know how to do that. You're just a poser."

Hunter clenched her fists, trying to keep her cool. She just needed to get out of here. As she started to walk out, Amber grabbed her arm, yanking her back into the restroom.

"Get off me!" Hunter snapped, pulling away.

But before she could leave, Amber tackled her to the ground. Hunter's body hit the cold tiles with a thud, and in seconds, Amber was on top of her, fists flying. A punch landed on her cheek, then another to her lip. Pain exploded across Hunter's face as Amber continued her assault, kicking and slapping her like she was a punching bag.

"Amber, stop!" a boy's voice echoed from down the hall. Hunter barely registered it through the haze of pain.

Footsteps thundered toward them, and suddenly Amber was yanked off of her. Hunter stayed on the floor for a moment, dazed and trying to catch her breath. When she looked up, a boy—a senior she hadn't spoken to before—stood over her, offering her a hand.