Falling into the Badboy

One

Looking out the window, the rain patters on the tinted glass as the car pulls to a stop in front of a giant middle-class house. You can make out the swing hanging from the tree in the front yard through the rain and the bike on its side in the grass. A happy family filled home. I used to have that.

My name is Grace Chasity..or it used to be, now my name is Grace Michaels. I've been put into protective custody by the FBI because of the boy I love or the boy I thought I loved.

Long story short, I trusted him, and he killed my family. He tried to kill me too, but I got away. Looking up at this house now, I kind of regret it. I wish I had died with my family; then I wouldn't have to live in fear for the rest of my life.

Agent Shay opens the door and escorts me out of the vehicle. Walking me to the door, I clutch my bag as he knocks, and we wait.

When the door opens, I look up to see my aunt; it's been almost six years since I've seen her. There are bags under her eyes, and they are blotchy from where she has been crying. She looks just like my mom. Short brown hair bluntly cut right above the shoulders—light blue eyes, like the sky, just like mine.

"Mrs. Clinton..." Is the only thing I hear come out of Agent Shay's mouth before I tuned out, looking past my aunt and into the house. Photos line the walls of a happy family; I notice a couple with my mom in them, and looking past the pictures, I see toys strewn across the room. Before I can see anything else, I feel a hand on my shoulder and look up at Agent Shay. He nods for me to go ahead and go inside.

Taking a small step towards my aunt, she reaches for me pulling me into her before she starts sobbing into my shoulder. Pulling away, I turn back to Agent Shay. "What if he finds me?" I ask, barely a whisper.

He sighs and talks with his hands; he's always talking with his hands. "Derek?" I say, making him catch his tongue. "Please. Please don't leave me." I had been with him during the entire investigation. He knew me better than anyone, and I didn't want him to leave.

His face falls ashen, and I rush into his arms. He tightens his grip around me as I cry. "I'm just a phone call away." He pushes me back at arm's length. "You can call me anytime. You know that." I nod my head and turn back to my aunt, walking into the house.

Not long after Derek leaves am, I settled into my new room. Aunt Vicki stands in the door and looks to me, "Dinner will be done in a few minutes. I'll call you down when it's ready." She says before leaving.

I sit on the bed and look at the photo I put on the bedside table. It was my parents, my sister, and I almost four months ago. I open the drawer setting my medications inside. In doing so, my sleeves rise, and I look to the scars on my arms.

Right after I was rescued, I tried to take my own life. Derek was the one who found me bleeding out in my hospital bed. He saved me, not just once, but twice. I owe him for that.

Knowing that I need to start fresh, be someone new, I wipe at my face and stand heading downstairs to start over. To try and not be the girl I used to be the popular, uptight, mean girl I was, but the new and improved Grace someone invisible, quiet, and nice. To be the girl, no boy would notice or take a liking too. To keep me and everyone around me safe.

After the long weekend, Monday rolled around pretty fast. I'm starting at my new school. It's not going to be easy; I know that. Making friends will be hard because I have to lie to them about everything, my name, family, and whole life.

Riding in the car, aunt Vicki pulls to a stop in front of the school. She grabs my hand, and I look at her, "have a good day." She says. I smile tightly before opening the door and walking up to the school. I forgot that I would be starting school halfway through the first semester meaning all eyes would be on me, the new girl.