What A Smile Can Hide

Chapter 3: My mistake

I grabbed my stitching equipment, that I had bought after the first time I needed stitches. I knew I couldn't go to the hospital, they would ask questions. And I couldn't tell them the truth, no one would believe me.

Charles and Frances are considered saints in our community for helping and taking Jax and I under their wing.

With shaking hands I brought the needle and thread to my deepest cut on my stomach. I took in a deep breath and started to stitch it.

Once I was finished stitching I decided to just put bandages over the rest.

After a changed into my pyjamas I came out of my bathroom to see Jax curled up under the blankets waiting for me. "I'm hungry," Jaxon whined.

"Here," I said handing him a container of biscuits that I had packed away in my drawer so we didn't have to go downstairs.

Jaxon munched on them with me as we watched The Lion King until we fell asleep.

The next morning we went through the same routine and I dressed in my usual black jeans with an Imagine Dragons t-shirt and a plain grey hoodie, which I would be forced to hide my face with again.

After I walked Jax to school, I was early so I walked as quickly as I could to the library, with my hoodie covering my face I entered the large quiet library.

"Good morning, Grace." The librarian said cheerfully.

"Good morning," I replied just as cheerfully as her.

I hid in the back of the library, dreading what would come if they seen me today.

After the first period was over I was heading straight to my next class when I heard heavy footsteps and heels clicking right behind me. I quickened my pace, anxious to reach the classroom before they could do anything to me.

I reached for the handle to the door, but I was pulled back with such force it sent me scrambling on the floor.

I winced as my wounds hit the ground first. "Hello, nerd." Holly greeted.

"You know we didn't really appreciate the stunt you pulled yesterday." Myles said.

"Yeah and we're going to make you pay for it," Mason growled.

"You should already know your place," one of Holly's minions said with disgust.

Before anything more could be said or done the classroom door opened, and the teacher stood in the doorway looking down at me with shock and confusion.

"What's going on here?" The teacher asked.

"Oh hello sir, we were just checking to see if dear Grace was okay, she tripped over. And we just wanted to make sure she didn't have a concussion, or any injury's." Holly replied in a sickly sweet voice.

"Well how nice of you all. Grace are you okay?" Sir asked me.

I looked up at the others to see them glaring at me, I nodded quickly. I stood up without hesitation and passed the teacher into the room.

Holly, her minions and the O'Ryan twins left to go to their own classes while Mason entered the classroom and sat at the back.

After class finished I was quickly packing up my stuff. "Sir, can I have your help with this?" Another student asked.

"Of course, follow me there's just something that I've got to grab." The teacher replied and left the room along with the other student, I realised I was the last person in the classroom. I let out a breath that I didn't know I was holding, finally peace and quiet.

Suddenly I heard a throat being cleared from the back of the room. I stiffened. "So, did you really think that you'd get away with hitting me?" An all to familiar voice asked. I gulped, quickly grabbing my bag and bolting for the door.

But Mason reached it before me and stood in front of it crossing his arms. I quickly backed away to the furthest corner in the room, but not before tripping over a book that was lying on the ground. I fell in a heap on the ground.

When I looked back up Mason was standing directly in front of me. His eyes widened for some reason. I pulled my legs to my chest wrapping my arms tightly around them, and scooted as far as I could go until my back hit the wall.

Mason stayed still and silent for a few seconds, not moving.

"What ever you're going to do, get it over with." I said as I closed my eyes tightly waiting for him to kick or hit me, anything, but it never came.

"Just hit me!" I screamed.

"Who did that to you?" Mason asked queitly, it was at that moment I realised my mistake. My hoodie had fallen off my head, to put all of my bruises and cuts on my face to show.