What A Smile Can Hide

Chapter 4: The art classroom

"No one," I said.

Mason was completely silent for a few seconds. Until he finally broke the deafening silence.

"Who did it?" He asked again.

"No one," I repeated. "I fell over." I lied, the lies felt so familiar to me. Half my life is based on lies. He searched my face, with uncertainty.

"I don't believe you," Mason scoffed.

"You don't believe me, what a shocker. It's not like you actually care anyway," I said coldly.

"Whatever, you're right, I don't care. You probably done it to yourself anyway, just to get attention." He smirked.

"Well can you just hit me or whatever so I can go," I said. "Becuase I know I'm not getting out of this without another bruise," I mumbled. I looked away, directing my attention to the ground that seemed so interesting at this moment, yet I wished it would just swallow me up right now.

At least I wouldn't have to deal with everything, the only reason I really am still alive is because of Jaxon, he's my reason to live. There's no other purpose in life for me, except for Jax.

He's my rock, my best friend, my little brother. My everything.

When I was so wrapped up in my thoughts I heard the classroom door open and close. And then I was suddenly alone, in this quiet room, each of thoughts had stopped though as soon he left the room.

And yet my bully surprised me, again.

I took in a deep breath and heaved it out as I stood up and pain shot through me.

I quickly pulled my hoodie back over my head and exited the classroom, to carry on with the rest of my torturous day.

Until it got to lunch time I was fine and hadn't seen any of my bullies. I was retreating to my corner in the library when I heard them.

"Well hello, fancy seeing you here," Holly's irritating voice from behind me.

I slowly turned to face them, all of them were glaring at me, except for Mason. He was staring intently at the floor and looked like he was having an internal battle between his own thoughts.

"So what do you say Mason? What's the nerd's punishment for today?" Holly asked, turning torwards Mason, she had a malicious smile plastered on her face.

Mason didn't respond as he stared off into space. Holly snapped her perfectly manicured fingers in front of his face and he whipped his head up to her.

"I asked you, what the punishment should be for the nerd today?" Holly repeated rolling her eyes, she was obviously getting frustrated and all she wanted to see was me in pain.

Mason's eyes locked with mine and then he quickly brought his gaze down to the floor again.

"She already got what she deserved earlier," he said. "I think it will do for today."

What?

"Which was it now, the kicks or the punches?" Holly asked laughing slightly.

Mason slowly looked over to Holly. "Oh you know me, a bit of both." Mason replied shrugging.

He then gave me one more look, silently telling me to leave it. So I kept my mouth closed.

"Well I guess we'll just have to join in tomorrow," Holly laughed, as they all stalked off.

"What just happened?" I thought aloud, whispering.

I slowly walked to my secluded area, and sat down as I pondered in my thoughts.

After school finished and I had collected Jax, I came back to the house and began to clean every inch of it.

Jaxon was currently locked in my room again, I don't want to take the risk thinking that Charles and Francis won't get back early.

I had managed to make dinner early and put two plates of food in my room for Jaxon and I.

Whilst I was setting the table for Charles and Frances I heard the front door slam shut, my heart thudded in my chest. I stepped away from the table and kept my head down, with my hands behind my back I kept silent.

"Finally you manage to listen to orders," Charles snickered.

"Go to your room," he ordered. I silently but quickly made my way up to my room with my head down.

"Jaxon," I whispered, softly knocking on the door. After waiting a few seconds the door finally opened.

I stepped inside and locked the door again. "Have you eaten your dinner?" I asked.

"No, I wanted to wait for you." Jaxon said.

I smiled softly and sat down at my desk, Jax crawled on top of my lap and we ate our dinner in silence.

"Jax, wake up." I said shaking him awake.

"Okay," Jaxon mumbled tiredly.

"Go get ready for school," I said as I pushed him towards the bathroom.

I had gotten ready earlier with my usual jeans and hoodie to cover my face.

"I'll see you after school," I said to Jaxon as he jogged off towards the playground.

I quickly got to school, just before the bell rang. My bullies weren't anywhere to be seen.

When the bell rang for recess,y stomach dropped. They would try to find me. I had to find somewhere other than the library to hide in. As I speed walked through the crowded halls, a place come to mind.

I immediately halted and turned around walking in the other direction, towards the only other place I could think of.

I finally made it to the art classroom and knocked. Mr Trear answered the door and smiled softly.

"Hello Grace," he greeted politely.

"Hi, umm, I was just wondering if I could spend my time in here for recess to finish off my latest painting." I said, saying the first thing that came to mind. It wasn't a complete lie, I did need to finish the last painting that I had done in art class.

"Sure, come in. I won't be in here though, I've got to go to a meeting." Mr Trear explained.

"That's okay," I said nodding briefly before plopping myself down into a stool and started to work on my painting.

"I'll see you in art class tomorrow." Mr Trear said before leaving and shutting the door behind him.

I sighed and placed my paintbrush back down. Slumping in my stool I rubbed my tired eyes. I stilled as I heard a faint knock on the other side of the door.

I could just pretend I'm not in here? I thought as I kept silent.

Until the door creaked open and Mr Trear walked back in.

"Grace, is it alright if your classmates work on their paintings as well?" He asked, it wasn't until he said that, that I noticed three figures standing in the door way. I felt sick, my knees were shaking under the table and my head was pounding, telling me to run.

But I couldn't.

"Oh, hi Grace." Holly feigned cheerfulness. "Mr Trear, I'm sure Grace would be fine with us being in here. Wouldn't you Grace?" Holly asked turning towards me, while Mr Trear looked my way Holly glared.

"Oh. . .ummm s-sure," I stammered.

"Okay then kids, I will leave you to it before I'm late for the meeting." Mr Trear smiled and exited the room.

Holly, Myles and Micheal entered the room, closing the door behind them they turned to me. Mason and Holly's minions were no where to be seen.

"It's a pity Mason couldn't join us today, the girls had to go touch up their makeup and. . . well, they wouldn't want to start looking like you." Holly said smiling sweetly as she answered my unanswered questions.

They slowly approached, and I waited for the pain, for it to start all over again. My head snapped up to the door as it slammed open.