Broken

Chapter-4: Humiliation in cafeteria

I am glad to have Caroline and Jenna as my friends. Since my childhood, I had been a victim of bullying. I was isolated and had no friends. I tried to acknowledge the issue to the school administration but they didn't pay any heed to it. Soon, I realized that I had to deal with it on my own. I could never find the courage to address the issue to my parents. Since the time I had shifted here, I had gained two besties and a lifetime enemy-Blake Ryder.

It is extremely hard to live in illusions that one day he might stop hurting me.

At recess, I sat with my friends in the cafeteria, hoping for the things to go right at that time. I certainly didn't want any confrontation with Blake, least not then. Whenever I was with my friends, I felt safe as Blake didn't create scenes in public and I feared the day when he would change a spark in his mind and humiliate me in front of everyone.

I felt heavyweight in the pit of my stomach as I noticed Blake coming over in my direction. My adrenaline soared at the thought of confronting him.

What was he planning to do?

Humiliate me in the public?

No, please no. He couldn't do that! Why....?

Did he intend on ruining the littlest bit of self-confidence I had left?

He stood in front of my table, lowering his head down and I shifted my gaze to the floor, not daring to look into his mocking eyes. At that moment, I wished that a miracle would happen and save me from my worst nightmare.

"What do you want, you jerk!"Caroline snapped, clenching her hand into a fist, alarmingly.

"Shut up!" he roared, tossing the food tray and it smashed onto the floor.

He was angry and the thought of it scared me to death.

"Please, leave her alone."Jenna pleaded but he shoved her with such an impact that she ended on the floor.

I was shocked at his audacity to hurt a girl! Without any comment, he shifted his gaze back to me. A hint of a satisfied smirk played across his full, pink lips and bile rose in the back of my throat. I felt so defeated and helpless. I closed my eyes tightly, anticipating his next move. Numbness empowered me and I found solace in it. I didn't want to face the bitter truth that was haunting me.

I could feel the intense stares and hushed whispers of the other students but they all faded in the background. I looked around, completely startled, and all of a sudden I heard flashes of the camera. I gasped as I heard another flash and tried to hide my face. They were doing this. They were recording the show of my misery on camera. I felt completely nauseated by their actions. I reverted my gaze back to Blake, staring at him in disbelief. He brought his face closer to me and flashed his most sardonic grin. It struck me that he was doing this! He was humiliating me in front of everyone! It would be the worst reminder of my pathetic self. I wasn't sure if I would be able to face anyone after this.

He inched his face closer to mine.

"You will never escape from me!" he promised, his words sliding into my mind. I didn't exchange any word with him. There was certainly no benefit in fighting back. I lowered my head in defeat, trying to suppress my tears that were streaming down my cheeks. He grasped my chin, roughly, forcing me to look at him. His face was expressionless for a moment but his usual smirk etched its way back onto his face as his eyes met my teary ones. In my mind, I begged for someone to come and save me!

"Hand me your phone!".

I gasped in awe, shocked by his dare to make such a demand.

Why on Earth would I give my phone to him!

"Are you in your senses? Why would I give you my cell?!"I snapped, my eyes bugging out in fear.

"When I tell you to do something baby, you do it!" he sneered, emphasizing each word slowly and clearly as he tightened his hold on my jaw, making me whimper in pain.

I didn't want to give in. It was too much! How long would he continue to torment me like that!

"No, Blake. I will not...."I bit back, faking confidence.

All of a sudden, he loosened the hold on my jaw and grabbed my shoulders roughly, his fingers digging deeper into my flesh and a moan escaped my lips.

"You are hurting me"I stuttered painfully, tears clouding my vision.

His warm fingers released my shoulders and traced their way up to my neck, squeezing it lightly. He lowered his head to mine and demanded, "Then do as I say!".

I regretfully took out the phone from my pocket. He snatched the phone from my hand, a smirk covering his face.

"Cheap phone for a cheap girl!" he chuckled, displaying my phone to the crowd of students and they all erupted into laughter. Couldn't my fate be more bitter? I had never felt this helpless before! I chose to remain silent. Besides, there was nothing that could change Blake's mind.

"Password, honey?" he demanded, his voice firm and leaving no room for argument.

I sighed, giving in to his demand.

"It's 8904."

A satisfied expression masked his face as he unlocked my cell phone. He kept scrolling and tapping his fingers, my heart beat accelerating with his every move. Beads of sweat trickled down my back.

"Aww, how romantic! Missing your stupid boyfriend?"he mocked, a sinister smile gracing his lips. I realized that he was reading our private conversation. All the while, I kept staring into his eyes, looking for a slightest hint of regret or sympathy, but I found none. His eyes were cold, just like his behaviour. I dreaded the things that he was capable of doing.

All of a sudden, he shifted his attention to me. His solemn gaze roved over my tear stricken face. Fear fluttered through every fibre of my body. Hands clasped together, I prayed to God fervently, wishing for a twist of fate to save me from him. His dark squinted eyes refused to leave my face and from the corner of my eye, I noticed the vein popping on his neck.

"You are so ugly. Go and die!", he said, crumbling my heart with his words.

Die!

He wanted me to die!

Pain streaked through every fibre of my body and I felt suffocated! I felt as if my heart was being wrenched away from my body! All my insecurities reverted back. All the self confidence that I had gained in the past few months was crippled by a few words.

I started sobbing, uncontrollably, setting all my emotions free. Tears were oozing out of my eyes like a waterfall and I felt difficult to breathe with every passing second.

Why do you hate me so much!? The question was on the tip of my tongue, yet I didn't utter it.

His eyes softened for a split second and I wondered if I had only imagined it. He lifted his hand, as if he were about to caress my face, but I slapped it away, heavy sobs raking my chest. His expression changed as if my rejection had struck him hard. His face held no trace of emotion. He hid it all perfectly. He closed his eyes for a brief moment. Before I could predict his next move, he placed my phone on the table and stormed away, leaving me with a mess of emotions to handle!