What A Smile Can Hide

Chapter 5: None of it's fine

Mason sauntered in, keeping his gaze to the ground, he spoke to his so called friends.

"Hey guys," he said. "Do you's want to sit on the field today?" Mason asked.

"Can we finish here first?" Holly asked with her irritating voice.

"Uh, no, I wanted to show you guys something too and it will probably take half of recess time so, we'll have to go now." Mason replied, he peered over to Holly and the twins.

"Whatever," the twins grumbled.

The twins headed for the door as Holly stood there quietly fuming. She stomped her foot then followed after them.

Mason didn't spare me a glance as he shut the door behind him.

Weird.

I rested my head on the table and sighed, closing my eyes.

"Grace, wake up." I heard a voice before someone gently nudged me. My head shot up.

"Huh?" I asked.

Mr Trear stood in front of me with wide eyes. "Grace what happened?" He asked, looking worried he sat on the stool next to me.

"What? Oh, I must've fell asleep." I said.

"No, not that Grace. Your face," Mr Trear stated.

Oh no, please don't tell me that it happened again.

I swiftly reached up, hoping to feel the top of my hoodie, instead I felt my hair.

"Oh, nothing I just fell over." I lied, laughing slightly. "Clumsy me," I chuckled.

"Make sure you be careful next time," Mr Trear said. "Alright, you better get to class." He said standing up.

"Bye," I said plastering another fake smile on my face.

I flicked my hoodie up over my head and left the classroom.

I was now curled into a ball, trying to protect my head from the continous hits and kicks that Charles induced on my battered, bleeding body.

"How many times do I have to tell you?" Charles screamed. "You never listen!" He exclaimed as the hits became harder with each word.

"I-I'm s-sorry," I sobbed.

After I had walked back to the house with Jax, we had went through the same routine before Charles and Frances had come back.

Although when they came back Charles accused me of not cleaning up, because in front of the door way was a leaf, that had probably blown in from the wind when the door was open.

The hits finally stopped, and I dared to look up. Charles was glaring at me with rage. He jerked his head towards the stair case, silently dismissing me.

I quickly scrambled onto my feet and hurried up the stairs, wiping away the tears as I neared the top. I knocked softly and whispered Jax's name, until he flung the door open and let me in.

After we had gotten ready for bed, silently, I crawled into bed as Jax curled up next to me.

"Goodnight," I whispered.

"Night, Gracie." Jax whispered back.

A dark slumber over took me and I was dragged back into the nightmare that was sadly not just a nightmare, but a painful memory.

The bell rang for lunch and I scurried off into the halls, suddenly before I could even react a rough hand grabbed my shoulder and pulled me into the nearest classroom.

I looked up to see Mason, he directed his eyes anywhere but at me.

"Stay in here until lunch is over," he commanded gruffly.

"Why?" I asked quietly, my eyebrows knitted together.

"Because," Mason stated simply.

"Why?" I repeated.

"Because, the others are outside looking for you." He answered quickly.

"And how do I know that you're not going to tell them where I am, after all you are basically their leader." I said.

"Well you're just going to have to trust me," Mason said, finally looking at me.

"Seriously? You want me to trust you? After everything you've done to me, including your little group." I said with disdain at the mention of them.

"It looks like you've got no choice but to trust me, because the way I see it. The minute you walk out that door," He said pointing to the door. "They're going to find you," Mason stated.

I hated how right he was.

"Fine," I said, exhausted at how little sleep I got due to the nightmares, I sat down in a chair.

After several seconds of uncomfortable silence, I looked up to see Mason still standing there, staring at me.

"What?" I asked quietly and diverted my eyes to the ground.

"Take off your hoodie," he commanded though his voice was soft.

"No," I said.

"Take it off," he repeated.

"No,"

"Dammit, take it off Grace." Mason said angrily and slammed his fist onto the table, I flinched from the sudden movement.

In the corner of my eye I seen his face soften, and he quickly unclenched his fist.

"I'm sor-" He said although before he could say anymore I interrupted.

"It's fine," I said quickly.

He lazily sat on a chair, putting his elbows onto the table he put his head into his hands. He dragged his hands through his hair roughly and sighed.

"No, it's not. None of it's fine," Mason said quietly.

I didn't know how to respond, so we entered back into silence.

"Grace, can you please just take your hoodie off?" He asked.

I contemplated for a minute, not sure what to do.

What's the worst that can happen, another beating?

I slid my hoodie off.

"Is it only on the face?" Mason asked, sounding guilt-ridden.

I shook my head sadly.

"It isn't even half of it," I admitted as my head dropped.

"Who did it?" Mason questioned.

"I can't tell anyone, no one will believe me. And why would I tell you? You said it yourself, you don't care." I said bitterly.

Mason didn't respond, he stared silently at the table in front of him.

"So why do you keep bothering me, just go back to your friends, tell them where I am for all I care." I said in a bored tone.

Mason mumbled something incoherent under his breath.

"What?" I asked.

"Well maybe I do care," he shouted, standing up quickly.