Broken

Chapter 4 Alex's POV: Demons to Fight

As I am heading back to class, all I can think about is Maria. I can tell she is hiding something, and something big. When she walked into class today I saw her hand had been bandaged and she was trying to cover it up so nobody noticed.

When I asked her about it she acted like she didn't even hear me and kept writing even though she looked like she was in pain. After trying to grab her hand, Maria stood up and stalked off ignoring the teacher telling her to come back. I got up from my seat and told the teacher that I would go find her and he told me to hurry back. I saw Maria turning the corner towards the nurse's office and ran to catch up to her.

"Hey, why did you up and leave like that?" I ask in a monotone voice.

"Because you tried to grab my hand." She states in irritation.

When she doesn't get an answer she starts walking again and so I follow her. She freezes when she sees me walking next to her and doesn't move.

"Why are you following me?" She asks me as she begins to walk again.

"Because I know you are hiding something from everyone, I just don't know what." I responded. She freezes mid step and slowly turns towards me with wide eyes. All I see is fear and panic in her eyes which told me that I was onto her secret.

"No, there is nothing I am hiding. Now would you please leave me alone." She says desperately. Finally I walk back to the class but not before saying something.

"I know you are hiding something and I will figure it out soon enough." I tell her seriously. She swiftly walks away and goes straight into the nurse's office. I turn around and make my way back to the class so I can talk with the teacher.

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When I arrive back to the classroom I tell the teacher that Maria went to the nurse's office and probably won't be back. When he asked me why, I simply told him that I wasn't sure why.

After the first hour I start making my way to the nurse's office to see if Maria is still there so I can apologize for making her uncomfortable. As I open the door to the nurse's office I am greeted by the smell of hand sanitizer. When I enter Mrs. Lepolt rounds the corner from her office and jumps in surprise when she sees me standing there.

"Oh my goodness! You scared me dear,"she exclaims, "Did you need something young man?"

"I was wondering if Maria Sanchez was here..." I trail off.

"Why are you asking?" She says suspiciously.

"I just need to speak with her and apologize for making her uncomfortable earlier in the first period." I explain.

"I will have to ask her if she wants to see you first." She says while turning and walking back into her office. When she comes back out she looks at me pointedly.

"You can go in but if you make her uncomfortable she isn't gonna be as lenient next time." She says. With that she walks past me and makes her way out of the nurse's office.

When I enter the office I see Maria sitting on the table, staring out the window, admiring the view.

"Hey Maria," I say, "I wanted to... um... apologize for making you uncomfortable earlier in the classroom when I tried to grab your hand."

"You don't seem very apologetic." She says harshly.

"I have never apologized to anyone before this so yes, it may seem unapologetic but you have to believe that I am." I explain to her pleadingly.

"I accept your apology, now you can go back to class." She says while sneaking a glance towards me before looking back out the window.

"That's it." I say irritably.

"Yes," She begins, "You apologized and I have nothing else to say unless you do."

When she says this it pisses me off and I grab her shoulder harshly. When I do this she gasps and tears fill her eyes in agony.

"Listen here. I have never apologized to anyone and when I finally have you treat me as if I killed your family. You could be a little less passive aggressive." I say to her face. When she is this close I notice she is wearing a lot of concealer as if she is trying to cover something up because it goes all the way down to her chest area.

"Why do you have so much concealer on?" I ask curiously.

"That is none of your business, so please let my shoulder go." She says on the verge of tears.

I release her arm, but I stay standing near her because I don't believe she put it on for the fun of wearing makeup. It is not that hard to tell because she is naturally beautiful with or without makeup. I am already suspicious about why she is so closed off and fearful of certain things so the makeup makes me think that she is either getting abused or she is a fighter in an underground ring. That would mean that her whole shy and scared act is a facade which could be a possibility. If that is the case she has a dang good facade that she's put up and kept under control since I am guessing her mom died since that is when she lost all of her preppiness.

I know she is hiding something and I am determined to figure out what the truth is about Maria and I will figure it out no matter what it takes.