What A Smile Can Hide

Chapter 6: It's not funny

I jumped, scrambling back out of the chair. He turned his head to look at me.

"If this is a prank, it's not funny. And I am sick of it," I said.

"It's not a prank, why do you think I would joke about this?" Mason asked.

"Oh, I don't know." I said sarcastically. "Maybe because every memory I have of you, was full of torture."

Mason turned his head away.

"I know," he said, sounding ashamed of himself and his actions.

"Twenty percent of the bruises I have are from you, and your friends." I said, my voice cracking.

"What about the other eighty percent?" Mason asked.

I ignored his question and wrapped my arms around my legs as I sat on the floor.

"I'm sorry," he apologised. "For everything." Mason said.

I was gobsmacked, Mason was apologising. He sounded sincere.

"And I'm sorry that I can't believe you," I said.

I've trusted too many people before this and look where it got me.

Mason silenced himself.

"Why did you choose me to pick on? I mean, you bully others as well, but you never physically done anything to them." I said.

He seemed surprised and confused.

"I guess. . . you were just the easiest, and no one talks to you. And no one. . ." Mason started but trailed off.

"I get it, no one would defend me." I said, shrugging.

He looked at me with his mouth slightly parted.

"I'm not stupid, I hear what they say about me." Pursing my lips.

The bell rang, and I slowly stood up. Scared that I would trigger him in some way, and he would decide to beat me again.

"I've got the next class with you and your friends, so what do you expect me to do now?" I asked.

"I don't know, but I'll keep them away from you." Mason assured.

If I wasn't afraid of him snapping again, I would've scoffed. But I didn't want to test my luck, so I silently nodded and headed straight for the door.

I reached for the door handle, but just as my hand grazed it Mason reached out and touched my shoulder.

I flinched back violently.

"Just wait, until I know they aren't still in the hallway." Mason ordered; he wore a hurt expression as I turned to him.

I meekly nodded my head.

He left the room as I watched through the small window on the door. Mason scoured the crowd of students that flooded the hallway, then he turned to the door and nodded once.

I took it as confirmation that they weren't out there, so I left the room and headed for class.

I entered my classroom and sat down at one of the tables in the middle.

Holly, her minions, and the twins sat at the back looking grumpy.

Probably because they didn't get to use their favourite punching bag today.

Seconds later Mason barged in, earning the attention of every student, and the teacher.

The teacher rolled his eyes and muttered something under his breath that I couldn't quite decipher.

Halfway through the lesson, I was writing the last note that the teacher had written on the board. A piece of crumpled up paper hit the back of my head.

I heard whispers and arguing behind me. Discreetly I turned my head to see what was happening.

Holly, the twins, and Mason were all arguing about something. And they all seemed angry, except for Mason, he didn't look angry. He looked livid.

My eyes widened at how angry he was acting towards his friends. Mason glanced my way; I quickly averted my eyes to the whiteboard at the front of the room again.

The arguing lessened after a few seconds; the screeching sounds of a chair echoed through the room.

Mason walked down towards the front of the room and sat down in an empty chair; the teacher sighed in annoyance but let it go.

I scrunched my eyebrows, confused by Mason's actions.

The rest of the day had passed quickly, Holly had left me alone. And I hadn't seen Mason or the twins after what had happened in the last class.

I don't know what scares me more, them leaving me alone probably to plan something big, or the continuous torture.

I walked through the door; Jaxon hot on my tail as we went through the same routine as we have been through a million times before.

By the time Charles and Frances had come into the kitchen where I had been standing, waiting for an hour for their arrival.

I went to dismiss myself, until Charles stretched out his arm in front of me, causing me to stop.

"We have company tonight, get dressed into something nice. You should know the rest," Charles smiled sickly, he dropped his arm and let me pass.

Hurrying up the flight of steps I almost tripped over my own feet.

I knocked on my bedroom door, after Jax had let me inside I hastily picked out a navy dress that flowed to the floor, with long sleeves to cover my scars and bruises.

I helped Jaxon pick out a button up shirt and jeans, after we both had our outfits on, I rushed into the bathroom.

Pulling out foundation I attempted to cover the bruises on my face, although the cut on my temple was as clear as day. And I couldn't do anything about it.

We descended the staircase, hand in hand and sat in two of the seats at the dining table.

The doorbell rang and Charles gave me one last warning glare before turning to answer the door.

Jaxon and I plastered fake smiles onto our faces as we seen the first guest enter.

"Landon, this is Grace and Jaxon." Charles introduced us.

"It's nice to meet you, Sir." I smiled towards Landon.

"Oh, please don't call me that. It makes me feel even older, just call me Landon." Landon laughed, he turned abruptly towards Charles. "My son will be here any minute, he was just a bit busy." Landon explained.

"Well we better not eat yet," Frances chuckled lightly.

The bell rang again, and Charles went to get it.

"And here he is now," Landon laughed.

Charles entered the dining room again, my smile stayed intact as I turned to see the next guest. But as soon as my eyes landed on the familiar guest my smile faltered.