Beyond Captivity

Bullying

Nerissa's Pov 

Weekends are reserved for my babies. I know they need me the whole day everyday —something that they very often mention, I feel guilty for leaving them. 

So in an effort to compensate for the lost time, I try to spend each minute with them and do the activities they like. Though it drains me and I don't get to rest, it’s also the very thing that energizes me. 

But then Mondays come as a crashing wave of reality. I have to do much more in life than just be happy with my babies or go on a dinner with my first guy friend. 

My phone rings and I cut the call from Jules —hoping to meet her in the class directly— before putting it on silent as it is the school’s policy. 

I put away my bag in the locker when I finally noticed something strange. The whole way from the entrance of the school till here, all eyes were on me. 

Today was weird. Usually no one cares for my existence and they're all so busy among themselves. But right now it's like they're looking at me with judgment in their eyes. As if I've done something. 

Suddenly a thought popped in my head. What if everyone got my nudes? 

It's a pretty rational thought considering that's usually the reason why the whole highschool stares at a girl in movies.  

I shook away the thought. There's no way anyone could get my nudes. I don't take such selfies, nor do I get fully naked in changing rooms. The only place I feel comfortable stripping is my home and I'm pretty sure nobody can get a camera there. 

I tilt my head down and focus on my steps as I make my way to my first class. I take a deep breath, trying to muster up the courage mom wants me to. I don't know why people are looking at me weird but I need to keep it together. 

“Nerissa.” I halt in my steps as someone stands in my way.  

I look up to see Mathew smirking down at me. I always remember him with boyish smiles but today it seems like there's something behind the expressions on his face. 

I take a step back feeling uncomfortable with the close proximity. “Yes?” 

“You know I'm really disappointed.” He drawls out with an exaggerated sigh. 

Two of his friends appear by his side while another two stand beside me. I suddenly started feeling really unsafe, suffocated and wanted to just run away. But I stood in my place, making myself believe nobody does anything in a crowded surveillanced corridor of a school. 

By now all attention was on us. Every eye looking at us in curiosity of what's going to happen. I try to move away but one of Mathew’s friend blocked my way, mimicking the same sly grin that everyone else in his group has. 

“What do you want, Mathew?” I asked firmly, trying to come across as confident. 

His creepy smirk stretched wider. “Whatever you wanna give us, mommy.” 

I was so taken aback by the comment and couldn't understand why he'd suddenly behave so disrespectfully with me, calling me a sexualized nickname. 

My eyebrows furrowed and a disgust set in me. But I tried to not let my discomfort show. I tried to act like his words didn't affect me as much. 

“What's wrong with you?” 

He raised an eyebrow. “What's wrong with me?” He asked, taking a calm step towards me. “What's wrong with you?” I stepped back but halted as his friend was right behind me. “I thought you were such a little baby that I'll have to teach you everything but…” His hand lightly grazed my arm, making my heartbeat accelerate in fear. “I didn't know you'd already know how to make a baby.”