One of the Bullied | ✔

Chapter 46 - Over The Trees

For the first time - practically ever - I feel bad. I feel really bad. I just want to sit here in this changing room for hours, and cry. I want more than that, even.

Everything was going so well. I'd found a way out. I'd found an ally. I might have even found a boyfriend. Then... Well, I don't even know what happened.

I don't know if anything had even happened. Maybe Seth was honestly just trying to protect me, just trying to make sure they didn't get to me, and he preferred-

With a sniff, I sit up straighter. Maybe he was doing it to protect me. A voice comes from outside the changing room I'm in, startling me. "Excuse me, have you seen a tall girl with a blue jumper and long, blonde hair?"

Shit, that sounds like Seth. I stand up nervously, not wanting to go out and see him. Is he seriously looking for me? Why?

"Yeah, I know, but- Okay, thanks."

For fuck's sake. Please say he won't find me.

"Zoe?" He calls. I don't reply. "Zoe?" He repeats.

My phone starts ringing, and I sigh as I know that's given me away. I hang it up and sigh, wiping my face and standing up. I need to go out and face him now, without even knowing if I should brace myself for a surprise.

Maybe he's here with Luke and Nate.

I really hope not.

"Zoe, please, open."

Reluctantly, I open the door and face him. He's alone, thankfully.

Before anyone can tell him he's not meant to be in the female changing rooms, he slips in beside me and closes the door, locking it. I take a step away warily, but he doesn't move.

"Zoe, I'm sorry about earlier." He says quickly. "I honestly didn't want to hurt you, I just thought it would be better if you got out of there before they saw you."

"You mean you were scared of them seeing you with me."

He comes towards me, but plops down on the wooden seat, looking at the ground. "I guess I was, Zoe." He sighs. "It's a big thing for you, but it would be a big thing for me too, you know?" He runs a hand through his hair.

"I know, Seth, but that doesn-"

"Yes, it does mean I'm scared." He interrupts. "You've always had... This miserable existence. You're, like, used to it. I'm not. I don't know what would happen, and that scares me, Zoe. You could handle anything, but there's no way I could."

"That's bullshit." I reply.

"It's not." He sighs. "I wish you could understand how serious I'm being, Zoe."

"As serious as you were being when you said that thing a few moments ago?" I ask, stamping my foot angrily. He tenses up, then lowers his head into his hands.

"I'm sorry, Zoe, seriously." He says. "I didn't mean it. Obviously."

"Well, that's not what it feels like, Seth." I reply.

"That's what it is." He snaps back. I remain silent, leaning against the flimsy changing room wall with a sigh. "I'm sorry, Zoe. I know I messed things up." He runs his hands through his hair. "I really just wanted us to go out and have fun tonight."

I bite my lip.

"I know." I murmur. "But you can't pretend that Luke and the others don't exist, Seth. They'll always be there in my mind, and they'll always be there in yours, too. And sometimes they'll be there in person. We can't just avoid that."