Bullied (Bullied Series #1) (SAMPLE)

Chapter 4

I didn't faint. I didn't escape. I had to put up with my classmates laughing at me and taking my photos like I was an animal in the zoo. I stood up, on the verge of leaving and skipping class, but then Ms. Roberts came, and I had to explain what had happened. Everyone waited for me to snitch on them so they could give me hell later. Been there, done that. I'd lost my faith in teachers and the school administration a long time ago.

"I wasn't careful, so I fell. It's nothing special. Faulty chairs happen."

"Are you sure you are okay?"

"Yep."

"Are you able to stay in my class?"

No matter how much I wanted to run away from this hole, I couldn't. "Yes, Ms. Roberts. It wasn't a big deal."

"Okay. I will call the school janitor and tell him to bring a new chair for you."

I couldn't wait for the period to finish.

After calculus, I went to my locker to get books for the next class and halted in horror when I saw Hayden leaning against it with his hands in his pockets and one leg crossed over the other.

He'd become even more muscular during the last two months. His arms were corded with muscle, which bulged through his tight black shirt. They were perfectly honed and standing out just like his abs. I followed the various designs, shapes, and words of the tattoos he'd put on his upper arms last year, thinking how good they looked on him. They were completing his "bad boy" look, along with his earrings.

The artist in me appreciated the fine contours of his face, the glint of his eyes that gave a mysterious depth to them, and the way the shadows accentuated his striking features that hid the inner ugliness. He was definitely the most beautiful boy at East Willow High and the cruelest guy I'd ever met.

I considered running away, hoping he didn't notice me, but I couldn't do that for two reasons.

1) I needed my art notebook and pencils.

2) He noticed me.

I was embarrassed and scared of him at the same time, my stomach feeling heavy as I approached my locker. The last time I spoke to him, I did something that was way out of my league—I defied him and made a fool of him in front of the whole school. The last time I saw him, he took my nude photos. He saw my naked body, and if that weren't enough, he threatened to post my photos online for everyone to see. It was nauseating.

I couldn't even look him in the eyes. I stopped several steps away from him, but he didn't move an inch, completely blocking my locker.

"Hayden, can you please move so I can open my locker?" I was looking at his black Nike sneakers, silently pleading for him to move.

He waved his hand in front of my eyes, trying to catch my attention. I dragged my gaze to his face and looked at the spot on his temple that had been scarred from the car accident. An inch-long scar was almost invisible now, perceivable only if someone knew about it, but it was quietly accusing me of my stupid mistake nevertheless.

"I'm up here." He pointed his thumb at himself. "Look at me when you're talking to me, do you understand?"

I blushed, and I cursed myself for not being able to prevent or control my chronic, excessive blushing at almost every single thing. I didn't want him to see that he intimidated me. I couldn't have an upper hand if he knew he could affect me that easily.

I stared at his eyes that seemed so black now as he glared at me. His jaw was set in a firm line, his full lips unyielding.

"Yes, Hayden." I wanted to avoid confrontation at all costs.