Prologue

“Stop !” I yelled, eyes wide with horror.

“Stop?” He chuckled, the sound low, twisted. His eyes were wide with glee as he opened the book, my secrets and shame bare to him.

“My mummy hates me… aw” he pouted mockingly “trouble at home?”

The crowd laughed, amused by him, by my humiliation. I glared at him, refusing to back down.

Cassian Cross, my arch nemesis. He and his minions: Kira and Nicole made my life a living hell. They followed me through elementary school, middle school and now high school, making it their mission to humiliate me.

He flipped another page of my diary. I grew impatient, agitated. My eyes filled with tears, horror and desperation making me tremble. I darted my eyes around, searching for someone, anyone to help me, to stop him. But they all had their attention on him, eagerly waiting for the next line of humiliation. I could almost see them salivate.

“Oh, check this out” he smiled, showing the page to Kira “ he bullies me all the time, I hate myself for it, hate him for making me feel this way…” my heart sank.

“No ! Stop !” I screamed, lunging at him but was held back by two random boys. I struggled, trying to break free, tears of humiliation flowing down my cheeks. Please not that page, anyone can read it but not him, not Cassian.

“But why…” he continued “why do I feel this way ?” No. I tried to break free, scratching at their arms but it was no use, they were stronger than me “why does he make me feel this way?” His eyes widened, surprised. He looked away from the page for a moment, locking eyes with me. His eyes softened for a split second then it hardened again, hatred boring into my soul. He went back to destroying me “Why do I like him? Why do I want him?” He finished, shattering my heart and my dignity. My resolve crumbled.

The crowd “ooed” at the revelation. I glanced around, their faces blurred by my tears. The boys let go of me and I crumpled to the ground in defeat, my strength gone just like my dignity.

I looked up at him to find his eyes already trained on me. His expression was unreadable. Then he smiled. I averted my gaze to the ground.

I hated him, I hated him so much. Why was he so cruel?

I felt a soft hand grab me. I looked up to find blue eyes staring down at me. Her blonde hair cascaded down her face as she bent over. Her expression was soft, sad.

Tasha

My twin. My lips wobbled and I broke down completely. She knelt in front of me, holding me tightly. Her arms were soft, comforting. My body trembled as I sobbed, not caring where I was. I couldn’t care.

“It’s okay,” she whispered into my hair. “Let’s get out of here.” She helped me up and pulled me in the opposite direction, away from him and the crowd.

I could hear them laughing behind us, laughing at me and my foolish crush on my bully. My heart tightened, my hatred stronger. I would never forgive him.

Never.