Chapter 1 - The boy at School

Joan's POV

I was sitting in my usual spot in the back of the class, trying to focus on the talk show going on. It was hard to pay attention, though, with the constant buzz of chatter and laughter around me. As I turned my head to look at the clock, I saw Fredrick enter the room, looking around with a smirk on his face. I rolled my eyes and turned back to face the front of the room, determined to ignore him. But it was of no use. I could feel his gaze burning a hole in the back of my head.

 

Suddenly, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around slowly, dreading what I knew was coming. Sure enough, Fredrick was standing there, his trademark smirk in place. "Hey, Joan," he said, his voice low and seductive. "How about you and I ditch this boring class and go have some fun?"

 

I glared at him, trying to convey my anger with just one look. "No, thank you," I replied through gritted teeth. "I'm not interested in whatever you're selling."

 

But Fredrick was persistent. "Come on, Joan," he persuaded, his voice taking on a pleading tone.

 

"I said no!" I yelled, my voice rising in frustration. "I'm not interested in you, Fredrick. You're nothing but a player, and I'm not about to be one of your conquests."

 

Fredrick's smirk disappeared and was replaced with a look of anger. "You think you're too good for me, huh?" He asked, his voice cold. "You think you're better than all the other girls I've been with?"

 

I felt my face flush with anger. "I am not like all the other girls you've been with," I responded, my voice shaking with emotion.

 

Fredrick suddenly leaned in close, his breath hot on my face. "Why not, Joan?" he asked, his voice a low whisper. "What's wrong with being my girl?"

 

I pushed him away, my heart racing. "Because I don't want to be your girl," I said, my voice trembling. "I want to be my person, not defined by some guy."

 

I could see the anger building in Fredrick's eyes, and I knew I had to get out of there. I stood up, my legs shaking, and quickly gathered my things.

 

"Joan, you should consider Fredrick's offer," Anna commented, her voice pleading. "He's a great guy, and he likes you a lot."

 

I shook my head, my anger still simmering just below the surface. "I don't care how great he is; I don't want to be with someone who only sees me as a conquest."

 

Anna looked at me, her eyes wide with surprise. "You're being harsh." And with that, I left the classroom and went into the hallway, with Fredrick tagging along.

 

Fredrick tried hugging me, but I drifted back and slapped him for trying to hug me without my permission. The slap echoed through the empty hallway, the sound reverberating off the walls.

 

Fredrick stumbled back, his hand going to his cheek in shock. "What the hell, Joan?" His eyes blazed with anger.

 

I stared at him, my anger still simmering. "Don't ever touch me without my permission again," I warned, my voice low and deadly serious. "Or I'll do a lot worse than a slap."

 

Fredrick looked at me, his face a mask of fury. "You're not going to get away with this." His voice was a low growl.

 

Classes for the day were over, and I walked out of the school, my heart pounding as I saw Fredrick standing by the gate. He had his arms crossed over his chest, his expression unreadable. I started to walk past him, but he reached out and grabbed my arm.

 

"We're not done," he said, his grip tightening. "You can't just slap me and then walk away."

 

"You can't just turn me down and go scot-free. You'll have to be my girl or face the consequences otherwise."

 

"Get away, you asshole!" I yelled.

 

I tried to pull my arm away, but his grip was too strong. "Let me go," I demanded, my voice trembling.

 

"Not until you apologise," he replied, his voice cold and hard.

 

Fredrick's friends arrived there, and together they bullied me. I tried to defend myself, but they were too strong for me. I tried to fight back, but Fredrick and his friends were too much for me. They pushed me to the ground, and I felt a wave of fear wash over me. I was outnumbered and overpowered, and I knew I was in trouble. I closed my eyes, waiting for the first punch to land.

 

Suddenly, I heard a voice shouting from somewhere in the distance. "Leave her alone!" it said, the words ringing out like a shot in the quiet afternoon.

 

I opened my eyes and saw Anna running towards us, her face red with anger.

 

When Anna got close, one of Fredrick's friends held Anna and pushed her away. Fredrick picked up a brick nearby and aimed at me. My heart stopped as I saw what was about to happen. I tried to cry out, but the words stuck in my throat. Time seemed to slow down as I watched the brick fly through the air, headed straight for me. I closed my eyes, bracing myself for the impact.

 

When it didn't come, I opened my eyes and saw that Anna had stepped in front of me, her arms outstretched to stop the brick. "No!" she screamed. "You can't do this!"

 

The brick hit her in the side, and she crumpled to the ground.

 

Fredrick took another brick and threw it at me, and this time it hit me on the head. There was a sickening crunch as the brick connected with my head. I felt the world go dark, and then everything went silent.

My vision was blurred, and I couldn't focus on anything. I tried to call out, but no sound came out. I closed my eyes again, feeling panic start to take over. What had happened? Where was I? Was I going to be okay?