Shocking Revelation

I grip my book tight to my chest as I run in tears, making my way to the bathroom. The tears, clouding my eyes make it difficult for me to see properly and I bump into someone, the chocolate on my body affecting the clothes of the person.

‘I'm so sorry,’ I sniff, not raising my head to even see who it is. I make to leave, but an arm is outstretched in front of me and connects with the wall, preventing me from leaving. The chocolate poured on me is sticky and I want nothing more than to lock myself up in the girl's bathroom and cry my eyes out on why my life is always the most miserable.

I clean my tears and make to raise my head, but then he places his arm on my head and forces it to stay still, making me unable to see who it is, but my instincts are already screaming his name. Jonathan.

I can already tell by his veiny forearms.

‘Look at you, so weak,’ he tuts, giving me a condescending look. I don't raise my head to see him, but I can feel it.

‘Please…’ I stuttered. ‘Let me go. It's itchy and I need to wash it off before it destroys my hair,’ my voice cracks, I hug my book tighter.

‘You don't get to go, Sera. Not until I say so,’ he leans, growling into my ear and as his breath tickles my ear, I feel goosebumps rise in every part of my body, making it tremble.

‘What do you want from me, Jonathan? Do you want to hit me some more or even prank me? Huh?’ I look up at him this time, my heart hammering hard in my chest. This would actually be the first time I stood up to him ever since I can remember.

It seems my question catches him off guard because his eyes widen with a tiny flicker of surprise, and then it changes back to a dark look. I take a shaky breath.

‘You have no idea,’ he mutters, grabbing a handful of my chocolate coated hair.

‘I want to break you into pieces,’ his voice grows dark and I shudder because it sounds as cold as ice.

I want to ask what it means, but then he leans forward and sniffs my hair, then closes his eyes as if he is relishing the smell.

He opens his mouth to speak but before he can, a voice interrupts him.

‘Well, well, well, if it isn't booger,’ the voice gets near and I don't even bother to turn because I know for sure it's Whitney. A literal thorn in my flesh, in fact, the most painful one.

Jonathan steps back, still gripping my hair, he pushes it to the locker and makes to leave, but Whitney intertwines their arms together.

‘Where are you going, Jonathan?’ She asks, kissing him on the cheeks while staring at me.

Yeah, that's right. I don't know why, but Whitney always tries to make out with him each time in front of me. I have no idea why, but it's disgusting. Having to watch two people act lovey-dovey in front of me? Disgusting.

‘You can leave,’ she dismisses me.

‘I never said she could leave,’ his cold voice cut through, making even Whitney flinch.

‘And why can't I leave?’ I ask, throwing away my fears.

‘Because I'm not done with you,’ he says. I can feel Whitney glaring daggers at me. I ignore her.

‘You know what? I'm not just some toy that you can have and do whatever you want to!’ I snap and run into the girl's bathroom, locking myself in one stall.

Then I crouch on the floor, hold my hands around my body and cry out in pain.

All these... my life. It's... it's so painful. All my entire life has never been one which I hold in my hands and I can do whatever I like. I had always been everyone's punching bag and trauma-dumping dumpster.

If these people are pissed off, I am the one who gets the beating. I open the shirt of my chocolate-stained uniform and wince because the chocolate dried on my uniform is already stuck to my injuries and skin.

I started to wonder what I'd wear to school on Monday because I couldn't afford to get a new uniform. I have to do everything myself with no one's help. And my hair...

‘Seraphina? Are you in there?’ Her voice echoes into the door and she knocks softly on it.

‘It's me, open up,’ she says.

I quickly button up my shirt and open the door, coming out of the bathroom.

‘I heard what happened. I'm sorry. They're horrible! Why is Jonathan doing this to you?’ She blabbered.

I smile. She brings me up to the sink and wash my hair.

‘I have no idea,’ I say to her.

‘Well, your uniform is ruined. Don't worry, I'll get you a new one,’ she says, patting my back. I nod, my heart clenching at her kind gesture.

A girl runs into the bathroom, panting hard.

‘Seraphina, come see,’ she bends and breathes.

‘They're talking shit about you,’ she catches her breath and stands up.

‘What do you mean? They always talk shit about her,’ Cecile counters.

‘I know, trust me. You really need to hear this one, it's different!" she says, gesturing towards the cafeteria. ‘Come with me.’

My heart pounds. Me and Cecile exchange looks and ignoring my stained face and body, I run out of the bathroom through the hallways, then to the cafeteria.

My heart races as I trail behind her through the hallways, ignoring the stares and giggles from the other students. When we enter the cafeteria, all eyes seem to turn to me at once. It's almost too much to bear.

‘That's her, the daughter of the bitch!’ Whitney points at me, her laughter echoing through the room as others join in. They continue their taunts, but I can't hear them. All I can hear is the pounding of my heart and the ringing in my ears.

I fix my eyes on the big screen in the cafeteria, where my mother's face appears alongside his father's. The words on the screen confirm my worst fears

‘Mr Hill announces his engagement to Mrs Gabrielle this afternoon, as further announcements of their relationship will be made public.’

Jonathan's father.