PROLOGUE 2

NELLY

The days passed quickly, and we were entering the second month of classes, I have been camouflaged all this time, trying to go unnoticed among the crowd of students at the Carmen Lucia school. Although, Alice insists a closeness constantly and I feel that her intentions are true, I keep my distance, I don't believe that someone like her wants to be my friend in fact.

I mean, look at me?

Fat and Ugly.

No one would really want to be seen with me.

I quicken my steps, tightening my backpack strap as I pass Edu's little group, thankfully at times like now they are oblivious to my presence.

In some moments.

My happiness was short-lived, three steps away, and Carlota finally noticed my presence, calling me by name in a false voice. Anxiety takes hold of me and I don't stop, running down the still tumultuous hall.

“Hey, girl…” She calls me again.

One

Two

Three...

Just a few more steps and I'll be safe in your classroom.

Just a few more steps, Nelly. Just a few steps.

Voices continue to call me, there are still students walking around, however, I can feel Carlota's presence right behind me, getting closer and closer and harder to ignore.

A hand grabs my shoulder and turns me roughly, causing one side of my coat to slide over my shoulder and my back to hit the closet. My breathing is ragged as I focus on the girl's sharp eyes.

"Didn't you hear me call?" Her voice sounds irritated but still controlled.

I bite the inside of my bottom lip, not looking away from the gray eyes.

“Sorry…” I whisper, unsure of what to say.

She turns her nose up more and looks around us like she's checking something, looking back at me when she's done with her inspection, smiling at an inside joke. I feel my mouth go dry and I try to force spit through my bile, listening to my heartbeat increase with each second she continues to look at me silently.

The second bell rings and the students begin to disperse, emptying the hall and I start to despair.

“ We have to go.” I speak, resuming the path to History class when the girl holds me by the arm, still silent.

My body freezes and I start to fear for my safety.

Carlota is like a queen bee, attracting all the attention and never being challenged, but I challenged her when I didn't respond to her call.

“Carlot... ” I start to speak, but I'm pushed back against the lockers.

I close my eyes, knowing it was only a matter of time.

“"When I talk, you come." she says, right next to my face and all I do is nod.

“Open your eyes.” say, using aThesoft tone, almost fraternal.

I do as he asks, realizing only then that if it weren't for his small group still far apart, we'd be alone.

“You know, Nelly. You are beautiful. she says, caressing my cheeks with the back of her hand.

A chill runs down my cervical spine.

"Obr...thank you." I say.

She smile.

“But not enough for him or anyone else.

Him?

The girl notices my confusion, as she clarifies next:

“I know your secret.”

SECRET.

I still don't know what she's talking about, but I can see it out of the corner of my eye as her friends approach where we are, leaving Eduardo and another boy behind, although their attention is focused on what's going on here.

Tears start to flow down my eyes and I can't control the fear that seizes me, I continue to stare at the two boys, hoping that they intervene at some point.

"What are we going to do with her?" one of the girls asks, but I don't look at them to identify which one spoke.

I keep looking at the boy I thought was good.

“Let's teach her about respect.” I identify Carlota's voice, evidencing the evil in her tone and I cringe even more.

The girls surround me, blocking my entire view.

I sob, already fearing the worst.

A slap hits me squarely, making my face burn.

"Don't look at him passionately ever again." Carlotta roars.

Heavens, who is she talking about?

Until a light illuminates my thoughts.

Him.

Edward?

Is she talking about him?

“ HE IS MINE!” Another slap, this time harder and I drop my head to the side.

I try to cover my face, to get out of their way, but I'm stopped by so many arms that I give up.

Other slaps come from everywhere, I try to defend myself as best I can, but there are too many.

I start to feel weak, tired and lose control of my body. Letting it fall slowly against the floor. Some girls proceed to pull my hair and clothes, tearing half of my shirt.

“Not. I moan, covering my bra when one of them tries to pull it off.

“What's going on here?” A deep voice speaks and all I can feel is the girls walk away.

"Help..." I groan, a little quieter than I wanted.

“Damn! What the hell are you doing?” the male voice roars, sounding furious and I finally get to see him.

Standing looking at me in disbelief and anger is David Bragança, my history teacher and now hero.

"Move out of the way, girls," he says, pushing past the girls' thin bodies.

He picks me up, protectively.

I watch his Adam's apple rise and fall as he inspects my injuries closely. I don't know how I am, they didn't have much time before he arrived, but my skin is burning and my scalp is throbbing from the tug.

"How are you my dear? You are safe now." His lips dip to my forehead and a chaste but comforting kiss is left there.

I nod, firmly believing his words.

“ I'll call your parents, I'll do everything to get you kicked out. Now tell me the leader's name.” Screams, looking one by one.

None of them say anything.

“ You.” He points to Carlotta.” Who made this?”

“ I don't know.’’ Says, in a sweet and pretended way.

David roars, looking impatient as he clasps me in his arms.

"So, you were passing by to go to the bathroom just as I did, right?" He says mockingly.

“Exactly.”

He roars again.

"The fuck it was! All to the boardroom, NOW!” He shouts, making the girl tremble.

She straightens her posture, not lowering her head when she glares at him. It's barely noticeable, but I can tell there's something else in the way she looks at him.

It's almost like obsession and hurt.

As if they were the same and he shouldn't talk to her like that.

“GO!” He screams again.

And so, she leaves, taking all the others with her, but without showing fear or insecurity.

“I'm sorry I didn't notice sooner, Nelly. I promise to protect you while I'm here."

And then, looking deep into his eyes and listening to his words, I felt it. I knew in that moment that David Bragança was my guardian angel, his arms brought me the protection and security I never found in anyone else's arms.