Amelia ForbesMy hands shook as I struggled with the lock.Nana wasn't home yet so I had to let myself in with my key.Tears brimmed in my eyes, blurring my vision.Trying to wipe them away only made me cry even harder.Honestly speaking, I felt stupid for crying.How could I be so dumb? Why did for one second believe that today was going so well. That nothing would wreck the tiny confidence and happiness I had felt after talking with Ben.Jason was right. There really was something wrong with me.Finally managing to get the door open, I fled up the stairs and into my room. As I plopped down, the small, rickety bed groaned in disapproval. I gave a bitter laugh, "Of course, everything in my life is against me." I said aloud, covering my head with a pillow. Realizing now that I was completely exhausted, I felt my eyes begin to droop.Just a few minutes of rest, I decided. A few minutes, I reminded myself, already feeling m

Amelia ForbesI tried to stay quiet as Jason dragged me up the stairs. I had to jump, sometimes two steps at a time, to avoid getting injured. He obviously wouldn't slow down to let me adjust. I hadn't been here for over ten minutes and he'd already tried to choke me to death. A tear escaped my eyes and I quickly wiped it off with my free hand. He'd ordered me to stop crying, and disobeying him would just attract more punishment. Just 178 days left. You're doing great, Mel. I reminded myself, repeating my mantra in my head. Just don't try to be brave. Focus on the project and get it done. You'll be okay. Succeeding in steadying my breathing, I decided to stick to my resolution. Desperate to distract myself, my eyes scanned the mansion. I had thought it was beautiful the night of the party. But this right here was. . . magnificent. It was even more exquisite in the day, even. My eyes scanned the chandeliers, the marble

Amelia ForbesHe's not worth it. Jason Davenport is not worth it. He's not worth it. I refuse to react. I refuse to give him another reason to pick on me. I repeated this in my head as I walked through the gates and out of his mansion. Two hours.Two hours working on OUR project. All on my own. And he didn't even offer me a single drop of water.I knew he was an asshole. But this. . . it was inhumane. I didn't expect him to be nice to me or anything. But this was something else.And I was famished, I felt like I would drop anytime soon. Just 4 days and it'll all be over, I reminded myself. I just need to finish on time.I checked my phone. 4pm. Nana would be worried.With that thought spurring me on, I walked faster.As I got to a street sign-from there a 15 minute walk to my house-I heard someone call out my name. Huh? That's weird. I don't really know anyone around here.I'm probably just hearing things, I concl

Amelia ForbesFrom everything Nana had told me, I gathered that I had caught a really bad cold walking under the rain and I'd been unconscious for days.Realizing what that meant, I panicked. That means I've missed school, homework, maybe even tests. Nana noticed this and communicated to me that the school was aware, so any tests or homework would still be made available to me when I was feeling strong enough. Relieved, I settled down and resumed my conversation with Nana. I also found out that a guy had come to see me. And from Nana's description, it was no other than Adrian Goldfield. I had mixed feelings about the whole thing. Jason had already warned me about associating with his best friend. And he wouldn't take it lightly if he found out Adrian had been to my house. But on the other hand, Adrian was the only one who cared to check up on me when I missed school. I couldn't just ignore that. He'd gotten the drugs prescribed for

Amelia ForbesI sat in the library all day solving Jason's homework assignments. It was easy because I had done mine already, so I remembered most of the answers. My chest was heavy and my eyes hurt. I was simply exhausted. I wondered again why I couldn't just stay home and take all my tests and exams there. School was the most exhausting place to be, for me. Topped up with the constant bullying. I needed to get out of here. Just 170 days left, Mel. You're doing great. You're doing great. Just. . . hold on.All I had to do was stay out of their way. Jason and Kimberly. And avoid Adrian. I'd be okay.I felt a second round of tears coming up but I shook it off and continued my work. Almost as if Adrian had heard me mentioning him in my head, he walked into the library.I said a silent prayer, hoping he wouldn't notice me. But he did, obviously. When had my prayers ever been answered. He waved at me from the door and proceed