All Chapters of Beauty From Ashes : Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

NATASHA'S POVUgh, here we go. Bart was about to enter full blown bragging mode.Coincidentally, Piper walked into the living room at the same time and we ended up groaning in exasperation at the same time.I laughed.“Jinx.” I said beating her to it. She shrugged with a smile as we both took a seat on the couch beside the sofa Dad sat on.Our dad laughed, his eyes fixed on Bart.“Did you now? Tell me about it.” He asked.Bart's face beamed with pride. He made a face at Piper and I and started to talk.“Well, Nat complained about having to walk to school everyday and Layla mentioned Aunt Camille's old car.”Dad was paying rapt attention to Bart, like he was sharing some top country secret.I smiled, my heart warming. That was one thing I would always be grateful for when it came to our parents.They made sure we felt seen and heard and loved. They did such a good job.It wasn't their fault I had self doubt issues. As long as Bart and Piper were doing okay, then our parents were doing

NATASHA'S POV My chest squeezed painfully as I fought to fight back tears that threatened to escape.No, I wouldn't give these elites the satisfaction of seeing me cry.I didn't want them to think I was affected by their words or their haughty and judgy looks.At least they ignored me most of the time. Even if the day came when they didn't ignore me anymore.When they started to pick on me or push or insult me or make jokes about my size, it wouldn't matter.None of if would hurt. Just like the girl a few minutes ago.The push didn't hurt me. Even when I fell hard on the floor or the insult she threw at me or when she made a joke about my size.None of it hurt. Or at least not as much as what the person I called my best friend did.How could she join in laughing at me? She might not have laughed at me directly and she even helped me up, but laughing when a joke was made on my size?That hurt and that was mean and I didn't deserve it or expect such from her.She had always been mean,

NATASHA'S POVMy brain was screaming for me to get up.But I was frozen to the spot and I couldn't get my legs or any part of my body to move.I stared up at Meredith who was glaring down at me like she was about to commit murder.What was she going to do to me? What if other elites showed up?I heard that at Delengade, one elite bullying a sub was an invitation for other elites to join.I should get up before an elite showed up. But what about Meredith?She had noticed me. What if after this, she never left me alone again?What was I going to do?“Nat!” I heard my name all of a sudden. I recognized the voice as Patty's.No, no. Was she coming towards us? She should just walk away. Getting involved in things like this only put the sub on their radar too.I wouldn't want her getting dragged into my own mess.Much to my surprise however, Meredith walked away after glaring daggers at me.Just as she walked away, Patty arrived at my side.“Oh my God, Nat. Are you okay? Quickly, get up!”

That was close. I could hear our breathing in the small space.It was dark here. No wonder we didn't see this place at first. How did Patty even know this place was here?She had to have known, right?When we were sure Sasha had walked past, Patty pulled me out.She looked at both sides as we tiptoed out and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw the coast was clear.She looked back at our hiding spot.“I wonder what this place was used for. Probably witnessed the torture of a lot of subs.” She said, more to herself.My heart stopped cold, as I stared at the spot.It was small, dark and tucked into a corner of the hallway. You wouldn't notice it unless you were looking hard or if you knew it was there.I felt sick to my stomach as I realized she could be right. Oh God, I was going to be sick.“God, I hope not. That would be so…horrible.” I said breathlessly.She grinned.“I think it would be ironic. Imagine if it were actually a torture corner, we just turned it into an hiding spot.

NATASHA'S POV SEVERAL MONTHS AHEAD “You fat ugly thing! Did you really think Peter was going to fall for you?” Her voice was filled with mockery as she glared at me. Her minions laughed too.My heart bled as her words sunk in. There was no way Peter would look at me that way.I had to stop whatever feelings I was developing for him. I was happy being friends with him. I would forever be grateful that he came into my life.I smiled up at Sasha, my eyes shining with tears.“It's fine. I don't expect him to. I'm fine with being his friend. At least he cares about me.” I said.Unlike her…of course, I couldn't say that to her face. I wish I wasn't such a coward.I would say it to her face because she definitely deserved it! She turned my best friend against me and then pretended to be my friend.Just to lure me to this party and humiliate me. Why did I ever believe her?Peter tried to warn me. Why didn't I listen to him when he definitely knew her better?He told me to be careful arou