"What are you doing here?" I asked awkwardly, trying to maintain my posture and look confident.
His face still held a cold demeanor. I slid past him and hurriedly tried to walk past, but his hand caught my arm in a strong grip, pinning me to the wall.
"What are you doing?" I asked, confused.
"What did you hear?" His voice was cold, one I hadn't heard before.
"Nothing," I said, trying to yank free, but his grip was too strong. He tightened his grip, causing me to groan in pain. He was hurting me.
"What's wrong with you? Let me go!" I kept struggling.
"What did you hear?" he asked again, his brown eyes glaring into my soul. If looks could kill, I would probably be dead.
"I said let go of me... you are clearly hurting me!" I half-yelled, my voice laced with pain and anger, but I kept struggling.
Fortunately for me, the bathroom door flung open. Both our gazes were now fixated on the entrance of the female bathroom. Grace, a girl from class, walked in.
She looked confused, obviously seeing a guy in the female restroom, but also because of how close we were to each other. I didn't even realize how closely our bodies were entangled in a position that could easily give the wrong idea.
His grip loosened, and he slowly stepped back. I saw that as a perfect opportunity to escape his taunt. I pushed past him as fast as I could and ran, exiting the restroom.
Finally... freedom... I could breathe freely now.
I walked back to the classroom, and as I made it to the entrance, I could see Mr. Mark exiting with his textbook held under his arm. A smile crept onto my lips... it sure was worth it.
*****
School was finally over for the day, with students dashing out on their bikes while some used their private vehicles. I looked everywhere for Matilda but couldn't find her, so I decided to just go home.
"Already on my way home," I texted her just in case she decides to look for me. I placed my phone in my backpack and walked home alone.
I took the public bus, struggling in the tight, crowded vehicle. You could imagine the relief I felt when I finally got off at my stop.
"You're home early," Mom said as soon as I walked through the door.
I sighed.
"How was school?" she asked, an apron tied around her waist, wiping her wet hands with a napkin.
I sighed again. "Horrible," I muttered.
"Why? What's wrong?" she asked, worried.
"Nothing serious," I gave her a reassuring smile. Of course, I couldn't tell her about it; it was pointless after all.
"Okay," she shrugged and walked back in the direction of the kitchen.
"Oops," Gavin, my little brother, bumped into me while flying his toy plane. His knee fell to the ground with his plane crashing on the other side.
"How many times do I have to remind you to watch where you're going?" I scolded, leaning down to his level and helping him get up. I picked up his toy plane and bent down in front of him.
"What do you say?" I asked, stretching my hand forward while still holding his plane.
"Sorry," he muttered. How cute.
I chuckled and handed him his hat plane. "Be careful next time. I don't want you getting hurt, okay?" I rubbed his dark silky hair.
He nodded and dashed off quickly.
"What did I just say?" I yelled, but he was
already gone.
Kids, am I right?
My bedroom door creaked open, and I walked towards my bed, threw my school bag to the side, and collapsed on it.
I sighed, staring at the ceiling. My phone buzzed, diverting my attention.
I stretched my hand into my bag and brought out my cellphone.
It was a message from Matilda.
💬 I JUST GOT HOME
She texted.
💬 SAME
I replied and tossed my phone to the side, staring back at the ceiling.
In the back of my mind, I contemplated whether or not to tell her about today's incident. I mean, she's my friend after all, and we share everything. But then again, this was none of my business. I shouldn't get involved.
I decided not to tell her and forget about it. Just then, my bedroom door slammed open. Gavin's head peered inside.
"Mom said you should come help her downstairs," he said.
"Oka..." He dashed off, running back downstairs before I could say a word.
I sighed and got up.
****
"Piper!"
Mom yelled my name multiple times from downstairs before barging in.
"You're late," she exclaimed, her voice laced with frustration.
I bolted out of bed, checked my alarm clock.
Gosh I was really done for
I went to the bathroom. In a flash, I was done and came back to find my uniform picked out and neatly placed on the bed.
I smiled.
****
I hurried downstairs, putting my hair up in a ponytail as usual.
"Thanks, Mom." I gave my mom a quick peck on the cheek and grabbed my already made breakfast to go.
"Bye, Dad." I waved as I ran past my dad by the door.
I ran as quickly as I could, panting and catching my breath when I finally made it to the school gate. Thank goodness, I arrived just in time before the gates were closed, locking students on the other side from getting in.
I smiled, feeling satisfied, and then my phone started to buzz multiple times.
Still trying to catch my breath as I walked up the school stairs, I pulled out my phone since it couldn't stop buzzing. But just before I could unlock it, Matilda ran up to me. Her face looked like she had seen a ghost or something, and she was breathing heavily.
She stretched her hand onto my arm, using me like a support beam, struggling to find words. I could only hear the sound of her heavy breathing.
"Uhmm... are you okay?" I asked, worriedly helping her get up.
"You..." she looked at me, pointing her index finger. "Why didn't you tell me?" she asked.
Now I was seriously confused. "Tell you what?" I asked.
"It's all over the school platform... you and Jake... you guys were in a secret relationship."
I burst out laughing.
"You are delusional," I said, but her face spoke otherwise. Wait, was she serious? "Wait, you are joking, right?" I asked, trying to clarify.
"Do I look like I am?" she pondered. "Just check the school platform and see for yourself."
I quickly unlocked my phone, and a gasp escaped my lips. "Wait, what's this?" I said, scrolling through multiple posts about me and Jake's secret relationship.
💬 I saw them in the school bathroom making out. They are definitely dating.
💬 Who else noticed Jake becoming distant from Samantha?
💬 I saw them having an argument once. I think they broke up.
💬 Do you think he cheated on Samantha?
💬 Poor Samantha, I feel so bad for her. I can't believe he would do that.
💬 I can't believe he chose someone like Piper over Samantha
I scrolled past all these comments and so much more. My heart began to race. "No, this isn't true. It's not even what happened," I said to Matilda, already in a panic.
Students slowly began to gather, some whispering and pointing, while others shot me death glares.
To make matters worse, I noticed Samantha approaching me. She looked extremely pissed, and I couldn't even blame her. I know I would be too.
I stepped back, Matilda trying to back me up as the crowd of angry, jealous girls began surrounding me.
I stood my ground. it was clearly a big misunderstanding. The crowd grew more chaotic, making me doubt my initial thoughts.
Samantha stood glaring at me, but soon that anger turned into a surprised, or rather shocked and confused, look. All the girls around me gasped, and Matilda's eyes widened.
Jake, coming out of nowhere, took hold of my hand and pulled me out of the crowd without uttering a word.
"They are really dating," I could hear them whisper.
It looks like piper is in a big mess, what do you think of this chapter