Tangled Love

CHAPTER 8

As I step off the bus, I grimace in pain before swapping my book bag to my other shoulder. If I move an inch, the pain flares up immediately. I slowly walk down the road, heading for the school building straight ahead.

"If you walk any slower, that snail will probably pass you."

I turn my head, my eyes widening in surprise as they land on Jake Melvin. He's right behind me, dressed in a white shirt, jet black skinny jeans and a leather jacket. He's holding a unlit cigarette in one hand and a lighter in the other, looking extremely annoyed. The encounter with him flashes through my mind and I smile at him tightly. He raises one brow at me, his eyes quickly scanning over my body.

"Cat got your tongue Muffin?" He says bluntly and I frown, shooting him a glare. He shrugs it off, stepping around me before walking a few steps ahead. I sigh and switch my bag again, unable to stop the discomfort from flashing across my face.

"I'm mad at you for being mean yesterday when I apologised." I say loudly, grabbing his attention. I hear a scoff before he slowly turns around, blue eyes staring straight at me.

"I shouldn't have to apologise, you ran into me."

"It was an accident, I'm human." I protest, ignoring the nerves building in my stomach from being underneath his intense gaze.

"Manners don't cost a penny Jake Melvin." I scold him, attempting to walk ahead of him in a huff. The pain in my sides makes that impossible and to my dismay, I have to slow down.

"Whatever you say Emily Wentworth." Jake mimics me, placing the cigarette inside his mouth and lighting it. I grimace and take a step away from him.

"You're extremely annoying," I mumble under my breath which earns a smug smile from Jake. He blows the smoke out in my direction and I immediately begin to choke on it. His laughter fills the air as he walks off, leaving me shooting daggers in his direction.

*****

I can't numb the pain, the limp when I walk is so obvious. I swallow two painkillers and lean against the back of the chair, waiting for them to take effect. I decide to arrive early so I can sit down in class without anyone noticing my discomfort. I managed to clean up the cut on the side of my head and it's now disguised cleverly with my hair. My stomach is still pulsing from the pain, every little movement causes my eyes to flutter shut and my head to spin with dizziness.

I groan and place my head on the desk, waiting for the room to stop spinning. The class door opens and a few of my classmates enter,

shooting an awkward look my way. I quickly sit up, giving them a weak smile. I take out my books slowly and pretend to be fascinated with trigonometry. If I kept my head down, maybe no-one will notice the pain on my face or my eyes.

A few minutes pass before the teacher walks in, greeting us all. I wave at Trish as she pulls up next to me, looking as fabulous as ever. Her blonde hair has been straightened and flowing down her shoulders. Her makeup is immaculately done and her nails are painted a bright blue. She is such a Barbie. She turns towards me, flashing me an award winning smile before frowning —

"Are you feeling okay Emily? You look pale."

"I'm fine Trish, just a little run down."

She grimaces and nodded in agreement, leaning closer towards me.

"Time of the month?" She whispers, sympathy flashing through her eyes. I smile weakly in response. Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

"Yeah, I feel like I've been ran over, multiple times."

It isn't the the truth but not entirely a lie either.