Claire's POV

I caught sight of this retched annoying mirror again. It was highlighting the obvious. I already know that I have another bruise you f***er. I screamed and slammed my locker door hard on its face and the mirror broke into pieces and fell onto the ground. I sighed in relief. I felt a little better. I shut my locker and Yasmine face came into view. "Shit! You startled me" I told her holding my chest. She was staring blankly in my eyes. "Yaz?" I waved my hand in front of her face but she just kept staring. "Oh Claire" She wooed. "You're being beaten, aren't you?" She asked. I scoffed. I really didn't have the time for this bull shit right now. "I have to get to class. Later" I ignored her question and walked pass her. "No!" She pulled me by the arm and I was shocked by her gesture. "You are going to talk to me right here right now" She commanded. 

I glared at her angrily but it was suddenly softened as she embraced me "Am sorry Claire. I'm sorry I didn't realize it sooner" She was crying. I was still shocked. I didn't know how to respond. "It's ok" I swallowed the lump in the back of my throat. She finally released me and looked into my semi-moist eyes. "Who else knows?" She asked as she wiped away another tear that hit her cheek. "No one. Now please forget it" I told her seriously. "Are you crazy. No bastard is going to treat you like his punching bag and get away with it" She snapped angrily. I guess she really felt my pain. "You've got to tell someone" She told me concernedly. I sighed in frustration. Damn she's persistent. "Fine, I will. Talk to you later" I got intense from the whole situation. That's why I didn't want anyone to find out. Stupid mirror. It's your fault. I cursed as I walked away from her.

I made my way to the back of the school yard awaiting Chad. He came into view after a few minutes of patient waiting. "What's up?" He asked casually. "We need to talk" I told him bluntly. He got worried a little. "What happened to your face?" He asked. I chuckled. "It's funny. You've known me for so long and didn't even notice that there was in a change in my attitude" I shouted a little. I was upset at his ignorance yet he wants to be with me. "I realize you became distant. I kept urging you to tell me what's the matter but you are just... So cold towards me. I figured you had someone else and just wanted to get rid of..." "I'm being abused you fool" I interrupted his irritating rant. "What?" He asked in disbelief. "For how long?" He asked angrily. 

"Would it matter?" I asked not caring. He ran a frustrating hand through his black hair then started to pace back and forth. "F**k!" he cursed. "Why didn't you tell me Claire?" He argued. "Hey, am the one supposed to be mad here. Not you!" I snapped at him. He seemed disheartened. Did I hurt him? I kissed my teeth. This was too much for me. "Am leaving tonight" I sighed. He looked up at me. "Where are you going?" I shrugged my shoulders. I really didn't have a plan I just believe that enough is enough and I will finally make a stand on my own. "We'll go together... some place far. Just the both of us" He held my hand. I shook my head. "Then what? We live happily ever after? Wake up! This is reality" I let my hand loose from his tender grip then walked away. So much for taking Yasmine's advice.

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