Nate:

When Thalia arrived to school the next day. I saw her in a whole new light. I didn't see her as my enemy or a privileged girl. I saw a girl who hated her life and used multiple distractions to avoid going to her house. She stopped by her lime green locker of the freshmen hallway and struggled to unlock the lock with her busy hands. I walked closer to her and hauled the baggage. Her lips parted in surprise and my lips curled slightly. After she laced her stuff her and slammed it. She walked away and I took long strides to catch up with her. Under her eyes were heavy bags.

She couldn't sleep.

"Thalia," I whispered, my voice low," Are you okay?" I blurted. She looked at as if I slapped her grandmother.

"No," She bit out. Now I knew why she wore long sleeves and leggings. To hide the bruises and her scars from her skin. A heavy, sigh escaped my lips.

"I'm sorry." I muttered, bowed my head in shame.

She paused, glanced over shoulder. "For what?"

I raised my shoulders and gestured with hands," Everything for being rude, mean and intolerable. "She tuned halfway and looked confused with knitted eyebrows.

"Really, regardless of what happened," she replied her voice low," You shouldn't pity me. Treat me the way I treated you, okay."

"B-but I feel bad." I shot.

"Please," She begged, "Please don't. Its ok." she paused, "You know the Golden Rule. I was mean to you and was quite rude.

"Yeah but—"

"No, buts."

"I treated you like how I viewed a spoilt brat. And I did called you Hermione Ganger "I muttered.

I tapped my chin, deep in thought and stared at her. I brought a hand, wiggled my fingers as my lips curled." Why don't we start over?" I asked mischievously.

"Start over?" She echoed, her lips in a tight o .I nodded, she looked at my hands then me in huge disbelief.

"Yes," Her shoulders shook as she dissolved into a fit of laughter then she latched my hands and shook it with a playful grin. "The name's Nathanial and I'm fourteen."

A loud giggle escaped her lips and she shook my hand," My name is Thalia and I'm thirteen. Nice to meet you. "

Thalia smiled and honestly she looked cute when she laughed. Through the crack of the door someone peeked then recede away. We laughed as we walked back to class, some people glanced at us and I opened the door. Ali peeked his head from a bulky history book and stared agape. Hayley raised a brow and turned her chair and Sasha gasped ten scowled, fingers wrapped around her pen tight. Diana grinned, her glossy lips exposed her shiny glossy lips.

Our laughter echoed as I placed her books down and went to my seat. Some of the whispered, glanced at me and stared at me surprised.

Crap, the rumours.

Some of these guys were at the shop. Sasha pursed her lips in a thin line, she rose up and lumbered to me with a red face.

"Where the hell have you been?" She yelled, her voice raised and some people stared and returned to their work. Thalia glanced over her shoulder and snapped her back. All I saw was her back axed at me. She knew all eyes were on her.

"I don't know at school!"

"Stop lying," She snapped, then lowered her voice," I saw you guys at the hangout. Diana been spreading things. Is it true?" She was hurt.

"What! What's true? Diana is the queen of lies and rumours."

"That you guys are dating."

"We were hanging out. And its Diana for God's sake." I glared at Diana as she suppressed a giggle and flashed her pink cell.

That b—

"At the park!" She shouted. Now everyone was watching and whispering and even Thalia's shoulder sagged as she hid her face. Some girls looked at her and muttered. I actually thank God when Ali placed his book down and spoke another rumour as Sasha receded angrily, digging daggers at my back.

"Did anyone hear the rumours?" He drawled. I looked at him as a few shrugged and nodded or straight up ignored him. My body froze and raised my head.

"What rumours?" I asked, leaned forward. I couldn't keep my curiosity and surprise at bay.

"A  pregnant student. "I gasped as some shrugged, stopped what they were doing or shook their head. Some didn't care. Then my eyes slowly landed on Hayley and some others talked low.

She was the only girl I knew who had a boyfriend in my grade but I'm sure there was more. I narrowed my eyes as Diana grinned broadly. When she realised that I glared her. Her cheeks redden and she pushed her hoodie down and closed her legs."Ew, not. It could some other girl, why me? "She defended.

I pointed my arms dramatically, "I don't know. Oh, you have a boyfriend." her cheek reddened as her face scrunched in disgust. Apart from her pigtails and pastel hoodie. She looked younger.

She awkwardly twirled the strands of her black locks, "Um, no. I'm fourteen. Maybe when I'm older. "She muttered.

I leaned forward, palms on my pants and narrowed my eyes." You sure you hadn't done it?"

She reddened and hugged herself. Thalia groaned from her seat and sighed heavily. "It. Nate, just stop it."

Ali pursed his lips, glared at her and shouted," My dude, just stop it. Stop harassing her!" Then he turned to her, "And damn, did I really need that know that information?"

I nodded and turned back. I was not convinced.

He cleared his throat, "And because of that. The school is trying to figure out any couples." He paused glared at me .I shrugged then at Hayley, who was red faced and was browsing through her phone but it was hidden under her book. A frown formed on her face and she squeezed her face as she stared intently at her phone. She wasn't slick but Diana gave no crap about it", so the school is resuming Health class ad Sex Ed." I froze and some looked around confused. June, a blonde haired girl with short hair raised her hands.

"Um, isn't it already part of the syllabus and its part of Biology?" Others argued and Ali raised his shoulders.

"Ask the Head of the School." he muttered, She gasped and placed her hands down.

Biology and Chemistry was my forte but I got As and Bs everything else and especially Maths I scored Bs and Cs and even Ds. Sasha often joked the only reason why I scored As and Bs because I actually enjoyed learning about genitals and I had my reasons. I loved browsing through that page, staring at those detailed diagrams of those organs. I read the tiny description that was written. From DNA and RNA types to types of animal mating I listened, noted and studied them but I didn't see the point of studying about plants and photosynthesis. I knew them by heart.

I was a certified pervert.

I relaxed on my chair and muttered," Health class is easy."

Ali snorted, "You're perverted that's what." He wasn't lying. I am and still is.

"You read long and heavy book. Trust me, you probably-- no you know way better than me." I shot back.

After that we had assembly, then homeroom. Our first class was Chemistry so we filed down the hallway. I overheard Thalia and Hayley chatting as she tried to console her.

"I just don't get it. Nate was so quick to judge me .He had always hated James.Is it true that you went out with him? She asked, books to her chest as she whispered.

"Yeah, that was mean of him. It was Diana obviously." She said, her shoulders tensed then she then looked at her feet as they turned right and climbed the wide stairs." Yeah, we went out but it was just Nate being nice. "She shrugged as she nodded then stared at her intently. It seemed as if everyone was wearing jackets and pullovers but then again, October was approaching.

"Yeah," She repeated, not buying it. Her lips were pursed and her eyebrows were knitted close. "You sure it looked like a date to me."

"Um, Thalia. Can I tell you something? "She said.

She nodded.

"My boyfriend has been ignoring me since our date. He barely texts me, talks to me or even looks at me .He seems embarrassed, uncomfortable or distant but he seems to forcefully kiss me. And been pushy to do things."

Thalia gasped then paused with a gaped mouth." I'm so sorry. I have no advice but I tell you this. Talk to him, ask him what's wrong and if he continues, stand your ground or break up." For a girl who hated romance, barely lived a life and said she had nothing. She was good at it. Hayley glanced over her shoulder for a staff or another student, took a deep breathe then pushed her phone up as she scrolled. I hid at the Sophomore Hallway that was lined with bright red lockers and more club posters.

So relationship issues.

Not good.

When the girls vanished Sasha bolted up the stairs then yanked my body towards her as I suppressed the urge to wince.

"Dude, stop looking at them. You stalker!" She shouted, hands clenched at her sides.

"Ouch, that hurt. And sorry, mom." I snapped with clenched teeth.

"Nathanial!" She chided, she closed her eyes shut then stomped her foot angrily, I flinched. No one ever used my full name well apart from my mom. "Well, I heard you guys are friends now. Is it true? Well. I don't believe it. Weren't you being rude to her long ago?"

My eyes scanned around and I fidgeted around. I pulled the hem of my pullover. "Um, yes, "I replied, "But I'll try to make with her. I realized I shouldn't have judged her."

She cocked her head and crossed her arms." I told you not to judge her but why? Why befriend her now."

I looked away and breathed then my eyes landed on the clock. "Um, we're late."

"Nate!"

After two other subjects we finally returned to the homeroom when I witnessed Thalia sketching on her sketchpad. When she coloured detailed drawings of skulls, wilted roses and flowers. I hunched over as a small grin formed on my lips. Her shoulders tensed as I straightened my spine.

"Nice drawing." I complimented as Thalia turned her head and gasped. I was hunched over her seat and muttered as a long shadow fell on her.

Her shoulders tensed as she made herself smaller. "Um, haven't you heard of personal space? "She forced a smile, surprised then muttered sheepishly, "Oh, thank you."

"You know, I honestly found out that your art style dated from the Golden Dutch Age when artists became very edgy and thought about death to the point of drawing death related things and they were known as the Vanitas or Memento Mori. Where life was fleeting and everything was useless." I said.

Thalia gasped. "Y-you learned something."

I shrugged and muttered," No biggie."

Then Haley stared at me wide-eyed and Ali dropped his book and screamed, "Oh my God."

"N-Nate actually studied something?" Hayley gasped.

At the end of the school day Thalia told me the most surprising thing ever. I should return to her house even though before she told me to never come back but this time I would help and try to prevent it.

***

I was reading through my notes as Thalia monitored me and her dad was sitting in front of the TV and he was busy watching. We were at our usual spot. The round table with the small, used bible. The small window showed the navy-blue skyline and the bright steaks of the setting sun. I kept my distance away from her. The air still felt heavy and hot and the watchful eye of the monster lurked in the house. My arms felt like lead and my breathe came out rigid. A long shadow casted on me. My body froze and a shiver ran through my spine.

The man hunched and eyed at both at us but Thalia seemed unbothered. She was as quiet as a mouse the entire time. My eyes searched her face and from time to time he always called a bitch and a whore. She still knew nothing of those words. I couldn't prevent my concern as I searched her face for any emotion that flickered her face.

"Thalia, you alright?" I asked as she nodded. Her eyes were glassy were staring into the celling or the window and without releasing I placed my palm on her shoulder then her muscles tensed. "Oh, sorry. "I muttered softly then recoiled my fingers.

"C'mon, boy," her father commanded, he stood at the foot of the stairs with a hardened expression as he gestured me. I snapped my head and froze. My veins ran cold and goosebumps raised on my skin. He exposed those sharpened canines." please, come on to my study. Let's have a chat." I tensed as Thalia's eyes widened then grown to life. She darted her eyes to her father than I as her mouth opened.

"I-I–"I stammered.

"Boy," He snapped as I gulped. Then her fingers wrapped around mine and she looked at me as if she silently warned me as the hairs in my neck stood erect.

"Nate."she whispered, fear seeped into her voice as my eyes slowly widened and her grip tightened.It was the first word she uttered the entire time. "be careful. Ok,"She added as I grimly nodded.I yanked my fingers as a numbness formed on them as I hiked the stairs.He grinned wider as we hiked the stairs.

"Women aren't allowed in my study,"He informed me.Now tat caught my attention.We approached a narrow hallway that seemed to get tighter, darker and colder as we went on. The air was colder and the lights flickered on and off. Thalia's eyes trailed me from the stairs with a frown etched into her face, the lamps seemed to hum as he hovered his fingers on the knob and stared at me expectantly. My throat bobbed as my leg felt heavy and I panted.

What the hell?

I was not excited to visit the study. I heard a lot of creepy and weird crap happens and in there and now I should be praying. I stared at the hardwood ceiling and the warm golden light and actually prayed.

I'm not religious but this house gave me the heebie jeebies.

"Why that? Is it just a study? "I asked confused as anger seeped into my voice. What a sexist?

The wooden door creaked open and his smile got wider. He gestured me in and I gulped."Well, "He said," Go on. "He smiled cold and lewd. I entered into the room. It was a square room that was small and dark but only dimly lit with a cold white light. It was lined with bookshelves with pictures, paperbacks and thick textbooks but all the photos were of him and one strange photo of a young woman and a man. It was in black and white. A girl about eighteen was dressed in bright cloth and a black headband with diamond shaped buttons and a man dressed head to toe in white with a cloth but they were sad. He sat behind a mahogany table stacked with books, documents and pens.There was two metal cups and a teapot on an artistic tray that stood on top of his folders.

"Who are they?"I asked and pointed to the strange photo. I sat on a vintage chair and pushed myself forward to his chest level but even in the darkness he towered over me.He spread his hands on the desk then propped his hands under his clean chin.

"None of your concern. "He said with gritted teeth. I pretended to zip my lips shut then threw away the invisible key.

He asked me weird questions just to start a conversation with me like my name, then my name and age. The first thing he asked me was the oddest of them all.

"How do you feel?"

Fine. Well, I feel amazing well apart from your house looking like the interior of a horror movie. Glowing glass lamps, shadows, cold, darkness and the feeling of eyes watching me. I felt amazing. Bile and my lunch swam the pit of my stomach and my throat. You hit your daughter and constantly insult her. The urge to scream was locked in my throat. My legs were itching to stomp and my eyes darted around the wooden walls and the crack of the door. If any scary happens. I'll crap on myself. I'm fine.

"Just peachy, "I said nonchalantly.

He went through some documents and looked at me hard as if studying my face then he squeezed his cheeks hard and mouth as if he wanted to laugh." Why are you actually here?" He asked.

Well because I'm looking for dirt on you. I thought but he didn't have to know that." Well, Thalia. Is my tutor ?"He tossed his head back and laughed loudly.

I leaned back confused.

"Oh,you're serious. He said as it died down and he stared at my confused face."And who will believe you? "I was taken back as I looked around the room.

"Yes."I drawled.

"You know. You are not the first boy in my study. Thalia seems to invite them into her room just to spite me, "Or you know she wants friends but that's you okay. " I try so hard to make her listen to me. Does she not know how much I'm trying to protect her from your grimy, little hands from lustful little monsters, like you."He snapped, then leaned forward then pointed at me." But my daughter is a little whore who doesn't submit as the girl she is." Every word that slipped out of this man made me mad. My cheeks turned pink and I clenched and unclenched them. "I didn't want her to go to school but as a lady they found out."

"You denied your daughter an education." I echoed with surprise.

Submission. You literally slapped her then shoved her away like she was nothing then when I defended her, you called her a little bitch then looked at both of us in complete disgust.

"You should never hit your child." I snapped.

He shook his head and grunted in disapproval. "But boy, women are supposed to be submissive, she simply disapproved of me." I gaped like a fish out of water.

The hell.

He opened his eyes and through the haze and darkness. Two golden orbs glowed in as the air was sucked out of my lungs. My veins popped on my skin as bumps raised all over. I started to shiver as he cocked his head and smiled. He raised the tray and held the tiny cup delicately then placed it in front of me. He poured the hot brown liquid into the cup as steam curled into the air and he placed it in front of me. I held the cup and realized below the liquid were herbs like cinnamon and leaves.

"So did she promise you anything?"

"What, why?"

I looked at him then the cup then him again. He gestured to me with his chin to take it. My throat bobbed as I took a deep breathe then sipped it. He then sipped and  asked me questions about my hobbies, my friends and overall my life. I answered him that I sucked at soccer then he asked me what is soccer then I mentioned football. He raised a brow or nodded even though he was confused.

"I actually suck at goal—"I broke off.

Then a thick haze swirled underneath my feet then things tilted then blurred. I placed a finger at my temple then squeezed my eyes shut. My fingers froze then the teacup tipped over then spilled over my jeans. It stained the denim but it didn't burn. Everything tilted even more then started to spin.

"Are you alright?" He asked with mock concern as his lips curled. I staggered off then fell on the cold hardwood floor.

"I-I–"I muttered as I brought my hands to the legs of the table as he kicked my hand away. I tried to crawl to the smooth carpet but he grabbed me at the cuff then dragged me forcefully. He wrapped his fingers hard under my armpit then yanked me up.

"Where are you going, boy?" He demanded as I opened my mouth to mutter something but my tongue was swollen and lips were dry. I clawed my neck as he applied more pressure." OH, cat got your tongue?" He shook me then shoved me hard into the chair .Everything blurred, light blinked more. My ears rang and everything muffled.

"W-what did you do? "I croaked as he dropped me into the chair, my head lolled as I slowly recovered.

"I'm sorry, boy or was it Nathaniel? "An awkward chuckle rumbled from his chest," I have to do it to protect my baby." He bowed and shook his head then slowly slammed the door shut. He twisted the golden knob then it clicked. I was gaping at the wall like the person from the Scream. Strings of Silva pooled on my tights and my hands dropped.

He went to his seat then sat comfortably on his chair with a content smile. He snapped his fingers then darkness enveloped me.