The bell rang for the break I got up groaning I had my head put down on the desk I tilted it up with a big yawn. I didn't like physics the Flemming left and right-hand rule gave me something close to seizure. My head throbbed with formulas running wild in it. I confused myself to the point I forgot left and right and had just dozed off, exhausted.

I didn't like studying

I didn't like studying anything

I lifted my head, rubbing my eyes off I glanced at the empty seat beside me well my partner Lux left. I glanced around actually everyone left I found myself alone somehow. Riya didn't wake me? She must be still angry at me for not letting her in my secret.

I leaned back against the chair, sighing.

The silent empty class was soothing and scary at the same time. It made my presence prominent It made me stood out and fully conscious. I could hear my own breathing the slight movements of my body I stared at the whiteboard having previous class's writing on it.

I looked at the window, down on the ground had the exact opposite scene to insides. The hustle-bustle of break, students chatting chuckling with their friends it felt strange to watch from here. Like an outsider's view like an outcast looking from somewhere, she is trapped within. The barrier which others can't see. It was like the glass between that kept her to the other side that no one can feel it unless they touch it.

I covered my hand over my eyes counting backward from 10 once you start acknowledging the things that bring you down, the escape wasn't easy. Dropping my hands after a few seconds I took a deep shuddering breath okay I am fine I told myself pulling my sleeves down which rode up exposing the red scars on my upper arms.

*

I was washing my hands in the washroom humming a tune to myself.

Suddenly I felt a shadow looming over me I gulped ghost!!?

I swirled around splashing water at them which wasn't a wise attack unless the ghost had water phobia.

The person stepped back instantly cursing under their breath "what the hell are you doing freak?!!"

Rose fragrance caty eyes with glossed lips turned down snarling at me

Tanya!!!

I straightened my shoulder then shrugged them off and went back to washing my hands. Inside I was nowhere near calm Tanya what did she want???

Our encounters never bring good outcomes she was a walking bad omen for me.

Did she knew about Ishaan and our business which can turn personal a girl can hope you know kinda deal.?

"I heard you and Ishaan are going out?" she asked closing the tap with her perfectly manicured hand.

I kept my eyes down observing the rushing water in the hole.

Going out???
It would be a too big term to define when we just had ice cream and a deal that could turn personal I pray so.

But I didn't contradict her notion. The things I learned about Tanya were-

She was the chief member of the last table in the cafeteria (where all so-called rich high profile people sit)

Her mother was a model so she also looked like a model

She hated cool/normal/ beautiful people like me

You gotta be on good terms with her cause things weren't lovely on the other side of it. Trust me they aren't that bad either I have been there

She loved putting on perfume too much

She didn't talk much to commoners cause they didn't have anything to say about high-class parties

She attended the classes on her wish I guess rich people don't need education

And I was jealous kinda more because she was friends with Ishaan

And the list continues, she came second when it came to gossip topics because first position was taken by Lux but unlike him, people admire and praised about some obviously natural qualities(looks) of her.

And yeah did I mention she was bitch a cunning manipulating bitch.

That only I was aware of or I didn't turn my blind eyes to her tactics.

The first week in the school she altered my title from a cool girl to a freak girl. To friends to friendless leaving aside only Riya for which I was so lucky. Riya was the repeater of our class there proves as to why we get along so well.

"I don't know what you are talking about."I played dumb. Sliding my hands on my maroon school skirt.

"Not that we went for ice cream" I couldn't control myself from adding.

I looked at them at last.

Tanya did that same accessing me from up to down with a distasteful expression

Behind her was her sidekick Lavanya smirking at me for no apparent reason.

I smirked back at her.

She raised her thinly made eyebrow, I did too. The she shook her head muttering
" freak"

"So repetitive" I muttered too.

Tanya blocked me by taking an intimidating step towards me.

"Go close to him and you will see what I'll do" she sneered at me.

I shifted back nervously, "no thanks  I don't see him that way" I lied through my teeth.

Well, I had vivid imaginations of him a lot of them honestly and they're totally that way.

She grabbed my arm taking me by sudden. She had her hands around my upper arm. I froze a shiver running down my spine. She dug her long fingernails in my arm, her nail poking in the unhealed skin of the cut. I winced she smiled devilishly. I tried to shrug her hand off but she went clawing in finding my weak spot she dug her nails more making my eyes burned with fear and anger.

"Leave. It" I hissed glaring at her.

She bent her down to my eyee level smirking, "oh did I find a weak spot? Freak?? why does it hurt huh?? Got scrapped doing something freaky?

"Leave my arm" I warned her.

"No, I won't what will you do now?" She was enjoying it she was enjoying poking at my wounds.

Usually, I am cheerful I am positive I would look at the brighter side even though I've seen them less but I am not comfortable with invading something that's way too personal to me. I won't allow someone playing with my scars deliberately poking it for their entertainment. I didn't know what came over me. My hand formed in a fist closed anger I raised it smashing to Tanya's nose. Crushing her cute nose into small pieces.

In my head I did

But in reality, I stopped it just a mere centimeters away from her face.

"Stay away from my wounds," I said staring straight into her grey eyes. I wondered what she saw because she withdrew her eyes and hand on my arm immediately stepping away.

"Don't call for troubles if you can't handle them" with that she left. The other girls present in the washroom were still staring at me stunned by my outburst. I turned my back to them feeling their stares burning holes in my head.

I leaned my head against the mirror shutting eyes as the breathing gets even at their normal pace, in their happy uncaring about tomorrow's
pace.

*

"Why are you not eating your lunch?" Riya asked. I had joined her at the steps behind the library it was our spot. It had an open view of the basketball where boys were playing around.

"I ate it already in the class," I told stretching my legs eyes roaming over, landed on Ishaan laughing with his guys dribbling and passing the ball.

"You're lying," Riya said huffing.

"You know I think Lux likes me" I changed the subject.

Riya just rolled her eyes biting into her sandwich.

I put my hands on my knees facing her.
"He does. He talks to me, he says he loves my nonsense and you know in the art room-"

"I know and I know he is just doing his work that is-" she looked at me pausing dramatically.

"That is?" I urged her to go on.

"That is to make his victim trust him and once he gained your trust other work would be real easy for him"

"You mean making me fall in love with him?" I asked grinning.

"I mean murdering you!" She said still pressed on that murder thing. She looked quite uncomfortable talking about Laksh.

"No no he won't murder me" I defended confidently. For meeting him just yesterday in a random way, I seemed more comfortable with the idea of thinking that maybe Lux was harmless just too bored and restless to do something, that's so tiring with quite a lot of procedure including work called murder.

"Why so sure?? Aren't you scared of him? How can you not be?"

"I am not scared" I realized I was really not scared of him. "I feel like I am not not annoying "

Riya snorted.

"with him I feel I feel" happy with him

What!!

I shook my head I didn't say that. It's too soon it didn't even make sense.

Riya narrowed her eyes at me suspiciously," feel? Huh?"

"Yeah you know he loves me! ..

"Ugh not again with that...."

*

I said it too soon that I wasn't scared of Lux.

Lux stared at me his expression giving away nothing no humanly term what was going behind it . That blank look frightened me. Frightened me most when he saw my incomplete homework in chemistry again.

"You didn't complete it?" He asked.

I gulped looking away helplessly, "I didn't get time"

"Why?" He asked the no sooner did I say.
I felt like some criminal in the box being questioned and which was very ironic.

"Because I work after school"

"Where?"

I somehow made myself look at him with a stubborn look.
"I won't tell you," I said.

"You work in a mall. At McDonald's" he narrated rolling his eyes.

I gasped recoiling back with a hand on my chest, "how do you know?" Following me???

He watched my act with immense boredom, "you distributed the pamphlets of 20% discount offer on happy meal?"

I squinted my eyes trying to remember.

" last month. To the entire class," he said.

I slapped my forehead with a relieved sigh, "oh yes.. wait" my eyes widened, "you don't have that pamphlet still with you?. Photo framed it and kept at your bedside staring it at late nights smiling and imagining some future with it I mean with me...you are not dreaming about to show them to your grandkids-"

He literally like seriously hit me with the register.
"Stop derailing the conversation, tell me what do you do after your shift?"

I rubbed my head pouting he appeared guilty for a moment which disappeared when I said, "Don't tell me is this your way of asking me out?"

He stared at me deadpanned,"I will come to your home"

Whaaat!!!

"That's very direct that's too forward" I babbled like a fish out of water.

He didn't even listen continued without paying any heed, "you require tuitions and some grueling"

"Tutions and what?" I leaned forward intrigued to hear clearly.

"Grueling" he repeated slowly I watched his lips then realized what a creep I was being I looked up at his glint eyes

I fanned myself

Too hot

"Look" I took a sharp breath focus I need to focus all the hormones shut up and keep it down for a while.

He looked at me interestingly.

Calm down no stupidity

I proceeded
"That's a kind offer" offer? Why does it sound so different? Anyway, I went on," You are too hot" oh shoot did I say that I fumbled over, "I mean too good so good of you I am feeling attracted I mean I am feeling appreciated I am grateful for your readiness to grueling me" I didn't know what I was saying I totally lost me and since I got his attention and amusement I still carried on, "but I am fine I am awesome in fact and I think I am better on my own you don't need to stare at me I mean care for me."

"I don't care," he said honestly. And it did hurt a little.

"I have been given a responsibility and I am keeping to it. "

"I am not your responsibility," I said briskly facing away, to the window my fallen face reflected by the glass. "Don't treat me as if I am some burden that you're entitled to look after" I said swallowing down the heavy lump.

He didn't say anything for moments, making my point more valid-
"I don't take burdens I only do the things that I want to do and I want to tutor you"

My head snapped back with shock evident on my face.
"Why?" I breathe out.

His eyes had a warm glow a soft caress to my hesitant insecure self.
"I want to"

My heart fluttered gleefully.

I smiled wiggling my eyebrows, "you want me huh?"

He totally hit me with the register AGAIN,"focus! I'll meet you at your workplace be ready then"

"Ready for what?" I teased him more.

"Grueling"

Oh I think I like that word now

****

So I'll be updating on weekends no longer a free bird, I am a busy bee now with loads of work 😭 so  vote please if you're liking the story !

Btw
Happy Halloween 🎃