03

Chapter three: Leave me alone

Walking into school I felt the eyes on me already; dad certainly created a new masterpiece across my face; one that even I could say was the worst one yet. My lip was bloodied and both my eyes were purpled and bruised.

Pulling my books from my locker I went to go to class but a hand gripped my wrist; stopping me in my tracks. Swallowing thickly I saw a pair of chocolate brown eyes staring at me with intent.

"Jesus.. Maeve are you okay?" Evan asked with concern lathering his voice. Shuffling on the spot I pulled back my wrist and nodded numbly.

"I'm fine" I lied pathetically, turning back to the long corridor. Though Evan didn't believe me and continued his grip on my wrist making my stomach tighten.

"I'm fine" I repeated but this time it came across cold and angry. "Leave me alone" I pleaded as he finally loosened his grip and let me walk to my class.

Now in class I rubbed my temples in a poor attempt to ease my migraine; my hair was tangled and messy from the lack of self care but given my current state I wasn't all too bothered; it wouldn't make too much of a difference anyway.

"What happened to you" Katie scoffed from her desk beside me. "You look terrible"

Frowning I decided on ignoring her, plopping my pen end in my mouth and biting it with my teeth.

"Look, I'm not being a bitch. Seriously what happened ?" She asked again but this time I heard a minimal amount of care in her usual sarcastic tone.

Scoffing I licked my chapped, broken lips and looked towards her blankly. "None of your business"

Before the brunette had a chance to reply the teacher began his lesson. Though I couldn't help the feeling of a pair of eyes burning holes through me; Evan hadn't stopped staring from across the room and it made me uneasy.

The lesson finally ended which felt torturous to say the least so I quickly gathered my books and bag, rushing over to the door to leave but Katie stopped me rudely.

With a hand on her hip her eyes traced me from head to toe, her breath almost being felt across my skin. "I'm not the bitch you make me out to be, you know"

Rolling my eyes I attempted to shove past her but instead she ushered her finger in the air "no, you're going to tell me what happened to you"

Swallowing saliva I felt tears prick at my eyes; I wasn't in the right frame of mind right now to unpile my whole life story- let alone to a girl who has tormented me for years.

"Listen Katie. I'm fine. Just leave me alone" I said with pleading eyes which only made her click her tongue and narrow her eyes.

"Fine- but that will be the first and last time I try helping you" she jeered, shoving past me and walking outside the class. Before I could stumble over Evan grabbed my shoulders so I could regain my balance.

"Are you okay?" He asked softly, his voice was caring and sweet.

"Can everyone please leave me alone" I said desperately; walking past the latter with haste so I didn't have to socialise anymore than I already had done.

I found the library which had stacks of beautiful, old books stacked neatly in the correct order. One of my favourite pass times was reading and of course music. Grazing my skinny fingers across one of the book spines I pulled it out and saw it was 'the great Gatsby'.

Finding an isolated corner with a beanbag I sat down and began to read, music plummeting my ears in sync with my eyes scouring across the written words. I just wanted to be alone and I wasn't sure why I couldn't even have that, had I not been through enough?.

A brush of fingers was felt upon my shoulder which made me flinch and close the book harshly. With wide eyes I saw that Evan was stood there with a worried fuelled expression. "Can we talk Maeve ?" He asked gently, his words like melted honey.

Hesitantly I nodded and turned to face him, my breath now hitching in my throat. "What did you want to talk about?"

Fiddling with his thumbs he sat beside me. "Who is hurting you? Please let me help" His voice began to crack but I could tell he was trying his best to keep his composure.

Biting down on my lower lip I felt tears build in my eyes. I hadn't told anyone what was going on at home and I didn't think I ever wanted to- it was something so private and traumatic to tell someone about. "I don't want to talk about it. But I do appreciate your concern"

Evan sighed and ran a hand through his hair "can you answer me one thing?"

"Sure... what is it?" I replied nervously.

"If I don't help you now, will it continue ?" Evan asked with sad eyes. "Because you can't keep going on like this"

I scoffed "Evan, you don't even know me"

"I don't need to know you well to know you're hurting right now Maeve" Evan responded back sternly "it doesn't take a genius to know you didn't inflict that on yourself"

Placing a hand on his leg I smiled softly "I am not ready to talk about it Evan"

Evan smiled back but it seemed forced on his part, I knew how badly he wanted me to tell him what was going on but I just couldn't right now. It was too much.

"Come round mine after school?" He asked sweetly "we can watch a movie or something"

My cheeks tinted red ever so slightly "ah- I've never been round a boys house" I admitted shyly which made Evan chuckle.

"Don't worry I'm not going to try anything. But it may be good for you to have company from a friend right now"

I nodded "that... that would be really nice"