"The past will often attack the present with the pains of your memories."--Seiichi Kirima

[28]

sadly as I take my final glance at the beach house we stayed in this weekend. I faintly smile as I wriggle my toes in the sand, embracing the feel for one final time before we hit the halls back to school.

A warm hand touches my shoulder and gently squeezes it. I look up into Adam's eyes and smile. So much has happened over the past few days. All the confessions have been so overwhelming, yet, they've brought everyone closer as friends.

As family.

I hop into the car and plug my earphones in, not wanting to make the same mistake twice with Adam and Nolan's terrible taste in music. Both of the boys jump into the car as well and start the ignition. The vehicle rumbles to life beneath my feet. I turn around in my seat and see Lily's face in the car behind us. I smile as they wave, but instead of waving back, I flip them off.

Let the birds fly.

Both Damion and Lily pout and I do the same back. I let out a giggle as they both crack up in laughter. I turn back around in my seat to find Adam staring at me. I light blush grazes my cheeks but I quickly cover it up with my long hair. Adam chuckles at me before turning back around in his own seat.

I watch as trees flash by in a blur, the different colours of greens mingling with one another. Sighing, I close my eyes and listen to the melodic sound of music. Not too long after, my body relaxes and eventually, I fall asleep.

"Are you ready for another week of hell, Isabelle?" Lily asks as we jump out the car. I grunt in response making Lily laugh.

"Hey, at least we have most of our classes together, right?" She says, skipping up the school stairs. I shrug my shoulders but still nod my head. We walk in silence before splitting up and heading to our lockers.

I open my locker in a hurry after noticing the time. I quickly glance down at my schedule and notice I have a double lesson of math first. Ugh. Really? I bet teachers enjoy torturing students in the mornings.

First of all, they make us get out of bed. Second, of all, they give us lessons such as math in the mornings. Math. Freaking math?

"Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning," I hear Nolan say from behind me. I slam my locker shut and glare at him.

"You have no idea," I say through gritted teeth. Nolan stares at me blankly for a few seconds as if I'm the most stupid person he has ever seen or spoken to.

"Actually, I do have an idea. Isabelle, are you seriously that thick?" He exasperates. I hold my hands out and weigh the options.

"Possibly, or I could just be on my period. Whatever you want to think, I guess, it's up to you," I say before walking away.

I smile in satisfaction when I hear Nolan gag behind me. Just six hours, Isabelle. Six long fucking hours.

I jump up in excitement when I hear the lunch bell ring. Happiness fills my heart as I skip out the classroom.

When I reach my locker, I hear someone call my name. "Yo', Isabelle!" I quickly turn around and am met with a puffing Damion.

"Oh, hey!" I exclaim happily. Damion smiles at me and helps me carry some of my books.

"So...um — I kind of need to ask you a question," Damion mutters after a short silence. I come to a sudden halt in the middle of the hallway, making the people around me bump into each other. Damion looks at me in surprise but I'm not looking at him.

My body freezes, my heart stops beating, and my mind goes blank. Everything around me goes black.

He's here. His cold, brown eyes stare into my own blue ones. Memories upon memories open themselves up to me again, the wounds fresh. He smirks at me before turning his back and walking away.

Damion shakes my shoulder trying to gain my attention, but it doesn't work. Damion doesn't know and he can't help me.

People stare at me as they pass by, but I don't care. Suddenly, someone grabs my face with my both of their hands and rub soothing circles on my cheeks.

I blink my eyes quickly, creating more tears.

"Prezioso..." Adam whispers. He pulls me to his chest as I cry even harder. My feet start moving on their own accord. The loud noises of student's voices start to quieten and before I know it, I'm standing outside.

"What's wrong, Isabelle? You need to tell me, okay?" Adam murmurs. I shake my head and bury my head into his shoulder.

"Isabelle..." Adam pleads. I grip onto his shoulders as I remember everything. They hate me so much and I still don't completely understand why.

Adam shakes my shoulders, bringing me back to reality. I quickly wipe my eyes and breathe in a shaky breath. I look behind Adam and see Lily and Damion standing by a bench, staring at us. A look of worry and concern is etched on Lily's face. I give her a reassuring smile before looking away.

Adams' eyes burn into the side of my face. I fidget uncomfortably underneath his gaze while he gently grips my arms and pulls me to him again. He lowers his mouth to my ear and I shiver as I feel his warm breath on my neck.

"What did you see, Isabelle?" He whispers quietly. My body tenses once again as my eyes slowly meet his.

"I - I can't tell you..." I whimper as my tears fall painfully down my face.

Adam clenches his jaw in annoyance and takes my hand in his, pulling me away to the carpark. Before we reach the car, someone calls Adams name out.

"Adam, dude! Did you hear about our main man joining our group again?" The guy yells. Adam frowns and gently let's go of my hand.

"Who?" Adam asks. The guy laughs and rolls his eyes.

"You don't know? Well, David Greenhill has returned to Mary heights high school," the guy exclaims cheerfully.

My legs give way from beneath me. My body starts trembling and my vision is dotted with black spots.

They're back and this time, I won't be able to get away.