Every learner in Lockwood High shouted and cheered as they took videos and/or pictures. Amanda, the girl I gave a sarcastic comeback to, punched me again and again. I wanted to cry, but if I did I would be doing everyone a favour. Once Amanda threw me to the ground, I spat out blood and everyone went crazy. One idiot got closer to the scene and took a video of my face and he backed away. Amanda pulled me up again by my hoodie and held me against the lockers. She lifted me up and dropped me back to the floor and I landed on my butt. I winced in pain and tried to block my face from getting beat up.

"Get up, bitch!" she hollered at me.

"Shouldn't I be calling you that," I answered and chuckled. The audience oohed and Amanda gritted her teeth. "Boys." she said and three boys came from the crowd and each one held my limbs. I closed my eyes and waited for the punch. Amanda punched my stomach and I groaned. She repeated doing it until the boys let go off me.

I curled into a ball and let all my tears out. "Just another regular day, Alyssa. Don't take it in," I whispered to myself as everybody laughed still taking videos of me. Someone threw an apple at me and I covered my face as the rest of the cafeteria food was thrown at me. Unfortunately for me, it was Leftover Wednesday.

"Nerd!"

"Four eyes!"

"Ugly bitch."

They called me more meaner names that did not effect me. I just let the words go through from one ear out the other.

The kids scattered around after the bell rang for their next class. I cried. Teachers, kids and janitors passed me like I was invisible. One kid kicked me before they went in the bathroom. This wasn't going to end, after school the same thing will happen. I started getting sleepy, I shook my head and sat upright leaning against the lockers.

I sighed and stared at the puddle of blood at the spot I got beat up. I stood up and slowly and painfully walked to the women's toilet. I walked in and went to the sink. I opened the tap and as soon as water ran out, I splashed it at my face. I winched in pain. The bruises on my face were visible, there was no hiding them.

Guess I have to sleep at my aunt's today, I thought. My mother and father never knew that I got bullied everyday, and I planned to keep it that way. Mom and dad thought I liked my aunt better than them, because of me going to her all the time but I told them that she lived closer to school and I could walk.

The school bus would pass by my parent's house just for me to chase after it. And I would although I knew it would not stop for me. I stared at my reflection that I was looking at from the mirror right across me.

I had tied my hair into a ponytail and I wore black, thick rimmed glasses. I wore a baggy black hoodie and pale jeans. Wearing hoodies was my thing, I have different colour hoodies in my wardrobe. I also had different clothes but I loved wearing hoodies; not because I cover the bruises that are caused by the bullies in this school.

I heard a flush and I sighed silently to myself, knowing that the person in there was going to beat me up. A brunette haired girl, Jenny, got out the toilet room and frowned once she saw me. She was also well known in this school but not that much. "Turn around," she said but I didn't do so. "Turn around, Alyssa," she repeated and I closed my eyes and braced for impact.

I felt a hand grab my ponytail and tug it back. I screamed and she hit my head against the wall with such force that it made a loud knock and I fell onto the floor crying in pain. Jenny kicked me once more before she left the bathroom.

Damn bitch, didn't even wash her hands, I thought and chuckled at the thought as my vision started to blur.

At least they didn't dunk my head into the toliet, I thought. I always thought most of my things, if I said it out loud, it would be taken as a sarcastic comeback or an insult. I stared at my hand and slowly moved my fingers. I felt a cold breeze blow against the side of my head and I raised my hand and felt the a wet spot. Which was blood. I struggled trying to stand up but I finally was able to. I tried cleaning up my face hastily, and I let myself dry a bit before I left the toilet.

I found my books, papers, assignments all scattered around the floor near my school bag. I walked over to my bag and neatly put my papers in. I zipped it closed and stood up and walked to my next class as the bell rang for next class before lunchtime. I picked up pace as the corridor started to crowd with students. I quickly walked in the class, no one was there yet. I sat in front of the class and took out my books. I neatly put them on the table and I immediately started my work.

I cringed as the class started to crowd with students. Everyone sat in their places and no body sat next to me. I covered my head using my hood but someone pulled it back down. "No wearing hoods over your head." Mrs. Benjamin commanded rudely as some students snickered. I turned my head to look at her. Her green eyes stared into mine, I saw the corner of her lips tug up.

"Leave her Mrs. Benjamin, she's hiding the fact that she's ugly," one kid commented and everybody laughed. I tried to ignore the laughs as I continued to do my work. Mrs. Benjamin laughed in a sinister manner before she walked to her table.

"I never knew that I was suddenly your mirror," I retorted, but silently myself.

"Hey Jason! Do you know what she said?" Kevin asked Jason, the one who said I was ugly. "She said you're an asshole," he lied.

"I never said that," I said, my voice came out soft. Kevin laughed and mimicked my voice as Jason glared at me. I awkwardly turned back to look at the teacher. She rolled her eyes at me before speaking.

Nobody could deny it. I, Alyssa Heart, was the most hated person ever. Everywhere I went, I was either glared at, laughed at or insulted. Once, I even tried acting 'normal' but that made everything worse. This all started in elementary school, then I wasn't bullied but I was an outcast. I was a shy person, so that resulted to having a very low social status. It was almost my birthday then and I wanted to make friends so that I could invite them for a day out. And the best way to make girlfriends was to join the cheerleading squad. It went well at first but then I made the wrong move by saying 'Hello' to the most popular girl in school. She was rude to me and laughed at me, and that's when it all started. I got popular in a bad way when everybody called me names; it went worse when people started shoving me and it went to punching. I thought high school would be a fresh start but turns out that videos and pictures of me getting bullied in all ways went viral and the same thing happened in high school.

If I were to choose to be an outcast or a infamous nerd. I'd rather be an outcast, although you don't get attention, you don't get bruises everyday and hear insults. Not going to your family's house and missing them.

The last time I saw my parents and little sister was last week, I had a pretty nasty bruise and I called my parents over the phone and told them that I was sleeping at my aunt's because of a project. I was planning on going back home but since I got beat up way worse, I would be going the next week.

I heard a faint voice repeat my name over and over. I snapped out of my thoughts then realised it was Mrs. Benjamin. "ALYSSA!" she fumed and the whole class laughed.

I felt my face heat up, "Ma'am? I'm so sorry, I --" I tried to explain but she cut me off.

"If you are not going to listen to me then get out!" she exclaimed, her long, manicured nail pointing at the front door. Her nails were so long, when I first saw them, I thought they were claws. For my life, I immediately stood up, and walked to the door. The whole class cheered for me leaving. Believe me, I also wanted to do the same.

Time passed and the bell rang for lunch, I switched off my phone and shoved it in my back pocket of my jeans. I walked to the cafeteria and I sat at the table at the back of the room. A line of students formed to get food, and some sat at their tables.

I took out my lunchbox and placed it on the table. "Look everyone, Alyssa is being weird again. As always," someone said and everyone laughed. I couldn't help being myself, even if nobody liked it. I did nothing but just waited for the attention to drift away, it took minutes.

I took out a muffin and ate it, and may I add uncomfortably. I softly cleared my throat after swallowing gaining attention again but this time, I ignored it.

I opened the packet of gummy bears and arranged them from darkest to lightest. It was funny and weird to others but I enjoyed doing it. I saw Jason and his goons -- Bob and Justin -- enter the room. Jason's eyes immediately landed on me and he grinned. Fear ran through me and I quickly packed my gummy bears in my lunchbox. I put it in my schoolbag and got ready to run away. Jason and his goons walked towards me, the audience snickered. Excited expressions were on their faces.

I held the shoulder strap of the bag tightly, scared to death. I ran past them and they turned their heads my way and ran after me. Someone stuck out their foot for me to trip over but I jumped over it and rushed out of the cafeteria. I ran inside the girls' toliet and hid behind the door. I heard thundering footsteps running past the toilet. I heaved a sigh of relief and waited seconds before I cautiously rushed out.

I bumped into someone and fell on my butt; thinking it was on purpose, I raised my arms in defence. I heard a chuckle. I waited for a punch or a kick. I slowly lowered my arms and looked up at the person.

Marcus Sawyer. His eyes locked with mine for a moment, his dark brown eyes had a mischievous glint to it. His dark brown hair was messy, in a hot way. He had wore a black leather jacket over his plain white tee and navy jeans. And what caught my eye was that he had a box of Oreos in his hand.

I stayed where I was, scared to move. I knew he was going to call Jason and his goons but I'm surprised that he hasn't laid a hand on me yet. He crouched down and tilted his head sideways. "Well aren't you gonna say sorry?" he asked in his husky voice.

I had an urge to roll my eyes but that would get me in trouble. He continued staring at me. He must have thought I looked ugly, because of the bruise and my messy hair. A strand of my hair fell out my ponytail and hung next to my eye. "What happened here?" he asked as his hand lightly brushed under my eye which made me flinch and I swatted his hand away.

Then I heard footsteps. I gasp and quickly stood up.

"Wait," Marcus said and I paused. "Do you want an Oreo?" he asked me and that made me a stop. Was he talking to me? I looked around before I walked to him. He gave me an Oreo biscuit and I reluctantly bit it.

"Where the fuck is she?" Jason exclaimed. "Go in the girls bathroom and look for her!"

My eyes widen in shock and I looked for a place to hide. The Janitors Closet. I turned to Marcus and placed my index finger on my lips, gesturing him to keep quiet. Marcus just looked at me in confusion. I got in the Janitors closet and left the door ajar to look through. I heard Jason and his friends greet Marcus.

"Marcus, you're back!" Jason said happily.

"Yeah," I heard Marcus reply and turned his head at me and rolled his eyes. I chuckled. "Who are you guys looking for?" Marcus asked Jason.

"That nerd, Alyssa." Justin replied. "She needs to be taught a lesson."

"A lesson?" Marcus asked.

"We're gonna beat the sense into her." Bob said, and punched the Janitors closet door making me flinch. Marcus almost jumped to stop the door from being opened.

"Anyway, how was Paris?" Jason asked.

"It was cool. But I have to leave again tonight, my brother just announced he is getting married. I'll be back next week." Marcus said.

"Can I go with?" Jason asked.

"Wish you could." He said but it sounded like a lie. "I only have two plane tickets for me and my cousin."

"Okay, well we gotta go find that nerd." Jason said as they walked away. Marcus sighed.

"Marcus!" A familiar voice sang. I groaned when I saw Bree with her minion and . She squealed and threw herself at Marcus, her arms wrapped around his neck. She pulled him in for a kiss, I turned around and gagged.

"Keep it PG 13 people." Veronica -- Bree's minion -- interrupted, more like saved me from vomiting. Marcus looked like he wanted to stop but Bree held him tightly so he wouldn't pull away. After seconds, Bree pulled away and smiled at him.

"I missed you so much, Marci!" she squealed and brushed her dark hair aside.

"Everyone did." Marcus said smugly. Bree stayed dangerously close to Marcus. "Of course, anyway, will you be able to go out with me today?" she asked. Marcus snorted and said," No. I'll be leaving for a flight to Paris."

Bree sulked and sighed," Aww I'm gonna miss you. Why are you going to Paris anyway?" she asked.

"It's my brother's wedding," he replied.

"I hate your brother because he's taking you away from me," Bree joked as she crossed her arms over chest.

"Yeah he also hates you," Marcus said seriously. Bree ignored what he said and kissed his cheek, " Bye Marci!" she sang and Veronica walked past Marcus and followed humming Bree. Marcus looked at them then back at me who was still staring from the ajar door. "Come out." Marcus said and I hesitantly did.

"Are you okay? Why were you hiding from them?" Marcus asked. I looked at him. Was he talking to me? Did he actually talk to me without an insult or a punch? Was he being nice to me?

Yes, yes and yes.

"If they saw me, I'd be treated like a punching bag," I finally said, my voice came out raspy because it was the first time I spoke to anybody in hours.

"Oh yeah." Marcus sighed. "So you're Alyssa Heart? My friends have been sending a lot of videos and pictures of you. I usually ignore them--"

"There she is!" Jason's voice boomed, Bob and Justin ran beside each other. My heart pounded. I froze in my spot, I couldn't move. I felt like a deer in headlights.

Then I was prepared to take a beating but I closed my eyes. I waited and waited.

Can you just beat me up already, I felt like saying a loud. My eyelids opened and I gasped when I saw Marcus' back faced me. He had stood in front of me to defend me. Was he?

Yes he was.

"What the heck are you doing, Marcus?" Jason exclaimed.

"What are you doing? Have you ever heard of three boys beating up one girl for no reason?" Marcus asked.

"She exists, that's the reason." Justin quipped. " Now move--"

I held the hem of Marcus' leather jacket. "I'm not going to let you touch her." Marcus said simply. Jason glared at Marcus; Bob and Justin moved to away from Jason and near me. "Marcus, move away now." Jason growled.

Marcus said a word that made me feel betrayed. "Fine."

Marcus moved away and stood beside Bob. I stared at Marcus in shock. I really thought he would protect me from them. It's okay, I'm not surprised, who would defend me?

Jason grinned and clenched his fists, he raised his fist and before he got a chance to punch me, Marcus had punched him. The hallway started to crowd with cheering bystanders. Bob and Justin had half a mind to not attack Marcus. They just stared as Jason being repeatedly punched by Marcus. Someone pushed me and I fell forward. I groaned and Marcus whipped his head at the person who pushed me. He didn't stay anything but just glared at the person.

"Now go," Marcus commanded and Jason stood up. Jason glared at Marcus before him and Bob and Justin left. Marcus crouched down to me and everyone went quiet, shocked at what they saw.

"Are you okay?" Marcus asked as he held my hand. I nodded and stood up. Marcus was leaving that day and he wouldn't be there to help me, so I believed that the bullying thing would continue the next day.

"Thank you." I mouthed and Marcus nodded. The whole school was shocked.

The bad boy protected the nerd?

Was what they were probably thinking. "Can I walk you to your next class?"

I shook my head, turned and walked through the crowd.