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Grace's P.O.V

Some people would say that teachers are amazing, that they are our guide to our future occupation. Other people would say that teachers are nobodys who can't find anything better to do with their lives, which is why they became a teacher; to make them feel powerful, make them feel like somebody. I, on the other hand, say that teachers are just people who want to see kids get a better education, or a better go at life, and achieve great things.

And when Nicole yelled out that our English teacher, Mrs. Dargen, is an 'old hag' a few minutes ago, I couldn't help but pity Mrs. Dargen. She is an elderly lady, probably in her fifties, or sixties, and even though she is mean when she has to be, the students in our class always treat Mrs. Dargen like a nobody. All she is trying to do is help us, but some people would rather be on their phones then pay attention to her. I'm not some weird nerd who has a passion for school, but I'm just saying that students should at least pay some respect to Mrs. Dargen who is only trying to help us.

I watch as Mrs. Dargen sighs loudly. "Class-"

"Just go home, lady!" One of the boys, who think that they mean something to everyone, screams out, only probing my point more. I shake my head in disapproval before bowing my head into my arms, realising that we won't end up learning anything in this class because of how disrespectful the students are being.

But suddenly, before I can drift off to sleep, someone knocks on the classroom door. I immediately raise my head from my arms, afraid that Mrs. Dargen will put me on detention for not paying attention, and watch as she walks over to the door before swinging it open, revealing Christopher James.

Christopher James is one of the 'scary people' in our school. If someone looks at him the wrong way, expect him to come up to you and start abusing you. Christopher hasn't done this to me, but I've seen him do it in the cafeteria one time.

"You're late, Christopher." Mrs. Dargen scolds, but Christopher just smiles at our English teacher.

"At least I came, right?" Christopher says, and I mentally nod in approval. He hardly ever comes to class, and when he does, everyone immediately begins to be nice to Mrs. Dargen. Some people say that Mrs. Dargen is actually Christopher's Grandmother, but then again, it's a rumor.

Mrs. Dargen sighs, but steps out of the way to let Christopher walk in. He takes his usual seat in the back row, where I am, and when no one says anything, Christopher decides to speak.

"So, are we going to learn today, or what?" Christopher asks, knowing that when he isn't here how rude everyone really is. I guess that's why Mrs. Dargen can never be angry at Christopher; because of the fact that he helps her shut everyone up in a way.

I notice Mrs. Dargen smile, beginning to talk about the book that we've been reading in class and how we have an assignment on it soon.

But due to the fact that I hardly got any sleep last night, I bow my head back into my arms again, hoping to at least get a few minutes of sleep.

~ ~ ~

It's lunch time and I haven't seen Luke at all today. You can't blame me for thinking about him. He has been running through my mind all day today. I don't know why but a part of me is relieved that I haven't bumped into him, but the rest of me is a little disappointed. Today, I thought I would have someone to talk to, to spend my lunch with, but I guess I was right about him not wanting to get involved.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, I hear a certain brunette behind me. "Hey, Grace!" Before I can look behind me, I feel something cold begin to run down my back, followed by Nicole's laugh.

"C-Cold..." I mutter, a shiver running down my back as the cold liquid continues to make its way into my sweatpants. I notice that everyone's eyes are on me, watching as Nicole starts on me for the second time this week.

"Oh, really? I thought it would've been hot." Nicole says, the sound of everyone's laughter beginning to fill the cafeteria. I bite down on my lip, tears beginning to form in my eyes. Before I can stand up though, Nicole places her hand on my shoulder, holding me down.

"I haven't dismissed you yet." Nicole whispers in my ear, her voice ringing in my head. And suddenly, I feel something hard hit the back of my head, making my forehead hit the table and whimper in pain.

"Have a lovely day, Grace." Nicole spits harshly, hitting my head against the table again. I hear her laugh, making everyone else continue with the numerous fits of hysteria. The sound of Nicole's heels bounce around the room, and I close my eyes, waiting for the bell to ring.

When it does, I wait a few minutes until I'm sure everyone is gone. And looking up, watching as the last person leaves, I jump up and run as fast as my legs can take me until I reach the school parking lot. The tears in my eyes blur my vision though, making me bump into someone.

Please, please, don't be Nicole...

"Gracie..." A male says, making me look up to see the blue eyes. Luke looks down at me, taking in my now soaked shirt and pants, the confusion clear on his face.

"Please-" Before I can make my escape, I go to move around him, only for him to latch onto my arm, pulling me back.

Luke's eyes narrow as they stare into my green ones. "What happened?" He asks, the question making me try and pull my hand out of Luke's grip, but he just shakes his head and continues. "Don't worry, you can come to mine, have a shower, then tell me."

As we walk towards his car, Luke's words circle around my place until I understand what he had said. And from how shocked I am from not reacting to his words quick enough, my eyes widen.

Wait, I'm going to Luke's place?

~ ~ ~

"No one is home, so I don't know why you're just staring at the door like that..." Luke says, bringing me out of my thoughts as he opens the door. His right hand is placed on the small part of my back as he begins to guide me into his house.

Just as Luke goes to walk into a room that might be the kitchen, he looks over his shoulder and sends me the smallest smile. "The bathroom is upstairs to your left." When he disappears into the room, I look around, not moving from my spot.

Suddenly, before I can even take anything in, Luke exits the room with a can of coke in his hand. Noticing that I haven't moved, his eyebrows furrow in confusion.

"Why aren't you moving?" Luke asks, his eyes staring into mine, making me a little uncomfortable. The question that I have been trying to figure out by myself appears into my mind again, and I look down at my shoes.

"Why are you helping me?" I ask, my voice soft and fragile.

Luke chuckles, "Because I want to." He says, opening the can of coke. "Now, take yourself up the stairs and have that shower. You look like you need it."

Sighing, I walk slowly towards the stairs, walking up each step ever so slowly. When I reach the top, I turn left like he had told me to do, immediately seeing a sign that says 'bathroom'.

Well, that's helpful.

As I walk in, I close the door behind me, locking it. Walking over to the sink, I breathe out a sigh before placing my hands on the edges of the sink, looking into the mirror.

God, I'm such a mess, I think to myself as I take in my appearance. There are large bags under my green eyes, which only just prove that I've been getting no sleep. And to top off the whole look, my lips are a dark purple, making me look like I decided to take a dip in the antarctic ocean for a few days.

I breathe out a sigh, blinking away the tears. "It'll be okay."

~ ~ ~

After having a short, two minute shower, and finding the clothes that Luke had told me to wear, which was a pair of black shorts and a white tank top, I am now trying to find the blue-eyed boy.

"Luke?" I call, walking down the hallway. Suddenly, Luke walks out of a room, heading towards me.

"There's food downstairs on the table. Make yourself comfortable, Gracie." Luke says, grabbing the towel out of my hands, a small smile on his face. Nodding, I walk down the stairs, looking to where the coffee table is and noticing the food.

I sigh in content. I've never been treated like this by anyone other than Mum, which makes me only think more about how strange it is. I don't even know Luke that well and I'm already having showers at his place and eating food.

A small smile makes its way onto my face as I grab the container of fruits that rest on the coffee table. There are watermelon slices, grapes, apple slices, star-shaped pineapple, and rock melon slices.

Stabbing the fork into the fruits, I grab the television remote, changing the channel from a documentary to the news. The reporter on the screen continues to talk until she passes the lead over to another person, the topic instantly getting my attention.

"A man, who was in his late thirties, has been found dead near Jacksonville Collage. Witnesses say that the cause of the man's death was four men, who repeatedly stabbed the man for his laptop." A photo is shown on the man, making me shake my head in disappointment.

Suddenly, I hear a voice from behind me. "What are we watching?"

"News." I reply, trying to calm my racing heart. Luke nods, taking a seat next to me on the couch. When I notice him glance over at the container of foods, I look at him, holding the food near his face.

"Do you want some?" I ask, watching as Luke shakes his head, pushing the container away.

"I wasn't looking at your food, Gracie." Luke says, his words making me confused. Then what was he looking at? I continue to stare at Luke, hoping that he will explain further, but he only points to my arms.

Looking down, I instantly know what he was looking at, and I fold my arms, resting the container of food on my thighs. "Uh, they aren't-"

I'm cut off by the sound of the front door opening, making both Luke and I glance over to see who is at the door. Then, that's when a woman with blonde hair steps into my vision, her blue eyes immediately meeting mine.

~ ~ ~