I walked inside the school at half past seven. The corridors were almost empty, so without any trouble, I went first to my locker to grab my things, relieving myself from the pain of coming there later when the corridors were packed.

I then walked to my safe heaven in school, the library. I walked inside the empty library and sighed in relief while walking to my usual spot in a corner behind a shelf. There I sprawled my books on my usual desk and began to complete my homework that had remained.

I'm not someone to talk highly of myself, but I'm smart. I don't have so much time to study, but I listen well in class and get the subject as the teacher teaches us. I also do my homework or study more by coming to school soon in the morning, or going to the library at lunchtime. Also, I would study if I have the energy during the breaks I have at work.

One of my dreams is to become a psychologist or a teacher when I grow up, so considering our financial situation I need to get a scholarship to be able to attend any universities or colleges. That's if I can ever attend one in the future considering my life.

I was doing my homework fast when I heard a soft but deep voice in front of me.

"Goodmorning, Eleanor."

I looked up and smiled once I saw Ethan standing there, looking down at me while holding books in his hands. When I told you that I got bullied at school, I didn't mean by everyone. Most students here are normal harmless teenagers who are busy living their lives.

And when I said I am shy and all, I didn't mean I have not some classmates as close as friends. And Ethan is one of those close classmates that I dare to call a friend. 

Ethan Miller is very calm and collected. He is a handsome boy actually. He is tall, nearly 6 feet, and has a lean body but not muscular like the guys from the football team. His light brown hair is curly and always messy, making him look boyish. His blue eyes always shine behind his glasses and he always has a small smile on his face, giving him a friendly look.

His father is a dentist and he has a dream to become a dentist in the future and help people in poor countries. That is why he is studying hard to make his dream a reality. And those idiot bullies dare to call him a nerd. Imbeciles.

"Good morning, Ethan." I smiled warmly at him. "What are you doing here?"

"I needed a few books for the history essay I should write." he said while sitting on the chair in front of me. He looked at the messy desk and frowned. "Are you done with your homework?" he asked and glanced at his watch. "It's almost 8. We can go to class together."

"Yup." I answered as I circled my last answer and began to collect my notes and papers. "Thank you for waiting for me."

"You're welcome." he answered. "I would be happy If I can help you in any way, Ella, and you know this."

I looked up at him as I detect worry laced with his words and sure enough, I saw concern in his blue eyes as he scanned my face. "You look so tired. Again." he said softly.

"I'm fine, Ethan." I forced a smile while I put my last book in my bag and stood up, putting the string of my bag on my shoulder. "I'm fine."

Actually, he and another person are the only ones at school who know about my mom and about me working my ass off. But still, they don't know how much I work. I never opened myself for them, not feeling comfortable. 

He sighed and dropped his head before standing up and pushing his glasses up his nose. "As you say." he said but walked over to me and put a gentle hand on my shoulder. "Just know that you have me if you ever want someone to talk to."

"Thank you." I smiled gratefully and he returned it back. "Let's go."

We walked out of the library and into the crowded corridors just as the bell rang. We opened our way to our first class that we had together, my favorite, AP calculus.

"Hey! Ethan! Eleanor!"

We stopped and looked over our shoulders and we both smiled when we saw Mia trying to open her way to us. Remember the other person I said close to a friend? Well, that's Mia Richards. Her black hair was sprawled around her and her brown eyes looked irritated as she opened her way to us. 

She was a smart and hot-headed girl. She won't approve of anyone so easily and that is why a beautiful girl like her doesn't have a big group of friends. I think we could have been good or even best friends if I was not so busy fighting with life.

She sighed once she was in front of us. "God I hate first periods." she grumbled, making me and Ethan chuckle.

"Good morning to you too, sunshine." said Ethan. "You are becoming more grumpy each passing day. Even my grandma is not like you."

Mia glared at him while I giggled. She rolled her eyes and pushed both of us forward. "Whatever you say, Einstein." she said. "Let's reach the class before Mr. H reached there and gives us each a detention."

Soon we reached the front door of the class. Mai and Ethan were behind me, bickering slowly about something. I pushed open the door and glanced up only to be stopped in my tracks at the sight in front of me and the grayish green eyes that locked to my blue ones instantly.

There, had sat my tormentor, Chris Harrington, in all of his glory on the teacher's desk with his girlfriend, my other tormentor and queen bee of the school, Lara Samuels.

I don't know what happened, but one day, one and a half years ago, Harrington suddenly began to bully me. That was when other bullies noticed me as well. I'm sure I never had done anything to harm him. Believe me, I know, because, in the first few days I would stay up crying at night thinking about what I have done to deserve his cruel actions but I had found nothing. Yet he would look at me with so much hatred that would send chills down my spine.

Though there is no doubt he is devilishly handsome with his jade eyes and tousled dark brown hair. He is at least 6'2. His chest muscles were stuck to his white shirt and his biceps were bulging the way he had sat. He even had six packs. I had seen his body one day on the football field while he was changing his shirt. I was there, supposed to give the coach a letter, and was graced with the sight of his half-naked body. 

He is from a so rich family. His father is a successful businessman who owns chain restaurants. He is loaded, and his parents are available and deep in love. I don't know what has happened in his life to make him like this.

Next to him had sat Chase Smith, his best friend. He is also filthy rich. His father owns a few companies. He has chestnut brown hair and his hazel eyes have always had a playful glint in them. He is built and at the same height as Chris. To be honest, they look like twins with different hair and eye color. Twins and partners in crime.

"Well, well, well." said Chris and smirked mischievously. "Look who's here, the poor nerd."

"Let's have our seats, Ella." 

I heard Ethan's firm voice behind me and felt his warm hand on my waist pushing me gently into the classroom. I dropped my head as I felt everyone's attention on me.

"Oh, shit!" exclaimed Chris loudly. "Has the poor nerd found a boyfriend? Another nerd, really?"

He said and his group of friends laughed loudly.

"That's enough, Harrington." said Ethan in his calm voice that was oddly cold.

"Oh, the little boy has a tongue after all." scoffed Chase.

"Shut it, Smith." snapped Mia and took a step toward Chase warningly.

Ethan and I quickly grabbed her shoulders and stopped her. But Chase gasped and jumped down the desk and walked toward her like a predator. His eyes were shining mischievously as he stared at Mia who was glaring daggers at him.

Everyone knew that Chase had a secret crush on Mia. He had proved it when last year he beat a senior boy to plump who had tried to kiss Mia by force. But after Mia rejected him, he used every second to hurt her somehow.

"Look who is here as well." he said. "Sorry, kitten. Didn't see you there."

"Be careful, Smith." seethed Mia. "This kitten has claws."

"Oh God, I'm so scared." said Chase in a girly high-pitched voice and made a scared face that made everyone laugh.

Where were the damn teachers when you need them?

Suddenly, I felt a presence in front of me and saw Lara standing there. With her 6-inch heels, she was standing at 5'8 height, easily towering over my 5'2 frame. She grabbed a string that had come out of my cardigan while looking at my cardigan with disgust. "Your clothes are too old and so tattered. It's disgusting." she said in distaste.

"What is it, James?" asked Chris. "Mommy and daddy can't afford your clothes? Are you that poor?"

My eyes widened and my heart clenched at hearing his cruel words. Only if he knew how wrong he was. I was so smitten with Chris's words that I didn't notice what Lara was about to do until it was too late.

With a force that was unimaginable for a slim girl like her, she grabbed the string that had poked out of my cardigan and yanked it with full power. I gasped as two rows of small knits around my neck came undone and the top of my cardigan was ruined.

"What is going on here?" Mr. H's voice boomed in the class before anyone can react and everyone turned to him who had stood at the doorframe glaring at us. "Take your seats before I give all of you detention. I don't want to start the week like that."

I quickly walked toward the seats I, Ethan, and Mia would usually seat at, not wanting to test Mr. H's patience. I couldn't afford to get a detention and be late for work.

"Nerd!" hissed Chris as he and Chase walked past me and bumped his shoulder with mine.

I ignored him again like I had always done and sat down and took off my cardigan, blinking the tears back. I couldn't help. Their words hurt too much and the humiliation was unbearable. I put on my jacket instead to keep myself warm. 

"I'm sorry, Eleanor." I turned my head to my right as I heard Ethan's voice and saw him looking down at me from his seat with sympathy. "I should have done something."

"Yeah, I should have punched that ugly nose of her." Mia grumbled from my left.

"It's okay, guys." I whispered weakly. "I'm fine."

"No! It's not fucking okay." hissed Mia and glared at me. "You should have slapped her hard or at least cursed her. God, Eleanor you are too innocent and shy. That's not good at all."

"Shhh, Mia, calm down. She is already feeling bad enough." Said Ethan quietly but sternly, causing Mia to scoff and busy herself with taking her notebook out of her bag.

I turned to Ethan and smiled warmly at him, not being able to hold the two tears that slipped from my eyes, "Thank you." I mumbled.

He smiled sadly with his brows furrowed. What he did next, shocked me but at the same time filled my heart with warmth. He wiped my tears with his thumb and then put an arm around my shoulders and pulled me to his chest side way and plant a kiss on my forehead.

I sighed in contentment and relaxed in his warm embrace for a few seconds. It was so good to have people who really care for you.

"Anything for you." he whispered before pulling away and smiling at me. I smiled back and then both of us turned to the board as Mr. H began his lecture. Although throughout the whole class I could feel two burning eyes drilling into the back of my head. Knowing who it probably was, I never gave him the satisfaction of turning back to look at him, or as he is named, Chris Harrington. 

After the bell rang I made sure to run out of class and did my best to not cross paths with Harrington and his gang throughout the day. And I was successful. Once the last bell rang, Ethan, Mia, and I walked to our lockers without any fuss. 

"Sorry, Ella," said Mia as we put our workbooks into the lockers. "My dad dropped me this morning and he will pick me up or else I would have dropped you at the diner."

"I'm sorry too." said Ethan and closed his locker. "I have come with my car, but I have to join the biology club now."

"It's okay guys." I answered with a grateful smile. "That's very kind of you. But I will take the bus. I never want to be a burden to you. Besides, I will have time to study for the history exam tomorrow."

I waved my history book in the air before shoving it into my bag. I then took my jacket and was about to wear it, but Ethan stopped me. 

"Wait!' he said suddenly and held a hand in front of my face. Mia and I watched wide-eyed as he grabbed the hem of his black sweater and pulled it off, leaving himself in a white button-up shirt. He then held it on top of my head. "Hand up, princess."

"Oh no, Ethan." I said quickly and shook my head while taking a step back. "I can't accept it. you will be cold yourself."

"Nonsense." answered Ethan. "I have a jacket as well. You can't work with your jacket on and It's a cold day. So come on, put this on."

"No, I can't, Ethan." I said but I was suddenly pushed forward by Mia who was behind me.

"Yes, you can," she said as Ethan grabbed me and shoved the sweater down my head. "Learn to accept help when you need it. We are your friends after all."

"Thank you." I said shyly to Ethan as I slipped my hands inside the sleeves. The sweater was bigger than me, making me drown in the warm fabric, engulfing me with Ethan's expensive cologne instantly. "I will return it tomorrow."

He grinned down at me before grabbing his bag and slinging it to his shoulder. "You're welcome, princess. It suits you more than me by the way." he said and then winked at me, making me blush a bit. "See you tomorrow, girls."

We waved for him as he walked away and disappeared between the students. 

"Girl, he has a thing for you." said Mia still staring at his retreating form before turning to me with a smirk. "He will ask you out soon."

"Don't even go there, Mia. You know I can't." I said as we walked toward the front doors together. I prayed in my heart that he never asks so I won't have to break his heart by rejecting him. He was a great guy who deserved a girl way better than me by his side.

"You are making things too hard for yourself, Ella." whined Mia and rolled her eyes. "Live a life a bit."

"I'm trying, Mia." I sighed sadly. "Believe me I'm trying."

Surprisingly, Mia didn't pester me more. Soon I said goodbye to her and walked to the bus station that was five minutes away from the school gates. I took out my history book and busied myself all the way to the diner that was half an hour away by bus.

Only if I knew what hell was awaiting me that night ....

-------------------------------------------------------------

A/N: Hi, guys. Please let me know what you think about this chapter. Don't forget to vote and write your thoughts in a comment for me.

Thank you

Ela :))