I walked into school that Thursday with my face marked purple and blue.

Hayley and Marina were talking beside the water fountain near my locker and Hayley saw me and gasped loudly, running over to me.

"Ashley!" She looked like she was about to cry.

She lowered her voice "Did Melanie do this?"

I slowly nodded, wincing as pain shot through me and I proceeded to shove the things I needed into my school bag.

"Oh Ashley I'm so sorry. What did your parents say? Did you tell them what happened? Are you-"

"My mum knows now but I'm not going to do anything about it" I paused "I did provoke her, she wouldn't let go of me in the bathroom yesterday morning and I hit her to let me go. I don't want to cause anymore trouble."

"There's a difference between self defence and bashing someone's face in Ashley. I'm so sorry." She hugged me tightly, whispering in my ear "I promise to look after you okay, she won't go near you ever again"

I gently wrapped my arms around her and accepted her embrace, even though it hurt me a little. She meant well.

She took my school bag in her hand and took my hand "Come on, let's go to class"