The buzzing of my phone startles me. Very few people contact me on my phone and by now I know everyone who would. I am surprised to see a text from an unknown number.

Hi, Blade. This is Dustin. Just sending this text so you can save my #. Let me know when you're free to work on the paper.

I stare at the words. He was actually serious?

After writing and deleting the text several times, I finally decide on Hi, Dustin :) I'll keep you posted.

From Dustin

I feel like texts will be the only place I'll get a smile XD

I don't know what to say so I don't respond. Faith is surprisingly still asleep. My alarm is what woke me up for the first time in months. I pull myself out of bed, wincing at the jabs of pain that accompany moving.

Thankfully, there are no bruises on my face. I take another shower to help soothe the pain more.

"Hi, B," Sandra gives me a smile as I enter the daycare. She takes Faith, cooing at her causing the baby to giggle. She turns to me. "Have a nice day."

I sign Thank You to her before dipping out.

English is our first class and I am surprised when Dustin sits next to me.

"Good morning." He gives me a smile.

I eye him. As much as I appreciate his kindness, I know it stems from pity which should make me feel bad, but it feels good to be treated nicely, regardless of why.

"The project is due next week," Dustin starts, pulling out his textbook. "Can we work on it this weekend?"

I nod, writing out "Meet at the library at 11 a.m?" in my notebook.

He grins. "Sounds good."

The rest of the day is fairly uneventful. Classes drag on. Students talk crap. My lower abdomen throbs. Just a normal day.

School is almost nice when no one physically assaults me. I mean, they are still saying mean things, but I'm somewhat un-bothered. Being touched in any way would probably cause me to combust.

I tense when I see Josh and Alice walking down the hall. They are accompanied by Jordan and Dya (Alice's two best friends). Classes are over, but the halls are still crowded with students heading to their respective extra-curriculars. I figure I'm safe. They won't bother me when they have places to be.

Of course I am wrong.

"Look! The town's favorite mute," Alice teases with her favorite phrase. She points a manicured hand at me for a theatrical effect.

Her crew snickers, Jordan adding in, "She can't even save herself. Needed some emo to come help her."

Josh's nostrils flare at the mention of the fight. His nose is still patched up frok being broken several days ago. He realy got hit good.

My breathing becomes uneven as they continue to approach me.

Please leave me alone.

Words hurt. Some things have been said to me that I'll never forget. But constant physical abuse isn't any better. The two together are a triple threat.

Dya taps her cheek in thought. "Well, I don't see the knight in shining armor around now," she smirks. "Let's show her how we deal with bitches who step outta line."

Two of Josh's teammates appear from nowhere and lift me off the floor by my arms. Gasping, I start thrashing to break free.

"No use," Dya smirks.

I ignore her, continuing to try to break free, but they have an iron grip on my arms. Panic arises within me, making me feel helpless.

The relief I feel when the boys drop me to my feet is short lived. Alice approaches me - a sinister smile stretching across her lips. My breathing becomes erratic again when I realize where I am.

The girl's bathroom.

I panic, unable to breathe. Tears sting my eyes as I try to find my breath again.

Three things I can see.

Three things I can hear.

It's not working.

Alice and her friends laugh at me which adds to my panic.

"Well... see you around, weirdo." And just like that. They walk off, leaving me to have one of my worst panic attacks in the cold, empty locker room.