𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚎 𝚋𝚎? {𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚕𝚒𝚎 𝙳𝚊𝚕𝚝𝚘𝚗}

'sᴄɪᴇɴᴄᴇ ᴇxᴘᴇʀɪᴍᴇɴᴛ,

"What, I left you speechless, sugar?"

The nickname was my last straw. "No, I'm just afraid I'll vomit on your god-awful shoes if I hear another word out of your stinky mouth."

He looked shellshocked causing his grip to falter, I twisted my arm out and rushed to my room. I would be shocked too if I wasn't seething. I locked the door and let out a long breath. My hands were shaking. I hugged myself and hid my face in my knees, sitting with my back to the door.

I wasn't sure how to feel. I wanted to scream, and cry, but I felt lighter having put someone in their place for once. I was so used to being treated like a worthless worm, I had forgotten I could fight it. Even when I knew I was better than those people, I hid and allowed them to make me feel inferior just to soothe their egos. It's what was expected of me.

"That one's a proper bitch," I heard Lennox speak at a distance, and then a loud thud.

Footsteps neared the hallway until I heard frantic knocks on my door. I wiped my eyes of the few angry tears that managed to come out. I tried to steady my breathing and my shaking body.

"Just a minute!"

"El, open up, please?" Neil softly pleaded from the other side.

I opened the door and without looking up, hugged him. I never thought anyone would care enough to come after me. Someone coughed and I looked up with a sniff.

I met Neil's gaze on my left and smiled. My brain took a minute to comprehend it. I looked up at the person I was hugging and met Charlie's warm eyes. I pulled away instantly.

I groaned and looked at my brother awkwardly, "I thought he was you."

"I know." He smiled and hugged me.

"Hey, I knocked out Lennox, I think I deserved that hug!" I could hear the pout in his voice.

"Sure, Lee."

"Remind me to not do anything nice for you ever again."

I rolled my eyes. He could be overbearingly dramatic. "Fine. Thank you for using violence to protect me, you big baby."

He ruffled my hair, then made himself comfortable on my bed. Neil handed me a bar of chocolate.

"From Todd. He thought you'd need it - and some space."

"He's such a sweetheart." I bit into the chocolate, my hands finally steadying.

•:•.•:•.•:•:•:•:•:•:•:•☾☼☽•:•.•:•.•:•:•:•:•:•:•:•

"We're having a Trig study group tonight, you can join us," Meeks said, coming into my room with Pitts trailing behind.

They were both either glistening with sweat or they took a bath. Given the minty fragrance, I'd guess the latter.

"Uh," I began. "I don't think I should. I'll just ask Neil if I have any doubts."

"We'll make Cameron apologize," Pitts suddenly said. "Unless that's not the reason you're not joining us..."

"It's one of the reasons. I really don't want to cause trouble for you boys."

"You're not! None of us are great with Cameron. He's a lame guy." Meeks spat the last part with the most bitterness he could muster. It was an adorable attempt.

"And look, if you're too smart for us or anything - just think of it as a trial." Pitts smiled and Meeks nodded. "You'll replace Knox tonight, and if you like it, great. If you don't, we won't bother you again. Honest."