Bullied.

~Just toss me around.~

Arcane POV: 

Next morning when I woke up, I was feeling mortified. The scenes from last night started to flash by my eyes. When I did that, I was completely sober. If I was drunk, I would have blamed the alcohol. I sighed and stood under the shower. All the remains of pleasure on my body washed away. 

"Arc, are you ready? Let's go, I will drop you at school." Mom shouted from downstairs while I slipped into jeans and a simple shirt.

"Okay, coming." I shouted back. There is no way, I am going to say no to a free ride. My lazy ass won't allow me. 

I hurriedly grabbed my thing and found Mom in the kitchen. She had already prepped breakfast for me. That was shocking to be honest. Because her work starts late so mostly she is asleep at this time of the day. 

"Did the sun rise from the wrong direction today?" I could not help but get sarcastic with her. My mind wasn't at its place after the dinner. 

"Shut up, Arc." She breathed loudly and served me the pancakes which she freshly made, "I am trying to be a good mother here and you have to help me in becoming one." She was saying, sincerely. 

I glanced at her deeply, "And why did this thought occur to you suddenly?" I rolled my eyes. 

I never had a really loving family. My dad was a total sadist. He used to abuse us whenever he wasn't in his right mind and when he died a year ago, I won't lie, but we weren't sad at all. In fact, I felt like a huge burden has been lifted off my shoulders. 

I still don't get why Mom never divorced him before...?? And then Mom, she was busy working her ass off and she never had a time for me. 

"I know you have a lot of complaints and I will try to work on that." She hugged me, "I am sorry, baby. I love you." She kissed my cheek. 

My eyes welled up instantly. "If I knew that this whole marriage thing will bring such a drastic change in you, I would have married you myself." I wiped the corner of my eye and smiled.

Mom did too. 

If I am getting my Mom from this, then it's worth it. 

"Are you free after school today?" She settled in front of me and cut a piece of pancake before putting it in her mouth. 

''No, I have to go to the cafe. I couldn't go yesterday either." I can't take a lot of days off from my part time job. 

Disappointment drowned her face. "Really?" She put her cutlery back to its place, "How about on the weekend?"

"What is it, Mom?" I gave her my full attention. 

"I have to choose a wedding dress and I want you to come with me." She said carefully, ''and can you be my bridesmaid?" 

I was too stunned to speak. I did not think this far. "Mom."

"Please, Arc." She placed her hand over mine and gave it a gentle squeeze. It bit my bottom lip and nodded, "Okay, if this is what you want." I plainly answered.

"Thank you. Thank you, sweetheart." She escalated. Okay, for the sake of her happiness, I am ready to take this bitter gulp. Mom really deserves some happiness too. Her experience with Dad wasn't great at all and anyone can see that Vincent is a great guy and he likes Mom a lot.

"Let's go or you will be late for school." She grabbed her things and snapped me out of my thoughts. 

"Oh, yeah." I put my satchel over my shoulder and followed her. The rest of the drive was covered with utter silence. When we arrived at school, I turned towards Mom, "We will go for your dress on weekend" and got out of the car. 

A really loud 'thank you' from behind resonated in the air and it also grabbed the attention from some of the students. I shook my head and walked inside. 

"Hey, you crazyassbitch." Abby shouted this time. 

"Hi." I waved my hand and gave her a tight lipped smile. I braced myself for what's coming next.

"What the hell were you doing with Xavier Jones last night?" She wriggled a brow and here we go with the interrogation. 

"Nothing." I shrugged my shoulders. 

"Nothing? Then why did he drag you out of the cafe?" She grabbed my satchel and caused me to stop in my tracks. I noticed that I was getting some attention from the girls. So, I looked around and found that almost all of them were glaring at me with disgust. 

"What's wrong with them?" I frowned. 

"The hottest guy at school grabbed your hand and dragged you to somewhere private.... their jealousy is on point." She increased my information. 

"O". My mouth turned round. 

"Spill the beans." Abby was really not ready to let go of this topic. 

"I loved his perfume so I asked him where did he get this from?" I rolled my eyes. 

"Bitch." Abby muttered but it was loud enough to be heard by me. She knew that I do not want to talk on this topic again and I am happy that she understood me. 

We walked inside the classroom and settled on our seats. It has been just a second and I saw Ashley. She strode inside and stopped right over my head. I glanced at her and the coldness which her grey eyes were executing..... it caused my heart to tremble. 

"You slut." She spat the words. I wasn't able to comprehend what the fu*k was happening and in the next moment, a slap was printed right on my face. It was so hard and rough that my face moved to the side. I literally saw stars and my mouth was agape. 

Murmurs started to rise and some of the students were even recording us. "What the fu*k, Ashley?" Abby instantly walked towards us. 

"This whore-" she pointed at me with the index finger, "What the hell did you do to Xavier?" 

"What? I did nothing." I got up from my seat. So, this is about Xavier.

"Okay? Really?" She folded her arms against her chest and it caused her boobs to bounce. I could not stop myself from appreciating her perfect figure. 

"Then why the fu*k he stopped talking to me? Ever since he left with you yesterday, he has been avoiding me like I am plague." She was hurt. I am also on these pins and needles... I can understand her. 

''I have nothing to do with Xavier. He does not even know my name." I remembered how he said those words to me yesterday and instantly a lump was formed in my throat. I barely pushed it down, "Instead of being so rude to me, you should ask him...." I rolled my eyes and tried to walk out of there. However, she grabbed my hair. I was pulled back from the force which she used.  

A loud whimper came out of my mouth. "WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU, ASHLEY?" I held her hand and tried to get out of her grip but she increased it more.

"I AM NOT LETTING YOU GO UNTIL YOU WILL TELL ME THE TRUTH." Ashley shouted louder than me. 

"That's enough, Ashley." Abby came to my help. Moisture filled my eyes. This humiliation which I am facing just because of Xavier, I am not going to forget this... not anytime soon. "Arcane told you already that she does not have anything to do with him. So, stop being such a pain in ass or else I am going to file a complaint against you." Abby threatened her, "I guess we have enough evidence right now." She pointed towards the cameras that were directed towards us. It was clear that Ashley assaulted me. I never laid my hand on her. 

The colors on Ashley's face faded. She was about to let go of my hair as her grip loosened.... she was scared, I could see that but Xavier really walked in at the wrong time. 

He was smiling at something which Joshua said to him but his pupil contracted instantly when his eyes fell on me. I looked away. Ashley let go of my hair and fidgeted innocence before hoping her way towards him.

My hands trembled and my legs were about to give away. If it weren't for Abby, I would have fallen down.

''What happened here?" His deep voice caused everyone to get back to normal. His aura is dangerous and intimidating. I don't know how he does it. 

"Oh, nothing.'' Ashley shamelessly wrapped her arm around his.

"Nothing? Really, Ashley?" Abby gritted her teeth, "And Xavier you.... you are no different from these pathetic bullies. Try to tuck your girl in your bed. Don't let a toxic bitch like her roam on streets so carefree. She is a burden on society." 

Abby is a savage. I love her for being so confident. She was taking a stand for me. But I don't want more attention on me... and Xavier. What if our relationship will come out in the broad daylight? I shuddered at the thought. So, I squeezed her hand and stopped her from ranting further.

"It's fine." I forced a smile at him, "I am fine." I added and his brows slammed together. 

"Okay, if you girls say so." He shrugged his shoulders. A wave of pain passed through my heart. He knows there is nothing that's fine. He definitely saw Ashley grabbing my hair and how can he ignore Abby's words? 

I wiped the tear from the corner of my eye. 

"Bastard." Abby murmured. I was feeling suffocated in the environment so I rushed out of there and ran to the bathroom. 

"Arc." Abby followed me to the restroom.

The tears started pouring out like a lava. "Oh, girl." She pulled me into a hug. 

I cried my heart out and after I was done with a little mini drama, I glanced at my reflection and bit my bottom lip upon seeing my red and swollen eyes while a clear handprint was right across my cheek and beads of blood were coming out from my skin, causing it to burn. I must have gotten that cut from the ring that she was wearing.

I was done. I was really done with the day. Although it was just a start.