Chapter Comment ( 6 ) Chapter 2 The Conversation The school looms ahead , its brick facade cold and unwelcoming in the morning light . ' Just get to class . Don't let them see you . ' I clutch my backpack straps tighter and sprint toward the entrance , keeping my head down . My ribs ache with each step , but I push through the pain. The hallways blur past as I weave between students , dodging conversations and avoiding eye contact . Lila Morrison's laugh echoes from somewhere behind me , sharp and cruel . My heart hammers against my chest . ' Please don't see me . Please don't see me .' I slip into my first - period classroom just as the bell rings , sliding into my usual seat in the back corner . The hard plastic chair presses against the fresh burn on my arm , and I bite back a wince . " Miss Castellano , you look like you ran a marathon ," Mrs. Henderson says without looking up from her lesson plan . I keep my eyes fixed on my desk . " Sorry , Mrs. Henderson . " She launches into her lecture about quadratic equations , and I try to focus on her words instead of the throbbing in my ribs . The other students scribble notes half - heartedly , but I write down everything . Perfect grades are the only thing I have leftthe only proof that I'm worth something . A girl in front of me glances back , her eyes scanning the bruises on my arms . She turns away quickly , like looking too long might infect her with whatever plague makes me untouchable . ' Top of the class , and still invisible when it matters . ' The period drags on forever . When the bell finally rings , I pack my things slowly , waiting for the room to empty before standing . My legs shake as I walk to the door . Mrs. Henderson doesn't look up from her papers . She never does . The hallway swarms with students heading to their next classes . I need to get to the 0.66 washroom before second period , so I keep my head down and weave through the crowd . I catch a glimpse of blonde hair near the lockersLila Morrison laughing with her usual group . My stomach clenches , and I quickly look away , hoping she didn't notice me . ' Just get to the bathroom . Stay invisible . ' I duck behind a group of football players and dart toward the nearest bathroom . My heart pounds so hard I'm sure everyone can hear it . The bathroom door slams behind me with a satisfying bang , and I lean against it , gasping . The fluorescent lights buzz overhead , casting harsh shadows on the white tile walls . I rush into the last stall and lock the door with trembling fingers . For a moment , there's blessed silence . I close my eyes and try to breathe. Then the bathroom door crashes open . " I know you're here , little slut ! " Lila's voice bounces off the walls , dripping with venom . " What , not happy to see me ? " My hands freeze on my jeans . I hold my breath , praying she'll give up and leave . The first stall door slams open with a violent bang . My heart jumps into my throat . ' Someone will come . Someone has to come . ' The second door crashes open . Then the third . Bang . Bang . Bang . Each sound sends shock waves through my chest . I pull my feet up , balancing on the toilet seat , hoping she'll think the stall is empty . ' Please , someone come in . Anyone . ' The fourth stall door explodes open . I'm shaking so hard I can barely stay upright . There's only one stall left between her and me . < Chapter 2 The Conversation ' She's going to find me . She's going to ' The fifth door slams open so hard it bounces off the wall . Get 5 > Menu And then she's there . The final door flies open , and Lila Morrison stands in the doorway like an avenging angel of cruelty . Her blonde hair is perfectly styled , her makeup flawless , her smile sharp enough to cut glass . Despair crashes over me like a tidal wave . " There you are , you little bitch . " She grabs a fistful of my hair and yanks me off the toilet seat . I stumble forward , my jeans still around my ankles , too shocked to pull them up . " Lila , please " " Shut the fuck up ! " She drags me out of the stall by my hair , and I fall to my knees on the cold tile floor . " Jade ! Get in here ! " Jade appears like a loyal dog , followed by two other girls I barely recognize . They form a circle around me , blocking any escape route . " Look at this pathetic little whore , " Lila sneers , still gripping my hair . " Can't even dress herself properly . " I scramble to pull up my jeans , my face burning with humiliation . " You know what your problem is , Moira ? " Lila crouches down until we're eye level . " You can't even do a simple favor for your friend . What , think youre too good for me ? " " Thats " Her hand connects with my cheek so hard my ears ring . " I told you to shut the fuck up ! " " You're going to get me that date with Tristan , " she continues , pacing around me like a predator . " I don't care what you have to do . Make it happen . " Jade kicks me in the stomach , and I double over , gasping . " Yeah , you think you're so special with your perfect grades and your holier - than - thou attitude . " " Time to teach you some humility , " Lila says sweetly . < Chapter 2 The Conversation Get 5 > Menu They fall on me like vultures . Fists and feet connect with my ribs , my back , my arms . I curl into a ball on the filthy bathroom floor , protecting my head as best I can . ' Stay quiet . Don't let them see you break . ' " Fight back , you coward ! " Lila screams , landing a particularly vicious kick to my kidney . " At least make this interesting ! " But I know what happens when I resist . So I lie there and take it , counting the tiles on the ceiling until the pain becomes a distant roar . " God , you're pathetic , " Jade pants , stepping back . " No wonder nobody likes you . " Lila grabs my hair again , lifting my head . " Maybe this will get a reaction out of you . " She slams my head against the edge of the sink with a sickening crack . The scream tears from my throat before I can stop it . Pain explodes through my skull , white - hot and blinding . Blood trickles down my forehead , warm and sticky . " There we go ! " Lila claps her hands like she's watching a circus act . " Finally, some emotion ! " My vision blurs , and the room tilts dangerously. I can taste copper in my mouth . " Come on , girls . We're done here . " Lila straightens her skirt and checks her reflection in the mirror . " Remember to get me that date with your brother . " Their laughter echoes off the walls as they leave , the door swinging shut behind them with finality . I lie on the cold tile floor for a long time , waiting for the world to stop spinning . When I finally manage to sit up , my reflection in the mirror is a horror show . Blood streams from a gash on my forehead , my lip is split , and bruises are already forming on my cheekbones . ' Get up . You have to get up . ' The school nurse barely glances at me when I stumble into her office . Mrs. Patterson sits behind her desk , filing her nails with methodical precision . < Chapter 2 The Conversation " What now , Moira ? " she sighs , not looking up from her cuticles . Get 5 > Menu : " I need " My voice comes out as a croak . I clear my throat and try again . " Where are the bandages and ice packs ? " She finally looks at me , her lip curling in disgust . " Supply closet . Help yourself . " I can feel her hatred radiating off her in waves . Lila's lies have poisoned everyone against meeven the woman who's supposed to help injured students can't stand the sight of me . I grab some paper towels from the dispenser and wet them in the sink . The cold water stings the cut on my forehead , but I grit my teeth and clean the blood away as best I can . Mrs. Patterson returns to her nails , dismissing me completely . I take what I need and leave without another word . She's already forgotten I exist before the door closes behind me . ** The library welcomes me like an old friend , its silence broken only by the soft hum of fluorescent lights and the whisper of turning pages . This is my sanctuarythe one place in school where I can breathe . The smell of old books and furniture polish wraps around me like a warm blanket , and for a moment , the pain recedes . I make my way to my usual spot in the far corner , past the fiction section and ancient encyclopedias nobody uses anymore . It's hidden from view , with a comfortable chair and decent lighting for reading . But someone is already there . Jaxon sits in my chair , his elbows resting on his knees , staring at the floor . He looks up when he hears my footsteps , and something flickers across his faceguilt ? Fear ? I can't tell . " Moira . " His voice is quieter than usual , lacking its typical cruel edge . I freeze , every muscle in my body tensing . ' Is this another trap ? Another way to hurt me? ' " What do you want , Jaxon ? " I keep my distance , ready to run if necessary . 21:26 1.12 % < Chapter 2 The Conversation Get 5 > = Menu He stands slowly , his hands raised slightly as if approaching a wounded animal . " I need to talk to you . It's important . " His voice sounds urgent , almost frantic . I can almost sense worry threading through his wordssomething I've never heard from him before . My chest tightens with an unfamiliar dread , like standing at the edge of a cliff and knowing I'm about to fall . Chapter Comment ( 3 )