I walk into school with my head down. I quickly shuffle up the stairs and to my locker by my favorite teacher's room. He's helped me more than he probably knows. Mr. Johnson. My physics teacher. I have him fourth hour, and I just so happen to be the only girl in my class. When the boys tease me he's always sure to stick up for me. Little does he know that I go home each night to carve my struggles in thin lines across my flesh. If he were to ever find out I have no clue what he would say.

I furiously spin the dial on my locker to open it. As I'm listening to "Can't Heal You" by Five Finger Death Punch flow through the speakers covering my ears, Arlo decides to pop up next to me without my realization until he pokes my side. I squeal, and my headphones flip off.

He giggles, "You're so cute when you do that."

"I am so going to kill you," I retort.

"In a million years maybe," he smirks, and his smile slowly disappears as my stomach loudly rumbles, "have you eaten, Gwennie?"

"Of course I have," I answer a little too quickly and look away. I hate lying to him, but he gives me no choice.

"I worry about you, y'know."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'll see you at lunch," I scurry off to first hour art class.

I walk into class with seconds to spare. The teacher is doing roll call.

"Gwendolyn Rogers," she says with edge in her voice.

"Here," I say, breathless.

She finishes roll call and moves on with class. I pull out my sketchbook and charcoals and start drawing what she has set out for us today. A tea cup and saucer. The images of my thighs from this morning flashes in my mind. My mind then wanders to what Arlo would say if he ever saw them. He knows but has never seen them. Would he hate me if he saw them? I wonder to myself.

My thoughts are interrupted by the bell to go to second hour. As I'm going to my locker I'm stopped by my tormentor. Blake. He's picked on me and teased me since grade school.

"Hey there, emo freak," he shouts at me.

Ignore him, Gwen. He's not worth your time.

"Hey! I'm talking to you, bitch!"

I continue walking with my head down until I'm suddenly knocked to the ground. My books scatter over the the floor. I'm seeing stars. I feel something in my side. This time it's not the tickling feeling of Arlo poking me.

A sharp pain starting in my side moves throughout my entire body as Blake's buddies decide to join in and kick me as well. I can faintly see bruises starting to form on my arms. I can only imagine what the rest of my body will look like after this.

I start losing consciousness until I hear a voice coming from down the hall. It sounds like Arlo.

The kicking stops as I watch Arlo rip Blake away. This causes Blake's friends to leave. I hear a loud grunt come from Blake as Arlo nails him in the gut. I close my eyes.

Suddenly I feel gentle arms wrap under me and lift me up. They hold me tight.

"Everything is going to be okay, Gwennie," Arlo, "I promise."

Author's Note ~

Hey guys! I've decided that I'll try updating at least every other day. Be sure to leave any comments or suggestions. See ya!