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I was walking fast away from the school gate, my shoes making a tap sound on every step. "Stop, Sparkle!" Hearing Carter's shout, I came to a halt, trying to remain calm. "S-sorry, but my n-name is S-s-sophia. Not, s-sparkle."

"I know that, Sparkle. Where were you going? You forgot, you were going to teach me?"

I shook my head. How can I forget that?

"Come on, then. We are going study in the library today." I couldn't help but follow his orders like a puppy. I was his puppy actually. He could talk to me whenever he liked. He could scold me whenever he liked. He could tease me whenever he liked. He could order me whenever he liked. But not this time. I'm not going to be his puppy.

"Come on! What are you thinking?" Carter said, snapping his fingers, bringing me back from my thoughts. After trying to gather a lot of courage, I let out, "I c-c-can't come today. I've s-some imp-portant work t-to do." I was in no mood to teach him today. I have had enough drama for one day.

"What work?" He asked in a sharp tone making me flinch a little.

"........."

"What work, Sparkle?"

Think something....

Think something Sophie!

"I said, what work, Sophia?" He barked.

Taking a step back a forced out the words, "I can't t-tell you. B-bye." Turning around, I started walking away.

"If you think, I'm going to apologize about what happened in the art class, then don't expect me to." He called out behind me.

That was enough to blow my fuse.

I spun around and looked straight at him, "I d-don't. Y-you never have a-and you never w-will apologize." Though, I was scared like shit and I looked like a puppy in front of this anaconda but I tried to remain strong. Sure my voice stuttered but the words were sharp.

I don't expect him to apologize! That's too high expecting from Carter. With that I walked to my car and the driver took me home.

"Hi, love!" Rebecca sang, as she saw me entering the house. "Hi!" I replied, faking the excitement and then ran upstairs. After the shower I changed into my pyjamas and tank top. I needed comfort.

"Sophia, food is ready!" Rebecca's voice echoed when I was surfing channels on television. The word 'food' stirred something inside me and I knew I didn't want to have it.

"I'm not hungry Rebecca. I'll eat later!"

"Are you on your period?" She asked.

Urghhh! "Yes! Now don't disturb me!" When I got bored of watching the television, I jumped on my bed with my books. There wasn't a lot of homework that day and I was glad because I wasn't really eager to study.

When I was completed, my head started to hurt like hell. It felt as if someone was inserting keels inside it, as if something heavy was continuously falling on my head.

I heard a knock at my room's door. "What?"

"Hello sister! Can I come in?" Josh said, as he entered inside.

"What's the point of asking when you already have entered, Josh?" I answered, rolling my eyes, my hand went up to hold my head.

"Is it 'that' time the month?" He asked peeping inside.

"Josh, I swear-" he cut me off. "Okay! I get it! You are on your periods. Bye then, sis!" He shut the door as he walked out.

You might be wondering how does he knows? The credit goes to my dearest caretaker Rebecca whose always talking about stuff like this, ruining my little brother's brain.

I took out a long, frustrated sigh. Swallowing the pain killers, I rested my head on the back of my bed and groaned due to the pain.

Hope this pain will go away soon.

********

"Sweetheart, wake up. You are going to be late for school." I recognised the voice instantly. Rebecca pulled away the blanket, sending a chills throughout my body. God! This is so cold! "Rebeccahh, please give meh-me the blanket-h-h. It's s-s-so-h c-c-c-cold." I couldn't help but shake. "Oh dear lord! You are burning!" She exclaimed, touching my hands with her freezing ones. "Here! Take this. I'll be right back!" She covered my curled body with the blanket again and quickly, I rolled myself in it enjoying the warmth it provided.

Rebecca came back with a thermometer in her hands. Without waiting a single second, she inserted it into my mouth. "God! Why didn't you tell me? I thought it was just your periods."

She took it out of my mouth and gasped. "OMG! 104! You need to see a doctor!"

Over-emotional!

The doctor came just after she called. He examined me and then asked what I wished he didn't. "Did you hit your head somewhere?"

I gulped. What should I say?

"I uh..... kinda.... fell down yesterday, but it didn't hurt that much so I didn't pay mind to it." I told him, sitting up a little.

"Sophia, why didn't you tell me? What if it was something serious? Don't ever do that!" Rebecca warned me sitting beside me. "It's fine Rebecca. There's nothing to panic about."

I spend the day on my cozy bed, enveloped in the comfort of my blanket. The day passed pretty boring and my fever was gone but my head still hurts bad. I was continuously wiping the water that discharged from my eyes. Doctor said this was because of the 'fall'. My eyes were really red. Looking at myself in the mirror I remembered the other day when I found out that my eyes Sparkled. I guess Rebecca had actually given me an evil eye.

Due to the pain in my upper body, I couldn't sleep well that night and it seemed like the most longest night of the decade. The periods weren't helping along with that.

Finally, it was seven o'clock and I couldn't be any more happier. I got ready quickly. It wasn't a fashion show I was going to. You need to be simple and decent. People like decency. But in my case it's the other way round. I'm not simple to impress the world but because I like being that way.

We left for the school when Josh was done with the breakfast. I didn't feel like eating so I took an apple with me. I reached school late and it was the best thing that happened in the last three days. Arriving late means no bullying. Yay! No bullying today! But guess what?

I was wrong.

Do you remember Carter arrives late too?

I was just walking towards the class as happy as I'd conquered the world, when I heard him shout, "Sparkle! Wait!" Pretending to not hear him, I didn't stop walking. Suddenly, someone grabbed me tightly by my arms from the back and dragged me towards the janitor's closet with them. I didn't know who this person was but one thing, I was certain about was that, this was a male creature. The amount of muscles I felt on my back were enough of a proof.

I couldn't help but creep out. Trying to squirm out of their grip was difficult but I still tried.

"Shhh! I'm not going to kill you Sparkle." I breathed out In relief but kept my eyes shut. Might be a trick of bullying during school.

Taking both of my hands in his he pulled my sleeves upwards and investigated them. "Oh, thank god!" He exhaled, as he murmured.

What?

"Open your eyes Sparkle. I'm not eating you!"

Slowly and reluctantly, I opened my eyes just to see him staring at me. Well, to be exact at my eyes. "Do you have an eye infection?" He asked. "No. It's b-because-" I stopped, thinking about what a huge mistake I was going to do. I couldn't mention to him the other day I was bullied. All he'd do is team up with those girls and then all of them will make my life a living hell together so I chose to remain silent.

"Because what?"

Shaking my head I replied, "I h-have to g-g-go." And without waiting a single second I ran outside and directly towards the class.

********

"Sophia, you were supposed to teach Carter. Weren't you?" Mr Miller asked, his voice bitter as I was walking out of the class. Stopping on my spot, I nodded and lowered my head. "I hope you don't forget your duty again."

"Sorry Sir! I promise I won't forget about it again." I apologised. I couldn't tell him how Carter insulted me in class and how I can't utter anything when I'm with him-let alone be his math tutor.

"You better not!"

I sighed as I walked towards my locker. Putting everything inside, I waited for everybody to leave the school. I knew Carter won't go home because he has his basketball practices on Thursdays. Walking out of the gate I sat on the bench and waited for him to arrive. Sitting there, I called my driver and told him to not come for picking me up.

It had already been almost an hour. I was feeling a little chilly so I wrapped my arms around my body.

"Aaachuuuh!"

Noooooo!

"Aaaaa-achuun!"

If he doesn't comes in next ten minutes, I'll go home.

"Acchuuuh!"

I rested my head at the back of the bench and snuffled. Wiping my nose and closing my eyes, I inhaled a deep shivery breath. I was too tired and worn out to even move.

"Sparkle?" Carter's surprised voice sounded. After opening my eyes, I made out his blurry image. He was walking towards me. "What are you doing here?" He asked as he stopped near the bench. I tried to stand up from there.

"I don't think you are alright." He touched my forehead and breathed hard. "Oh my god! You are so not alright! You're burning! Why were you sitting here? Did your driver not arrive?"

"I-I h-had to t-tutor y-you." My feeble voice came out, my eyes adjusting to view of his fear-stricken face.

"Come on! Stand up. We are going." He said as he helped me stand up. We started walking towards his car. When we reached there he opened the door for me and I sat down. It was always weird sitting beside him in the passenger seat.

In no more than a second he came and settled in the driving seat. "Are you an idiot? You could have just told me that you were waiting. Why were you even waiting when you weren't feeling well?"

"M-Mr Miller."

That sentence was enough for him to understand. "Oh!" He said as he started the car.

Where is he taking me? "W-where are we g-going?"

"My house." He said, calmly.

"Y-your home?" I asked, freaking out a little.

"Yes." Again his tone was so calm, I wanted to kill him.

Shaking my head, I tried to open the door of the car. I wanted to get out as soon as possible. I couldn't go to his house. No!

"Calm down!" He said.

"No! I don't want to go to-".

"Shhh!" He said, bringing his finger on my lips to quiet me. "Sit down properly!" His demand was enough for silencing my protesting tongue and objecting mind.

He started the car. "Just relax!"

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