There are going to be three updates for this book today for the three weeks I was gone.

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The less you think about how they judge you, the easier life becomes for you.

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-Chapter 37--I hate school-

It has been three days since the incident with Leo. It almost felt like it had never happened.

The only evidence that it wasn't my imagination was the red mark that decorated my neck. The red mark seemed much darker now. It was getting harder and harder to ignore it.

Dad has been busy lately. Sometimes, he seemed too exhausted to even hold a conversation whenever he came back from work.

I didn't want to be a bother, so I kept my worries about school and Leo to myself. He already had too much on his plate for me to come and dump more on it.

It was hard not to have someone to talk to. It was funny to say that because I do have a therapist, but it wasn't the same. For her, I'm just another crazy, obnoxious patient that likes to waste my father's money on stupid shit.

But who could I bother without annoying them? This is hard. And it sucks to struggle in this way.

"Emma..."

Would Leo find me annoying? Who knows, because he's like a mystery box. It's hard to guess how he feels about me.

I knew deep down that confiding in him was not the safest option when he sneaked out with his brother at night dressed as a serial killer.

For the past few days, he has been helping me with everything. I just don't know how to feel about that. I try to avoid him as much as I can, but he always finds a way to stick to me like glue.

"Emma."

"Sigh..." Why does he have to be so nice to me and yet so mysterious and secretive?

The tough walls that I shielded myself with to not let anyone get too close to me were beginning to be slowly demolished by Leo. It was like a never-ending cycle. While I was rebuilding to block anyone from entering, he was destroying.

"Emma Stone..." I snap out of my daze as my focus lands on the source of the stern, cold voice.

Great... Now Mr. Green was throwing me a questionable look while everyone in the class erupted into laughter.

"Come up here. And solve this problem. " He lets out when the whole class settles down. My heart began beating fast. Hesitantly, getting up from my seat, many eyes were now on me.

I didn't like it when people stared at me. It makes me feel like I did something extremely wrong.

Making myself slowly in front of the class, he hands me the red marker with a raised eyebrow. His hazel eyes looked more impatient with my confused, timid demeanor.

I gazed at the math problem on the whiteboard. My mind went blank. I wish Leo was here to help me out.

I didn't understand a single thing written on this board. Fuck... why couldn't he choose someone else?

" Hurry up, we don't have all day." He harshly voices out, making my nerves tingle even more. All that I felt right now was the urge to throw up everything I ate this morning.

Having this many eyes on me was making me want to hide in a small space and never come out of it. At least nobody will think poorly of me.

"I don't understand..." My voice was below a whisper, too scared to even breathe. This unexplainable fear filled every muscle inside my body.

Having too much attention placed on me was never a good thing because something wrong always happens.

"What...? I can't hear you. Speak louder. " He spoke a little louder, making my heart beat faster. As this uncomfortable pain in my chest intensified.

"I-I said I-I don't understand." My bottom lip was now in between my teeth as my weary eyes avoided his hazel-hard ones.

In front of the class, I seemed like a total failure... But not only did I seem like one, but I also felt like one too.

"Are you serious? I just explained how to solve this simple problem a few minutes ago... Just go sit down.

Next time, try to focus and stop having your head in the clouds. " He took the red marker from my hand, and I quickly made my way to my seat in the back of the enormous classroom, avoiding everyone's gaze. Some of the students snickered under their breath as they eyed me past them.

" Can someone who was paying attention come up here and solve this problem. We have already wasted too much precious time on it." Every word he let out was emphasized. In his tone, you could hear the annoyance reaching the surface.

My body sank lower into my seat as I tried not to break down and cry. I am beginning to loathe school.

A girl stood up from her seat. She walked up to the whiteboard with her head held high. She takes the red marker and, in less than two minutes, solves it... as if it was a piece of cake.

"Good job, Jessie. Did you get that?

Emma, Do you understand now? " His attention was focused back on me. He's definitely picking on me, today.

I instantly nod my head, trying to make him sway his focus elsewhere.

He turns around and proceeds to ask other students to come up and solve a different problem, and then explains how they got that answer to the question so I would understand.

Some of them looked annoyed, and others didn't simply care about the extra task they had to do.

Everyone that got up there solved it with a breeze. Unlike me, who was feeling even more worthless than before.

This feeling inside my chest wouldn't leave me no matter how much I tried to pretend it wasn't there. I felt insignificant sitting here seeing everyone doing such a good job and the teacher praising them for doing so.

The bell finally rings, and everyone starts packing their things. I shove my book in my bag and quickly make my way out the door, feeling like I'm about to cry.

This feeling of frustration attacks me more than all the other emotions combined. Crying was the only way I knew how to deal with any of my uncontrollable emotions. It was the only option I had growing up with demons. It's the only way my mind could cope with so much stress and pressure.

Students cramped the long, bright hallway. Some students seemed in a hurry, and others just seemed like they wanted the school to end already. I put my dark hoodie on as I started navigating myself around these people.

The salty droplets that I tried blinking away spilled down my warm cheeks. I tried picking up my pace, trying to find a deserted spot to cry out my frustration, but my movement halts when someone grips onto my book bag strap.

This person pulls me to a less crowded area. Students still lingered in the hallways, chatting with friends or checking their lit-up phones as they lean their backs against the dark lockers.

This person abruptly stopped, making my body almost collide with his large silhouette. Quickly, with my head down, I tried to erase the tears. But before I could do that, thick fingers clasped my jaw and forcefully made my head tilt-up, making more tears drop down my warm cheeks.

A pair of familiar grey eyes were cast down at me. Those sharp, mesmerizing grey eyes made my heart pound harder in my tight chest. I closed my eyes... For a slight moment, I felt foolish for doing that because the world doesn't just disappear when you close your eyes. If it was that easy, I would never have opened them again.

"Who?" My body shuddered when I heard his deep, low voice. It had been a while since he hadn't talked to me or looked at me.

"Who-who... what?" A little frown appears on my face as I look up at him. I pried his large hand off my face, and I succeeded. But he wouldn't let go of the one on my grey strap.

"Who made you cry?" I don't know if it was the bright walls that were in contrast with the dark locker, or the fluorescent lighting casting down on his sharp features... or the fact that he was wearing red today.

But his eyes appeared to be darker and void of any emotions, like a demon with no soul waiting to clinch the thirst that was consuming him from the inside with someone's warm blood.

"Nobody... " I breathe out, as I try to ignore the multiple eyes of curious students that were pinned this way.

When his sharp, cold eyes narrowed down, it made me squirm in my spot as I eyed anyone to help me out.

But all they did was stand there watching me as if this was a new reality TV show.

Kevin turned his head at them. He didn't have to say anything because the irritation in his sharp eyes made those looking our way turn their heads so fast that it seemed like it would snap itself off their shoulders.

Some students, who were late because of being distracted by us, made their way quickly to class to not catch his hands.

When the hallways were deserted, his whole attention was back on me again. Shit... Why did he have to spot me?

"Who made you cry?" He repeated.

"Nobody really... " But by the look on his face, he didn't seem to believe a word that came out of my mouth. Even if I do tell him, what is he going to do? Kill the teacher.

Plus, it's my fault for not paying attention in his class.

These odd feelings stirred inside me... Making me believe deep down that he will do it if I ever spill out the truth.

Kevin was feared for a reason... In the last few days, I have heard different rumors about him, especially one that got me being more alerted around him when he's mad... And sadly, that is 95 percent of the time.

Some random girl said that he smashed a guy's head on a desk and left him half dead for looking at him the wrong way. It's like this guy had anger issues and it showed because people would get out of his way when he walks.

Just imagine what he's going to do to the teacher if he finds out. My body involuntarily shivers just thinking about it.

Plus, why does he care? It's not like we are even close siblings.

"I'm-I'm going to be late for class, Kevin... please-please just let me go." The more I squirmed under him, the more he pulled me up by the straps of my backpack to keep me in place.

This guy wasn't going to let it go. I don't know what got into him. Why does he care if I cry or not?

My chest tightens when his gaze settles on my lips.

The more he observed them, the more my heart squeezed.

He wouldn't dare... anyone could see... He's not that crazy... is he?

"No-nobody made me cry. Okay... So can you...

Just let go, of-of me, now, please. " I couldn't even finish my broken-up sentence when he pressed his soft plump lips against mine, quivering once.

My heart shuts down, as my mind clouds my rationality and flight or fight response. My body tensed up when he pulled me closer to him by my grey book bag straps. His soft fragrance blanketed me; he smelled like an afternoon downpour. So intoxicating and entrancing.

As fast as his soft lip was on mine, it was gone.

"That's for being a liar." he softly says, and his eyes strained on my lips again. His form loomed over my small form, making me feel tinier in front of this guy, who had enchanting dark eyes with a little devilish smile on his face. "Now tell me who did this. Or do you want another one? I would gladly give you another one."

My cheeks warm up to his last words, as my mind goes high wire looking for a way out. This guy is fucking crazy for doing it in a place like this.

I started struggling against this guy. But all he did was chuckle at my little attempt.

"Math homework." That was the only response my brain could come up with.

"Math homework?"

"Yeah, I-I forgot to do my homework and got a little frustrated. That is all. " I struggle again by digging my heel into the floor and stepping a few steps back.

"Fine... " He finally let me go. By the tone of his voice, I knew he didn't believe a single word that spilled out of my lips.

I turned around and started trotting down the empty long hall for dear life... not daring to glance back at the devil with the gorgeous little evil smile.

My cheeks were warm and my heartbeat and mind were confused.

What the heck is wrong with that guy? I should have slapped him the moment he even dared to do that.

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