VIC'S POV

'Did Skye add you on Facebook?' I asked Kellin, approaching the school doors. I didn't want to seem weird, but I did think she was kind of cute.

'Yeah,' he stated. 'I can't believe she went home with your brother yesterday,' he said.

'She what? That was her?'

'Did they do it?' He laughed, waving Jaime over as he stopped outside his locker.

'No, the opposite. Nothing happened, like there was so much talking I doubt they even kissed.'

'They probably did at the door though,' added Kellin, 'hey Jaime.'

Saying hey to my other best friend, I tried to shake off Kellin's comment. As much as I didn't want to believe him, I was almost certain that he was correct. Mike got every single girl he wanted and, despite his unfaithful ways, they just kept coming back for more.

'What's up Vicky?' joked Jaime, flicking my snapback up.

'Shut up,' I laughed, readjusting it. Leaning against the lockers, I glanced around the crowded hallway as everyone stood with their friends. Looking straight ahead, I noticed Skye walking towards us. Shit. Averting my gaze to my feet, I tried desperately not to make it obvious that I felt a little nervous. Why are you getting nervous, Vic? She'll never like you. She is flawless. You are shit.

'Hey guys,' she smiled, slowing down as she reached us.

'Hey,' said me and Jaime in unison, Kellin settling for a 'sup'.

As soon as she waked on, I forced my eyes to the ground again. Don't fall for someone you can't have, Vic. Be realistic. Seconds later, I heard her voice behind me. Spinning round, our eyes met and she smiled once again. Please stop smiling, it's killing me.

'Do we have Physics today?' she asked, rubbing her left arm.

'Yeah, 5th,' I said. 'Have you lost your timetable?'

'No, I-' her eyes widened with panic, searching the corridor for an answer. 'I just, uh, left it at home that's all.'

'Oh right,' I nodded, makes sense. Why else would she want to talk to me?

'Seeya,' she chimed, pursing her lips together as she stepped away, spinning round and walking full speed in the other direction.

'Oh,' teased Jaime.

'What?' I scoffed, leaning against the lockers once again.

'She 'left it at home'. Yeah, sure.' He laughed, making it out as though he'd seen through what he'd misinterpreted as a lie.

'Skye's got a crush on little Vicky-Wicky,' added Kellin in a baby voice.

'Fuck off,' I groaned, slamming Kellin's locker shut. Minutes later, the bell ringed. We said our farewells to Jaime before walking to English.

Entering the half full classroom, we went to our seats and unpacked. Once I had everything ready, I turned to speak to Kellin but, to my surprise, his head was facing the other way.

'Kellin,' I whispered. He snapped his head back round and leaned towards me.

'Sorry.'

'What were you doing?' I asked.

'She's got her timetable,' he smirked, wiggling his eyebrows at me. 'She lied back there.'

'Maybe she found it,' I suggested, Kellin was having none of it.

'She's had it all along, dude. Just face it, she likes you.' As soon as he said those words, I wished that I hadn't heard them. Don't fall for her, Vic. She's too good for you.

SKYE'S POV

Giving the lunch lady the right amount of money, I lifted my tray and scanned the room. Suddenly, a voice behind me was saying my name. Turning, I noticed Kellin a little further down the line.

'You okay?' I asked, rather confused as to why he had called me over.

'If you're looking for a place to sit, you can sit with us.'

'Us?'

'Me, Jaime and Vic.' He watched my closely as he said Vic's name, it was as though he knew that I had a little crush developing. I was trying to fight it off, but Vic didn't make it easy. 'We're just over there,' he said, waving and pointing towards a table. I followed his finger to see Jaime and Vic waving back. Oh my goodness, he looks so cute in a beanie.

'Um, alright,' I agreed. 'Thanks.'

Walking over to the table, I took a deep breathe before saying hello. The boys said hello back, Vic not daring to make eye contact with me.

'Where do you usually eat lunch?' asked Jaime.

'I, uh, I'm usually over with Becca, Mike, Kerian... that group. Felt a bit out of place to be honest,' I laughed. Vic's head shot up and he gave me a brief yet warm smile.

'Hows the macaroni?' Asked Kellin as he sat down next to me.

'It's really cheesy,' I said, 'you decide if that's a good thing or not.'

Chuckling, Kellin dug in and we all sat in silence as we devoured our meals.

'What you guys got next?' asked Jaime.

'Biology then PE,' said Kellin.

'Physics then PE,' said Vic.

'Physics then,' I went to go into my bag and check my timetable, but then I remembered my lie. 'I, uh, must have PE too.'

Kellin laughed a little at me, shit. He knows I'm lying about the timetable. Opening my water, I took quite a few big gulps, trying to drown myself so I could escape the embarrassment. Trying to take his attention of it, I began to talk about music. Soon enough the topic caught on and all four of us were debating New Found Glory albums. Just as I was about to state my opinion on illegal downloads, the bell rang.

'Ahh,' sighed Kellin, standing up. 'See you guys later!'

'Bye!' We shouted.

'Walk with you to Physics?' asked Vic.

'Sure,' I said, biting my lip.

Lifting my bag, I walked alongside Vic as we exited the canteen, tossing our rubbish away as we did so. Suddenly, I heard my voice being called by Mike. Fighting through the crowds, he caught up with me and stood at the opposite side from Vic. Sandwiched again, brilliant.

'Hey, where were you at lunch?'

'I was sitting with Vic, Kellin and Jaime.'

'Why?' he asked with a rather harsh tone. 'I saved you a seat?'

'Sorry,' I said. 'I didn't know.'

'Oh okay,' he said. 'See you later beautiful,' he winked, walking ahead to catch up with one of his friends. Why did he have to call me beautiful? No, no, no. Why doesn't he get that I don't like him?

Looking at Vic out of the corner out of my eye, I felt terrible as I didn't know what to say. We turned into the classroom and he darted away from me at the first opportunity Strolling to my desk, I slouched into my seat as the moment replayed in my head.

As the teacher handed out a worksheet, I glanced over at Vic who was scribbling something down on a scrap piece of paper. I watched him intently as he gazed at the paper, treating it like dirt. He almost seemed angry, but why? He has nothing to be angry about?

---

Entering the PE changing rooms, I exhaled deeply as I noticed that there were no cubicals. How am I suppose to hide my cuts? Shit, shit, shit.

'Excuse me miss,' I said to the teacher, 'I don't feel well.'

'You look fine, get changed and then we'll see how you are.'

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I went over to a free space on the benches and put my things down. I pulled out my long shorts and white top, placing them to one side. I changed my top first, knowing that there was nothing much to hide as I rarely cut my hips anymore. I then tugged my jeans down as fast as I could before pulling my shorts up. Once changed, I glanced back up to notice a girl staring at my legs.

With her jaw on the floor, she turned to her friend and whispered something. Here we go. Well done, Skye. It's happening all over again.

Trying not to focus on the pair, I exited the changing room and waited with a few other girls in the hallway between the gymnasium and the fitness suite. Putting my back against the wall, I tried to stop my anxiety attack as I thought about the rumors starting.

'Right girls,' said the coach, 'outside!'

Going with the flow of girls, we went out of to the pitch. I could see the boys on the other pitch, they were practicing scoring. The teacher separated us into two teams - I was in with the two girls. She told us to practice passing the ball round in a circle.

Kicking the ball to a tall girl called Gillian, the teacher interrupted us by calling us in. 'Line up,' she instructed. 'Hannah, out. Alice, out. Karis, out.' Karis. She's the girl that spotted my cuts. 'Okay girls, choose you team one at a time.' Fiddling with my fingers, I glanced past the girls as they chose their teams and looked at the boys. I could see Vic moping about, what is wrong with him? Why did he get so pissed?

'Okay Skye, you're with Karis,' said the teacher, pointing out that I was the only one left.

'No, miss! She cuts herself,' she said in a loud whisper. The girls all gasped, eyes falling on me.

'Be quiet, Karis. Just lead your team.'

Holding back my tears, I joined the team as the girls stared at me in shock. We formed a line as the coach told us to.

'Alright, goalie's take you place at the front.'

'Who wants to go?' asked Karis, nobody raised their hand.

'I'll go it,' I said, stepping out of line. I walked past her, knocking her on the shoulder, and made my way down to the goal. I knew they probably thought that I did it to 'hurt myself' because I 'loved pain', but that wasn't why I offered. I wanted to prove that I wasn't weak - she's not going to reduce me to tears that easily.

Kicking the ball in my direction, I threw my hands in the air and grabbed it before it flew over my head. Karis took a step forward and I launched the ball back at her, causing her to step back as it slammed into her stomach. The next girl went, and then the next, and it was the small deal. They'd kick, I'd catch, I'd throw, they'd step back.

'Okay girls, that's you,' said the coach, dismissing us. 'Go change!'

Giving Karis a death stare, I looked away from her and glanced over at Vic. He was talking to Kellin, arms flailing in the air.

Why is he so freaking pissed?

Notes

thoughts? thanks for reading!<3