Nicole's POV:

"Miss Taylor, please put away your book," Mrs. Clemont called on me.

I flushed, and quickly complied, tucking my book away. I felt my cheeks heat from embarrassment, and I tried my best to pay attention to the rather boring lesson. God, what was the point of attending english class if you got into trouble for reading? Talk about irony.

I did my best to ignore the snickering behind me, averting all of my attention into the wrong version of the myth about the Egyptian goddess Sekhemt. I thought Egyptian mythology would be interesting, even fun for me in this class, but seeing as I spent a large portion of my summer studying the ancient myths.

"So class, let's see if anyone was paying attention. Who knows what she was the goddess of?" Our teacher asked the class, hr haw-like gaze rolling over every student.

I raised my hand, "yes, Nicole."

"Sekhemt was the goddess of vengeance and war. And she was the daughter of the sun god, Ra," i answered, trying my best to ignore the laughter from behind me.

"Yes, very good Nicole," she nodded with a small smile.

I shrunk back into my seat as more people joined in on in mocking me without getting Mrs. Clemont's attention.

---

When the bel rang, all my classmates practically flew from the room, kicking my bag away and knocking my books to the ground.as the passed. I sighed and stooped down to gather my things before heading into the bustling halls. I strayed near the wall, making me way downstairs and to my locker, my last stop before freedom.

I saw Oli ad Andy laughing with a group of their friends and I quietly snuck past them, hoping to not draw their attention. Unfortunately, one of them spotted me, Oliver.

"Well, well," he drawled out, sounding bored, "what do we have here? Lost are you? or looking for this?" He asked, flaunting my journal; in front of my face.

I resisted the urge to snatch for it, or smack him, either one would only earn me more abuse. I sucked in a small breath, trying to calm my shaking nerves, as I tried to squeeze past him. By this point, their whole group as intently watching our dispute, none of them laughing or trying to help me, all remaining still with smug expressions.

"Please, I just want to go to my locker," i said quietly, avoiding eye contact.

I sighed, when he didn't even budge, and spun on my heel, going to the one of the other staircases. It would be easier if I could just shoot them, or slap them. But alas, life isn't always fair.

Just as I made it to the staircase, a felt a large hand grip my bicep, spinning me around. My eyes widened in fear as one of the guys from Oli's group stood before me, towering over my small frame. Unlike the other guys, he had messy brown hair, and kind brown eyes.

"Hey, you okay?" he asked, releasing me from his hold.

I nodded awkwardly, trying my hardest to not cry in front of him. In truth, I was far from okay, but he didn't need to know that, he probably didn't want to know that.

"Look, I'm really sorry for how Oli treated you back there, he's kinda a jackass. I hope you're not too scarred for life," he joked, but noticing my sullen expression, his smile fell.

I offered him a small smile, before turning around and making my way down the stairs, hugging my body as I walked.

---

*1 week later*

Shit, shit, shit!

Fucking Oli, he made me late for class!

I scurried through the halls, ignoring the weird looks I got and ran to class. God damn Oliver Sykes and all his stupid friends.

I glanced at my phone as I neared the class, swearing aloud when i realized just how late i was. Nearly fifteen minutes late for class, this would not end well.

I tried to catch my breath as I turned the door knob, and the entire class turned to loo at me, smirking smugly. I flushed under their gaze and hastily made it my seat, as Mr. Timmons gave me a look, before returning to his lesson. i exhaled in relief and pulled out my science binder, flipping through notes as he took up the homework.

When the bell rang, the class fled the room to get to their last period class. "Miss Taylor, a word."

I sighed, finished packing my stuff at quickly, before making my way to my science teacher. He erased the board and turned to me, a grim expression set on his hard face.

"Why were you so late Nicole?" He asked.

I took a deep breath, "i was sidetracked. it won't happen again, I'm sorry."

"That's not what i asked."

I nodded, looking down, "I know. These twelfth graders distracted me. they took my science notebook."

He rose an eyebrow at that, "did you get it back?"

I shook my head.

He nodded in understanding, "alright, I'm sorry for keeping you. Don't let it happen again Nicole."

I nodded and ran to my next class, hoping to not be late again.

Notes