His Heartwarming Secret

I weave my way past the crowds, keeping my eyes trained on the floor. I've practically memorised the route to my locker without having to lift my head up once to check my surroundings. Skills, right?

As quick as a flash, a pair of bright trainers come into view and I stop abruptly to avoid crashing into them.

"Ew, why are you walking like that?" A high pitch voice fills the air causing me to freeze. I glance up nervously and meet eyes with someone I never thought I'd cross paths with. My eyes widen and I begin to stutter incoherent words, already backing away.

No way is this happening to me.

I refuse to believe it.

Its no other than Beatrice Walden.

Beatrice Walden doesn't know the meaning of the word unpopular. Ever since I've known her, she's always been surrounded by her so called friends. She's the mean girl, alpha female, class A bitch of Heywood High. She's also one of the highest members of the Popular's. The social group who walk the corridors thinking they own the entire school. The people who laugh, sneer and joke about their less popular peers.

She reaches up with her hands, running a perfectly manicured nail through her dark locks. Her hair is always curled to perfection, makeup immaculately done alongside it. When she isn't snarling or teasing people, some would dare say Beatrice Walden is pretty.

and she lets out a heavy sigh, almost as if I'm the biggest inconvenience in the world

you watch where you're going? It's not hard, look up!" She says firmly, humour lining her voice. She glares at me from head to toe and I feel myself disappear inside myself. I shrink

to you. What are you. . . mute?" Beatrice mocks me, standing with one knee bent as she glares at me to respond. The girls standing on either side of her narrow their eyes at me, sick smirks on their faces. I can feel the tight hold on my lungs as I struggle to keep myself composed. My palms begin to sweat and I can feel my legs

speak English? Hellooo."

in front of my face and all three of them burst into laughter. It fills the air and bounces off the walls in the corridor and I flinch, my throat tightening until it becomes difficult to breathe. I quickly dodge to the side and force my legs to scurry down the corridor,

It's over now.

the school day and I watch as the corridors slowly began to empty, crowds of students disappearing. I reach my locker and rest my back

out, breathe. In, out, breathe.

Isn't it weird how something as normal as breathing can suddenly become such a difficult task

The thought of being unable to breathe, your throat tightening further and further until it feels like your gasping for an

help me when I need it and to have my back against people like Beatrice Walden. Growing up I wished for a twin sibling to keep me company. The thought of having someone to lean on, talk to, laugh and bond with has my eyes glazing over in fresh tears. Whenever Dad or Jedd question my lack of friends I wave it off and act like it doesn't phase me. The harsh reality of the situation is that I'm so

know how to overcome that.

*****

from their seats, the

PE is my least

for one, have the sport skills of a snail.