Clara's POV
I tried to hold back my tears as I walked down the school hallway. His words pierced my chest, and I felt heartbroken all over again. I pushed the door open with both hands. I needed some air, somewhere to cry my heart out. Then I hit something solid. My books dropped on the floor
A boy's voice murmured, "Whoa, easy," He said.
I didn't want to look up. I didn't want anyone to see my teary eyes. But his voice was thick. I haven't heard that voice in Rocksville High. I looked up. Just as I thought. A new face. He was tall and had a sharp jaw. He looked too kind for this mean school.
"I'm… sorry,"
I managed to say with a shaky voice. I didn't wait for his reply; I bent and picked up my books and walked out. I walked faster until I couldn't hear the noise in the corridor.
I entered the restroom as I shut the door behind me. I walked up to the mirror, and I stared at myself as all the tears I held back came flooding down.
"Why do you keep doing this to yourself, Clara?" I whispered. My chest ached. "I just want him to love me openly, to treat me with love," I said, my voice breaking.
Fabian's words rang in my head. I couldn't believe he could call me a cheap girl who just wanted him for fame and money. Even though he tried to hide our relationship, his words were too harsh. I could imagine the embarrassment and shame I would face in class.
He said it is for my good. That the girls who liked me would hurt me if they knew we were dating. Maybe he was right. Maybe he cares for me, just not the way I wished he did. I wiped my face with my palm.
"It's fine," I told myself. "He loves me, he's just protecting me." But even as I said it, the words felt like a lie I was trying too hard to believe.
I heard a knock on the door. I quickly washed my face, then I walked out of the restroom. I left for the class.
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Caleb's POV
A new school, new uniform, new faces, new everything.
I thought as I walked into Rocksville High. I hadn't reached the principal's office when a girl ran into me. I noticed her trembling hands, her small body, and her eyes full of tears. She muttered something that sounded like an apology as she bent to pick up her books. I tried to help her, but before I could bend, she was already racing down the hallway like someone was after her.
For a second, I just stood there staring at her. "Who cries like that on a Monday morning?" I muttered. I wondered what could hurt her that much.
I shook it off as I followed the signs to the principal's office. The man inside smiled too much; the kind of smile that made me want to run. He talked so highly about the Rocksville family's spirit. I nodded throughout, keeping my thoughts to myself.
When we were done, a teacher led me down the hallway. The chatter from the classroom spilled before the door even opened.
Everyone, this is Caleb Hale, our new transfer student," she said, motioning her hands to me. "Be kind to him, treat him well."
Some waved while the rest just stared at me. I heard a whisper from the end of the class. "He is hot." I just rolled my eyes. I wasn't moved. I get that a lot in my previous schools.
"You can take the empty seat at the back." The teacher said as she pointed to the back. There were two empty seats. So I went for the first one. But before I could sit, someone slammed the table.
"This is someone else's seat. The back is free." I nodded as I moved to the back.
I dropped my bag and scanned the room. I didn't feel any tension moving to a new school. I had already gotten used to changing schools every now and then, meeting new people.
The teacher started talking, but I was present but absent-minded. My mind drifted to the girl who bumped into me. I could still see her teary eyes and hear her broken voice. What could make a girl like that cry so early? Whoever she was, she had touched something deep in me.