Chelsea's POV

For the second time this week, I'm trudging to school without music blasting through my AirPods. This is weird thus it's a tradition I haven't broken since I started high school.

There's nothing I can do about it hence my mind is occupied with the new information I've accumulated this week. This is why I love ignorance because information brings trouble and trouble brings restless days and nights.

I know I appear disheveled with my uncombed hair, bland face sprinkled with freckles, bags under my eyes, and nose itchy from the neglect of my skincare routine. My dressing doesn't help boost my ego either way thus my attire of grey sweatpants and a loose black t-shirt with white Adidas slides doesn't come off appealing.

Striding to my locker, I notice the stares, though they are few, hence the warning bell has already been rung just as I passed the entrance doors, but they are still disturbing.

I take a peek at my bag after loading it with books, as I worry they might notice something odd which is silly because there's no way they will know that I'm carrying Terry's diary, rather the suspicion lingers.

Crossing my red strapon bag, I shift it to my front for the fear that someone might snatch it from my shoulder, and walk in the path of physics class as I define the emotions I'm having to be guilt.

I'm a bit glad I don't run into Uche before class and also super glad that we don't have this class together, therefore I'll be able to escape her questions and concerns for a little while. Nodding at the teacher, I saunter in, avoiding eye contact with my fellow students and hurrying to my spot at the back.

As I sit, I scoff at Terry who sits on the other side of my line in a loose-fitting blue t-shirt and black sweatpants, coupled with a pair of grey Nike slides. I know, it's weird that we both are wearing the same style of clothing today.

He comes off as a bit worn out and freakishly like a male version of what I look like now. His blonde hair standing at unusual angles, eyes a tad bloodshot, and face greasy. The only difference is that he still appears gorgeous. Heck, I don't think there will be ever a time the dude will look terrible.

The way he still manages to be at ease while I'm messed up inside all because of his stupid diary has me releasing a hollow laugh. He turns, seeming to be done conversing with Victor in the seat before him, and catches me gaping at him. This provokes him to lift a brow, smirk, and then give me the finger.

I understand people might note this as a nightmare, having your bully in all your classes would undoubtedly mean much torture right? Yes, but though I don't like this, I can't do anything about it, and somehow I've come to terms with this fact.

We gaze at each other for a few seconds, our connection breaking the second Victor swerves to speak to him. I alter my vision back to the teacher and slide down in my seat, my head resting atop the back as I drone the middle-aged man's voice down to nothing in my brain.

In half an hour, class ends and so I stand, following my colleagues out of the class and into the next being Biology, which I share with Uche. I'm not surprised to see her seated already as I walk in.

Offering her a smile, I stride to a seat at the back of the class. Seconds later, she flops in the empty chair beside me, her long dreads falling around her open shoulder by the red Gucci off-shoulder blouse she's donning above black fitting trousers.

"You look different," she observes, slanting her body to peer at my face.

"The lack of makeup and lazy attire does the trick," I shrug in response.

"Not that," she refuses. "Your eyes are dim, and look at those bags."

"I'm fine," I say, slapping her palm lightly from my face.

"Don't tell me you are pondering on Terry's words from the Diary." She gives me a knowing expression.

"Obviously," I blurt, folding my arms. "This is why I prefer ignorance. Just some little unwanted knowledge and now I'm a mess."

"You have an overactive mind," she gasps as if coming to a beautiful realization of aliens.

"I do," I let out, sarcasm dripping in the two simple words, causing her to hit my shoulder.

"Shut, up," she reprimands and I offer her a fake grin.

The female teacher walks in the exact time as Terry and he lends her a smirk, bringing my mind back to Monday morning when he made a joke about her giving him a blowjob when all was right with my world.

The lesson doesn't last long as we are assigned chapters to read and homework to do. Uche and I both exit the class and attend the rest of the periods together till the lunch bell rings. Students get out of Maths class as if their butts are on fire which may be from sitting for long hours.

Uche whirls to me, bestowing me a very angry expression thus I haven't answered her question of why I look like something the cat dragged in. I can visibly see smoke emitting from her ears as she glares at me.

"Why are you shutting me out?" She implores coming to stand above me, her palms pressed on my desk.

"I'm not girl, it's just--"

"Spill it out," she grits. "You came to school appearing like a madwoman. You've been oddly silent more than your usual, and you've been giving me answers in monosyllables whenever I inquire about your wellbeing, and when you don't, you offer me vague explanations."

"Uche, breathe," I call, rising to my full height and picking up my bag to sling on my shoulder.

"I can't," she grunts, following in my footsteps as we vacate the room. "You are stressing me out."

"But I've told you not to worry, it's nothing," I explain.

"Dude, we are both females, and we know that once a girl says there is nothing, there is definitely something," she whisper yells as we join the mass of students in the hallway heading to the cafeteria.

"Okay fine," I make a u-turn and face her. "Accompany me to where we went yesterday and I'll tell you all about it."

At her nod, I twist around, taking a step forward immediately, only to crash into a firm chest.

"How are you everywhere?" He asks and I lift my head to see it's none other than Terry.
I don't utter an alphabet, instead I keep mute and gawk at his very handsome face.

"And why do you look like a walking corpse?" He snorts in query, Victor and Elvis materializing behind his back. Victor in a red ripped v-necked shirt and ripped jeans with red all-stars. Elvis in a brown vest and black leather pants coupled with black boots.

"What? Still silent?" He taunts, getting closer, such that I can see the wrinkles beside his blue eyes. "Not so bold outside the classroom walls eh?"

His lips tilt in a wild smile, an indescribable glint entering his eyes. Fear clouds my chest and so I step back. He steps forward. I step back, he does the same. My breathing skyrockets as we do this, my back becoming one with the wall as there is no space for escape.

"Leave me alone," I finally say, my heartbeat pounding in my ears as his two arms are placed beside my head on the wall, caging me.

"I can't," he voices, and I see a hint of sincerity in his eyes. "As far as you keep breathing."

My breath hitches at his words as I remember his diary confession. Before I can conclude what I'm seeing and feeling, his expression changes to that of loathing, my heart plunging to the pit of my stomach where my intestines are squeezing in nervousness and a bit of arousal.

"Then end me," I command in a strong voice, one that stuns me.

I catch a flash of shock on his face.
"What. Did. You. Say?" He asks slowly, anger evident in every word, his warm breath caressing my cheek.

"Then end me," I repeat, having no idea where my courage is coming from. "You call me ugly, saying I should hide my face. You say I look terrible and that it would be a pleasure for you to rearrange it."

"You call me fat even though I'm not, you call me unattractive which we both know is a lie," I jab, recalling his words, confidence coating my statement. "You imply you want me dead, so why don't you go ahead and end me, right here, right now."

"Chelsea, stop!" I heed Uche's warning but I ignore her.

"What are you waiting for?" I smirk to hide my fear as I observe the bone in his jaw tick, notice his chest rise and fall faster and his right fist clench, rather this doesn't stop me as I happen to be on a roll.

"You know you can't do it," I snort, taking advantage of his silence. "You are just a coward who can't do shit."

This time I don't only hear Uche's gasp but the murmurs and whispers of every other person in the hallway. I listen to the sound of Victor advising Terry to leave me alone, the exact instant Elvis is reaching for his hand.

It happens too fast, Elvis aiming to clutch his hand just as he retrieves the fisted palm from beside my head and channels it towards me, a crunching noise ensuring afterward that causes my breath to seize.

Freshy❤️