The first couple of classes that day sucked. And I mean like really, really, sucked. Every class I was in, there seemed to be at least a few people who were mortally offended by my presence or something. I got whispered insults - and sometimes extremely loud ones, too. I swear the class teachers have selective hearing or something. I also got kicks, pinches, people trying to trip me, the works. I saw Austen several times, and he was the worst. He would have whole groups of teenagers in hysterics, at my expense. He seemed to really love making me feel like shit. On top of that, my stomach felt like it was on fire, and I was paranoid all day about the state of my face. I found myself wanting to keep checking my makeup, to ensure the bruises remained under cover. In other words, I felt like my life was a complete disaster. I just wanted to curl up and cry, or die. By lunch, I was about ready to spend my afternoon in the local park, and fuck the consequences. I emerged from my English class, closely followed by snorts of laughter as some prick loudly wondered if I drank blood. Hilarious. I turned around in the direction of the school gates, but I caught sight of Gerard and stopped. I'd forgotten all about my promise to spend lunch with him. Our eyes met, and he walked over to me with a smile. I tried to smile back, but it felt forced. He must have seen that, because his own smiled faltered, and was replaced by a look of concern. "Hey Krissy, are you okay?" His genuine worry for me made my heart flutter. "I'm fine." He didn't look convinced, so I faked a quick laugh. "I'm okay, trust me." He still looked doubtful, but he nodded and led me to the cafeteria. I followed, pretending not to hear the comments about Gerard and me being fuck-buddies - some people are just vile - until we reached a table, with three other guys sat at it. "Yo, guys, this is Krissy, that girl I told you about." He'd talked about me? I was suddenly self-conscious about what he'd said behind my back. "Krissy, these are the guys. Frank," he indicated to one of them, a short guy with a lip ring and tattoos up him arms, who said "Hey," to me with a surprisingly sweet smile. "This is Ray," Gerard continued. Ray had awesome hair, wild and curly, sticking up in all directions. He nodded at me, and I smiled timidly. "And this," Gerard spoke grandly, "Is Mikey, my very own kid brother." Gerard smiled as he pointed to the lasy guy. Mikey was thin and wiry, with square glasses sliding down his nose, and short blonde hair. He beamed wildly at me, and bounced up to give me an enthusiastic - wait for it - hug. I was so surprised, I almost fell over. He stepped back and beamed at me. "Hi, Krissy!" I barely remembered to return his greeting. The other boys sniggered. "Don't mind him," Gerard told me as he took a seat. "My brother's a hugger." Frank rolled his eyes. "Dude, I think you mean psychopath," he commented, causing Mikey to punch him in the arm. I laughed and sat down beside Gerard. I talked to them, learning that Frank and Ray were both juniors like me, and Mikey was younger, a freshman. I found that I really liked them, they were nice and funny and more than happy to let me into their social circle. They managed to cheer me up, despite my foul mood. I was content to join in with their joking and answer their questions. That is, until Frank asked me something that hit home. "Hey, Krissy, you not eating?" I stiffened, and my breath caught. I'm fairly sure Gerard heard it. "Um, n-no," I stammered, drawing the attention of the whole table with my rabbit-in-headlights reaction. "Not hungry," I said, eyes on the table. I saw Gerard tilt his head to the side and take in my figure. I felt my eyes tear up. He was looking at my huge thighs, my hanging stomach, my flabby face. I couldn't take it. The tears spilled over, and I jumped up, with all of them staring in shock, and I ran from the cafeteria, sobbing into my hands.

Notes

Heh, I love Mikey. I think we'll be seeing more of him. A lot more. I'm already working on the next chapter, so I may update again soon. Two in one day, you lucky peoples :) Xx