"You'll never be enough, Zoey. You're nothing but a weak, crying little mess."
Eric's voice was cold and terrifying as he stood over Zoey in the hallway outside the classroom. She backed up slowly, her books pressed tightly to her chest. She didn't even have any more tears to shed, but as some of them betrayed her and hung in her eyes she refused to let them fall not this time.
"I'm not scared of you," she whispered, even though her hands were shaking.
Eric laughed. "You should be. You know you should be."
He pushed Zoey and walked away, leaving Zoey standing there with her heart pounding and her breath shallow. She didn't know how long she stood like that, frozen, until a classmate's voice snapped her back.
"Class has started, Zoey."
She nodded quickly and rushed into the room, ignoring the stares from the other students. Her seat felt cold. Her skin still burned from Eric's words.
After class, she went straight home. Her house was quiet, almost too quiet. Until she realized.
Ryan
"Isn't he back?. Is he being bullied again."
She said to herself in a worried tone as she kept her books and headed straight into the forest.
There her baby brother was with wounds all over his mouth and blue black mark to his eye.
She ran to him. "Zoey…" he calls out.
"Enough Eric! Enough!. I've told you to hurt me anytime you please but not my brother."
Eric and his friends laughed as she raised her voice. When it came to Ryan she had nothing to fear.
Eric's friend moved up , slightly touching her jaw as if slapping her.
"Say that again you cheap chick. I dare you to say that again." She went on her knees. "I am only a lowly servant who has been outcasted and so is my brother. We are not worth your time. Please have mercy."
Ryan cried as he saw his sister do something so big for his sake. Something she considered humiliating and would never do for herself. Eric and his friends felt pleased and walked away laughing with everything that was in them.
She took her little brother by the hand and they returned home in silence.
She stood in front of the mirror in her tiny room, looking at her reflection. Her light brown eyes were tired. Her long curly hair was a mess from running in the wind. She reached up and touched her face gently.
"I am not weak," she told herself. "I am not nothing."
But the words felt hollow.
Later that evening, her best friend Lily texted her.
Lily: Heard what happened with Eric. You okay?
Zoey: I'm fine. Don't worry.
Lily: Want to come over? We can watch something dumb and eat ice cream.
Zoey: I'll pass. Just tired. Thanks though.
Zoey stared at the ceiling after putting her phone down. Her thoughts spun like a storm. She didn't understand why Eric and the whole pack hated her so much. He used to be nice when they were younger and when her parents still led the pack. But now, it was like he wanted to destroy her.
The next morning at school, Zoey tried to walk through the halls unnoticed. But Eric and his friends were waiting.
"Hey, Crybaby," Eric said loud enough for everyone to hear. "Did you sleep with a nightlight on?"
His friends laughed. Zoey clenched her fists and walked faster. She didn't say a word. She wouldn't give him that satisfaction.
Then a hand suddenly grabbed her arm.
"Don't walk away from me," Eric snapped, yanking her back.
Before she could react, another hand pulled Eric away.
"Back off," said a deep voice.
Everyone went quiet.
Zoey looked up—and froze.
A tall boy stood between her and Eric. His black hoodie covered most of his face, but his eyes were sharp. He had a quiet strength about him.
"Who the hell are you?" Eric demanded.
"Someone you don't want to mess with," the boy said calmly.
Eric stepped back slightly, unsure. The crowd murmured.
Zoey stared at the boy. She didn't recognize him. He must be new. But something about his face felt familiar.
"I'll remember this," Eric muttered before walking off, his pride bruised.
The boy turned to Zoey. "You okay?"
She nodded slowly. "Thank you."
He gave her a small nod and walked away without another word.
Zoey stood there, stunned. She had no idea who he was. But for the first time in a long while, she didn't feel alone.
Later in the library, she tried to find him. She asked around, but those who didn't ignore her didn't know much. Just that he was a transfer student. Quiet. Keeps to himself.
That evening, she went home and told Lily everything.
"Wait," Lily said, eyes wide. "A mysterious guy in a hoodie saved you from Eric? Zoey, this is straight out of a movie!"
Zoey smiled a little. "Don't make a big deal out of it."
"Oh, come on. Was he cute?"
"I didn't really see his face."
"Still. You have to find out who he is."
Zoey rolled her eyes, but deep down, she was curious.
The next day, during lunch, she saw him again. Sitting alone under a tree, reading a book.
She walked up to him slowly. "Hey."
He looked up. "Hey."
"I just wanted to say thanks again. For earlier."
"No problem."
There was a long pause. She shifted her weight.
"I'm Zoey."
"Xavier," he replied.
"Nice to meet you."
He nodded, but didn't say much else. She waited, unsure if she should leave. Then he closed his book.
"I've got things to do . See you ."
Their eyes met for a second before he walked away and Zoey felt something strange in her chest. Like a spark.
"Well, well, well. Sneaking around with the men ag
ain? You little whore." A voice from behind, and when she turned, someone was scary as Eric, if not worse, was behind her.
Calista.