Chapter 4 Four

I'm dreading today. I didn't sleep last night at all. Now I'm late for school and I forgot his lunch. I'm going to hibernate. I called Arron to tell him not to wait and to go to school without me. At least he listened and had gone on without me.

I walked around in a daze dreading lunch. At least I wouldn't have to put up with him till then. My back crashed against the wall. It is now broken. I hadn't seen Joshua and had done my best to avoid any confrontation with him. His free exes blazed in mine. Where were his friends? Where was Arron?

'And where are you this morning?'

'My alarm didn't go off.' I lied.

'Guess you'll be needing a new one Mmh.'

'I g-g-guess.' I stuttered.

He smiled evilly.

'So did you manage to make my lunch today?'

'I- I -forgot.'

His eyes turned dark and hollow. Suddenly his smile disappeared. 'What did I tell you yesterday, Lily?'

'I'm sorry I was running late and I..'

'I guess l have to share with you then.'

'I didn't bring any.'

He glared through me.' So what are you going to eat?'

'I- I have money

His grin snuck back onto his face. 'Guess you'll be buying me lunch then.'

'I've only got enough for me.'

'Guess you won't be eating then.'

'Bu..'

'No but Lily, you promised me to lunch I'm having it.' He moved away. 'You best not dodge me at lunch or there will be hell to pay.'

He turned and walked away. What was I going to do? Mom would kill me if she knew I'd face my money to a bully.

The bell rang and I went back in for my final lesson before lunch, something that I wanted to escape from. But before I could, he came behind me. 'I hope you haven't forgotten our dinner date?'

I looked at him. How could I forget?

'Give me the money, we don't want everyone thinking I've got you getting my lunch, do we?'

I slipped my hand into my pocket and pulled the money out, passing it to him. He snatched it off me and made sure I walked into the dining hall with him. He told me to sit down while he got lunch to say on an empty stove as he got his Lucan by he came back placing it on the table his friends and Arron had joined us.

Where's your lunch, Lily?'

'I forgot it.'

Didn't your mom leave you any money ?'

'No, she left early this morning.

'Fuck Lily.' He said, diving in his pocket and producing a fiver. 'Go get yourself something to eat. I can watch you starve while we eat.'

'I'm fine Arron.'

'Take it.'

'It's fine really.'

'Take it.'

'Bu...'

'Just take it. You can pay me back.'

'Okay.' I sighed, taking it off him, getting up, going over to the self-service to get some lunch and returning to the table to sit down to eat.

His hand gripped around my thigh tightly, squeezing it and digging his nails in. I tried to ignore it but the pain was unbearable luckily I was almost done.

'Come on, let's split.'

They all got up. Joshua looked at me. "Aren't you coming, Lily?'

'I'll be there in a bit. I need to erm I need the bathroom.'

He nodded and they walked away from the table, going outside.

I pulled myself up and went to the bathroom to freshen up. The door closed and he looked angrily at me. "Why did you take the money, Lily?'

'He offered.'

'You should've declined.'

'I did

'You should've tried harder.'

'I'm not going to starve because of you, I'll give Az his money back if that's what's bothering you.'

He pushed me against the wall with his hand around my throat. 'I don't give a fuck about the money you chose to feed me and I get you your punishment. You decline the offer next time and starve, do you understand?'

I nodded.

He took his hand from around my throat, striking my face with force. His rings hit me on my face and my lips. 'Let that be a warning Lily, don't test me.' He said, walking out. Tears fell off my face. I was in a living hell and it wasn't going to get any better, just worse.