Pregnant For My Bully.

I grip my book tight to my chest as I run in tears, making my way to the bathroom. The tears, clouding my eyes make it difficult for me to see properly and I bump into someone, the chocolate on my body affecting the clothes of the person.

'I'm so sorry,' I sniff, not raising my head to even see who it is. I make to leave, but an arm is outstretched in front of me and connects with the wall, preventing me from leaving. The chocolate poured on me is sticky and I want nothing more than to lock myself up in the girl's bathroom and cry my eyes out on why my life is always the most miserable.

I clean my tears and make to raise my head, but then he places his arm on my head and forces it to stay still, making me unable to see who it is, but my instincts are already screaming his name. Jonathan.

I can already tell by his veiny forearms.

'Look at you, so weak,' he tuts, giving me a condescending look. I don't raise my head to see him, but I can feel it.

'Please...' I stuttered. 'Let me go. It's itchy and I need to wash it off before it destroys my hair,' my voice cracks, I hug my book tighter.

'You don't get to go, Sera. Not until I say so,' he leans, growling into my ear and as his breath tickles my ear, I feel goosebumps rise in every part of my body, making it tremble.

'What do you want from me, Jonathan? Do you want to hit me some more or even prank me? Huh?' I look up at him this time, my heart hammering hard in my chest. This would actually be the first time I stood up to him ever since I can remember.

It seems my question catches him off guard because his eyes widen with a tiny flicker of surprise, and then it changes back to a dark look. I take a shaky breath.

'You have no idea,' he mutters, grabbing a handful of my chocolate coated hair.

'I want to break you into pieces,' his voice grows dark and I shudder because it sounds as cold as ice.

I want to ask what it means, but then he leans forward and sniffs my hair, then closes his eyes as if he is relishing the smell.

He opens his mouth to speak but before he can, a voice interrupts him.

'Well, well, well, if it isn't booger,' the voice gets near and I don't even bother to turn because I know for sure it's Whitney. A literal thorn in my flesh, in fact, the most painful one.

Jonathan steps back, still gripping my hair, he pushes it to the locker and makes to leave, but Whitney intertwines their arms together.

'Where are you going, Jonathan?' She asks, kissing him on the cheeks while staring at me.

Yeah, that's right. I don't know why, but Whitney always tries to make out with him each time in front of me. I have no idea why, but it's disgusting. Having to watch two people act lovey-dovey in front of me? Disgusting.

'You can leave,' she dismisses me.

'I never said she could leave,' his cold voice cut through, making even Whitney flinch.

'And why can't I leave?' I ask, throwing away my fears.

'Because I'm not done with you,' he says. I can feel Whitney glaring daggers at me. I ignore her.

'You know what? I'm not just some toy that you can have and do whatever you want to!' I snap and run into the girl's bathroom, locking myself in one stall.

Then I crouch on the floor, hold my hands around my body and cry out in pain.

All these... my life. It's... it's so painful. All my entire life has never been one which I hold in my hands and I can do whatever I like. I had always been everyone's punching bag and trauma-dumping dumpster.

If these people are pissed off, I am the one who gets the beating. I open the shirt of my chocolate-stained uniform and wince because the chocolate dried on my uniform is already stuck to my injuries and skin.

I started to wonder what I'd wear to school on Monday because I couldn't afford to get a new uniform. I have to do everything myself with no one's help. And my hair...

'Seraphina? Are you in there?' Her voice echoes into the door and she knocks softly on it.

'It's me, open up,' she says.

I quickly button up my shirt and open the door, coming out of the bathroom.

'I heard what happened. I'm sorry. They're horrible! Why is Jonathan doing this to you?' She blabbered.

I smile. She brings me up to the sink and wash my hair.

'I have no idea,' I say to her.

'Well, your uniform is ruined. Don't worry, I'll get you a new one,' she says, patting my back. I nod, my heart clenching at her kind gesture.

A girl runs into the bathroom, panting hard.

'Seraphina, come see,' she bends and breathes.

'They're talking shit about you,' she catches her breath and stands up.

'What do you mean? They always talk shit about her,' Cecile counters.

'I know, trust me. You really need to hear this one, it's different!" she says, gesturing towards the cafeteria. 'Come with me.'

My heart pounds. Me and Cecile exchange looks and ignoring my stained face and body, I run out of the bathroom through the hallways, then to the cafeteria.

My heart races as I trail behind her through the hallways, ignoring the stares and giggles from the other students. When we enter the cafeteria, all eyes seem to turn to me at once. It's almost too much to bear.

'That's her, the daughter of the bitch!' Whitney points at me, her laughter echoing through the room as others join in. They continue their taunts, but I can't hear them. All I can hear is the pounding of my heart and the ringing in my ears.

I fix my eyes on the big screen in the cafeteria, where my mother's face appears alongside his father's. The words on the screen confirm my worst fears

'Mr Hill announces his engagement to Mrs Gabrielle this afternoon, as further announcements of their relationship will be made public.'

Jonathan's father.

I feel like I can't breathe, like I'm trapped in a nightmare from which I can't wake. I try to push past the crowd and leave the cafeteria, but it's like I'm frozen in place. The world feels like it's crashing down around me.

'Wow, she's a bitch just like her mother. I guess bitch runs in the family,' Whitney cackles. Everything blurs in my vision.

I try to convince myself not to cry, but I don't know why my eyes keep getting watery.

I'm going to be Jonathan's stepsister. I'm going to be a relative to Jonathan? My mom didn't tell me about this. She just went ahead with her decision to marry his father, Mr Declan Hill, the most influential man in Pennsylvania.

'You know what pains me the most?' Sheila, Whitney's minion asked. Despite the swirling thoughts of confusion and betrayal running through my mind, I couldn't help but want to listen to what she had to say.

'It's actually the fact that she had tried to seduce Jonathan multiple times and failed, then her mother hit on his father and now they're engaged,' she sneers.

'At least not all of them are losers in their wretched family of gold diggers,' Sylvia, another minion of Whitney cut in.

I can't take it anymore. Just then, my legs start to function and I try to make good use of it by running away. I don't look back to listen to Celine who is calling my name.

I run out of the school to go home. Away from all these humiliations.

As I run through the road, I don't bother to check if it's the green light or red light, I just need to get out of there. I cross the road with my teary eyes and then I hear honking right in front of me and before I can understand what is going on, I fall to the ground with a loud thud, but not without falling over from the bumper of the car. I feel my head fall first, and I feel a tear slip out of my eyes before I lose consciousness.

The incessant beeping of a machine stirs me back to consciousness and I groan when I feel this sharp thud in my head. I open my eyes, but I wince because of the sharp lights burning into my eyes.

'Really, you're so pathetic and predictable,' I hear a voice from a little distance away from me. I recognise that voice. Hearing it makes me snap back up, but then I hiss because the pain in my head is harsh. I made to raise my right hand to touch my head, but it wouldn't budge. I can't even feel it. I look over at the hand and realise that there are lots of needles attached to it.

'What were you thinking running into the road like that?' He barks, walking closer towards my bed, towering over me with his hands in my pocket.

'Now I have to babysit an adult,' he grumbles and sits right next to my bed.

'What happened?' I manage to say.

He raises his brows at me and crosses his hands, letting out a scoff.

'Now you're asking me what happened to you? What do you think I am? A CCTV camera?'

'I'm sorry,' I say lowly. I try to move my right hand again, but I still can't feel it.

'Oh, my dear!' My Mom's voice vibrates around the room as he makes her way towards my bed. I scoff internally at her feigned concern because it's irritating. A mature-looking man who seemed to be in his early fifties follows behind her with a concerned look etched on his face.

I hate those looks. Looks of pity. I don't want anyone to feel bad for me or pity me. I can handle all of these myself.

Well, not all of it though, because this headache is killing me.

Jonathan stands up from the chair and moves towards the door, but he doesn't actually leave.

'Seraphina, baby,' she comes and makes to touch my right arm.

'Stop,' I say.

She leans towards my ear.

'Fucking behave and play along, you brat, or else...' she whispers into my ear, her unsettling smile and I can understand the weight of the unsaid hanging threat in her voice.

Fucking behave or when we get home, I'll take care of you. I'll drag you down to your hell. I will make your hell inhabitable for you. The same hell you're trying to escape unscathed from. The same hell that you're screaming for help from so you don't get burnt because you're afraid, it's what I'll push you in.

Sometimes I wonder if she's my mother, considering the horrible things she had done to me and how she does not feel an ounce of regret for what she did to me. At least, that's what I think, and I think nothing but the truth.

'Jesus, Seraphina!' My mom shakes my body slightly and I feel all the blood rush to my head and once again, I start to hear that ringing sound. I wince and try to touch my head, I can't feel my right hand and my left hand is also attached to needles.

'Declan here is asking how your head is. Apparently, you were running across the road and did not look at where you were going. You were hit by a car that didn't stop to help you. If it were not for Jonathan,' she sniffs in tears I wasn't aware she had an ounce of it in her body, then she continues, 'I don't know what would have happened to my daughter,' she turns to him.

'Thank you for looking out for your future sister,' she says in a sickly sweet voice and I cough. I look over at Jonathan and he seems to be angry but is trying hard to control his anger.

Then he angrily storms out of the ward, slamming the door hard behind him.

The doctor comes in immediately after.

'Miss Seraphina, I'm afraid you damaged your brain and it would make you not to be able to use your right hand for a while or...' He stops to look at our faces.

I can't breathe. I literally can't breathe! Someone, get me an interpreter because I don't quite understand what this doctor is talking about.

I am partially disabled. Huh? What did I do? I have heard there is a creator of the universe. An almighty. But why, hmm? Why does he always find pleasure in watching me live a miserable life like an episode after an episode?

I got chocolate thrown on me, I had gotten physically assaulted, and I got hit by a car (which was totally my fault), but still? Now that I decided to help myself earn money and go to college, I can't use my right hand? The most important one? Is this a joke or some sort of prank?

Damn, almighty, this is 100- nil. This game of life isn't fair and I want you to please, please take it away from me.

'Take me away you bastard!' I cry out this time, startling both Jonathan's dad, my mom and the doctor.

'I'm sorry,' I lowered my head and rested my head back on the pillow, sighing. No wonder I wasn't able to raise it when I wanted to.

'Would she be able to use her hand ever again?' Declan asks.

The doctor is hesitant to answer that question and from there, we all know what the answer is. Next thing, my Mom's wails erupt, seeping into my ears and I wince at how fucking sensitive I have become since I woke up from my accident.

'Please stop that, Mother,' I say in a really low voice.

'What can you do to help her? Can you suggest any form of treatment? Surgery or something? Do anything. I don't care about the cost, just do anything. I don't want her to have any issues with her body!' Declan says calmly and my mom pauses to stare at him with a dreamy look in her eyes, like he's her entire world. Or some kind of expensive artefact.

'I understand Mr Hill. Since it's not a major damage. I can recommend a series of treatment plans for her, but then, I will prescribe some drugs for her head. She hit her head pretty hard so there may be some kind of minor changes in her behaviour or how her mind works sometimes. But of course, it's temporary. That would be till her head heals,' the doctor blabbered on, but the only thing my mind can focus on is the changes part.

Am I abnormal now? Changes, how?

'Changes?' Mr Hill raises his brows. 'What do you mean... changes?'

The doctor exhales deeply and I just lie there, unable to move or talk. All I can think of is how the hell I'm supposed to live without my other hand.

'She might act weird, but like I said, symptoms may vary from person to person. I can assure you, she is resilient and would probably pass through this,' he looks at me with a small smile. A smile that looks like a pitiful one.

Shit. He has seen it. My scars...

'She would. After all, my Finnie is a strong little doll, is that not right?' She squeezes my palms softly and I nod, my lips pressed to a thin line of a fake smile.

Finnie. It's been forever since I last heard that from her. It makes my heart skip a bit, the childhood memories of it coursing through my head and I wince because it hurts. I don't know exactly what hurts, but I know something hurts. My heart or my head. I can't say.

After a while of not getting any response from me, she answers her question herself.

'Yes, she's a strong girl. The one I raised her to be,' she says.

'Well then if it is not going to be brutal, or cause any damages, we can as well leave it and see how it goes,' Mr Hill says. 'But, she's my daughter and I don't want her getting hurt. No child of mine gets hurt-'

'Can I just,' I sigh, 'is it possible for you to take these,' I say, referring to the series of needles attached to the back of my palm. 'I want fresh air. Just to,' I exhale again, 'to clear my head,' I say.

'But your brain is still disoriented and you won't be able to walk properly. You will feel dizzy,' the doctor says.

'Do you really want to go outside?' Mr Hill makes to touch me, but I unconsciously move my hand, not wanting any form of... whatever this is right now.

'Yes,' I answer.

'Well, you heard that, doctor. She wants to clear her head. Do anything about it,' he says.

The doctor looks conflicted. Confused. Annoyed. Then his eyes brighten.

'Of course, we can do something about it. She would be in a wheelchair, then she doesn't have to walk and she can clear her head,' the doctor claps.

Mr Hill brings his phone out and calls for Jonathan. They argue for some minutes before he finally ends the call, looking at me.

'He will be here in two minutes,' he smiles, returning his phone to his pocket and continues, 'It is going to be a perfect opportunity for you two to bond. You both go to the same school, right? You must know each other well.'

Of course, we know each other well right? So much that I wrote a letter to him as the owner of our school about the bullying I got firsthand from his son. He never responded. Now my bully would soon be my stepbrother.

'Of course,' I say.

Jonathan appeared a few minutes later with a wheelchair, put me on it and pushes it till we got to the garden. Then he stops and puts either of his hands on the armrest of it, caging me in my seat.

'Since you're much of a bitch and a crook, why don't we tell our parents that we're together, huh?'