SCARED TO LOVE

CLARA'S POV :

I kept on running with no destination, I turned back to see if I was still being chase by a man who was clearly harmed, I ran as fast as my leg could carry me. The more I ran, the more it felt like he was meeting up with me, it was like I wasn't running fast enough, or I wasn't even running at all, maybe I was just moving my legs.

I was scared, I didn't want him to get to me. As far as I am concern, I was already lost in these thick woods. The thought of me getting killed, kidnapped or even raped frightens me, I was crying and running at the same, all of a sudden I felt a hand grab my hoodie throwing me to the floor, I fell and started screaming for help .

_____________________________

____________________________

I woke up still screaming, then I realized it was a dream, I heaved a sigh of relief and layed back on my bed with my eyes open looking at the ceiling. I turned to look at my sister Jenny, who was sleeping on her bed which was next to mine, I was happy to find her still sleeping , at least I was happy i didn't wake her up with my scream, she needed the sleep she must have had a hectic day at work.

I was so lost in my thoughts, I was thinking about my family situation ever since my dad died, I was just 10. My mum was from Italy while my dad was from New Zealand, after my dad died my mum thought coming to Italy was the best option, at least she could get a job. It hasn't been easy for my mum, it was as if we get poor each day no matter how hard we work our asses out. I was only 18 but I had 3 part time jobs.My sister work all day when she was supposed to be in school. Mum couldn't affors to send the both of us to school, she works as a maid in a big mansion, her salary wasn't even enough to take care of all our needs. I guess we are just destined to remain poor anyways.

I checked the time, it was 6:15pm, I turned to sleep hoping not to have any bad dream anymore, when I noticed a uniform hanging on the wall.

"Oh shit" it was my first day at Royal Height school, how could I forget. I was awarded a scholarship to study in this prestigious school which made mum and my elder sister proud. It was a big relieve to her, she wouldn't worry about school fees any more. They were so happy, they went round boasting about my admission to our neighbors, some of them where happy for me, while some were jealous. As usual, there are always bad eggs among the good ones.

I started preparing for school, I had just two and half years to study in this school. I started wondering if I would be able to cope in this school, I doubt if any of those rich kids would want to associate themselves with a poor girl like me who is on scholarship in their school.

"Would I be able to cope" was the question I keep asking myself, but anyways I promised myself not to mind nor care about their attitude towards me.

" I will go there, study and come out with the best results, in order to be awarded another scholarship to study in another prestigious university and graduate with a first class, get a good job so i can take care of mum and my elder sister " i told my self looking directly at the mirror.

By 7:30 I was ready to leave. Mum was awake, she had prepared breakfast and had packaged my brunch which I will eat in school. I finished eating and was ready to leave, mum hugged me and was giving me tons of advice, I had remind her that I would be late, before she let me go. I turned to bid her good bye when i saw my elder sister coming out from the room, she was just waking up.

I entered a public bus to school, I was standing in the bus, due to the fact that the whole sit was occupied with passengers going about their daily duties . I noticed that majority of them were looking at my uniform with suprise. I guess they were wondering what a Royal height student was doing in a public bus. It never happens, it either their parent or their driver drives them to school or they use the school bus which i clearly can't afford. I just tried my best not to notice their stares.

I finally arrived at my destination, the one and only Royal height school, it was indeed a big school. I look around to see student staring at me because I got down from a public bus. I saw student coming down from their parent expensive cars. I haven't even entered and they already noticed me, I felt so inferior, i was thinking if I made a wrong decision by applying for the scholarship at the first place, but I remembered mum's advice and what I had promised my self to do this morning while looking at the mirror. It was a great motivation, then I put on my back pack and walked towards the gate not minding the continuous stare at me, my bag, my shoe, my hair... it was easy for them to know I wasn't from a rich family.

While I kept on walking towards the school building, it occurred to me that I didn't even know where my class was " Shit ", What was I going to do? Ask a student?. I can't do that, they wouldn't reply me and getting snubbed was the last thing I needed now. I entered the building looking for my class, I did it a in way that no one will notice, I was already getting enough stares, which was inconvenient. I kept on looking down as I walked through the hall way. , Whenever I get to a particular class I quickly take a glance to see if it was my class and immediately look down again. Now I was on the second floor and still haven't find my class, I was almost about to cry when I saw a teacher walking towards me, I was thankful he was heading towards me, I hurriedly went to me him.

" Good morning sir"

" Yeah, morning. Are you new? " He asked smiling.

I was suprised, how did he know I was a new student, was it that obvious. I gave him a shocking look.

" Relax, I just knew you were new because, student in this school never greet their teachers, only the few good ones greet, plus I haven't seen you before so I just thought you were new and asked. I am Mr. Mark by the way.

At least his explanation was relieving, I thought he noticed I was new because of my hair, my bag, my shoes which didn't look expensive. Ohhh what if other student were staring at me because they haven't seen me around before,well whatever.

" Sir do you mind directing me to my class please? " I asked him looking around only to notice that there were only few student stilling walking, I guess they have all gone to their various classes . I told him my class and he did not only direct me but also took me to my class. Then he opened the door and told me to get in, I noticed the teacher was already in class teaching, but immediately he opened the door and everyone saw me they all paused, there was a moment of silence. I kept on looking down, I was too shy, standing in front of all these rich kids, I probably look like garbage before them.

" Good morning Mrs. Bella, she is a new student" I was grateful to Mr.Mark, I appreciated the fact that he did not just bring me to class but also told the teacher I was new, I didn't know how I was going to tell her. Then I turned back and saw him wave me good bye then he was gone. I felt like going with him.

" What are you still doing, go and have your sit, you came late to my class, interrupted my lecture and now you want to delay me? "She said almost shouting.

" Sorry ma" I said looking sober.

I saw the whole class laughing at me, then I heard a girl saying I was so pathetic because I apologized to the teacher. Another girl said she thinks I was the scholarship student and that this was how those low class people behave, we were losers, I felt so bad.

Two people sat together, the chair was big enough , so two people to one sit. I walked towards a girl to sit with her as she was the only person on the chair , she was sitting at the second role, when she noticed I was coming towards her, she placed her bag on the other side of the sit, cleary tell me that she doesn't want me to be her sit mate.

I was heart broken, I wonder if the teacher didn't see what she did. I looked to my left and saw an empty sit, no one was sitting on it, although it was at the end of the class, close to the wall but I liked it.

There was no sign that someone was sitting on it. I went and sat on the chair comfortably, I looked up and saw some people laughing, some looking at me pitifully and shaking their heads, I didn't understand why they gave me those kind of looks, well for all I care, I have gotten a chair to sit and I would be sitting there alone, I was relieved. I brought out my book and started jotting down what the teacher was saying, after some minutes the bell rang, Mrs. Bellla left the class.

LEO'S POV :

" Arrrgh, I hate this stupid alarm" I got up, turned off the alarm and laid back on my huge bed. I didn't feel like going to school today, not after the intensive training I had yesterday. I was exhausted, I could still the hear the sounds of gun shot in my head. Well I can go to school anytime I want after all, no one dares to question me. I decided to sleep a little bit more before demanding for a massage, I really needed it.

I didn't like going to school, I just had to just to fufill my mum's last wish before she died. I was intelligent, I don't attend classes often but I often come out with the best result. I had power, no one dear disobey my command because death is going to be the punishment. I was the head of the most powerful Mafia cult in Italy. I took over my dad after I killed him when I was 15. He killed my mum when I was 9 and I swore that I was going to kill him which I did. I would be turning 20 in three days. People called me the heartless monster, some called me the Devil himself others Lucifer and many other names best known to them.

I drove the most expensive sir in school, I had a personal packing space, where only my cars is packed. No one dares to pack their car there, because they know the consequences. I got down from my car, carried my bag, Sliding my two hands into my pocket, I walk slowing to class. I got to the class no one was there, I checked the time and knew that they must have gone for biology class because it's monday . I walked to my sit then I saw a bag on my chair with books not properly arranged on the desk. Who dares to sit here, no one dares to go close to my chair mistakenly not to talk of sitting or even... I was furious, I decided to deal with the person in a very terrible way. I opened the bag to see if I could find any useful information atleast the person's name. I saw a small book, written boldly was " Clara's Diary". I took the diary , I haven't heard of any Clara in our class, I know I don't really know my class mate but Clara?.

Whatever I was still mad, I threw the bag in front of the class, tore the books on the desk , sprayed my sanitizer and all over my chair , sat down and I started listening to music with my ear piece, it was the only thing that gives me peace while in school.

CLARA'S POV :

Everyone started leaving and I wonderer where they were all going to, I just sat on my chair looking around the class while they all left. I knew it wasn't break yet, so where did they go to. I decided to leave the class to know what exactly was going on. I came out of the class, I couldn't find a single student at the hallway, I looked through some class and saw that lectures was still on going. I wonder where my classmate all went to, I became worried. I was still thinking when I saw a student running towards me, It was a guy, he ran into my class and I followed him. It looks like he forgot his textbook.

" Ohhh no don't tell me, you all went for another class" I didn't even know when I said that out loud", he turned and looked at me.

" What?? ", he asked.

" I didn't know you guys went for another class, do you mind if I follow you please, I don't know where the class is located".

" Whatever" he said already zipping his bag getting ready to run again. I quickly grab any book i could lay my hands on and started running behind him.

We got to the class, he opened the door and ran inside, I gently closed the door and started walking in slowly to avoid being noticed but I guess was anyways, i saw the teacher head turn towards my direction.

" Stop there miss, Are you just coming to my class? " I heard a male, I froze immediately. "Not again". I muttered nearly biting my lips.

" I, w__as__I__hm, sir I"

" Would you talk or get out of my class I don't have time to waste" He shouted at me. I didn't want anymore embarrassment, I had to control myself so that I can be able to talk.

" I'm sorry sir, I didn't know we had the next lecture in another class" I said looking down. I heard the class laughing, I was wondering if they enjoyed seeing people being embarrassed.

" She is the new scholarship student Mr. Jeff" I heard a girl voice from the back. Why didn't they tell me, they were having the next lecture in another class. In my former School we had all the lectures for the day in one class. And why must she must she emphasize on the scholarship student.

" I thought as much, well you should have asked your classmate where they heading, that is not an excuse, you will stand through out my class that is your punishment ". I was about to cry, I just felt like this teachers treat me this way because they know my background, they knew I wasn't rich, there was nothing I could barely do no matter how they treat me. I stood through out the class holding back my tears.

The class ended, they carried their books and left again I just walked behind them, not knowing where they were heading to. Seems like they were going back to the class. I walked slowly already knowing they were going to the class, I saw their mood change immediately they entered the class, I saw fear in them, they were all whispering and not shouting any longer. The last girl to enter the class looked at me mockingly and laughed before entering the class I didn't know what was going on. I was scared, I hurriedly walked to the class and "boom", I saw my bag opened and on the floor my notes torns. The food my mum took her time to prepare was also on the floor and to my suprise, I could even see people's shoe print, how can they be this heartless. This time I couldn't hold back my tears, I started crying. I was very angry at the same time. I wanted to scream at the person that did this.

I looked up and saw a guy sitting where I had placed my bag, he was handsome, he looked so peaceful with his eyes closed with earpiece in his two ears. He couldn't be the one right ? I told my self.

" Who did this? " I found myself shouting at the whole class I didn't know where the courage came from. I could barely feed, someone for no reason wasted the food my mum prepared, I was mad I saw everyone looking at this guy who I thought wouldn't do such, then I knew he was the one.

" Why do you care to know? , just pack those garbage of yours and burn them, they are contagious, gosh who eat this kind of food gross." I heard everyone laughing.

I didn't even reply, I walked up to the Mr. Peaceful looking guy, and tapped him before removing his ear piece

" Hey" I said shouting,

" Did you do this? " I heard the whole class shouting and looking at me with fear and pity.

Immediately, he opened his eyes, and turned to look at me swiftly, I froze for some seconds, his calm, peaceful face was now angry, frowning, scary but still handsome although he was now looking like a handsome monster.

" Yes, I did, now pack those garbage and dispose them because they are contagious, like you heard her say, do it while I am still letting you to, the smell of your food irritate me", he brought out his sanitizer sprayed it on me, it was choking I found it difficult to breathe. I wonder how someone this good looking can be so mean at the same time. I was so angry, I didn't even know when I raised my hand and slapped him.

" How dare you!!!" he got up from his sit swiftly and angrily ready to hit me, I was so scared, but surprisingly he stopped Instead he pick up his bag pushed me really had and left the class I fell on the floor

" ouuch" I cried out, I felt a sharp pain in my left arm.

I tried to get up from the floor, I was in so much pain, it hurts so bad, I tried and tried all effort seems to be abortive.

" It fine, let me help you" I turned around suprisingly to see who was willingly helping me, it was a guy, he looked gentle and scared, like he was going to get punished for helping. I could see fear and pity in his eyes at the same time while he helped me up. I went to pack my stuff on lying on the floor. I just wanted to go home, nothing else.

" Please don't come back" I didn't even bother to know who said it.

" Let me take you to the school clinic, so that the nurses can attend to you" he said looking around like he was being watched.

" No no, don't bother, I would manage. Just take me to the school gate, I would enter a bus there and find my way home thank you" I said not wanting anymore trouble, or to be seen by other students who were still in their class.

" I can't do that, you must go to the health center first " I couldn't say no, and I didn't want my mum to see me in this condition, she would be worried

" I'm jack by the way"

" Clara" I said managing to look at him. " Thank you" he didn't respond.

THIRD PERSON POV :

Jack took Clara to the health center, where she was treated. They inquired to know what happened and Jack answered " Leo happened " they didn't ask any further questions which suprised Clara, she wondered who Leo was and why he was feared by all including teachers and students. Her bone shifted that was why she was in so much pain. Luckily the medical practitioners there were able to fix it. She was in so much pain during the the process. She held Jack's hands through out the process and he didn't resist surprisingly, he just stood there looking at the Medical practitioners trying to re adjust her shifted bones. It took just few minutes and they where done.

CLARA'S POV :

I was thankful to Jack for helping me, I don't know what I would have done without him, I just didn't want to imagine.

" I will drive you home"

" What no, no no, you have done a lot for me thank you. I will find my way home" I said with shock written all over my face, I could tell that he saw it.

" Well I have to finish what I started right" He grabbed my hand and we were walking towards the parking lot. We arrived in front of a black car, it looked quite expensive, I didn't know the name but I could tell it was very expensive. I stood there admiring the car, looking at it with awe. I can't possibly enter this kind of car, no way, I stood there thinking if I should just tell him that I wasn't going to enter his car or if I should just run off.

" Get in" he said hurriedly, i noticed he voice became hoarse. I wondered why his mood changed suddenly, like he saw something that pissed him off or we were been chased, I couldn't explain. Oh no it was my fault, maybe he got disgusted with the ways I was looking at the car, i felt a bit embarrassed. I just entered the car, he told me to put on my sit belt, which I did. He asked for my address but I can't possibly give him my address, instead I gave him the nearest bus-stop to my house. He looked at mean suspiciously but he just drove.

JACK POV :

We had just finish biology class, I was heading towards the class with friends, we were talking about the new girl. I was wondering what Leo would do when he sees someone stitting on his sit, i knew it wasn't going to be good . The good side of me wanted to warn her about Leo, so that she wasn't going to leave his sit before he arrives, but the bad side of me was also curious to know what Leo was going to do. I guess the bad side won over the good side because I didn't tell her.

I got to the class room, I saw Leo as usual with his earpiece and eyes closed, then I looked down and saw the new girl's bag on the floor her books torn, her food scattered on the floor. I felt pity for her, after all she has being through today then this, I had seen her hold back her tears from the beginning but she was going to cry now there was no doubt about it , maybe I should have just warned her at least.

I went straight to my sit, waiting anxiously to see her reaction when she get in. I looked around and it seems like I wasn't the only one waiting others were also waiting too, but they were excited to watch the drama that was going to take place soon. The good part of me wanted me to go out and warn her about Leo and for her to just walk into the class pick up her stuff and come sit with me, but the bad side of me still won. I looked up and saw her standing at the door and just as I expected, the tears she has been holding back since finally let lose and she started crying.

I heard her asking who did this but nobody told her instead they all looked at Leo, I was still thinking of what to do before she ends up doing something that might lead to her death. I have seen Leo kill people close to him, he wouldn't hesitate to kill her.

I saw her moving toward Leo shouted at him and even touched him" Hell no" no one dares to touch him. By now everyone was looking shocked with their mouth opened, some now had the pity look on their faces while some were still excited and eagered to have fun with the scene that is about to take place. And in a blink of an eye, she slapped him.

I was shocked, immediately I saw Leo standing up with anger. I have seen this look on his face before, I tried to recall and boom it came, the day he killed his dad after he killed his only sister and the only sibling he had. I said to myself " she was going to die now" I don't think Leo wouldn't hesitate to kill her.

Then what i never expected from him happened, i raised his hand to slap her, at first i thought once he hit her it was going to lead straight to her death, but surprisingly to my greatest dismay, he stopped and just pushed her in a very hard way though. Did Leo just leave her, wait he didn't kill her, I was still in shock and lost in my thoughts . Then I saw her crying, this time the bad part of me musn't win. I saw struggling to stand up but she wasn't able to, I went ahead to help her, knowing fully well that I musn't be seen by Leo helping his just turned enemy.

I took her to the health center, where she attended to, her bone shifted, very painful indeed. After we left the health center I insisted on driving her home, she looked shocked and disagreed but I insisted. We walked to the parking lot, got to my car, I could see her looking and admiring like has never gotten close to this kind of car before, not to talk of entering it. I tried not to laugh. I was about to enter the car when I saw his car " Hell no" Leo was still in school, probably inside his car, I was scared and angry at the same time. Has he seen me helping her?, He was definitely going to get mad at me. Immediately I shouted at Clara to get in and I drove off. I asked for her address which she didn't and I wonderd why, instead she gave a bus-stop and told me to drop her there. I was lost in my thought thinking of what Leo might do to me, I didn't bother to insist, I was going to drop her off anywhere she wanted. I was very sure he had seen me help her. But then I was relaxed again, yeah he might be mad at me, but he wouldn't kill me. I was the only friend he ever had right from his childhood days. I was relieved for some time but I never underestimated Leo, he is capable of anything.

LEO'S POV :

I started hearing footsteps of people and I knew biology class was over, we were free for now. Though I was on earpiece I could hear everything they were saying, I heard a girl saying just pack your those garbage and burn them because they are contagious, for a minute I was wondering why she was saying that and who she was talking to but why do I care?. Then I was beginning to hear someone's light sobs, it was definitely a girl. I wonder what happened but I still didn't do anything then I heard " Who did this", I wonder what these kids had done again, then it dawn on me that I was actually the one. I had even forgotten what I did. I heard a footstep fastly approaching toward me, who dares to walk towards me without my permission.

Did the person just touch me, I hate it when people touch me. Did they suddenly forget the rules. Who just touched me? I opened my eye and turned to look at the person with anger, I could kill this person instance, i wanted to grab the person throat and and strangle whoever it was. I opened my eyes and I saw a young girl. I haven't see her before, she looked, sad, scared and angry, for a moment i remembered my sister she always had this look on her face when ever my dad was threatening her about the day he was going to kill her which he eventually did. I couldn't bring myself to do what I intended, instead I just looked at told her what I heard a girl said earlier

" Pack those garbage, dispose them because they are contagious, do it while I still letting you to, the smell of you food irritate me", I was about to put on my ear piece when she slapped me.

I could kill her right this instance for this, where did get the courage to walk up to me, touch me and slap me, all in one day. Nobody try that with me and go Scott free, the consequences was definitely going to be death. I had raise my hand to hit her in way that was going to send her to her early grave. Then I saw that look, the look on my sister's face when she was about to be killed by my dad. Why must she remind me of my sister? if I kill her there would no difference between me and that monster. Besides no girl has ever put me in this position before, all the girl were afraid of me, they don't even come close neither do they try to touch me.

Who was this Clara girl, doesn't she know who I am, who doesn't. I couldn't bring myself to do what I intended to do. I just picked up my bag push her in a very hard way, she fell and was wincing in pain, I left the class. I didn't know where but I was walking, I didn't want to go home now, I was still walking until I found myself in my car. I entered it, put on the air conditioner and just stayed there thinking.

Who Clara was, did I just spare her? I have been in my car for about 30 minutes, I decided to just go home. I got up to start the car, when I saw her again, this time she was with Jack, my only friend. How dare he help my enemy, I just sat there watching them. I saw her looking at the car with awe, I saw Jacked smirk then he looked up and saw my car immediately his calm, caring face changed to an angry, scared face. He knew I saw him.