!!! *** WARNING! CHAPTER CONTAINS MATERIAL THAT MIGHT BE DISTURBING TO SOME READERS! SUCH AS SE.XUAL ASSAULT, BULLYING, AND VIOLENCE! READER DISCRETION ADVISED! *** !!!
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Nasha's P.O.V.
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I stared at my reflection in the bathroom mirror. I have no idea if I look okay. I've never had the need to ask anyone. Dad and his friends are always telling me I look like my mother, and I assume that's a good thing, but...
Do I look like a loser?
I'm wearing a pair of light wash jeans, and a light green sweater. Aunt Pam got me this sweater for Christmas a few years ago. She said it makes my hair pop more. I hope she was right.
I'm not allowed to wear makeup, so I have none to put on. Dad also doesn't really let me do anything with my hair. He doesn't even let me cut it. It hangs all the way down to my butt in long thick waves. Most of the time it's cooperative, but I usually still wear it up.
Today I'm wearing it down.
I blew out a breath as I stared at myself. I really hope I don't look bad. I have to get going, or I'm going to be late.
I don't have a phone, so I had to set a time and meet up place for Nick and me. If I don't leave right now I'm going to be super late.
I grabbed the spare key and my jacket as I ran to the door. I put my coat on, and started to put on my plain dirty white nurse shoes. They were all Dad ever let me have.
I opened the door, and turned to stare into the fancy apartment my father and I live in. I've never done this before. Never dared to leave without my father's permission.
I took a deep breath, and slammed the door shut.
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"Hey, you made it," Nick said as I ran up to him.
"I-I... S-sorry," I mumbled.
I can't even talk long enough to give him an explanation. I probably look like a fool for running almost all the way here. I knew I was running late, but... I just couldn't decide if I looked okay. Not that I would ever actually admit that. Still...
It's still so hard to talk to anyone. My body trembles. Like I'm doing something wrong. Like I'm expecting to be punished every time I open my mouth.
"Hey, it's okay." Nick said when he noticed that my expression turned to a dejected expression.
Nck placed his finger under my chin, and brought my face up to meet his eyes. I felt heat creep up my neck. No one has ever looked at me like that before. Well, no one really looks at me anyway.
"Ready to go inside? I got us tickets." He said.
I nodded, and he dropped his hand from my chin to my hand. Nick turned around, and pulled me into the theater. He got me popcorn and pop, and even got perfect seats in the middle.
Throughout the movie, I kept stealing glances at Nick. He was always watching the movie with an easy look on his face. I would stare for just a moment. He's so handsome. I still can't believe that he asked me out. Nick even held my hand the whole time.
Has someone finally noticed me?
The movie felt like it went by in a blur. I can't tell you anything that happened in it. It was so hard to focus with my heart pounding the way it was.
"So, would you like to come somewhere with me?" Nick asked once we were outside.
I looked up at him, and scrunched my face up.
Somewhere with you?
"Don't worry, it's not far." Nick said. "I just... I'm not ready to stop hanging out yet."
My face morphed into shock.
Oh...
"It's a special place that I've neer taken anyone to before. I want to take you 'cause you're special." He added.
I chewed on my bottom lip. Dad won't be home until sometime late tomorrow, or even the next day. I could stay out a little longer.
A smile fell on my lips as I nodded.
Nick beamed at me as he grabbed my hand. He pulled me to his car, and opened the passenger door. Then he rushed to the driver's side, and started the car.
"Don't worry, it's not too far." He said.
I stared out the window, watching the scenery as we drove. It's pretty dark out now. I bet it's close to midnight. I've never been out this late. Not unless I was with Dad for one of his parties.
We were a little bit out of town when Nick started to slow down. He turned onto a dirt road that was almost hidden by trees. I would never have noticed the road was there if Nick hadn't turned onto it.
I started to grow a little bit nervous as Nick drove into the woods.
Suddenly, Nick stopped the car. I looked at him as he put it in park. Then I looked around the area again. It's only trees here.
What are we doing here?
"Come on." Nick said as he opened his car door.
I slowly opened my door, and got out of the car. Nick started walking away from the car more into the woods. I'm not really sure what to do.
"Come on Nasha!" Nick called out.
I scrambled to rush to him. However, I can't find him. I walked in the direction I saw him go in, but... Where is he?
Nick couldn't have gotten that far. It was only a couple of minutes since he walked off without me. Where could he have gone?
Suddenly, a bright light shined in my eyes, making me wince. My instinct was to try to block the light so that I could at least see. Then I heard a bunch of giggling and snickering.
My blood ran cold as I froze. Are there... other people here too?
"Omg I can't believe she really came." I heard one girl say.
Is that... Gabby? The captain of the cheerleading squad? Why is she here?
"Get the light out of her face, Aaron," Gabby ordered.
The light finally stopped blinding me, and I was able to see what was going on.
In the middle of the small clearing is Nick, Gabby, Aaron, another guy that I don't know, and two other girls from the cheerleading squad, who are named Ally and Carly. I looked between them all confused. Then my eyes landed on Nick.
Nick was leaning against a tree looking as bored as ever. I kept staring at him as realization set in. He never liked me. He lied to me. He did all of that to lure me out here.
But why?
I looked at the rest of the group as I took a step back. I don't feel good about this. I have that gut feeling that I always have when I'm around Dad.
"Awh look," Gabby said. "She's starting to figure it out."
I took another step back.
"Nick, why don't you tell us about your date?" Gabby asked.
I took another step back. I was just about to turn around and run for it. Only when I turned around, I was faced with another member of the group. Eric, the sheriff's son.
Eric smirked down at me. I gulped. He spun me around, and kept his hands on my arms. Then he pushed me forward, toward the group.
"The date was sh,it." Nick said.
My heart sank. I was stupid to think that anyone would ever want to date me in the first place. Dad was right. I'm just a stupid, useless girl.
"I brought her out here. Now get this over with. I want to go drink," Nick said, annoyed.
"Ditto," Aaron mumbled.
Gabbhy scoffed as she walked closer to me. A sneer fell on her face as she stood in front of me. I shrunk back, but that only made Eric laugh, and grab me harder.
"I just can't believe it." She said. "Why would you think that someone like you would have a chance with someone like Nick? You can't even get with the basic losers at school. No one would want you. You can't even talk."
Eric laughed again.
"Hey, some guys could be into that. No nagging ever," he said cheerfully.
Gabby rolled her eyes.
"See, only guys like Eric would ever want you." She stated. "He'd cheat on you all the time."
"Yeah, I really would." Eric agreed as he hugged me romantically.
I tried to push him away from me, but that only seemed to make him happier. I gave up. It's no use. Tears filled my eyes as I looked at Gabby.
"Why don't you talk?" She asked.
I just stared at Gabby. I know how this goes. If I just stay quiet, they'll leave once they've said what they've said. I just have to put up with it until then.
"Wow..." Gabby whispered. "You really dodged a bullet here Nick, she's emotionless." She laughed.
"I bet I could get her to show a little emotion." Eric said, sinisterly.
Eric wrapped one of his arms around me, holding me close to him. His other hand started to move down my sweater from my neck. I started to squirm, but it was no use once again. Eric is much stronger than me.
"Hey, we didn't bring her out here for that," Nick said. "Just let her go, and let's get out of here. She's already going to have a long walk home."
This isn't good.