Chapter 44 by Fantasy

Next day.

Intermission: Vivian’s school day.

So far, everything is going well for Vivian Gray. More than well, even. It’s been great!

Turns out the guy she’s been having dreams about is really great! He knows exactly what she’s going through. Her tennis coach listens to her complains, but as much as she tries, she doesn’t really understand. John does, and that’s a huge deal to her.

After talking to him, she feels like a huge burden was lifted from her shoulders. The bullies are still there, but now… she has someone to talk to. Besides, he’s a good teacher. And… she knows it’s a bit… needy, but after having three dreams in a row about him, two of which were very nice dates and one was… nice in a different way, she has a huge crush on him.

They’re friends now, but… she wants to be more than that. Is that greedy? He did call her beautiful, so there’s sure to be something there, right? She knows those thoughts are dangerous and can (and most probably will) lead to much disappointment and pain, but she can’t help it.

What’s more, her bullies haven’t even bothered her today.

That thought came too soon.

Unaware of it herself, Vivian’s recent good mood was noticed by those around her. A person in a good mood shines more, and someone as beautiful as Vivian stands out all the more. So much so, that she was approached by none other than the captain of the basketball team.

“Hey, you’re Vivian, right?” The captain, Luke, asked her when he saw her by the lockers.

Vivian gasps when she hears him behind her. “Are you… talking to me?” Vivian asks, slowly turning to him. As with everyone, she has troubles looking at him directly, and this is especially difficult because Luke is much taller than her.

“Of course I am, silly.” Luke laughs. “There’s no one else here.”

“R-Right…” This is bad, and Vivian knows it. She eyes her surroundings, looking for a way out.

“You seem to be in a good mood today. That’s good.” He says. “I’ve seen you around walking like the world’s about to end.”

“H-Have I… really?” She asks, stuttering. She’s not really in the conversation. She can feel her hands getting sweaty as she looks around, afraid to find a specific someone.

“Yeah, but it’s good to see you like this. It suits you.” He compliments. “I know this might come out of the blue, but I was wondering if you’d like to do something this weekend, maybe even on Friday. We could catch a movie or something. What do you say?”

This is the worst. A week ago, Vivian would’ve been more than thrilled to hear this. Someone talking to her, inviting her on a fricking date! However, this was not good, this was terrible. Of all the people to talk to her, why the basketball captain!?

She looked around and found what she dreaded. The head cheerleader, Taylor. Long, black hair, big breast, killer body and an I-own-it-all kind of personality, she’s every guy’s fantasy and the source of her misery.

Vivian’s breath stops. Her legs weaken, but she somehow manages to stay on her feet. She starts to get dizzy at the mere thoughts of what’s going to happen.

A single look says it all.

“You’re fucking dead, bitch.”

A week ago, Taylor made it clear that Luke was hers, and that if Vivian ever DARED speak to him, she was going to make her life a living hell. Taylor and Luke weren’t a couple, and Vivian had never even though of speaking to Luke, but Taylor still warned her.

And now, this happened.

“I’m so sorry, but I can’t! I’m really sorry!” Vivian apologizes and runs away, leaving behind a very confused Luke.

It’s not too long after that that she’s found by a couple of Taylor’s lackies and brought to the girl’s restroom, where the head cheerleader is waiting, along with two other girls, for a total of five.

“I told you, didn’t I, Vivi?” Taylor’s voice is full of poison. “I told you to stay the fuck away from him!”

“He came up to me, I swear! He asked me out, but I told him no! Please, believe me!” Vivian tries to reason in a panic. Her breathing becomes short and quick.

“He asked _YOU _out!?” Taylor almost shouts. “Why would he be interested in garbage like YOU!” Taylor pushes Vivian.

Vivian’s pulse races. Her face turns white and her lips tremble. She can no longer speak. She’s frozen in place. What they normally do to her is nothing compared to the things they can do when really pissed. She’s seen it happen.

“I’ve told you before. I don’t threaten people, I _warn _them.” Taylor says. “Watch yourself after school, Vivi.”

They leave her alone in the restroom.

Vivian doesn’t know what they’re gonna do, but she knows they’ll do it. She closes her eyes to hold back the tears and the image of a person comes to her mind.

John.

She doesn’t think. She taker her phone and texts him.

Vivian: Help me, please.

…

John: What happened?

Vivian: They’re going to do something to me after school.

…

John: do what?

Vivian: I don’t know.

…

Vivian: I’m terrified.

Vivian: Help me, please.