Natalie's POV

It's eight ò clock. I am staring at the brown ceiling on top while laying flat on the bed. I am wondering what I'll do tomorrow. Tomorrow is the day I wasn't prepared for. First day of highschool. Grade 12. Liberty High. Just one thought : Don't know what to do.

Every year after my winter vacation peace isn't in my dictionary. With all the students making fun of the nerds, teachers only trusting and making the nerds do almost everything. Includes me as well.

Tired and Anxious are the feelings I am going throught right now.

I heard my doorknob open and my mother came in view. I turned my head towards her with a bored expression which was also printed on my mother's face. "May I know when you are planning to come down for dinner, ma'am?" I smiled at her fake formality which made me giggle. "I'll be there when you'll call me, butler." I spoke in a fake serious dominant tone which made my mother laugh. She laughed at me because I was standing up and I had my chest puffed which was hardly visible because of the oversized t-shirt that I was wearing.

"I am here to call you for dinner Natalie, let's go." My mother walked out while I follwed her behind. "Today I fried some chicken thighs and made vegetable salad with rice, hope you'll like the dish as I am not that good." I chuckled at her words as my mother is not a good cook, actually. She is a nurse who is always busy. She is rarely home. That's the reason she doesn't get time to cook and to be good at it. Today I insisted her to stay till tomorrow morning as I needed some positivity for my first day and my positive vibe is my mother.

"Not everybody is good at everything mother, whether it's good or not, the fact is you tried your best and I am sure the dish is perfect." I replied her in an encouraging way which made my mother nod her head with approval. Once reaching our kitchen I took a seat beside my mother. The food was already placed on top of our plates. We just needed to devour it.

We started eating the food with a short prayer which was only prayed when my mother was present. I internally laughed at it. When I took the first spoon inside my mouth, the food felt delicious, indicating, that my mother cooked really well. "Wow, mother, it's fabulous, how?" I teased her by raising my eyebrows which made me looked shocked. "Because I wanted my daughter to have a real really good home made food!" My mother exclaimed while patting my head.

We both laughed and continued eating while having some small conversations here and there. After eating I washed the dishes while my mother cleaned the counters of our kitchen. "Good night sweety, have a beautiful dream." My mother hugged me and wished me a good night. "Good night mother and same to you." I hugged her back.

I entered my room and jumped on my bed and covered myself with the warm blanket. I made my nervous state move outiside my body and read some positive quotes. Why was I freaking out this much? One reason. Ashton Walker. That's it.

*Thud Thud*

"Natalie, it's time to wake up!" I could hear my mother shouting from the other side of the door, which was hardly audible. I wasn't being able to take the covers off of me. Warmth was all I could feel. Why is she waking me up? Were the words running through my mind. "It's 7:30." *Ting* Now I knew why.

I shoot up from my bed like bullet. Without responding to my mother I rushed towards my bathroom and began brushing my teeth which was followed by washing my face. I rushed back to my room and began searching for comfy clothes in my closet as it only consisted of those. Taking out my black hoody with light greyish sweatpants I quickly slipped on my white converse. Without wasting further time I grabbed my bag which was already filled with my books I exited my room.

"Make an effort to tie your hair." My mother ordered me from the kitchen while narrowing her eyes with disapproval. I noddded at her and went towards the mirror which was placed in her room. I quickly made a bun and ran towards the kitchen, grabbing an apple from the basket. I wished my mother a good bye and gave her a peck on her cheek.

"All the best sweetheart!" I heard my mother shout as I was outisde the door. "Okay Mother!" I replied her back while running towards the bus stand. It was 8:00 am and the bus arrived on the time as always unlike me. I went inside and took a seat at the extreme back. There were other students who didn't even bother to glance at me, which was fine by, as I dont like attention, never been used before.

On the way I listened to my ultimate Ariana Grande Playlist on Spotify. I was slowly humming the tune and shaking my head up and down. Just then someone sat beside me. I didn't bother looking at the person because I was in my own world admiring the neighbourhoods passing by.

There was a tap on my shoulder which made me turn towards that person. It was a girl. I saw her mouth moving but I couldn't hear her as the song was blasting in my ears. Maybe she was introducing herself? I plugged my earphones off my ears. "Probably you didn't heard, Was asking to lower your volume, how can someone listen to a song like that? It's so annoying." She frowned and her voice was really rude, wasn't expected because I thought she would introduce herself. Huh. Another Rude Girl Is In The House!

I stared at her with my eyebrows raised while she took out her phone and began typing. I was irritated but I didn't wanted to be a target just like others whose life has been hell. The bus came to a halt and students started to go out. I waited for everybody to go out. After 5 minutes I exited the bus and made my way towards the big opened door. I entered the halls. Students speaking while leaning against their lockers, basketball players in one corner laughing and talking loudly as ever and the so called queens of the school in one corner eyeing the basketball players shamelessly were the regular scene as always.

"Hey kiddo!" Xavier, my best friend, also the football captain, jumoed from behind and hugged me from behind. I could see so many girls glaring at me but I was used to it as they could never hurt me as they've been warned by Xavier.

Xavier is a popular guy with charming looks and a hot reputation who is entitled as one of the players of Liberty High. In the opinion of other people. But to me he is a caring guy with a loving personality who is entitled as my only friend, well, best friend.

"Hey biggy." I teased him with a new nickname. He broke the hug and looked at me with a shocked expression. "How do you know that?" He look down and then at me. Ew. "What the hell Xavier? You know what shut up!" I blushed and realized what he meant. I turned and walked towards my locker which was just beside me. I opened the locker with my code and placed my extra books which weren't needed for the first three periods before lunch and then closed it. "You're not as innocent as people think babe, and I only know that, wow." He talked like as if she acheived a big victory. I gave him a nod while grinning thinking how stupid he was.

After he went towards his class I made my way to mine. As I walked inside my class students were chatting in their own seats. I took a seat at the back beside the window and stared outside. "Freakin nerd, move." I heard a deep masculine voice and I knew whose it was. "Why should I?" I asked him back while staring outside. "Because it is mine" He replied with frustration clearly evident in his voice. "Since when did a chair become someone's possesion." I replied him back, making him more annoyed. "You're messing with me, I hope you don't want your life to be hell like others just like last year for two months you suffered." And thats when I lost it. I stood up from the chair and went towards the right side of the room where a seat at the second row was empty. Ashton Walker. As always.

Two Months. The days which made my life hell. Just because of supporting my another best friend. He bullied me until Xavier came to my rescue. Just a few moments ago I was warned not to mess with him.

The situation simply meant to never mess. It was a risk. It still is. I was afraid of making him know how many mistakes he is commiting in the form of sins. There's this strange feeling which builds up in me to change him into a good person. But I can't because he has already set an ego of his reputation. The Bad Boy Of Liberty High.

While the other part of me wants to forget about all the obstacles that he'll put me into and focus on trying to make him realize that whatever he's doing in not right. But, Let me remind myself once again. Let's not mess with him.

But he makes people suffer so much. As much as I would love to make him suffer the same hatred and pain which he makes other people suffer, I can't, because I can't be him.

No matter how I try to be brave in front of him from the outside I am a fragile personality from inside who can never defeat him. So let me stick to that. I was distracted in my first class of the day and I was already giving up to stay attentive.

The teacher bragged about his literature skills and expects us to become like him, which is impossible. Why? Because everybody is different. Duh.

I couldn't stop myself from looking at the front of the class. Only the front. Because I knew someone was staring at me. Literally, staring, shamelessly. Ashton. Till date I do not understand why he gives me those looks which makes me feel uncomfortable.

As the bell rang, I hurriedly exited the class without looking anywhere. I was done. I was walking towards my locker when someone's hand grabbed my arm and pushed me towards the lockers. My back banged roughly against the metal.

"Ow" My voice was hardly audible as I felt so much pain. I had my eyes closed. Tightly. "Warning you for the last time, if I see you once again around me, I'll chase you everywhere, and make you suffer." He said those words with so much anger mixed with frustration. "Whats your problem?" I asked him slowly as I didn't wanted to cause a scene. Peace. Was all I needed. "You." With that he pushed me once again harsly against the locker and left me there with eveyrybody smirking and whispering about the situation.

I quickly turned towards the washroom. Entering, I broke down, I blamed myself from being so weak and speaking to him on the first place. I wanted to become the tough me again, like before, but I couldn't, because he already made me weak.

Looking at my image on the mirror with no one around because of the classes. I wasn't going to have his nonsense anymore. Be it his warnings or threads I'll not be that delicate personality anymore. No more of fearing Ashton Walker, Again. I'll prove myself to him. Make him regret his mistakes. I've made my decision. I'll make him suffer. Just like how he makes others suffer.