I walked through the hallways choked with students and overbearing backpacks and stern teachers. I gripped the straps of my bag tightly in my fists, each passing of a student caused me to flinch away. I glared at anyone who looked at me, I was better this way, alone. A young freshman girl bumped into me, I sucked in air between my clenched teeth and tensed.

"Sorry" she giggled. I glared at her and she scampered away. I hated myself, I hated people.

The warning bell sounded and the hallways cleared out, my tension eased somewhat. I pulled my bag higher on my back and slipped down a deserted hallway. I had free period first and no one would miss me if I was gone. My footsteps echoed along the empty lockers, the hallway had been vacated due to safety reasons. I enjoyed the solitude and rarety of being found. As I moved farther down the hallway the smell of menthol cigarettes and leather brushed my nose. I instantly tensed, someone else was near.

A guy sat against the wall, one leg pulled up his arm dangling off his knee, cigarette hanging off his fingers. I edged away from him, silently passing him. He took a long drag on his cigarette, the ember of edge glowing in the dimmed lighting. "who're you?" his voice was gruff. I clenched my jaw, hoping if I didn't answer he would ignore me like everyone else.

"are you a mute?" I swallowed, inching farther and farther away from his leisurely body.

When I felt I was home free I let out a breathe, blowing the bangs out of my face. So focused on my thoughts I didn't hear the echo of the boots behind me, I didn't notice anything till an arm was draped casually over my shoulders. I tensed, jerking away from the contact.

My fists gripping my bag, my eyes wide staring at the intruder; "what?" I snapped. I hated this person, whoever he was; I hated him and I didn't even know him.

"So you do speak" his surprisingly deep grey eyes glinted with humor, I slammed my jaw shut and turned my face away.

"Madeline" I muttered and walked away. He stood to close, I could smell the menthol of the cigarettes and the muskiness of his aftershave. I twitched my nose, just leave I silently demanded.

"Nice to meet you Madeline" he called after me, I grunted and said nothing. Hate him.

I walked to my next class, silently screaming at the top of my lungs. Walking to the back of the classroom I threw my bag down and pulled my hood up. A body dropped themselves down next to me, untied combat boots propped up on a separate desk.

"Hey there Madeline." I glanced sideways and ignored him, silently plotting his death in my head. I had problems, maybe I should see a counseler; not after what happened to the last one. She ran out of the room repeating "psycho" over and over again. I sighed. I hate the world.

I hand touched my arm and I jerked away as if I had been burned, the feel of the hand imprinted on my skin. I pursed my lips and moved to the edge of my seat; far away from him. "Aidan" I gave him a sideswept glance, he took it as a question. I flinched as his voice hit me again, "my name is Aidan, Aidan Davis. Will you marry me?"

I stopped breathing, my eyes opened wide, my hands gripped the desk my knuckles turning white. I choked on the air I wasn't breathing. He chuckled and patted my back, I slapped his arm away, he grabbed my wrist. He held on hard, but not hard enough to bruise. "don't. touch. Me" I snarled, ripping my arm away.

Oh yes I was going to kill him, very slowly. "that's no way to speak to your husband sweetheart" I gagged and stood up. Grabbing my bag I excused myself from the class and hurried down the hallway. I hate myself for what I do, but he told me, he told me I was good for nothing and I shouldn't be seen or heard. That no one wanted to touch me, I believed him, I soaked up his words like water. He moved and I still believed it, I was worthless. I hated myself, I hated everyone. Nothing was going to change that.