8 | 𝓢𝓽𝓸𝓹𝓹𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓘𝓽

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Sophia's POV

"I'll show you why everyone's so scared of me. I'll show you why no one wants to talk to me. I'll show you what happens when you belittle me..."

That's what he said before the boy visibly gulped and took a few steps backwards, looking ready to faint at any second now. At first, I thought I could convince Grayson to not do anything he'd regret. But now that the stupid boy has made everything worse with that speech he gave...

I don't know Grayson personally, but he looked like the person who wouldn't just let anything go without putting up a fight.

The boy's friends scurried away hastily, but of course he didn't. Now that I think about it, they probably won't even let him go if he tried to leave, and I think he knows that too.

Grayson was only a few feet away from him and he was about to make that little space between them disappear. No one's going to prevent them from doing something, are they?

I really don't want to do this, but I feel like I have to. I don't want anyone to get hurt because of me, not even after what he said. I took a deep breath and did something I thought I'd never do. I walked over to them and stood in front of Grayson.

I walked over and stopped Grayson... Wow, I'm even more ignorant then the boy I was 'defending'.

This may not seem like a big thing or astounding act, but for me it definitely was. My heart was ready to pound right out of my body.

I didn't say anything, but my move made it silent, which made it all a bit awkward, to be honest. He wasn't making eye contact, but neither was I. I looked at his broad chest, while he stared past my head. He didn't even blink! And that is why I was petrified.

After a long, painful moment of silence, he looked down. His piercing gaze burning my skin, I could feel it, even when I wasn't looking. He wouldn't shift his gaze.

"Get out of my way," Grayson slowly grumbled out of his tense body, it actually sounded more like a growl.

I knew I was going to stutter, it's a bad habit I have when I'm nervous or scared. I absolutely hate it, it makes me feel so vulnerable. Although at this moment I really was.

"He-He didn't mean it," I said - more like squeaked out. My voice was high-pitched and almost inaudible. But he heard, as I saw his fists clench even more. Oh God, he's going to punch me! I thought, staring at every and any part of his body except his face.

"Get. Out. Of. My. Way." This time his lovely yet dangerous voice was nothing above a whisper, which sadly enough for me, made me even more horrified of what he'd do to me if I didn't.

Now it were my hands' turn to shake uncontrollably while the little hairs on the back of my neck stood erect. "Please, he was just angry and-and he won't do it again," I tried, but he didn't look convinced. His body language was strong and I could tell that he wanted to punch a hole in the lockers. No doubt would it work, if you just see the size of these muscles... Stop, focus!

I shook my head and spoke again, trying to sound more self-assured and domineering than the last time, "Plus, you don't want to get into trouble. Right?" But to no avail, my voice trembled and was small, far from being bossy.

He let out a sharp intake of air, as if he wanted to yell at me for holding him back. He lifted his fist in the air, and I knew I was about to die. Might as well start digging up my own grave. Does anyone here have a shovel?

I closed my eyelids tightly and bowed my head slightly, as if that were to protect me from the blow, but I never felt anything touch me. Not even a hair. But I did jump on my toes when I heard a loud bang echo throughout the halls.

Nothing else came after that, so I carefully peered through my still almost completely closed eyes. He wasn't facing me, nor anyone else. His head leaned against a random locker, luckily not mine, and his right hand was still in fist-form on the locker itself. His left hand was grabbing his hair so hard, it was as if he were going to tear the hair from his scalp. His expression made it look like he was in pure pain, and I was sure he was. If you only saw how roughly his nails dug into the skin of his palms.

I felt sorry for him...and guilty. I don't know why. But I couldn't stand the look on his face, so I peered over my shoulder to the boy I 'protected'. He stared right back at me with bewilderment written all over his face.

He didn't speak out loud, probably too afraid of triggering Grayson. I mean, he already looked like he was on the edge of breaking - no, exploding. But he did mouth 'thank you'.

I nodded and wanted to give him a smile, but couldn't find the determination to actually send one. I wasn't happy right now, strangely. But never mind that, in the blink of an eye, the boy was gone, just like his friends.

People from across the corridors were staring wide-eyed at us, especially me and Grayson, but that ended when another strong and husky voice erupted from someone.

"Go one! Don't you all have somewhere to go?" one of Grayson's friends nearly shouted at the crowd that had formed. It was the one who always had a natural pose and expression, the one whose emotions I couldn't decipher.

Everyone immediately scampered away, like a monster was about to gobble them up. Not that I blame them, I'd probably be the first one running.

The hall was now empty, except for the three friends, Grayson and I, and I planned on slipping away too, but held myself in. I tilted my head up and straightened my back to make me appear bigger, although it did nothing. "I-I'm sorry."

I don't know why I said it, but I did, and I wasn't done yet. "And thank you. I didn't know what they'd do if you guys hadn't come," I spoke softly, still not making eye contact with any of them.

I was sorry for how he looked and felt, but not for what I did. I wasn't and won't ever let somebody get harmed if I can do anything about it, at least I'll try. That's what my mom always said.

"I know what they would've done. And I think everyone else here knows too, but of course you don't," he exclaimed angrily. His tone startled me a bit. What have I done? Did I accidentally offend him? Was it because I stopped the fight?

And then he turned around, without another word leaving his lips, and began walking away in the contrary way—I'm assuming to the school cafeteria.

I opened my mouth to say something, excuse myself for that something I did, but nothing came out. I must've appeared like a fish out of water.

Wait, did I... Did I just persuade him? You know, to not start a fight.

When his friends were standing there, frozen as well, no one dared to call him back. We all watched as he rounded the corner and was gone - out of sight.

I did! Thank God I'm not going to die today. I literally was about to faint!

I didn't know if I should've been happy that it didn't happen or scared that he was only grabbing his boxing gloves from his locker, so I stood there, waiting for what I didn't know what.

I felt a hand pat my shoulder and I instantly spun around. The person behind me was one of Grayson's friends. Grayson's friend. If he didn't beat me up, surely his friends would, right?

I was a tad bit relieved when I saw the smile on his face, but still, my eyes were as big as saucers. He chuckled at me. I think it was a friendly gesture, I hope.

"You sure must be a special girl to him," he indicated. His whole aura was light and it was oddly comforting. But wait, what did he say?

I pursed my lips and grimaced. I guess he saw the confusion on face, because he resumed, "He hasn't ever given up a good fight. And certainly not for a person," he added.

I flushed and looked down at my shoes, he let out another breathy chuckle. It was quite calming, to be honest.

He went to say something else but was shut up by smirk-guy. "Damn, that was...really unexpected," he said suspiciously. "I was so excited to finally have an excuse to beat the shit out of that jerk," he whined right after, his hands falling to his sides childishly. I frowned, did he want to have a fight?

Before I could question it, he was already talking again. "Come on, let's just go eat," he muttered, motioning for his friends to go with him. The straight-faced-guy looked like he just snapped out of a trance.

"Do you wanna sit with us?" the nice guy asked me kindly. Did I hear him right? I think not.

"Excuse me?" I said. He laughed again. Did that sound too formal? Was everything I said funny to him? And there I go, overthinking everything again.

"I asked if you wanted to sit with us today," he repeated, looking at me with a kind of spark glistening in his eyes. Maybe he really wanted me to sit with them, but why?

I didn't want to seem discourteous, they did help me out here, so I accepted. "Uh...sure, why not," I answered hesitantly. Another smile broke on his face and he literally lit up.

"Great!" he said, walking ahead and telling me to follow. He really reminds me of Logan, I thought dreamily. Both seemed funny and charming, positively easy to talk to.

"I'm Kyle, by the way," he spoke while looking at me, waiting for a reaction.

"Sophia," I said quietly.

"I know," he looked in front of him again. Oh.

There was a little distance between us and I still wasn't fully cozy around him yet, I think he noticed. "We won't bite," he said, on the face of it entertained by my stiff posture. "Well, not unless you want us to." He offered a bemused smile at the end of his sentence.

Why would I want him to bite me? Or any of them, in that case. He looked at me, allegedly fascinated. "What?" I asked him, curious as to why he was staring at me like that.

"You really are innocent, aren't you," he said. I frowned, why does everyone keep saying that. They also said that in my old school!

"What do you mean?" I ordered. He didn't bother to respond, only smiled unrestrained. "What is it?" I bleated in a rather demanding tone. He looked at me for a second, then shook his head and continued walking.

But when I suddenly halted in my tracks briskly, he stopped to and gave me an inquiring look. "Grayson," I said curtly. "I don't really think he likes me very much at the moment," I hinted when he didn't get it.

He waved his hand dismissively. "Nah, it's fine. He won't mind," he countered as if it were nothing. I raised my eyebrows and timidly went back over to him.

We arrived in the cafeteria, and just as the doors closed behind us, a few heads turned, but most of them looked away again, scared to get warning from Anderson - Kyle told me his name.

I felt someone poke my upper-arm and I turned around. Evie was standing in front of me, smiling wildly. "Hey, Sophia, wanna sit with us today..." she trailed off when she spotted Kyle next to me.

I looked over at him. Even though he seemed really kind, I didn't want to disturb Grayson and his friends. They wouldn't want me there, either. He nodded, a look of, perhaps, sympathy crossing his handsome features. "You can come some other time," he whispered to me and walked over to his table.

Evie took ahold of my shoulders and shook me aggressively. Did she want me to die or something?

"Why didn't you tell me you were friends with Kyle?!" she whisper-yelled.

"Because I'm not," I mumbled.

I don't even know what's going on anymore...

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A/N: Thank you for 500 reads, love y'all!