The Player

Brielle

5:45 AM

"Turn off the alarm Sam."

"Uh-huh," she grumbled half-heartedly, reaching over and beating down on my alarm clock. I sleepily rubbed my eyes, my throbbing headache greeting me.

"Ow," I mumbled, trying my hardest to sit up but my pounding head impeded me. I glanced at the clock before letting out a long groan. Today I would have to face my school.

Fighting against my instinct to lay back down and forget about today, I rose from my bed and began to get ready. I picked a sweater and a pair of baggy sweatpants to wear in an attempt to feel less exposed than I already did.

Before I knew it, Sam and I were driving towards the school. My pulse spiked as I felt all the anxiety from the day before hitting me.

I can't do this.

Sam seemed to sense my panic as she turned towards me. "Everything is going to be okay."

I half-heartedly nodded, not truly believing it myself. I wasn't just nervous about the pictures being released, but I was also anxious about facing Christopher after what he did to me.

Once my mind wandered on the topic, an inescapable thought crossed my mind. What if he had seen the pictures? I covered my mouth in horror, trying not to let my tears leak past my eyes.

"Brielle, we don't have to do this," Sam reassured me. "We can go home right now, just say the word." I wanted so badly to take the offer, but I resisted. I had to face my problems eventually.

"I can do this."

When we finally parked, I felt as though I would nearly faint. My knees buckled as I tried to get out of the car, causing me to almost trip on my own two feet. I quickly recovered and wiped my clammy hands on my sweat pants.

Almost immediately as I walked into the school, I felt all eyes on me. I had felt this feeling only once before, when Christopher and I were first dating, but this felt ten times worse. The gazes were harsh and judgmental. I could almost hear all the names that they were calling me.

I turned my gaze to my shoes, not wanting to focus on the attention. The hallways grew quiet as I passed through. I heard the hushed whisper of a couple of football players followed by loud laughter, and I already knew that I was the punchline.

I fought back my tears, not wanting to give people the satisfaction of seeing me cry. Despite my choice of clothing I still felt naked. No amount of sweatshirts or sweatpants would change that. I just couldn't shake the feeling that everyone had seen me at my most vulnerable without my consent.

when Sam and I finally reached our lockers. I pressed my forehead on the

so hard was it?'

"It was awful."

pouted, pulling me into a hug. "I know, but I promise

As I yanked my locker open I felt my stomach

I's relationship. Pictures of us smiling hung on the locker suspended my magnets. Sitting on the top shelf was a teddy bear that he gave me and

Dear Brielle,

created code names to disguise our identities. From now on, I'll

still on

I remember when he gave me this note. He slipped it discretely in my bag as he walked past me, enjoying

in the back of my eyes.

hand. "It's not good for you to read this." She said, placing the note in her locker. "And as your best friend it's my job

and Christopher had, I would never move on. He betrayed me, and I couldn't let how sweet

me.

clothes were wrinkled, his usually lively face was pale, and his hair was even more messy than it was regularly. But what really shocked me was the giant purple bruise around his

I could even process the information, Sam stepped in front of me, blocking him

her," he pleaded, stepping aside Sam so that he

eyes stared into

tell him to leave but I cut her off, wanting to hear what he had to say. "It's

turned towards me, searching my eyes for any hesitation. "Are you

us as neither of us knew what

to your

over the cut on his lip, seemingly just remembering that it was there. "It's

shot him a glare. "Who did you fight?" I

hesitated before answering. "No one who didn't deserve

His silence gave me the confirmation

off scotch free." He reached over for my hand and grabbed it. I felt a pang in my chest

burning anger. After what he did to me, I

me. Especially not you." I yanked my arm away. "At least I knew that I couldn't trust Derrick."

how conniving and evil he could be. But Christopher fooled me completely, and