Redemption For Rosé's Bullies

Introduction of main characters:

Rosé Myers - Main Protagonist and Female Lead, 18

Tommy High - Vampire and Ex-best friend, 19

Denis Corper - Werewolf and Tormentor, 18

Manuel Hawk - Fae Prince and Ex-boyfriend, 18

Cameron Parker - Shapeshifter and Tormentor, 19

Steve Moore - Werewolf and Abuser, 16

Robin Sharpe - Best friend, 18

Rose

The next day would be easier, I told myself time and time again.

But my hopes seemed to dissolve with each passing day.

"A dead man appeared in Blackwater Forrest," my aunt said. "Have you heard? He had his arms and fingers twisted in this awful manner without a drop of blood in his body. No bone marrow, ashy skin, brittle toenails, even his eyes were dirt dry!"

"Yes, Auntie, I know." I peeked out from behind a streetlight. Not of the boys were there yet. I did see some of their friends in the school yard but they wouldn't bother me much if their leaders weren't there to instruct them on how to do it. "Mom told me last night."

"Okay, dear. Be careful while on the road," she sighed. The world is full of wicked people. I can't comprehend how anyone human can do something like this. I love you, darling. Enjoy your day at school."

"Love you too, Auntie." It seemed fine. If I move fast enough maybe nothing will happen. "I'll be careful, I promise. Bye-bye!"

I hung up and place my phone into a clear plastic and sealed it shut. Then I placed it in the bottom of my bag and walked across the school lawn.

Everything bad occurred for the first few seconds, so I became confident enough to continue going. Then, not far from the foyer, my body went into shock as something cold covered it.

Water dripped from my hair to my clothes. I didn't have to look up to see who it was. But I did anyway.

Alyssa stood on the landing, her midnight black hair flowing over her arms and continuing halfway down the stone barricade. But she wasn't the one holding the bucket. Tommy didn't even try to hide it and I didn't expect him to. The bucket was still turned upside down, bits of water falling to the ground. The sun began rising, and although it stayed hidden behind trees, some of the sunlight still shone on the school campus and Alyssa's face.

Alyssa had the most beautiful smile and I'm sure she knew it. People were easily mesmerized when they saw her. But boy, when she smiled, it was like a whole new world opened. Many couldn't stare away. That same smile was what she used to taunt me from her pedestal while I stayed wet on the dirt beneath her. Like a commoner.

The boy standing beside her was someone I knew all too well. I thought we would be the best of friends two years ago. Now I just felt nothing but nausea whenever I saw his face.

It hurt honestly, knowing that someone who you used to laugh at silly things with is now laughing at you without restraint.

"Wow," Tommy whistled. "You really do look like a rat when you're wet."

He and Alyssa laughed. Some students who had stopped to watch continued on their way into school, while others either laughed or gasped in disbelief. Not one came to help me or asked if I was okay. Guess they couldn't with those two keeping their eyes on me. Or maybe they just didn't care after witnessing me being the brunt of their jokes every morning.

I pushed my soaked bangs out of my eyes and stooped to pick up my bag since I dropped it.

"I bet that's the wettest a guy has ever made her," someone commented from behind. I sighed. It's almost as if I can't come to school without facing a problem before class even starts. I first saw his name-brand red shoes before I saw his face. Unlike Tommy, Denis was the type of guy who towered over everyone, whether they were a guy or not. While Tommy's blonde hair and smile got him enough attention to make him a player, Denis' dark hair and sparkly personality drew people to him. It didn't help that he was a jock, a hockey jock to be exact. He always accepted anyone who approached him and treated them like they were his best friend. Every person in this school except me.

"If that's true then maybe I could help her." That one came from Alyssa. She winked at Tommy who made a face as if he was disgusted. My eyes hurt and I knew I was about to cry soon, so I tried to walk away from them. That was until I found a tug on my bag. I turned to look at Denis, hoping that my glare was enough to get him to let go. It wasn't. Denis glared down at me, that sickening smile still on his face. "Don't you know you shouldn't turn your back on people when they're talking to you?" He asked menacingly. Maintaining eye contact has never helped me in the past, so I lowered my gaze cause I know that's what he likes.

I made sure to lower my tone. "Please let me go," I said. Denis' eyes soften. For a moment I believed he truly would let me go. But woe is me.

He grabbed my chin and squeezed it, making sure I wouldn't be able to shift my head away.

"Next time be a good girl and answer when Daddy calls," he smirked.

"Bite me." The words slipped out of my mouth before I had a chance to shut it. He snarled, then shoved me into one of his friend's arms.

Stevie held me close to his chest, black hair tickling my face. He kissed me on my eyes several times before I was able to escape him. When I did he reached out and smacked my butt. I spun around to growl at him but by that time he had joined Denis and his friends heading inside. And I was left alone to watch their backs as they entered. Alyssa and Tommy departed as well. I looked towards the sun. The bell would ring soon if I didn't hurry, and I hated being the last one to walk through the glass doors.

Almost as much as I hated going to school with these assholes.

I couldn't see it while I continued my walk to the school entrance, but something hid behind trees as it watched me. It wouldn't be long before I got to stand face-to-face with danger itself.

Thankfully I got to class before the bell rang. It went by slowly, then again it always did. But that didn't matter anymore. There were two things I had to look forward to.

One, this was my last year. I don't know what I will do after graduation, but I was promised by my parents that I could move to another town and live with my grandaunt. Something both she and I were fine with. My parents were... not horrible, yet they weren't all that great either. That much I was aware of.

Two, her. She was the reason I could feel a little happy, even if it was just for a few minutes. As soon as she entered a room, it was like the whole room lit up. She saved me one day when she pushed my awful bangs behind my ears. With a voice as soft as butterfly wings, she told me how pretty and smart she thought I was. I wore my hair up and pink lip gloss the next day, even if it got me teased.

But we were just friends. Even worse, she was a part of Alyssa's group. The top of the top most obnoxious, hottest folks in Fairweather High. Robin was nice though. No one else in school told the boys to leave me alone when they were bullying me. Unlike others, she wasn't afraid of them. I liked that.

But I would probably never tell her. I remember the last time I had a crush all too well.

The bell rang allowing us to go to the cafeteria and eat something. My stomach growled. I covered it with my hand to try and stop the people in the halls from hearing it. Outside of the science lab, a small group of students was laughing about something. As I walked by, they stopped.

"It's the same shirt from this morning."

"OMG, I feel so sorry for her."

"I mean it's been a while. If she doesn't help herself then why should we care?"

"Those guys are kind of scary, to be honest. Didn't she tell Steve to fuck off and he shoved her head into the food tray?"

"I know they're mean to her and all but haven't the boys been pretty nice to everyone? She probably did something to piss them off, and now, they hate her."

I rubbed my shoulder and lowered my head. Their eyes followed me until I was out of the hall and in the eating area. Yes, I didn't change my blouse even though I had a black shirt in my backpack that was still dry, but that was only because of what else I might face today. My clothes were almost dry, so it wasn't that bad. Was it?

No, no time to be self-conscious. That would only wear down on my mind and make me feel terrible about myself. I was trying to get better, but it was hard.

At least I got to see Robin again after a long weekend. I picked up a wrapped cheese sandwich and a sweet bottled drink and placed them on my tray. After paying for them, I carried the tray and looked around. The person I was looking for was Robin. Some freshmen took over my table when school started last week, so we had to change where we sat for lunch a few times. Over all her cool, super hot friends, she chose to have lunch with me every day since May! It made me feel so special.

I couldn't see her so I headed to the table we sat at last Friday. Then stopped.

Sitting there was Manuel, my first love. The one who broke my heart.

And Robin, laughing at every word he said.