...A V E R Y...

Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.

The sound of the alarm went off causing me to groan out in frustration and to getting out of bed for another long day of torture and pain. I headed to the bathroom to brush my teeth alongside taking a cold shower.

I skipped over different clothes in my closet, trying to find something casual, something that didn't draw much attention to me. Not having much luck, I picked blue pants and a matching blue shirt to go with them. I stood in front of the mirror. My eyes scanned over my body with a feeling of disgust. I was more on the chubby side than slim, my self-esteem, on the other hand, is low, and my confidence, well, I had none.

Guilt.

I wonder if that's why my mother and father despised me so much to give me away when I was just eight years old. Was I too fat for them not to love me? Perhaps, ugly? My adoptive parents had two beautiful daughters, twin to be exact, Summer and Winter. They were everything I could've only dreamt for, well, except for their annoying behavior and bratty attitude. Life was pretty much handed to them on a golden plate while for me it was the opposite.

I grabbed my oversized sweater and dragged on my white converse shoes before going downstairs. A sharp sudden realization as I saw how happy everyone was without me, and I, Avery, didn't want to ruin anyone's morning so, I slipped through the back door onto the main street to catch the stupid yellow school bus. After waiting some time, I saw the bus coming from the distance. Meanwhile, Summer and Winter went into their Matte Black BMW i8 car. The perks of living in a high-class family for them excluding me. I sighed in frustration as my torture had soon begun. The school bus had reached my destination but, instead of slowing down, it sped up quickly, causing me to run after it. I could see the kids on the bus laughing at my misfortune while some spilled nasty comments.

"Even my grandmother runs faster than you."

"Does she even know where the gym is at?"

"No wonder no one loves her."

"If I had a child who is like her, she would be in an adoption center by now."

Tears leaked from my eyes as I forced myself to keep up, my legs getting tired. Finally, the bus stopped. I climbed up the stairs tugging the sweater around my body protectively, shielding me from the horrors of this world. I was making my way to the back to sit when suddenly the driver sped up, causing me to trip over someone's foot and fall. I hissed in pain before quickly recovering from the incident.

"Watch where you are going, fat pig."

Everyone started to laugh, and I swallowed nervously, plugging in my earphone and blasting Billie Eilish's song, drowning out everyone and everything.

The bus had finally arrived at school; I waited for everyone to exit the bus before I do, not to draw any more unwanted attention to myself. I quickly made my way to my locker to grab my books and the necessary pieces of equipment needed for Mathematics class.

"Where's my assignment, Avery, the fat pig," the voice of the jock, Aaron asked.

I turned around and handed him the Maths assignment, which he had threatened me to do over the weekend.

"Here you go, I did it like mine, but only some of them wrong so, Mrs. Gordon does not suspect anything," he grabbed the papers from my hand as I spoke.

"At least fatty patty is smart but too ugly," he laughed and high five his friends.

Summer and Winter came in their expensive clothes and the body of models' with faces that were caked with tons of makeup. Aaron was Summer's boyfriend, and Winter was more on the gay side.

"Hey baby, I missed you," Summer said in her high-pitched squeaky voice, oblivious to the fact she was on the school compound. Not wanting to see the two lovebirds exchanging saliva, I quickly scurried off to Maths class. Praying that no one noticed me, I went to sit in the back of the classroom near the window, waiting for class to begin.

"Settle down everyone, today, we have a new transfer student, Desmond Moonlight. Please introduce yourself to the class."

My heart stopped for a quick second, he had the appearance of the main characters who were badass and he gave off the bad boy type of vibe. He was probably six feet, one inch with white hair as snow and a lean muscular body, but not too bulky. His physique screamed power, and for a second, I felt scared as his icy blue eyes met mine. I quickly averted my eyes as my cheeks flushed red.

...A V E R Y...

"Good morning, I'm Desmond Moonlight, a transfer student from St.Terrence High," he spoke. I could feel his intense gaze on me but I kept my head down not interested anymore, cause I'm a fatty, no one will ever like me.

"Thank you for the introduction Mr. Moonlight, I hope you have a productive semester," she said while giving him a warm smile.

I began drawing in my notebook, something I often did when I'm nervous.

"Please take a seat beside Avery, Moonlight."

What.

Just.

Happen?

I froze at what Mrs. Gordon said. No one sits beside me, I'm hideous and fat. I wonder if he will make fun of me like the others.

"Avery please raise your hand," Mrs. Gordon said sternly before turning her back to begin today's lesson.

He walked over in my direction before taking a seat. I tried making myself as small as possible and kept my head down. The girls were trying to flirt with him while the boys seem envious.

"Are you new here as well?" He suddenly asked.

I was oblivious to the fact that he was talking to me. No one talks to me. Unless I had to do their assignments. I was invisible.

"Avery?" He questioned for the second time.

I snapped out of my thoughts realizing that he was, indeed, talking to me without any sassy or rude comments.

"No, I'm not new here," I said in a neutral tone hoping he will find me not worth the time and effort.

"That's weird because I haven't seen you with any friends and as far as I see everyone in this class has someone to talk to," he said matter-of-fact.

I ignored him, as I paid attention to the lesson Mrs.Gordon is teaching.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Paper came raining down on me like snow. Great! Aaron started to throw paper at me profoundly.

As usual, I tried not to let him ruin my concentration.

"We have an assignment to do, due in a month, you will be able to pick your partner, and please hand me the list at the end of the class."

Mrs. Gordon turned her back for a quick second when another paper came hitting me. It fell onto my lap and in a big red mark made by a sharpie it read:

Open Me

I open the paper and in a small black ink it wrote:

Dear Avery, no I mean pig, you are so disgusting, wait until the new guy finds out who you are, no wonder no one wants to be your friend, you're a waste of space.

P.S- you're crushing the poor guy.

I crushed the paper up before stuffing it into my pocket. Tears in my eyes threatened to spill.

"Hey, what was that note about Ave."

Ave?!

No one has ever given me a nickname well ever since my parent gave me up. Is this some kind of pathetic joke?

"One, it's none of your business. Two don't call me Ave," I hissed.

He sat quietly for a little time probably confused as to why I responded to him harshly.

"I'm not stupid, your voice is hoarse probably a minute away from crying and you didn't reply to the note," he continued to speak," Let me see the note then."

To say that I was impressed and confused would've been an understatement. How the hell did he know all that?

"No, I'm fine, it's none of your business," he gripped my arm.

"Give me the paper Avery," I looked up at him, and his piercing blue eyes met mine. I slowly went into my pocket, handing him the note.

His grip loosens and opened the now crushed paper reading the note.

"Who wrote this to you, is it the jock guy, behind us?" He questioned. I nodded my head curtly. He folded the paper and put it in his pocket without uttering a single word.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

The signal of the Math class ending. I knew I would more likely work on the project by myself, obviously, from the note, Desmond saw or the girls already added him to the list.

As I was getting out of the class, Mrs. Gordon announced, "Avery, you and Desmond will be working together on the project, here is the outline. Good luck!"

Desmond gave me a small smile as I hurriedly went to my other class finding ways to ditch him from doing the project or better yet do it myself.

Chemistry class was over quicker than I thought, we did a practice test and I knew I nailed it.

I was successful so far in staying in my little world when all that shattered as soon as I entered the cafeteria.

Eyes diverted in my direction alongside whispers. I mentally blocked out everyone and went to get my lunch when my dear sister said," An apple a day, will make that weight go away." Laughter echoed throughout the cafeteria as my eyes scanned the room, everyone was laughing except Desmond.

That's weird. I said to myself, the table where he was sitting is available for another person so I sat with him.

"Is that how they treat you here," he asked curiously.

I swallowed my food, "Yeah, I guess."

He stopped eating and slammed his fist on the table," So you don't try to stand up for yourself Avery, that's bullying right there."

Eyes started to look our way probably to see what would happen next.

"Keep your voice down, will you?!" I whispered.

Aaron and his pals came in, "Is the fatty patty annoying you, new guy?"

Desmond's jaw clenched, seeming to be pissed off about the situation.

"You're the one annoying me, not her," he replied.

If you could drop a pin in the room you could hear it fall, the tension between the two guys was thick.

"What did you just say to me, dude?" Aaron questioned walking up to Desmond who was still seated not fazed by the shorter guy.

Desmond got up practically looming over Aaron, his adam apple bobbing.

"Hey man, I don't want any trouble but you have to admit that fat bitch is hideous."

Desmond lost his temper and punched Aaron right in the face. I gasped at the sight before me, shaking intensely trying to process everything that was happening.

Summer was screaming for her boyfriend, Desmond throwing punch after punch, Students took out phones laughing and talking it was a disaster.

I screamed for Desmond to stop, trying to pull him away from Aaron which I successfully did. His breathing was heavy, and sweat ran down his face, as I pulled his arm away from him.

"Avery, Aaron, Desmond make your way into my office now, and you three have detention," boomed the voice of the Head Mistress.

...A V E R Y...

Detention?!.

No, this can't be happening. I've never had detention since fifth grade when I fought with the class bully, Roly.

Everyone in the cafeteria was quiet, while Summer sends me death glares. A lump formed in my throat making it hard for me to breathe. I followed closely behind Desmond, believe it or not, he made me felt safe.

After we arrived in the Head Mistress office, she asked what the problem was.

"It was all a misunderstanding Head Mistress, I was informing the new guy about our wonderful school and Ms. Baker interrupted our conversation," Aaron said.

Is this guy serious? He sucks at lying. I looked over to Desmond, and I'm sure it's the same thing he's thinking.

"Enough," the Head Mistress said sternly, "You both have detention for three days in the library, ditch detention, I call your parents in, understood?"

"Yes, Head Mistress," we said in unison, before leaving her office.

Well, that's a relief, I would hate if she called my parents in.

I was walking away when I felt a small tug on my shoulder.

"Avery?"

I turned around and met face to face with Desmond. His eyes held a hint of concern and guilt?

"What do you want?" I said harshly.

"I'm sorry I got you into trouble, you didn't deserve how they treated you," he said sincerely.

He can't keep talking to me, ruining his reputation for someone like me and he just got here, unbelievable!

"Enough, it's all your fault if you haven't talked to me or tried to help me, none of this would've happened, stay away from me new guy it's best for both of us," I walk away feeling guilty.

The school day had come to an end, here I am five minutes early in detention waiting for the teacher or whoever was coming to watch us.

I pulled out my laptop, to start the math project by myself. I honestly didn't want any of them to show up.

Speak of the devil!

Aaron walked in and sat beside me staring at me intensely as I sat uncomfortably in my seat.

"I wonder what he sees in you, did you seduce him, Avery?"

My eyes widen at Aaron's statement. Why would he assume that I did such a thing? I'm not a--my thoughts were interrupted as Aaron grabbed my sweater with one hand and held my wrist with the other.

"I'm talking to you fat bitch, answer my question right now Avery," while he sank his hand further into my wrist. I whimpered quietly from fear.

"N-No I didn't seduce anyone, I s-swear," was my reply.

He let go of my wrist and harshly tugged my sweater back on my shoulder.

"Good, no one will ever want you Avery, or love you, the only thing I know useful on you is your pretty face," Aaron said giving me a sadistic smile.

The teacher entered the library alongside Desmond, I kept my head down whilst Aaron pretended as if nothing had happened earlier.

The detention was practically an hour and a half, we all sat in total silence. Desmond tried to get my attention on multiple occasions but the stubborn person I am kept my head and eyes on my laptop.

Time went by painstakingly slow, the ticking of the clock could be heard echoing throughout the library.

Summer and Winter were probably home by now. What was I going to tell them now? Perhaps, they won't notice I'm not home?!

I groan out loudly, and soon realized and clamp my hand over my mouth before whispering a small sorry. The teacher gave me a strict look as if she was scolding a child.

"Detention is over, you are free to leave."

It was now after five in the evening and I had no ride home, well, looks like I will be walking today to lose some weight. Grabbing up my bag and belongings I hurried off the school compound to start my journey, plugging in my earphone with my volume at max, to help tune out my thoughts which is impossible. Images of today's event rushed back to my mind. It felt good to have someone standing up for me but at the same time, he hardly knows me, and neither do I.

Everyone eventually makes fun of me or calls me names and some simply ignore my very existence. Best to stay by myself, it is better that way.

A white Maserati MC 20, pulled up to me. I dragged my earphone out quickly and speed up my walking.

"Avery, it's me, Desmond," he said.

Oh great just the luck I needed!

"Let me drop you home, it's getting late Ave," I stopped and rolled my eyes at him," My parents said not to take a drive from strangers besides how will I know you won't kidnap me and sell me off in the black market," I said jokingly.

Desmond looked at me intently from my choice of words," I'm not going to do anything to you Avery, I'm only your classmate and I want to drop you home safely."

I noticed how he emphasized the word "only" and "safely", he confused the hell out of me. It was a long way home either way so I just gave in.

"Okay, I'm coming with you just this one time," I slid into the car carefully, this was one expensive car.

I put on the seat belt then he soon begun speeding down the road. He switched on some music whilst I looked through the window at the beautiful view feeling an unexplained emotion and it felt good.

"How'd your parents afford such a luxury car?" I asked suddenly out of curiosity. He was caught off-guard by my question but he quickly replied," My family is rich, they own the Moonlight Five Star Hotel."

My eyes widen at the reality, I knew that hotel was where Summer and Winter went for their sixteen birthday party, it's quite expensive.

"So if your parents are famous people, why are you going to a public school," I asked again out of curiosity.

"It's a long story Ave, but they wanted me to socialize and meet new people," he replied softly.

I hummed in response, not wanting to ask any more questions that I had and be annoying.

My house was just a few houses from where we were, "You can start to slow down my houses just five houses from here," I pointed to show him.

Arriving at my destination, I unhooked the seat belt, "Thank you Desmond for the ride." I opened the car door and came out.

"You're welcome Avery, I'll see you tomorrow, yeah?"

I smiled at him, "Yeah". I watched him leave and went inside the house that I call home.

Surprisingly everyone was out or either in their rooms. I sighed in relief before heating leftover mac and cheese and headed to my room.

Placing the small dish of food on my table, I took off my clothes and went into the shower seeing a small bruise on my wrist that became purple and would be noticeable if you looked closely.

After soaking my body, I rinsed my body off before grabbing the towel to dry my hair and skin before jumping into some loose-fitted PJ. I grabbed my mac and cheese, curled up in bed turning on my series show, Ginny and Georgia, I was way behind and needed to catch up.