The Player And The Nerd •Jiley•

•PART 13•

"Get off her" James yelled while walking over.
The two girls (minus Beth who today had been too busy flirting with James) had her pinned up against the wall and were about to strike her stomach with their fists.

The girls suddenly let go and turned to look at James. It took them a few seconds to pull themselves together before strutting closer to him.

"Hii Jame- James where are you going!?"

THE GIRLS POV

I ran. I had to get away from them. I sprinted as fast as my legs could carry me all the way to the drama studio. I slammed the door shut behind me. I always came here every morning after getting picked on. It was an every day occurrence, and after school now too. This was my safe place- nobody was ever in here at this time and nobody ever followed me here.

Well...that was until today.

I sat crying in the corner, my back pressed against the wall and my knees tucked tightly in my chest. I was on the edge of having a panic attack, and that only frightened me even more. Especially when I heard the big door to the room creak open and a tall guy wander in. Hopefully he wouldn't spot me, so I just put my hands over my mouth to stop my loud sobs escaping and I kept my head down.

Footsteps. They were coming towards me. I prepared myself for a beating, a yell at. But it never came.

"Hey, are you okay?"

His voice was low and calming, like there was no reason to be afraid. But I was. And my body shook while uncontrollable sobs left my mouth as I had a panic attack.

"Shh, you're okay" he said soothingly. It didn't help in the slightest.

Through blurry eyes I saw him crouch down in front of me. He tried lifting up my chin, but I flinched and he pulled his hand away as though I was a alligator ready to snap.

"I'm sorry, please don't cry. I'm here to help."

Lies. I had heard those words all before.

"What's your name?" He asked gently. I wanted to tell him but I can't trust anyone.

I mumbled "Gabriella" just loud enough for him to hear. I was still crying and shaking uncontrollably; I just wanted to be left alone...

"Hey Gabriella, I'm James. You're getting bullied, am I right?"

No reply.

"Please talk to me, I just want to help you"

No reply.

"Okay look, I know you don't know me or anything but I just want to help you. Please?" James begged.

The girl sat there sobbing silently. Tears ran down her pink cheeks before she simply mumbles

"I don't trust anyone, especially players."

James was shocked, even if he knew it was true, and just watched her run out the room.

"Connecting with her is going to be harder than I thought..." James thought to himself.

And he was right. Each morning after getting the mean girls to back away from Gabriella he would sneak up to the drama room where she was hiding. He never got another word out of her for the next few weeks, and James seriously considered giving up.

Until one day changed...

Flashback
"Hey girls" James smiled while walking over to where he saw the squabble between them and Gabriella. As usual they all strutted over and were all over him- especially Beth. He saw Gabriella run away as usual and after getting away from the girls he walked up to drama. He hoped today he may get through to her.

But after pushing open the door and looking straight to her usual corner, he noticed she wasn't there. That was odd. He looked around the whole studio but she was nowhere to be seen.

End of flashback

Within the following days James proceeded to go to drama, in hope she would be hiding in there. But she never was.

It was time to take matters into his own hands.