One look at my face had me vomiting a little in my mouth. I cringed away from the mirror instinctively. Other than looking like crap, I felt it too. My face was swollen and felt like it was double the size it normally was. My left eye was puffy and a wicked shade of purple. I had a slight purple streak sashed across my jaw. The base of my neck throbbed, as though someone had stood on my head in an attempt to crush my skull.

I washed my face, the cool water feeling soothing on my throbbing skin. I winced slightly as I began to gently wipe the excess water away. I bit my lip as I leaned forward heavily on the sink, staring at my reflection, trying not to gag at what I saw. My poor body. It has endured through so much this past year.

I didn't exactly want to go into civilisation looking like I had been mugged. So, having the school on lockdown was actually a blessing. We were banished from the halls to our rooms, (practically cells), to stay there for twenty-four hours. So, saying this place was similar to a Prison, would be spot on. Also, without food.

As if my thoughts triggered my stomach, it rumbled loudly. I pressed my hand to it, gritting my teeth. They told us they would come around with water every couple of hours. Other than that, we were to stay couped up in our rooms. I sighed wearily, feeling utterly exhausted. I can't sleep as usual. I was too uptight, drained, and too miserable. 

Dragging my feet with me as I exited the bathroom, I doubled over and twisted my long, brunette hair into a messy bun on the top of my head. I brushed gingerly at my face, to rid any stray strands that had refused to be tied back. I made a face as my thumb jabbed the corner of my mouth. I guess I would have to take it easy for the next couple of days.

I glanced over at Imogen who was still passed out, face first, on her bed. I cocked my head to the side, staring at her in amusement. If only I could go into a coma, like her. Nothing woke that girl. 

How could they have sent me here?

I know I got high a lot, drunk, and hooked up with random men at bars that I was too young to get into. I was a troubled, damaged girl that had just been screaming for attention. I hadn't wanted this. I could have been fixed.

Sighing heavily through my nose, I squeezed my eyes shut. I sucked in a breath as pain skittered through the left side of my face. I groaned, face-palming myself, my forehead being the only unbruised part of my face.

The desperate desire to go back in time was growing stronger every day.

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I was sprawled out on my bed, my head dangling off the mattress upside down, when there was a knock at the door. My eyes popped open and I stared at Imogen, who was also laying down on her bed, finally awake, making this experience a little more bearable.

She leaped to her feet and padded to the door, wrenching it open. I rolled over and peered around her, seeing who it was.

A guard, of course.

"Food?" I croaked out, my voice coming out hoarse and raspy. I mentally kicked myself.

He kept his face impassive like all the guards liked to. His eyes swept over my face and he frowned, giving me a dirty look. 

"Water."

I began muttering some profanities under my breath as Imogen grabbed the two bottles from him. She turned on her heel, slamming the door in his face. I was so hungry. It felt like my stomach was eating itself.

I really shouldn't have skipped lunch yesterday...

Imogen rolled her eyes, shaking her head. She threw the bottle at me and it landed beside me on the bed. I gave a little nod in thanks, before chugging it down in mouthfuls. I was never a fan of the forty-hour-famine. I would always go without something else. Food was too precious to give up. Just thinking about it, made my stomach churn uncomfortably. I felt my eyes sting slightly as frustrated tears threatened to release.

I rolled off the bed and strode towards the bathroom. I shut the door and rested my back against it. I let myself slide down it.

I drew my knees up to my chest and rested my forehead on my knees. I bit my lip, squeezing my eyes shut tightly, refusing to let any tears shed. I exhaled, trying to calm myself down. This past year... God. It was so hard, every day, to get up and pretend I was okay.

Witnessing your father be brutally murdered, was one thing. But having one of his only, living relatives take you in, promising a better future but instead...

I wanted out.

I wanted out, now.

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We were released from our cells, thank the Lord. Of course, as soon as we were let out, I found myself practically running down to the food court. I grabbed the first thing I saw, which was an apple, and bit savagely into it.

My mouth watered as soon as the taste erupted inside my mouth. I don't think I have ever eaten that fast in my life. It only seemed like a couple of bites and the apple was demolished. Time went by, excruciatingly slow when you had nothing to do.

I collapsed heavily down onto one of the lounges, biscuits spread across my lap as I fixed myself a little feast. Johnny soon joined me, causing the lounge to dip beside me. He smiled in greeting, causing a slight dimple to appear on his left cheek.

"Heya."

I nod in response, not looking up to see him. Food, was my top priority right now, not socialising.

"Oh God," he cried out loudly, causing multiple heads to snap their attention to us. The temptation to hit him was growing stronger. Of course I wanted everyone to see that I got my ass kicked. "What happened to your face?"

I gritted my teeth, instinctively raising my fingers to it. It was now a light shade of yellow with a smear of purple. It looked a lot better, but now it looked like I had Herpes or something. I had a foundation on it, but obviously not enough.

"Nothing." I ground out.

"Doesn't look like nothing..." he trailed off.

He maneuvered his arm so that it was hovering near my face and I flinched back, whipping my head away. After a moment or two, I turned my head back to him, where he still had his hand up awkwardly.

"Well, it was." I clipped, averting my eyes.

"Okay?" he said slowly, looking slightly confused and a little hurt.

Silence lapsed between us. I don't like people being in my personal space, (unless I'm drunk) or in a good mood, which in this school, I doubt I would ever be. Unless Michael Scofield from Prison Break showed up, but I couldn't see that happening.

"So... have fun in lockdown?" he teased lightly, trying to rid the awkwardness that was seeming to be accumulating around us.

"Don't get me started," I growled, unable to keep the bitterness out of my voice.

It  was as though I was destructing slowly from the inside and there was nothing I could do to stop it.

"Can I have one?" he asked me, reaching out and grabbing a biscuit, completely oblivious to my inner turmoil.

I swivelled my eyes to him and they connected. I narrowed them warningly. He raised his eyebrows at the look on my face and dropped it back onto my lap.

"Sharing is caring..." he trailed off, amusement flickering across his face. I kept my expression the exact same.

"Yeah, and I don't care."

"Ouch," he laughed.

I saw a figure in the corner of my eye and I looked up, spotting Colin. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly as he stared at me. He began to take a few steps over, but then his eyes darted to my right. His body froze and his eyes narrowed. I looked at him in surprise and glanced at Johnny, who was completely oblivious to all that was around him. I looked back and Colin had his back to me, walking away. I frowned. He had surprisingly looked happy to see me, and then he just left?

I sighed. I wasn't in the mood for his mixed signals right now. I hungrily dug into my biscuits as Johnny continued to harass me. Okay, he wasn't harassing me, but his excessive chatter was starting to annoy me. Whilst in mid-conversation, I dusted the crumbs off my lap and stood up. I began walking away from him when his fingers enclosed around my wrist. He tugged me backward and without even meaning to, I wrenched my arm from his grip as if his mere touch was like poison spreading over my skin.

Hurt flashed across his eyes before he quickly covered it. I rolled my hands in a gesture for him to get on with what he has to say.

"Where are you going?"

"Away."

I turned but he reached out and touched me again. I sighed again, but this time didn't yank back. Could he not see I didn't want to talk to him?

"Are we okay? I mean... you were all over me, twice... and now it's like you don't want anything to do with me?"

I looked at him levelly in the eye. I studied him, cocking my head to the side. His eyes were the darkest brown I have ever seen. It contrasted with his tanned skin and dark hair perfectly. He seemed like a nice guy and I was being a complete brat to him. I inhaled deeply, feeling a headache begin to form behind my eyes.

"Look, my head isn't in a good place at the moment, okay? Just give me time."

"Okay. I can do that."

I nodded at him and removed my hand from his. I pivoted and began to march back out of the room. Subconsciously, I was searching for Colin. He had left as quickly as he had entered. I needed to speak with him. I don't know why, or what about, but I just needed to. I rounded the corner and saw him. I small smile stretched across my face without me hardly even realising it. I took a step when a new figure entered the scene. I watched as Eliza emerged out of a room to the side. A smirk was planted on her face. She ran her fingers up his arm and instantly, anger boiled in the pit of my stomach.

Was I jealous? Abso-fucking-lutely.

"Hello Colin," she purred.

"Eliza," he sighed which had me smirking slightly.

"Want to come back to my dorm? I have something to show you," she whispered, biting her lip seductively.

I almost vomited in my mouth.

"No, thanks."

Mental fist pump.

"Are you sure?" she questioned, cocking her head to the side, a move I use frequently. She leaned forward and just as her lips were about to meet his, he whipped his head to the left, so her lips hit his cheek. I could see the anger flash through her eyes at the obvious rejection.

I felt the urge to jog over there and high five Colin for that awesome move but thought better of it. It was almost just as good, having a front-row view.

Her eyes then lifted and met mine. I froze, my happiness coming to a pause. Her eyes narrowed and she reeled back. I widened my eyes slightly, before slipping back around the corner. I picked up a brisk walk and returned back to my dorm, slamming the door shut behind me.

Just because I need another reason for her to come after me...

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