Page 5 of Hate That Blooms

Thiago honks his horn at me, and I jolt forward and move to the side. As the car creeps by, Joaquín’s eyes don’t leave mine. I can feel the tears brimming in my eyes, and I suck back a breath to calm myself.

Cora and Natalie run over each of them grabbing onto one of my arms. “I didn’t know Thiago was that much of an asshole.” Cora snorts. “It makes me regret hooking up with him over the summer.”

“Hold up,” I say, turning toward her. “You did what now?”

“It was a summer thing.” She looks over to where the guy’s car is parked and stares at Thiago. “It looks like he’s moved on.”

I shake my head, still reeling from the encounter with Joaquín. “That doesn’t excuse his behavior,” I mutter, feeling hurt. Natalie squeezes my arm in support and shoots a disapproving look towards the guys’ car.

As we walk towards the school building, Cora sighs. “I knew he was friends with Joaquín. But I never saw him act like that when we were together.” Her words sound apologetic, but I can tell she’s also frustrated with Thiago’s actions.

I take a deep breath, trying to shake off the unsettling encounter. “Well, it’s a good thing you’re not with him anymore. You deserve someone better.” Natalie nods in agreement, her eyes filled with sympathy.

We enter the school building, and the incident is still fresh in my mind. I wonder why Joaquín is targeting me and what I did to deserve his cruel words. But I push those thoughts aside, focusing on the support of my friends and the determination to not let their words define me.

Throughout the day, I try my best to put the incident behind me. I focus on my classes, using the familiar routine of school. However, during lunchtime, that blows up in my face.

Cora, Natalie, and I sit at our usual table in the cafeteria, picking at our food. I can’t shake the feeling of being watched. I pan the room, and Joaquín and his friends are sitting three tables away, and he’s staring. Just like he was the other day, in the hallway.

Ignoring Joaquín’s intense gaze, I try my best to enjoy my lunch and engage in conversation with Cora and Natalie. But his presence looms over me, making it difficult to focus. I can feel the weight of his scrutiny—his eyes are burning into my skin.

Natalie notices my unease and whispers, “Don’t let him get to you. He’s just trying to get a reaction.”

Cora chimes in, her voice filled with determination, “Yeah, he’s just a jerk. We won’t let him ruin our lunchtime.”

Taking their words to heart, I muster up the courage to meet Joaquín’s gaze head-on. I refuse to let him intimidate me. With a defiant look, I hold his stare momentarily before turning my attention back to my friends

* * *

The day drags on, and Joaquín’s staring becomes a regular occurrence. It’s as if he’s trying to intimidate me and break me down. I do my best to keep my head high, walking with confidence through the hallways, knowing that I’m strong enough to deal with whatever he dishes out.

The last bell rings, and I gather my stuff to meet the girls at our lockers. I cut across campus, running up the steps to the hallway, and threw the door open. It’s dark in this old hallway; the musty smell of age hits my nose, and I cringe. Nobody is here yet.

Except him.

Leaning against his locker, Joaquín watches as I walk to my locker. I keep my head facing forward, turning the dial, and inputting my combination. The tickling sensation on the back of my neck hits me. His hot breath against my shoulder startles me, and I jolt forward.

“If I had to bet money, I’d say you’re probably a little slut, aren’t you, Gabriela? Did my mom give you any tips about whoring around now that she’s with your dad?” Joaquín’s vicious words strike a nerve, and I spin around to slap him.

He catches the wrist of my hand that’s cocked back to slap him. Reaching down, he grabs my other wrist, bringing both above my head. Pinned in place, he steps into my space, pressing his body against me.

“Your dad ruined my family.” He spits his words at me.

He blames me for this.

“I’m not responsible for the actions of my father. Just like I don’t hold you responsible for your mother.” I say, my voice shaking with nerves. “And for the record, I haven’t seen my dad or your mom. They took off, and moved an hour away to start over. He left us. Just like she left you.” I choke back the tears. “I’m hurting just as much as you are, Joaquín.”

“I’m going to have so much fun breaking you.” His grip on my wrists tightens as he pushes his body flush with mine. “And I will break you. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but by the time I’m done with you, you’ll hurt as much as I do.”

His dick’s hard and is pressing into my stomach. The way he’s hurting me and trapping me like this is turning him on.

“Hey, asshole! Let her go!” Cora shouts from down the hall. The sound of her sneakers smacking against the floor as she runs over echoes.

“We’re just having a little chat, aren’t we, Gabriela?” He tongue darts out to moisten his lips as he looks down at me, then pushes himself back, and drops my wrists. “See ya tomorrow.”

While he backs away and turns to head back to his locker, where his friends are waiting for him, I finally let out a breath.

“You okay? Do you want to go report him for touching you?” Cora pulls me into a hug. I watch him give me a menacing smirk as he backs out the door, flipping me off.

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