Trapped (Bullied Book 4) (Bullied Series) Vera Hollins (best large ereader txt) 📖

a few French fries into her mouth. Her sullen face was rather funny. “Anyway, have you heard about the theme of the school festival?” A slow grin formed on her face. “All my efforts have paid off because The Uneducated Swine And Pain In The Ass agreed to it being anti-bullying. Hooray.”

Hayden snorted. “What did you do to make it happen? Threaten to chop his dick off?”

She raised her eyebrow at him and harumphed. “I’m promoting anti-violence here, although I wish I could do just that. He had to agree seeing that school board policies are changing. We’re finally getting people who are willing to investigate just what the hell is going on in this pit of hell and make changes for the better.”

It was true. The days of Principal Anders’ corruption and poor work ethic were slowly coming to an end. Two weeks earlier, two seniors had pushed a freshman’s head into a toilet, and a third had recorded it then posted it on Instagram. East Willow High students often posted bullying content on their private or public social media accounts, but so far they had managed to stay under the media’s radar.

However, a niece of a Connecticut senator had stumbled upon this video and showed it to him. In one day, the news of brutal bullying in Enfield’s high school spread across the state, and the authorities demanded a thorough investigation of our school’s administration. We had the media on our doorstep more often than not these days.

Of course, the principal refused to take responsibility for this issue. He claimed he wasn’t aware there were severe cases of bullying at his school, but I didn’t think the investigators bought that.

So now that our school was in the public eye, Mel was using the opportunity to start her anti-bullying campaign. She even claimed she would film bullies if she had to and would send the videos to the media until Anders finally quit.

“We’ll organize events to raise bullying awareness and spread the message of peace. I thought we could invite victims of bullying to speak about their experience, so people can understand more easily,” Mel continued.

“Now that’s a great idea,” Sarah said enthusiastically, and I agreed with her. I had to hand it to Mel for her ideas and willingness to make things right. We needed more people like her who were passionate about making the world a better place.

“We can also play bullying documentaries,” Mel added.

“While you’re at it,” Hayden interjected evenly, “why don’t you also show the side of bullies?”

Mel frowned at him. “Their side? What do you mean?”

“I mean, if you’re preaching, don’t speak just about victims. Speak about bullies too. Show our side. We aren’t all demons from hell. If people could understand us better, maybe we could have better chances at being less shitty.”

We all gaped at him. I was surprised he was admitting out loud that he was one of the bullies, but what surprised me more was how I’d never thought about it that way. I’d never thought understanding bullies could make a difference, but it made sense. If they were ostracized and treated in the worst way possible, chances were slim to none that they would become better people or make something out of themselves.

Hayden was a real example of this. He was able to change more easily because he had Sarah with him. Her understanding and support fueled his strength and will to change.

Blake, on the other hand… I glanced at him. He talked with Masen and Steven at their table, with an ever-so-serious face, and I wondered once again what his story was. I was conflicted. Sarah had said some people could be so lost in their pain they were blind to how awful their actions were, but as much as I could understand it, that didn’t change the fact that I’d suffered so much.

Even if what she said was true—that Blake could realize his mistakes and start to change—it would be difficult for me to get over everything he’d done to me. Maybe I’d be able to forgive him because holding a grudge would only make me more miserable, but anything beyond that would be pushing it.

The small part of me that harbored these feelings I refused to accept lived with an illusion that there could be more to Blake and me and we could find happiness just like Sarah and Hayden, but I couldn’t keep having my head in the clouds. Reality was too painful for me to just get over it that easily and embrace Blake with all his flaws.

Sarah wrapped her arms around Hayden and left a kiss on his lips. “I love that idea, Hayden.” She looked at Melissa. “It would be great if we could see bullies’ side of the story. I think it would also be good for the victims because that way they can deal with their issues in a healthier way. They would be able to better understand their past and see it wasn’t their fault for being bullied.”

Mel rubbed her chin, deep in thought. “Hmm. I’ll consider it. Although I think bullies deserve the worst, you do have a point there. Then again, I have a bully in my own house, and I know very well what happens inside his head, so I can understand to some extent why he behaves the way he does.” She raised her index finger in the air. “But, this doesn’t mean I’m defending him or anything. He deserves to be put in his place after everything he’s done to all those poor students.” She popped another French fry into her mouth. “Speaking of bullies”—she nodded in the direction of Blake’s table—“I think your friends miss you.”

Blake and Masen were looking right at us, and my cheeks warmed. This wasn’t the first time Hayden had eaten with us, but it was still unusual. I glanced away from Blake, unable to hold his derisive gaze.

“Barbie can’t stop looking this way. I guess you’re more interesting