Chapter 5: Throwing It All Away

I didn’t go to any more classes that day. I went straight home.

I stormed into my room and started tearing the place apart—bookshelves, wardrobe, storage bins—making a huge mess.

I grabbed a big cardboard box and gathered everything Derek had ever given me, throwing it all in.

The box was stuffed full. I made sure not to leave a single thing behind.

I carried the box downstairs and dumped it in the trash by the curb, right next to the recycling bin, and slammed the lid shut.

When I finished, my parents weren’t home yet, so I called my mom.

My voice was shaking, but I kept it steady. “Mom, when you get home, go tell Mr. and Mrs. Lawson that I’m done with Derek. Also,”

I said coldly,

“from today on, Derek is not allowed to step foot in our house. Tell him to stay as far away from me as possible.”

When Mom got home, she looked at the slap mark on my face, anxious and furious.

I told her everything that had happened lately.

My mom listened, veins bulging in anger, and immediately went to knock on Derek’s door.

Mrs. Lawson was still confused, but my mom didn’t mince words and explained everything—how Derek slapped me, how he’d stood by while the transfer student bullied me, and finally, how he’d protected her instead of me.

Mrs. Lawson’s face turned pale, then flushed with anger.

Our two families had always been close, but now, because of me, a crack had formed.

But my mom didn’t blame me. Instead, she gently said,

“Our Natalie can’t be bullied by anyone. Whatever you choose, Mom and Dad will support you.”

All the frustration and sadness I’d bottled up burst out. My nose tingled, and I threw my arms around my mom, sobbing.

As I hugged her, I could smell her familiar perfume, the comfort of home wrapping around me as tightly as her arms. I could hear my dad’s truck pulling up outside, tires crunching on gravel—home felt safe again. For the first time in ages, I knew I had someone truly on my side.