by B C Morgan
I leave her room with a wicked smile on my face and as we round the corner I come face to face with Amias, he stops dead and just stands there staring at me.
“Fuck off Casanova, go back to that little slut you have draped over you every lunch time” Roxie says it right before she kicks him in the shin, shocking us both.
“Roxie, behave,” I ground out, not wanting to bring any unwanted attention our way.
“Hi little cub,” he says, but the nickname leaves me feeling hollow instead of the warmth it used to stir in me.
“You don’t get to call me that anymore, it’s not like we’re going to stay friends.” It’s harsh and unforgiving and telling him more than I wanted. Can he see my pain and the green-eyed monster rolling beneath my skin? Does he care?
“You were the one who screwed me and tried to sneak out the next morning,” he says, with this lazy air about him but his eyes reveal pain and I try to kid myself into seeing love, but he doesn’t, not really.
“I know and that was wrong, I never should have let it get that far. It made you change your mind though didn’t it, never clearly ended quickly for you,” I reply and I push past him and chills run through me as he grips hold of my now healed wrist.
“Don’t touch me, I wouldn’t want to catch whatever Octavia has,” I bite out, letting my pain fuel my words before I grab Roxie and leave. I never regretted going bare with him, but I’m starting to now.
I’m just glad that I’m not the sort of girl who believes that guys should take care of the protection, I’ve still learnt my lesson though. He moved on quicker than it takes me to count to a hundred, I’m never letting myself be sucked in by a bad boy exterior again
“Get over here beautiful, I’ve missed you,” Eli shouts across the canteen and I can’t fight the laugh.
I can see Amias out of the corner of my eye and he does not look happy, that makes me laugh even harder.
“You saw me this morning,” I say with a shake of my head as he drags my bottom lip into his mouth, drawing out a low moan.
“Save it for the bedroom you two,” Bella says with a blush and I’m ecstatic to see that Mattias has now joined our table.
“Do we have to,” he pouts, and I slap him gently on the arm.
“Yes, please do,” comes from Noah as he wraps his arms around me, and I sink into them willingly.
“Oh, look who it is, where have your wheels gone? Do you need me to push you around,” shouts Xavier and I look around to see Harrison freeze on the spot and his look reminds me why I was scared of him.
“Careful Drew, he might start shaking, wouldn’t want him to hit his head again now would we,” comes from Octavia as she leaves Amias’ table to stand beside her boyfriend. I do not understand their relationship.
“That’s cruel,” Roxie says looking horrified and we watch as Ivy walks over to stand beside him.
This doesn’t shock us two, but the rest of our table can’t make sense of what is happening.
“Sit your arse down before I make you,” Ivy seethes as Harrison clenches his fist, his arm is shaking but I know it's from rage.
“Go away little girl, you can’t touch us. Neither of you can, it's the broken and pathetic, against us,” she says, as Chelsea, Finley and their sheep stand up behind them.
No, not happening. Don’t make fun of someone because of an injury, disability or illness. I won’t stand for it.
“Don’t forget me,” I say, walking over to them and Harrison is as shocked as everyone else in the room.
“You’ve got us too,” says Roxie as she and Declan come over, even Elijah and Noah stand up.
These guys are the best, they’re doing it and I know it's not just because of me. It’s Ivy and because what the Shepherds are doing is cruel and wrong.
“You have got to be kidding me,” Octavia says, taking us in. She wasn’t expecting this to happen at all.
“Why are you doing this?” Harrison asks and I simply smile in return.
“Just want to keep on proving you wrong tough guy, besides it’s the right thing to do.”
I can hear it, yes.
That glorious sound is Finley’s phone and I watch his face as it falls and then changes to a look of disgust. Roxie is smirking along with me and everyone is watching as he walks over to Chelsea and pushes her down to the ground.
“You sick, fucking bitch. You stay the hell away from me or I won’t be held responsible for my actions, I will end you,” his tone is deadly and he walks out of the canteen but not before stopping in front of me for a moment.
He doesn’t say or do anything, he’s staring at me and then he’s gone and Chelsea is chasing after him as the message he got, gets sent to every person in this school and all the people on their emergency contact list.
We leave the canteen and the moment we’re outside everyone is pulling their phone out before turning to me.
“Did you do this?” Harrison asks and I can’t believe he’s sticking with us for the time being.
“Yeah, I had some inspiration from my own masked emailer. The truth can be scary, I just made sure that more than just the school was affected by this one. Chelsea cares about the way she’s perceived, I guess she better start worrying.” I can feel my lips spreading into a sinister smile, my back is straight and I’m holding my head up with pride. Mess with me and you get what you deserve.
“You’re scary, remind me to never get on your bad side,” Noah says dropping a kiss on my shoulder.
“I don't think I have a bad side where you’re concerned Noah bear.”
“What about me?” Elijah asks and I can’t fight my smirk.
“Oh honey, I have one created especially for you, you’re too frustrating not to get one all to yourself,” I say with a wink and he clutches at his heart at my wounding words. Such a drama king.
“How did you get it?” Ivy asks, she won’t look at me and she sounds nervous. The thing is, I miss her.
“I have a wonderful and highly talented friend,” I reply as I give Matti a quick hug. He still stiffens a little, but he is getting used to me.
“You got me talking to Leah,” he says quietly in my ear and my heart just about turns to mush at that.
“Can I read it out please, I can be all dramatic and everything,” Roxie says with wide eyes and fluttering lashes, she’s like a puppy when she’s like this.
“Go ahead, if it’ll make you happy,” I say but her next words make me crack up so much Noah has to calm me down.
“Gather round boys and girls, it’s story time!”
Chelsea Hutton was a very busy girl over the Christmas break, and I feel it is my duty to inform you all so you can have the required checks undertaken.
She has tested positive for Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea and Syphilis. So if you went in bare you’d better get checked, better to be safe than sorry.
Especially Mr. Carter the year thirteen P.E. Teacher, I’m sure his fiancée would not like that for a wedding gift.
Lewis Sampson and his girlfriend of three years Kelly Slater and last but definitely not least, William Walters, Finley’s father. Maybe he’ll give you all a lift to the gum clinic.
Your concerned student
TruthSeeker
“Henleigh, is it all true?” Declan asks as Roxie pretty much dies from laughter overload.
“Every last word, plus a little extra that I only sent to Finley. None of you need to know what that is though,” I say and sadness fills me, maybe I went too far in telling him about the child.
“Where did you get the idea for the name?” H asks, swallowing hard, I wonder if he’s trying to work out if I’ve told anyone or if not, when I will.
“PastFinder gave me the idea, which reminds me,” he flinches slightly, but he needn’t worry, “I’m going to tell you all what the mystery emailer has on me. I just need to work my way up to it, but you deserve to know before we leave this place. If you decide you want to cut your losses after that then I understand. And in respect of com
plete honesty, Roxie already knows. No favouritism, it’s just the way it worked out,” I’m rambling now. I’m really worried that because I told her they’re going to assume I trust her more or like her more or something stupid like that.
“You don’t need to explain, I tell Roxie everything. She’s so easy to talk to and there’s never any judgement and if anyone does mind, she’ll punch them for you,” Bella says and Roxie is nodding her head enthusiastically.
“I wish you could have told me, but I get it, no judgement Hen,” says Eli and Noah quickly agrees.
“Thank you and no judgement is definitely helpful,” I say quietly. Please let that stretch out to when I reveal it all, I’ve lost Amias, I can’t lose them too.
“I’ll leave you guys to it, thanks for what you did in there. See you around,” Harrison says, but he’s only staring at me.
“Library, usual time” I reply, and I watch closely as his eyes widen. Oh yes, we didn’t have any tutoring scheduled for today.
“Yeah, I’ll see you then,” he says, the confusion bleeding into his voice, I need him on his own and this is the only way I can do it.
I’m already here, waiting for Harrison to arrive. I have two questions for him and all I can do is hope that he’ll answer. I feel sick to my stomach and my hands feel clammy, great I hate anxiety!
“Henleigh,” that’s all he says as he enters the study room and takes a seat. He’s staring intently at me and more than likely trying to figure out why I would want to meet him today.
I take a deep breath in and release it slowly, I need a moment, that’s all, but my hesitation is making him antsy. He’s fidgeting in his seat and he keeps swinging his arms.
“You have secrets that you’re going to reveal alongside my own, so they belong to the people in my life?” It’s out there and he wasn’t expecting it, he probably didn’t realise how much I knew.
“Yes, I’ve tried to take it down. They shouldn’t be thrown under the bus just because it could hurt you more,” he admits freely as he falls down into a chair and stares at the floor as though it’s done him a great wrong.
“Mattias could help, I only have to ask. Though it will mean him knowing that you’re PastFinder,” I say, and I don’t know what to expect.
“Why didn’t you tell them?” The confusion is back in his eyes and he keeps clenching and unclenching his fists.
“They don’t need to know, if they want to dislike you, they can do it because of who you are, not what you’ve done to me.”
“I’ll accept his help to take those down, what about yours? Are you going to ask me to take that down as well?” His eyes won’t break away from mine, they’re narrowed slightly, and his arms are now stretched across the table.
“No, if that is something you feel you need to do, then do it. If you take it down, I’d rather it be your choice, not mine.”
“You really are something else, do you realise that? I still can’t get over what you did to Chelsea, it makes me wonder what you have in store for the rest of us,” Harrison says it fast before rising to his feet and coming to stand beside my chair.
I swear these guys love looking down on me, it’s even worse when I’m sitting and he’s not.
“You’ve suffered enough, I think you’re safe. The same goes for Ivy, as for the rest, well they’re fair game. See you around Harrison, you know where I am if you need me.” I give him a tight smile before standing and leaving the room.
Why did I add that part? I don’t need any more complications. Besides, I still have Octavia to take care of and just over three months left to go. I think I’m going I get a bigger thrill out of this one than I did from Chelsea's. I just need to figure out the best way to hit her where it hurts.
Thirteen
Octavia isn’t an easy target, she goes for what she wants and she tends to get it. She’s smart, pretty and apparently a really talented artist. I could break all of her fingers, but that’s going too far. This one is really getting to me, we’re now in May and there’s barely any time left to plan and instigate it. Plus, we’re having a prom, I’m going with Noah and Elijah and I’ve heard rumours that Amias is going with Octavia. Her official boyfriend is taking this stunning little dot of a girl, I think he got the better deal.
No, I need to keep my head clear and focus on my surroundings. I’m horse riding with Ivy but decide to test my limits and push harder today. The only problem is I now have no idea where anyone has gone. We entered the trees that dot one side of Padstow Academy and I can’t hear a single thing, aside from Winnie’s hooves hitting the dirt and the occasional sound of a twig snapping.
We’re moving slowly as I try to find the safest place to get her turned around so we can get back to the field, but I can hear more twigs snapping and her ears have pulled back.
She’s lifting her hooves and putting them back down over and over again, what am I supposed to do. I stroke down her mane and whisper a nonsensical string of words and it does seem to be soothing her slightly, but it only lasts as long as it takes for a loud bang to go off. She freaks and tears up; I wasn’t prepared so I’m not holding onto the reins tightly. I’m sent flying backwards as she stampedes away and all I can do is hope that she makes it back to the others safely.
I can’t even think about myself right now, my back is throbbing, and I hurt more than I expected. What on earth caused that noise it almost sounded like a... gunshot.
Another twig snaps and I’m swivelling my head in all directions that it can turn to when I see it, the barrel of a gun pointed right at my chest.
I don’t care what anyone says, my life has not flashed before my eyes and my fight and flight response has me frozen to the spot. I’m lying here on the dirt floor, propped up by my elbows with a gun aimed right at me. Mr. Terrifying is the one with his finger on the trigger and I can’t believe it is all going to end right here and now.
“Can you run?” he asks and my mouth just falls open, I think I’m in shock.
“Come on pretty girl, don’t keep me waiting. I’m not a patient man and I am holding a gun, it’s in your best interest to keep me happy,” there is still no inflection in his tone and his face is blank.
He’s threatening to end my life right here and now, yet it’s not affecting him in the slightest. That isn’t normal.
“I don’t know,” I say, my voice is hoarse with fear and it’s taking all my effort not to unload my lunch across the dirt floor.
“Try to get up, it’s no fun if you don’t try and preserve your life. Make it a challenge for me Henleigh, same rules as before. I’ll count to ten and if you make it out of the trees before I capture or shoot you, then you get to live for another day.”
I’m on my hands and knees, trying to push myself up. I don’t care what happens, I won’t just lie down and die. I get up onto shaky legs and my back won’t stop twinging, it’s making my breath falter, but I need to focus on the objective at hand. Make it out of here at all costs, do not die today Henleigh. Elliott will not want to see you like this.
“The timer starts now, ten, nine, eight.”
That’s it, I’m out of here. I will push through the pain if I have too, I won’t lose my life to a scumbag like him.
I can hear the twigs snapping but I can also hear the echo, meaning he’s not as far away as I’d like.
“Seven, six, five.”
No, I can’t stop I’m almost there.
“Four, three, two.”
Just go away you psycho, this isn’t funny it never has been. Tears are streaming down my face and I’ve bitten my tongue so many times just to draw my mind away from my back. My chest is tight and I’m struggling to breathe. I don’t think I’ve heard anything that is as loud as my frantically beating heart.
“One, ready or not, here I come.”
His voice travels across the wind and straight to me, he’s too close but maybe not close enough to hit me.
Crack, thud.
My head swings to the left and I can see whe
re the bullet hit the tree, too close for comfort. It’s okay, it’s going to be fine. I’m zigzagging now, trying to make myself a harder target as another bullet whizzes past me and I can feel it graze my cheek. I don’t think I just leap, throwing myself forward until I hit the ground hard and hear soft neighs coming from the Academy's horses. I’ve made it and he’s nowhere to be found.
It doesn’t take long for someone to find me and the police are at the school quicker than I thought possible. They take my statement and I tell them everything he has done to me, they admonished me for keeping it to myself but they are going to place officers within the Academy grounds to make sure he doesn’t get close to me again.
The guys won’t let me out of their sights, apart from when Elijah spotted Amias and chased him around a corner. He was gone for a few minutes and when he came back his knuckles were torn and bleeding. When I see Amias, he had bruises covering the left side of his face.
“Eli, what did you do?” I don’t want him to get hurt, and I hate that I’m sick to my stomach that Amias is now injured because of me.
“Nothing more than he deserved, I won’t apologise for hitting him Hen. What he’s doing with Octavia is wrong and he hasn’t even been to check on you after what happened. He said he didn’t know, but has he approached since I let my fists do the talking and gave him a few new bruises?” He asks, getting worked up. He’s shuffling his feet, wringing his hands, and he keeps cracking his knuckles and his neck.
“No, he hasn’t. I won’t lie it does hurt, but I’m okay. Let him do what he wants, I won’t let it affect me,” I say as I give him a kiss that warms my heart.
“Henleigh, skip class with me?” he asks as his excitement pushes into my stomach and it only takes a quick nod of the head before we walk into my room.