Not My Hero: Black Mountain Academy

by Michelle Heard

  Not a chance in hell.

  I get up, and as I leave the office, I glare at Michael. “We’re not done.”

  “Aww, are you asking me on a date?” Michael taunts me, an egotistical smirk pulling at his bloody lip.

  “After school,” I mutter.

  “Michael, get in here,” Mr. Davis calls out.

  “Devil’s Bluff,” Michael says, way too confident after the beating I just gave him.

  I hurry out of the building, and pulling my phone out of my pocket, I call Brie’s number, but it goes to voicemail. I notice her bag at the foot of the steps and pick it up.

  Glancing around the area, I don’t see her anywhere, and I rush to my truck. When I climb in, my phone chimes with a message. Seeing it’s from Brie, I open it quickly.

  Thank you for everything.

  My phone vibrates again as another message comes through from her.

  I’m sorry.

  “No.” I start the engine and drive as fast as I can while I keep calling her number. “Don’t do this, Brie.”

  Don’t let me be too late.

  Fuck, I should’ve gone after her immediately.

  God.

  Not again.

  Please, not again.

  I speed down our street and almost roll the truck when I turn into Brie’s driveway. I hope she didn’t go somewhere else.

  Shit, I don’t know what I’ll do then.

  Luckily the front door isn’t locked, and pushing it open, I dart inside. When I reach the foot of the stairs, I hear Brie’s mother tauntingly say, “Put me out of my misery and do it already. It will be quick.”

  I rush up the stairs and follow the sound of Brie’s mother’s voice. “Just tie it around your neck. You’re so goddamn pathetic you can’t even do this right.”

  I dart into the room, and the world is ripped from under my feet when I see a belt tied inside the closet, and Brie’s gripping the end of it with both her hands. She’s sobbing uncontrollably, and her mother is standing behind her.

  “Get out!” I shout, and grabbing hold of the hideous woman, I drag her to the door and shove her so hard she falls into the hallway. I slam the door shut, and when I turn to Brie, her eyes are on me, fear and shame, making her look devastated. “Brie.” Her name is nothing but a plea on my lips.

  “L-l-leave,” she stammers through the sobs wracking her.

  “No.” I move closer, and it makes a pained look flash over her face.

  The door slams open, and Brie’s bitch of a mother glares at me. “How dare you! I’ll call the police.”

  I walk back to her, and not caring that I’m threatening a woman, I growl, “Call them. We’ll show them the cuts on her head and tell them what an abusive bitch you are. I’m sure you’d look great in orange.”

  My words hit the spot because she steps back from me, sneering, “You’re both so damn dramatic. It’s not like she’ll actually go through with it. God give me strength!”

  I shove her out of the room, growling, “Get the fuck out.”

  I turn back to Brie and see that she’s still holding on to the belt. I slowly inch closer until I’m right outside the closet and hold a hand out to Brie. “Please don’t. I can help you.”

  Brie shakes her head. “You s-saw it.”

  “It doesn’t matter.” I keep my hand stretched out to her. “Please, Brie.”

  “It matters to me,” she whispers, tightening her grip on the belt.

  God, what can I say to make her calm down?

  “Remember what we spoke about last night? You have me,” I remind her of the moment we shared. “You’re not alone anymore.”

  I see the hesitation in her eyes and take another step forward until I can reach her hands. Wrapping mine around hers, I pull them away from the belt.

  Her sobs grow harder as I pull her out of the closet, and the moment I’m able to wrap my arms around her, the suffocating hold that was crushing my heart eases a little.

  “I’m so sorry that happened,” I say because someone has to apologize to her, and it sure as hell won’t be that bastard. I glance at the clothes scattered on the floor and pulling back from Brie, I ask, “Do you have a bag so we can pack your stuff?” She hesitates, and it has me adding, “I’m not leaving you here. You’re coming with me.”

  “But…” she bites her bottom lip, tears still spilling over her cheeks, “I’m a mess.”

  “Not to me.” My words make her eyes dart up to mine. I close the small distance between us, and framing her face, I say, “You’re a beautiful girl that’s been treated like shit. You deserve better, Brie.”

  Brie’s mom throws a trash bag into the room and sneers, “Pack your shit and get out of my house.”

  I grab it and begin to stuff clothes into it. It only takes us a couple of minutes because Brie fills an old school bag as well.

  When we’re done, I grab Brie’s hand and drag her out of the room. When we reach the front door, the bitch barks, “What? Not even a goodbye to the woman who raised you.”

  Brie begins to glance over her shoulder, but I snap, “Don’t. She doesn’t deserve shit from you.”

  I toss the bags onto the back of the truck, and once we’ve climbed inside, I reverse as quickly as I can.

  From now on, I’ll look after Brie, and God help the person who tries to hurt her again.

  It’s only when we pull into my driveway that I realize what just happened.

  Brie was going to commit suicide, and I managed to stop her.

  I stopped her.

  The thought shudders through me.

  I bring the truck to a standstill and reaching for Brie, I pull her against my chest. I bury my face in her neck and hold onto her for dear life.

  I could’ve saved Brady if only he’d given me the chance.

  Chapter 12

  BRIE

  There are no words to describe the chaos inside of me. It feels like a tornado just swept through me, only leaving devastation and death behind. The death of the last of my self-esteem.

  Colton holds me for so long that by the time he pulls back, it’s like the sun is shining over what's left of the destruction. You can see every piece of debris scattered over an unrecognizable life.

  And yet, there’s a smile playing around Colton’s lips, and as he stares at me, he whispers, “Thank you.”

  I frown because I don’t understand why he’d say that.

  “Thank you for letting me help you.” His voice is hoarse with emotion, and it makes the lump in my throat swell.

  He opens the door and climbs out of the truck, so I do the same. I grab one bag while Colton gets the other, and then I turn to look at the Lawsons’ house.

  Will this really be home from now on?

  Can anywhere feel like home when I’m an outcast?

  When we walk inside, Mrs. Lawson turns from where she’s washing the dishes and asks, “What happened?”

  “I’ll tell you in a minute,” Colton answers.

  Feeling overly self-conscious, I follow Colton up the stairs and into a guestroom. There’s a bed and a bedside table, and the walls are painted a generic white. I place the bag next to the one Colton sets down.

  Colton walks to the door, and I begin to wonder what I should do now, but instead of him leaving, he shuts it. When he comes to take a seat on the edge of the bed, he pats the space next to him.

  I sit down and wring my hands anxiously, sure I’m in trouble after the stunt I pulled.

  If only I had the guts to go through with it, everything would be over by now.

  “What are you thinking about?” he murmurs.

  I swallow hard on the lump in my throat and feeling miserable, I mutter, “I didn’t mean to upset you.” My insides clench into a tight ball as I admit, “I panicked when you saw the poster. I don’t want you looking at me the way the other students do. I thought it would be better just to end it all, but I didn’t have the guts to go through with it.” I suck in a shaky breath. “And then my mother kept taunting
me… and… it was just hard.”

  There’s a moment's silence, then Colton says, “I’m not going to pretend I know the right thing to say, but…” He sucks in a deep breath of air and turns his body toward mine, resting his right knee on the mattress. “Please give me a chance. I promise to try my hardest to make everything okay and to protect you.”

  He won’t always be there, and I can’t expect him to either.

  “Brie,” he whispers. “Please, look at me.”

  Feeling too ashamed, I can only shake my head. I shut my eyes against the constant bombardment of humiliation and dejection.

  I feel Colton move closer, and then his arms wrap around me, and he pulls me to his chest. I’m too battered to put up much of a fight against the threatening tears, and a sob rips through me, robbing me of my breath.

  Colton presses a kiss to the side of my head, and then he whispers, “God, Brie. I wish you’d believe me when I say you’re not alone anymore. I know the past two days have been shit, but it will get better. I promise.”

  I pull a little back, and with a trembling hand, I wipe the tears from my face while mumbling, “It’s not that I don’t believe you.”

  Colton tilts his head, and there’s so much worry and empathy on his face as he asks, “What then?”

  “It’s just…” I let out an exhausted sigh, “it’s too much.” My chin begins to tremble again, but I swallow hard, miserably whispering, “And like I said before, it bothers me that you saw it.”

  “The poster?” Colton’s hand settles on my back, and he rubs soothingly over it. “I don’t care about shit like that, Brie. I’m just pissed off with that bastard for hurting you again.”

  I shake my head and needing him to understand, I admit, “You saw me…” I shut my eyes as I force the word out, “naked.”

  Everyone did.

  “Hey,” Colton murmurs, and bringing his hands to my face, he nudges me to look at him. It’s too hard, and I focus on his neck. “It was only from behind, and besides the fact that Michael is an absolute dick for doing that, you have nothing to be ashamed of.”

  Not agreeing, I shake my head.

  “Brie, you’re beautiful.” His words are soft and warm, and they make my eyes slowly inch up until I meet his gaze. “Yeah, it sucks that everybody saw you naked but,” he shakes his head, and his eyes are intense as they’re locked on mine, “at the risk of sounding like a pervert, you have one hell of a hot body.”

  I can only stare at Colton because no one has ever said anything like that to me.

  He thinks I’m pretty. That I’m hot.

  Is it out of pity or because he really thinks that?

  Still, it revives some of my obliterated self-esteem.

  The corner of Colton’s mouth lifts. “This is where you slap me for saying something inappropriate.”

  I shake my head. I’ll never be able to hurt him.

  “At least tell me to shut up before I keep going and embarrass us both.” He scrunches his nose, and it’s so cute a smile wavers around my mouth. “Do you feel better?”

  I lift my hand and indicate ‘a little’ with my thumb and pointer finger an inch apart.

  “What will make you feel better?”

  There’s only one thing, and I face plant against him, wrapping my arms tightly around his waist.

  Colton holds me, and as he lowers his head, I feel his breaths skim over my neck.

  I close my eyes, and even though I’m thoroughly rattled by what happened, I have to admit, I do feel better.

  Colton once again saved me. Maybe I should trust him because, so far, he’s done nothing to hurt me.

  Pressing harder against him, I admit, “I do trust you.”

  Colton’s hold on me tightens, and I feel his lips skim over my skin as he whispers, “Thank you. I won’t let you regret it.” He pulls back, and bringing his hands to my face, he frames my cheeks. There’s a different look darkening his eyes as he stares at me.

  Something weird and unexpected begins to grow inside my chest. It’s an emotion I haven’t felt before – filled with warmth and excitement.

  There’s a knock at the door, and we instantly pull apart.

  Mrs. Lawson peeks into the room. Her eyes fall on the bags at the foot of the bed, and then she smiles. “I’m glad to see you’re moving in, Brie.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Lawson,” I reply, and still feeling uneasy about just moving in, I stand up and ramble, “I’ll help with the chores. I promise not to be a burden.”

  She waves the words away and walks closer. “It will be nice to have another woman in the house.”

  Colton let’s out a chuckle. “Yeah, I’ll be outnumbered.”

  Mrs. Lawson takes another step closer and slowly lifts a hand to my face. I instantly stiffen, bracing for the worst. But then she tenderly brushes the bangs away from my forehead.

  “I hope you’ll feel right at home with us, and if you need anything, you can tell me,” she says.

  I nod, and not used to affection, especially from a mother figure, my chin begins to tremble.

  Mrs. Lawson slowly pulls me into a hug, and fear makes my heartbeat speed up. I stand frozen as she begins to rub a hand up and down my back.

  Then something strange happens, and warmth begins to spread through my chest from her soft touch. Embracing Mrs. Lawson feels so different from hugging Colton.

  It becomes more comforting.

  It’s everything I ever wanted from my mother but never had.

  She smells like flowers, and she feels like… a mom.

  Overwhelmed by feeling the gentleness of a real mother’s touch, tears flood my eyes because it feels so good. It’s so soothing.

  She doesn’t snap at me for being over-emotional. She doesn’t accuse me of being dramatic.

  She just holds me and continues to rub a gentle hand over my back.

  When Mrs. Lawson pulls back, there’s a motherly smile on her face, and her eyes shine with unshed tears. She lifts a hand to my hair, and again she brushes the strands away from my eyes. Then she glances around the room. “I think we should go shopping to get a few things for the room. You know, to make it yours.”

  “Okay.” There’s a fluttering of excitement in my chest, easing some of the tension I feel.

  “Maybe something to hang on the walls? And fairy lights? What’s your favorite color? We can get a new bed cover and pillowcases to match then.”

  My eyes dart over the room, and a million thoughts pop into my head. Still too overwhelmed, I can’t voice any of them, so instead, I mumble, “Anything will be great.”

  “We can make it a fun project.” Then she grows serious. “Is it okay if I ask you a couple of questions?”

  I nod and nervously clasp my hands together. Colton just sits on the bed watching us, but knowing he’s here makes me feel safe.

  “You’re a senior, right?”

  “Yes, I’ll be eighteen soon.”

  There’s relief on her face as she says, “That’s good news. When’s your birthday?”

  “September twenty-third.”

  Her mouth curves into a smile again. “Oh, Colton is October twenty-third. It’s an easy date to remember.” Then she adds, “It’s in two weeks. We’ll do something special and go shopping for everything then.”

  I smile at the idea because I’ve never celebrated it before.

  “What did your mother say when you left?”

  The question makes the smile drop from my face. Ashamed, I answer, “Ah… she told me to leave.”

  Mrs. Lawson’s eyebrows dart up, but then she schools her face, hiding the surprise. “Maybe that’s for the best, then she won’t try to fight us for you.”

  Her comment makes anxiety worm it’s way back into my chest. “I don’t want to cause you and Colton any trouble.”

  Mrs. Lawson waves her hand. “You’re no trouble at all. I just want to be prepared, but with you turning eighteen soon, you’ll be an adult, so I’m sure even if she did make a fuss, everything
would work out fine.”

  The encouraging words make me feel a little less apprehensive.

  “I’ll leave you to get settled.” Mrs. Lawson gives me another sideways squeeze before she leaves.

  Even though the morning was a nightmare, I really do feel better after all the comfort Colton and his mom has given me.

  It makes hope find its way back into my heart again that the future might be brighter and that everything will work out okay.

  Chapter 13

  COLTON

  When Mom leaves the room, I glance up to Brie. Michael’s been in the back of my mind all morning. Now that I’m calmer, I feel it will be a waste of my time meeting him. Some idiots just can’t be reasoned with.

  “There’s something we need to talk about,” I say, patting the space next to me again. After she takes a seat, I suck in a deep breath, not knowing how Brie is going to react. “I have to meet Michael at Devil’s Bluff after school.”

  Her eyes widen on me. “Why?”

  “After you left this morning, I got into a fight with him.”

  A worried look settles on Brie’s face, and then she asks, “Did you get in trouble?”

  “I got off with a warning. But afterward… I was pissed off and agreed to meet Michael so we can settle this shit.”

  “But…” Brie’s eyebrows knit together, “you don’t have to.”

  I shake my head. “We both have to go, Brie. We have to make a statement, so they’ll stop bullying you.”

  Her shoulders slump, and she lets out a tired sigh. “But I don’t want you getting into fights because of me.”

  “One fight.” I hold up my pointer finger. “That’s all it will take.”

  Her eyes drift over my face before they lower back to her hands. “But what if you get hurt?”

  The fact that she’s worried about me makes my heart tighten and expand at the same time.

  “I’ve had a lot of practice. Michael won’t get the chance to hurt me,” I state.

  Brie pulls her bottom lip between her teeth, and it draws my undivided attention to her mouth.

  I wonder if she’s ever been kissed.

  Get your mind out of the gutter. You have the fight to focus on, or you will get your ass kicked.