by L. A. Casey
"Gavin, a lot of new things are happenin' to me lately. I was invisible for a long time and now all of a sudden, I'm not and crazy shite-"
"It's a date Bronagh, not a weddin'. Chill," Gavin chuckled.
I chuckled a little along with him. I knew a date wasn'thin' to be freaking out over, but a date for me was something to freak out over because I honestly had no clue about anything like that. I mean, I didn't even know how to accept the invite correctly.
"You're right," I breathed. "I mean, it's just for fun, right?"
Gavin nodded. "Yeah, we can go see a film. I might even let you pick." He winked.
Was he flirting with me?
I wasn't sure but blushed either way incase he was.
"Okay."
"Yeah?" Gavin smiled.
He had such a pretty smile.
"Yeah," I smiled back at him.
He took his phone from his shorts and handed it to me; I quickly typed in my number and handed it back to him.
"I'm gonna annoy the shite outta you with texts." He grinned devilishly.
Surprisingly, the thought of that didn't bother me in the slightest.
"Oh God, did I just give a potential stalker my number?" I gasped.
Gavin pulled a face and playfully shoved me making me laugh.
"Collins! Girlfriend time is for home time, you're on my time so move!"
"Girlfriend?" a voice called out from my left. "That was quick work, pretty girl."
I forced myself not to turn around and correct Dominic, because for some reason I wanted him to think I was Gavin's girlfriend in hopes that it would hurt him like he has hurt me.
"Don't let him get to you," Gavin murmured as he leaned down and put his arms around me.
I jumped a little before giving him a quick squeeze like I've seen girls do with guys.
"Text you later, okay?" He smiled then turned and jogged away.
Obviously his question was rhetorical since he didn't stick around for an answer but it was a good thing that he moved away, because I was a few seconds away from collapsing into a melted puddle at the smile he shot me over his shoulder.
How in Jesus' name had I not perved on him since first year started?
I've noticed his looks a little since we did go to school together, but holy hell, I've never really looked at him. He was fucking stunning, and his smile was a serious contender against Dominic's, even though he didn't have dimples. I paused mid thought and grunted. How did that fucker work his way into my Gavin filled thoughts? He just couldn't leave me alone, even inside my damn head!
I shook my head, turned, and walked over to the area of the hall where the skipping ropes were. I never participated in any of the sports that involved me being part of a team, so this was like my own little area. However, the girls came over and crowded me today, which made me feel really uncomfortable.
"What's the story, Bronagh?" Micah asked me.
I was instantly afraid as I cleared my throat.
"Nothin'," I murmured. "What you up to?"
She shrugged. "Bored of this class, figured we'd chill here for a bit. That cool with you?"
No.
"Sure."
"Nice one," she replied.
I was tense as fuck as she moved beside me and gripped a skipping rope. I had no idea why, but I was expecting her to lash out and hit me with it, and I wanted to be ready to take the blow so it would hurt less. I licked my dry lips and looked to my right, willing Mr. Rivers to call the girls away for something, but my eyes caught Dominic's eyes instead, because he was already staring at me.
I froze then quickly looked away and back towards Micah, who glanced Dominic's way and nodded her head a little when he nodded for her to move away. I heard he had a 'talk' with her after rumours spread that Micah attacked me after school almost two weeks ago. It was obviously true because Micah looked terrified of him and hadn't so much as looked at me since the night she attacked me.
"I'm actually gonna do some more runnin'. Later, Bronagh." Micah smiled.
"Bye, Micah," I breathed.
Micah and her two friends, whose names I never bothered to learn, moved off and left Destiny, Lexi, and three other girls playing around with the ropes near me. Alannah was across the hall sat on a bench reading on her Kindle like she always did after she has finished running and stretching. I felt eyes on me, and it made me self-conscious and not want to jump rope, so I made a move to put my rope back when Destiny was suddenly in front of me.
"I shagged Nico last night," she said as casually as saying hello.
Why the hell did that feel like being kicked in the stomach?
"Congratulations," I said forcing my tone to come off as flat and bored.
Destiny cocked an eyebrow. "You aren't bothered that I shagged your fella?"
"He is not me fella and regardless of what you seen on Saturday and what Dominic is sayin', I didn't have sex with him." I was going to move around her when I paused and glared at her. "And it's disgustin' that you thought he was me boyfriend and yet you're actin' so proud that you shagged him. Honestly, why would you brag about being a slut and a home wrecker?" I questioned.
I wished I had kept my mouth shut, because I knew she was going to shout at me before she even opened her mouth.
"I am not a slut, you're just jealous of me!" she screamed.
The whole hall went quiet. I felt my hand twitch and my blood boil, how fucking dare she scream in my face and say I was jealous of her.
"Are you jokin'? You bragged only last week that you rode five lads in the one week. If that isn't a slut, then I don't know what is! And why in God's name would I be jealous of you? You just openly told me you shagged Dominic last night even though you thought I was his girlfriend, you're a pathetic, STD riddin' little knacker and if you don't get out of me face, I'm goin' to-"
I didn't get to finish my sentence because with a roar she came at me, but unlike last time when I was attacked, I wasn't unsuspecting and afraid, I was ready and mad. I lifted my arms and shoved Destiny back away from me and leaned my head to the left, avoiding the hand that reached out to grab me. She landed back on her arse with a thud.
"Cat fight!" one of the lads shouted.
"Stop!" Mr. Rivers yelled.
"First and last warnin', stay the fuck away from me, Destiny," I snarled and she whimpered on the ground and cowered back like I was about to jump on her.
I wasn't going to hit her but whoever lifted me away from where I stood wasn't taking any chances.
"You're a magnet for trouble, Bee."
I began laughing. "All this shite only started happenin' when you and your evil twin rolled into town!"
Damien snorted into my ear then murmured, "Fights, mad girls, sex, parties… all that crap happens in every town we go to."
Did that mean they moved around a lot?
"Well, I don't want any part of it, yet somehow I got dragged into it!"
"Because Dominic wants you."
"He can't have me!"
Damien chuckled again. "And that is one of the reasons why he won't leave you alone."
I groaned. "I hate men."
Damien laughed then moved on when Gavin appeared in front of me.
"You okay? Do you need anythin'?" he asked me, a frown on his face.
"Straight to the principal's office Bronagh and Destiny, now!"
I cringed at Mr. Rivers' roar.
I groaned and said to Gavin, "Yeah, I need an ambulance because when me sister hears about this she is gonna kill me."
"You're so lucky you weren't suspended again!"
I kept my head down as I got into the back of Ryder's Jeep; it was like the Slater family car since all the lads drove it at one time or another.
"Dame, sit in the middle, I'm not listenin' to them two tear at each other's throats."
I completely and totally ignored Branna. She was making me take a ride home from Ryder knowing Dominic was going to be in the car, and I was mad at her for it. I was also mad that
she was mad at me over what went down with Destiny. I mean, I explained exactly what happened, and she was still pissed at me. I buckled my seatbelt, hugged my school bag to my chest and looked out of the car window.
"What were you thinkin', Bronagh?"
I clenched my school bag and ignored her again.
Branna twisted around in her seat and looked at me, her eyes narrowed. "Answer me!"
I swallowed, looked at her then calmly said, "I was thinkin' that I'm sick and tired of people walkin' all over me like I'm a doormat just because I'm quiet; I was stickin' up for meself!"
Branna shook her head. "By fuckin' fightin'?"
I lost it.
"I didn't fight her! She got in me face and tried to humiliate me by braggin' that she shagged that STD carryin' prick over there and then she said I was jealous of her! Plus, she was the one who came at me; I pushed her away from me in an attempt to defend meself unless you wanted me to let her beat me up like Micah did?"
Her eyes flashed; she only recently learned that Micah was the one who beat me up a couple of weeks ago, and that I had lied when I said I didn't know who hurt me. She understood my reasons, but she was still upset about that.
"You know I never want that to happen to you again, your fuckin' stomach is still only healin' from what that Micah girl done to you!"
I felt his eyes on me.
"What did she do to your stomach?" he asked me.
I ignored him.
I wasn't talking to him, because once again what happened was because of him; Destiny tried to rub having sex with him in my face.
"It was black and blue from that girl kickin' her when she was on the ground. The bruises are nearly faded but it's takin' a long time for them to heal."
I growled at Branna. "It's none of his business because that was his fault, this is his fault, everything is his fault."
I couldn't believe my voice cracked at the end of my sentence. I was going to cry; I knew it and so did everyone else. I looked out the window as Ryder began to pull out of the space he had parked in the school car park. I bit down on my lip and prayed that my tears would dry up, but they didn't.
When I blinked, they fell onto my cheeks and then a little sniffle came from my nose.
Damien sighed next to me and put his arm around my shoulder. He didn't say a word or pull me into a side hug, he just left his arm around me for comfort. I usually didn't like anything like this. I could tell he didn't either but I was glad of it because it made me feel a little bit better.
The car journey wasn't long so I wiped my face as discreetly as I could when Ryder pulled up to mine and Branna's house.
"Later, Bee," Damien said.
I glanced at him and gave him a little smile then flicked my surely red and puffy eyes to Dominic and narrowed then. "I hate you," I growled before turning and getting out of the car, closing the door and stalking up the garden.
"Bye, sweetie," I heard Branna say, and it made me scoff.
Ryder was bigger than both Branna and me put together. There was no way in hell a man his size could be called sweetie, it was just wrong. I thought this over while I rooted through my bag for my keys. When I found them I unlocked the door and headed straight for my room. I heard Branna follow me, and it made me inwardly groan. I needed to lie down and just be on my own for a while, but apparently she wasn't going to let that happen.
When I got into my room, I kicked off my shoes and began to take off my uniform. I pulled on some pyjama trousers under my school skirt then took off the shirt once the trousers were up. I settled on my bed once I had a tank top on and gestured for Branna - who was leaning against my door - into the room.
"Please, continue to belittle and shout at me, I didn't get enough of that at school or in the car."
Branna's eyes narrowed as she walked into my room and sat down on my bed. "I'm not belittlin' you. Shoutin' at you was just from the shock at being called from class to come to your school because you were in a fight!"
I sighed. "It wasn't a fight, I don't know how many times I have to say that for you to believe me!"
"You shoved Destiny to the ground. That has means for a fight, Bronagh."
I grunted. "She deserved it. She got in my face and tried to upset me by throwin' her shaggin' Dominic in me face, the slut!"
Branna sighed and muttered, "That lad does nothin' but 'cause trouble."
"I know! I've been sayin' that for weeks!" I exclaimed.
Branna settled me with a wave of her hand. "I understand how much he gets to you and the trouble he is causin' you. Ryder is talkin' to him about it tonight. It won't magically fix things, but if you both can at least say hello to one another, and be around each other without war eruptin', myself, and everyone else, will be forever grateful."
I grumbled, "I can't stand him though, he thinks he is God's gift or somethin'. I mean, he practically begged me to get with him, and when I say no, he goes and shags Destiny not a day later then tries to act like nothin' happened. Who does that?"
Branna shrugged her shoulders. "His ego took a hit at your rejection. He was obviously tryin' to make himself feel better by bein' with Destiny."
I grunted. "What about me? It didn't make me feel better for him to be with Destiny-"
I cut myself off once I realised what I was rambling on about.
"Wait," Branna gasped. "Are you upset that Nico had sex with Destiny?"
No.
Heavens no.
Heavens and Hell no!
"You are!" Branna gasped again. "You like him!"
"I do not, I hate him, I can't stand the sight of him-"
"Give it up Bee, you're gettin' defensive and that's a dead giveaway."
I growled at Branna. "Thinkin' someone, even an evil bastard, is attractive does not mean you like them."
I couldn't believe that I admitted out loud, or at all, that I found Dominic attractive!
Branna nodded. "You're right it doesn't but if said attractive bastard had sex with another girl, and it upsets you then yeah, it does mean you like him."
I swallowed the retort that was climbing up my throat and settled on giving Branna a dirty look, which made her laugh.
"Oh God, you hate that you like him, don't you?" she cackled.
I grunted and kicked at her, which she laughed even harder over. I gave up on trying to shut her up and angrily folded my arms across my chest until she stopped - which wasn't for a solid two minutes.
"When the hell did all this start to happen?" Branna asked me as she wiped her eyes.
I groaned and covered my face with my hands. "I have no idea… I honestly think it was when he first kissed me and stuff in his room after he defended me from Jason. I liked how he acted then; he wasn't mean or anythin', and he seemed nice, we had an actual conversation. I guess it just went from there, but don't get me wrong though, I do hate him for the times - which is pretty much all the time - he is an arsehole, but I always find myself looking out for him or just plain lookin' at him. I hate that Destiny was with him or that he was with other girls or that he wants to be with them. I never really thought about it, but it makes me so mad and my chest hurts. It's horrible Branna, how do I make it stop?"
Branna started laughing again. "Bee, you can't just turn off your feelin's. If you like Nico then you will continue to like him until you get over him or until you start to like someone else who takes up all your attention from Nico."
I perked up at that. "There is another lad that I think I could like, his name is Gavin Collins-"
"Aideen's little brother? The kid who fought Dominic and got you suspended?"
I winced. "Uh, yeah, but he is the complete opposite of Dominic so you would like him. I swear."
Branna raised a brow and grinned at me. "I can't believe this is finally happenin'."
I frowned. "You can't believe what is finally happenin'?"
"You're startin' to let people in, you're actually havin' boy problems and not only with one lad but two! I thought this day wou
ld never come, I'm so happy!"
I was a little freaked because what she was saying was true, but what freaked me out the most was that Branna actually started to cry. I was instantly crawling to her side and wrapping my arms around her, hugging her tight.
"Why are you cryin'?" I asked her, panicked.
She shrugged. "I'm just happy."
I pulled back and glared at her. "You're happy that I'm havin' boy problems?"
"Yes!" she squealed and burst into tears again.
Oh, Christ.
"I need you to woman up, stop cryin', and help me figure all this out. I am in unknown territory here, what the hell do I do?"
Branna sat back and wiped her face but was still sniffling a little. I couldn't believe she cried because I was having boy troubles; there was something very weird and just plain wrong with that.
"Datin' Nico is out, right?" Branna asked me.
Was that a serious question?
"Eh, yeah! I barely like him Branna. Honestly, the qualities I like are things he showed like twice. The rest of the time he is a thorn in me side and I can't get rid of him."
Branna nodded her head in understanding. "Okay, Nico and you datin' is out, what about you and Gavin?"
I chewed on my lip. "He asked me out on a date today. At first it was just a front he put on to make Dominic take a step back from me, to make him think we're together or somethin', but because Dominic seemed to get mad over it he wanted a real date just incase he dies by Dominic's hand… or foot."
Branna laughed. "That explains why Nico is more pissed than usual, it's because you rejected him on Saturday mornin' and today, only two days later, you're apparently in a relationship with another lad. The very lad that fought him a few weeks ago tryin' to defend you… that has got to be a shot to the ego for him."
I groaned and rubbed my face with my hands. "I don't know how all this has happened, Branna. It's like the more I try to push Dominic away, the more he forces himself in. Why won't he take no for an answer and just leave me alone? I mean he may want to kiss me and stuff, but he doesn't like me for me, he actually hates me."
Branna sighed. "Maybe he just isn't used to hearin' a girl tell him no, maybe he feels you're a challenge, and we all know he loves a challenge."