Her Unarmed Savior

For A Change

-Emerald-

The sleep didn't take over my senses as I had expected. Whole night I kept turning but couldn't get even a blink of sleep. So, I got up before my alarm rang and got ready for school an hour earlier than the usual time.

★★★

"Hey Em!" Lia smiles at me as soon as as she spots me.

I smile back, "Hey Lia."

"How are you?" she asked almost nervously.

I smile a sad smile, "Just the same."

"Did he...I mean," she hesitates, "your fath- I mean Troy, hurt--"

"Let's go Lia! School is about to start." I exclaim.

Had she asked you, if Troy hurt you, what would have you done?

I don't know subconscious. Maybe, I would have done the same like the thousands of time before.

How long will you hide it, though? You do know that the person who keeps silent when victimised is to be blamed equally as the victimizer.

I know that, now can we please focus on school. I'm in school, away from pain, away from Troy.

★★★

"Phew! Break time!" Lia sighs out if relief as soon as the bell for lunch rings.

I chuckle at her overdramatic antics.

We meet our other friends at our lunch table.

"Hey Em." They say in unison.

"Hey Hannah, Veronica." I return the greeting.

"Are you okay, Emerald?" Veronica asks me in concern.

"I'm good." I smile half-heartedly.

You should tell them about Troy.

No! What the heck do you think you're suggesting subconscious. No, nope, nada. Not a chance.

"What the.."

I hear Lia say and break out of my internal battle. As I look up from my food, I see all the girls looking at something behind me. Plus, all of them had a surprised look on their face.

I, too, out of curiosity turn my head around to look behind me.

The sight surprises me to the core.

Brant Richmond was walking towards our table with his three best friends, Emmett, David and Wyatt.

"They're so hot!" I hear Lia say.

"Why the f**k are they coming here?" Veronica says.

"Tell me they're not coming here, please." Hannah pleads.

She is afraid of them, just like I am. See, told you, a bigger good girl than me.

I have got to stop them from ogling at Brant's friends. They're being stupid. He won't come to our table. Or would he?

Ugh! Focus, Emerald, focus. He will not sit with a bunch of nerds. I mean, he must believe that we're nerds, like the typical cliché bad boy.

So, I put on my best brave mask and say, "Guys, stop it. They're not coming here. Just wait, they'll pass us on to the popular table."

"But what if we don't Ellie?" Someone says from behind me.

Oh crap. Oh crap. Oh crap.

Wait, Ellie?

"Hey girls, I'm Brant. Can me and my friends sit here with you girls?" he says in his sexy voice.

"Her name is Emerald, not Ellie and yeah, you can sit here." Veronica shrugs.

I give Veronica an 'are you out of your mind?' look. She smirks in response.

'I love you, too' she mouths back.

FML.

"Guys, make yourself comfortable. Esmeralda doesn't mind and neither do her friends, right?" Brant says cockily.

"Actually-"

Lia cuts me off, "We don't mind. Feel free to sit with us."

"Thanks." He sits down the chair next to me.

Other guys seat themselves too. David sits beside Veronica, Wyatt beside Lia and Emmett beside Hannah. I swear I've never seen Hannah more uncomfortable than she is right now.

"Girls, let's introduce ourselves, shall we?" Lia says happily, "Hi guys, I'm Cordelia, but I prefer Lia. Nice to meet you."

Veronica carries on Lia's 'interactive session', "I am Veronica, this is," she pointed at Hannah, "is Hannah and this," she pointed at me,"is Emerald. Not Ellie, not Esmeralda, it's Emerald, get it?"

"Yup. Got it." David says.

"Did you get it Brant?" she raises her eyebrows in question and leans forward slightly on the table.

He smirks at her and then looks at me, "But what if I don't like to call her by her name?"

She stands up and replies, "Then you can get your ass off of here. I promise we won't stop you." she retorts, faking sincerity.

I silently laugh at her comment.

"Jesus, what do you eat in lunch? Fine. I'd call her Emerald. Not Ellie, not Esmeralda, but Emerald, okay?" Annoyance was clear in his voice.

"Better." she smiles sweetly, yet sarcastically and sits back in her seat with a triumphant smile.

I mouth a 'thank you' to her and she genuinely smiles back at me.

Everyone got busy among themselves after the little fight between Veronica and Brant. I, too, get busy in playing with my food.

"Why are you guys here?" Hannah blurts out, suddenly.

That's exactly what I would like to know.

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