Damaged Mate

8

That got a giggle out of Laura as we stopped before a large, rather plain-looking building. “Well, this is your stop. M-mine’s back at the main building, so… if you ever need a f-friend, or just, um, w-wanna hang out after?”

“I’ll text you for sure,” I reassured her. “Thanks for going the extra mile and showing me the way.”

God, but the smile on Laura’s face made it seem like this was the first kindness she’d ever been shown. With a nod and a wave, she set off around the building, walking back toward the main school building. I couldn’t help but grin myself, waving until she finally turned around before pushing on the double doors. The inside was just as I expected: shiny lacquered wood, padded walls, and the sharp squeak of shoes chorusing alongside the smack of a basketball traveling the court. Noah was standing off near the bleachers, phone in hand as he almost worriedly glanced between it and the players.

“Noah!” I gave him a huge wave as I called out, catching his attention between looks. His expression started turning to relief, only to flip to panic as a ball flew past him and hurtled toward my face. Instinct kicked in as I threw my hand out, keeping my wrist loose so the force didn’t snap it in half. Staggering back, I managed to swing my arm behind me, letting the momentum expire before clutching the basketball against my side. Eventually, it came to a stop, leaving my palm absolutely stinging.

But I still had some adrenaline racing through me. And I knew exactly who to spend it on.

It didn’t take a genius to pin the culprit down. A quick glance around the gymnasium and I spotted Clyde standing off to the side, snickering in his hands as he puffed his chest out to his buddies. We locked eyes for a moment, him wiggling his fingers my way as he let out a sarcastic apology. “Sorry there, Safety Patrol. Must’ve slipped.”

My gaze hardened as the words flew out of my mouth. “You really shouldn’t be playing basketball if you’re this clumsy, Pollock.”

Every ball went silent, every eye fixed on me after my little quip. This was obviously something that didn’t happen often, but that was all the better. Nothing like putting an i***t in his place to show you belonged somewhere. I let him come to me, watching as he stalked across the court with the fiercest scowl he could muster. I, meanwhile, kept my ground firm, slightly leaning on one hip with my arms crossed over my chest. Fine by me if the baby wanted to throw a fit; consider it payback for the emotional whiplash from earlier.

‘Course, that bravado started fading alongside the adrenaline the closer he got.

“Clyde.” Noah’s voice faded in the background as Clyde’s heavy stomps filled the room.

I didn’t really realize how tall he was until now. He had been sitting down the first time we met, and now that we were on the same level, I could tell he easily had me by a foot. Maybe two. God, and those eyes; I was used to guys trying to look intimidating, but he honestly looked ready to lunge at my throat. They almost glinted beneath the fluorescent lights, like the eyes I had seen outside my window all those nights ago.

The thought alone caused a shiver down my spine.

Before Clyde was within arm’s reach of me, someone else’s arm shoved against his side, sending him staggering. Aiden seemingly appeared out of nowhere, his form looming before me as a sort of protective, living shield. My mouth could barely form a surprised ‘o’; he’d been here this whole time?

“Piss off, Clyde,” Aiden’s growl was animalistic, a deep, throaty noise that sent more spasms across my skin. “Not her fault you can’t handle the truth.”

Clyde straightened himself upright, a wild grin spreading slowly across his face. As if triggered by the sight, Aiden lunged forward, fist flying through the air before crackling against Clyde’s face. I let out a startled cry, everyone converging at once to both stop the fight and pull me out of it. Noah got to me first, hand grabbing my wrist and yanking me back while other guys tried getting between Aiden and Clyde. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the violence, blood and spit splattering against the ground with each strike they took against each other. It took four guys to hold Clyde back, and that was only a temporary fix.

“I’m so sorry, Aria,” Noah apologized as he pulled me toward the door, “but I need you to go get help.”

“Like the police?” I stammered out.

Noah shoved the double doors open, semi-tossing me outside as another c***k rang out. “Did Laura walk over with you?”

I nodded numbly.

“Go find her and ask for Trevor,” Noah explained. “I’m gonna go help the guys. Just hurry, okay?”

I don’t even bother with a response, taking off in a sprint back toward the main building. The cold air scored my lungs, but I couldn’t stop. I wasn’t going to stop, spurred on by the images of blood on the ground.

God, this first day had just gone completely sideways.