The Bully's Princess

CHAPTER TWELVE - Getting into Peter's world

Running away was the cowardly thing to do. He had never taken it as a course of action, but with Dahlia with him, he could not risk her getting hurt. Due to his bad involvement with Greg and his gangs, Principal Lancester would cancel their agreement if she got hurt.

Sweat beaded down his forehead and arms as he pedalled with all his might. His legs were beginning to ache, but he had to do it. Stopping was not an option. Getting the promise to go to Cambridge was his only ticket out of Westernside, far away from his father and his abusive ways. All of his hopes were now channelled to Dahlia, whether he liked it or not. Seeing that she got home safe was his only task, and he could not even do that right.

If Greg and his gang could run, Peter would give them that. He could not go so far with a bicycle and a bunch of bloodthirsty boys.

He wondered what they would do to him if he was caught. He had refused to dally with them ever since his meeting with Principal Lancester.

He could feel Dahlia’s fingers as they dug into his side. The frail shirt he was wearing was riddled with holes.He could feel her breathing at his back; it was heavy and quick.And she was horribly quiet.

"Dahlia!" He called out, needing reassurance that she was there, the wind carrying his voice away.

"Run faster, they are almost near the bicycle," she whined like a baby. Peter sighed in relief; she had not fainted on him yet.

His relief was, however, cut short when he realised he was running into a closed street. He cursed under his breath. He screeched to a halt. turning the bicycle to face them. The people in the street all shook their heads at him, each person locking his store and threatening to call the police.

"Hey, you are not about to run into the wall, are you?" Jake called out as he came to a stop in front of them.

"Be careful with the girl. We don’t want anything to happen to her, do we Peter?" Greg said, coming closer to them. He put his hands on Dahlia’s shoulders. She flinched. Peter grabbed his hands and threw them away. His eyes were flashing with anger. He wondered when he turned to Dahlia’s protector; he had hated her guts just a few days ago. Damn Principal Lancester.

In response, Peter was dragged down by Jake and Jeremy, the other boys standing watch. Not that anyone was going to come to Peter’s aid anyway. He looked around. The neighbours were no doubt wishing him to hell. He knew this area well; this was the place his father’s favourite drinking bar was. He had no doubt he was within reach and word would get to him soon that he was around.

He stood up, trying to free himself from their grasp, but they held him fast. Greg made his way to Dahlia. He could see her body shivering. She was taking steps away from him. Greg gave her a smile.

I like the denial, Dahlia, right? Is that your name? "The new girl, huh?" he inquired, placing a hand beneath her chin.

Dahlia gave him a glare but said nothing.

"Silence, I like it. I bet you wo be silent anymore when I tell you what your friend did. "

Dahlia’s eyes flickered to his. He could tell she was holding back sobs. Peter groaned. He could bet this was her first time facing such a situation. He was doomed if Dahlia made a mention of this to her parents. Principal Lancester won't make it easy for him at all.

"I don’t care at all, you know." He heard her reply Greg " Peter is not as bad as you are. You are nothing but a street thug with no life ambition. Common riffraff" She spat back, gaining courage.

Greg’s face changed at her words; he looked ready to kill. He began to strike her face when they began hearing the sounds of police sirens.

A smile crept up Dahlia’s face, that girl. Damn. She no doubt thought she was being helpful by calling the police, but she only succeeded in landing him in more trouble.

"Damn it," he cursed under his breath.

Greg dropped his hands from Dahlia and came to meet Peter where he stood.

"That was stupid of your girl, you know that right? Have a nice interrogation session, Peter," Greg smirked. He landed two solid punches on Peter, which made the boy drop to his knees in pain. Greg and his boys withdrew into a local side bar as the police van appeared in sight.

Dahlia rushed over to him on the floor, trying to help him.

"Why did you call the police?" He half whispered, half shouted. Dahlia bent to his fallen height.

"You should be thankful. Those boys would have beaten you to a pulp. Besides, the police are your friends." She pouted at him.

"The police are not your friends, Dahlia. They will most likely think I am the one at fault here, Dahlia. "It has happened so many times," he groaned out in bitter pain, trying to stand up.

Dahlia helped him up. "Alright, enough of the transfer of aggression. I did not call the police, though I wanted to. I guess someone else made the call on my behalf and I am glad they came. If they hadn’t, you would be in even worse shape. " She glanced at his soiled shirt, wild hair, and torn trousers, especially his angry handsome face.

"Whatever, just don’t say anything to them, let me do the talking." He whispered to her as Peter recognised the Divisional police officer. His expression was stern and unsmiling. His gaze was directly fixed on Peter’s appearance.

"A storm must have happened here, Peter Blythe," the man stated. With his uniform and no-nonsense smile, it was not hard to detect that this man was not there to offer any help or protection; he came in search of something else. And Peter was ready to play the game.

"Just a couple of old friends arguing, that’s all. Nothing much," Peter hurriedly supplied. Dahlia gave him an incredulous look. What was he to do? He was not about to allow the man to peruse him.

"I will be keeping a good eye on you, boy. You better know that. Westernside is a small town, so no evil is allowed to live here as long as I remain here. Do you understand me? He barked at Peter. Dahlia jumped at the bite in his tone.

"Sir, the boys attacked us first." Dahlia quipped in, instantly regretting it as Peter’s hands gripped her wrist once again, his firm hold twisting her skin as goosebumps crept up her arm.

"What is that supposed to mean? Are you saying they are not people you know? "

"Yes"

"No," Peter said hurriedly.

The policeman looked between them and said, " Here’s a thing for you, young lady. Flee from the likes of Peter Blythe. He is nothing but a pauper with no common sense, and he is definitely going to fall into my hands soon,"

Peter had heard enough.

"There is no need for you to be insultive. You should have asked about the situation when you came in. and not jump into a conclusion, "he stated. Dahlia nodded, coming to put her hand in his after hearing his agitated voice.

The police officer did not flinch, saying, "As long as the situation involves the Blythes, you will always be guilty."

"That's ridiculous; you can just conclude," Dahlia yelled, but the police officer's menacing stare forced her to hide behind Peter, peering up at the giant man.

"Your boyfriend knows what I am talking about. He knows exactly why there is an increase in car theft in Westernside.

He groaned as curiosity arose in Dahlia’s eyes. He could see it. She yearned to turn to him for questioning.

"Don’t go accusing me of something you have no evidence of," he snapped. Rumours were terrible in Westernside; it would be hard to walk openly, he might be shamed everywhere.

I might not have the evidence now, but I will surely get one. Once I have laid my hands on your work mates, I am sure Henry has said hello to you. I only hope to catch the rest so they can confess that you are involved. "

"And what will you gain from doing that, pray tell?"

"Westernside is a small town and I see no reason why it should not be crime-free. And I am really committed to making it so.

"Whatever. You won't find your crime buddies at my doorstep anyway.

"We will see about that. Currently, your father is drinking himself to stupor at the local pub, and these days he happens to carry a lot of cash around. I know there is no way he made that from work. His pay is not much since he rarely shows up at work. but he still manages to have a lot of money. "

"So what are you implying?" Peter snapped, cutting him off. He was beginning to lose patience with the uniformed man.

"I am saying, maybe you and your father work together to steal the car parts and sell them,"

So this is interesting. " And why would I shortchange myself by doing business with my father? Looking at his money spending level, it seems he has a lot of money, but looking at me," he made a gesture, pointing at his ruined outfit, "I definitely do not have that money. So why exactly will I do a business that will give someone else the benefit? That is definitely not me. So you are backing the wrong theory, sir."" He could feel a hard glare at the back of his head as he made his way out.

He dragged Dahlia with one hand and steered the bicycle with the other. The crowd that had assembled to watch the exchange parted in disbelief. They no doubt thought him guilty. He had no interest in staying out any longer. He would not want Principal Lancester to see him in his current state. But he half feared the police officer would tattle to Principal Lancester since they were friends. He sighed deeply.

"Can you still ride your bicycle?"

"Why? "What happened?" He stopped and faced her as they took the slope that led to their street.

"I am just asking. I hope it is not broken; that rude boy pushed you quite hard. "

"No, it's still in good condition. Thanks "

"Alright."

"Peter?" she called softly, no doubt wanting to ask him millions of questions. She was such a smartypants. But no way, he was the one calling the shots. As long as she was injury free, he didn’t mind having a million injuries on himself.

Come on, let’s go. We have to get you home before your parents see us together. "

"They don’t know you are the one taking me, right?" She asked.

Her mother would rather hire a goat than a Peter Blythe. He had no idea what he had done to rub the woman weirdly. She just hates him.

"Then who?"

"I see you won't leave until I respond, huh?"He said, exasperated, that the girl was impossible. He groaned as he locked the bicycle outside and proceeded to the elevator. Luckily, they met no one.

"Who please?"

"Principal Lancester"

"That’s a shocker. He does not seem to like you much."

"Ours is a love-hate relationship. Sometimes I like him for helping me, sometimes I just wish he would leave me the hell alone. There was a time when he told no one to hire me for work, so I could come back to school. That’s why I am here. "

"Why won't you go to school?" She was puzzled as the elevator came to a stop. They both walked out.

Peter ignored her. He should have known her mouth would not stop running. Maybe he ought to keep them shut with something else, but an image of her mother squashed the idea.

He took her hand. She half ran after him as he took long steps to her small ones. He took her to the front of her home and deposited her there. He turned to his own apartment. He punched in the passcode. A slender hand on his own made him look to his side as Dahlia pushed past him to go into his apartment.

"Hey, come on, not so fast buddy," he said as he dragged her back with her coat. She cast a sweet smile at him.

"Mom is not home,"

"So? Don’t you know your passcode? " He asked, not interested in her smile. The girl no doubt had never heard a ‘no’ said to her in her life. She was madly indulgent.

"I do, but I don’t like staying alone."

"And how is that my business?"

"It is your business, Principal Lancester asked you..."

"Me to drop you home safe and sound, and I did. My duty ends with you at your doorstep. "

"But I don’t stay alone." She repeated herself like a broken record. Peter was aching. His joints disagreed with him at that moment, so he had no interest in exchanging words. He just wanted a warm bath and bed. And she was not going to witness that.

Why don’t you go on to Granny Jane’s? Your mom hired her as your babysitter now. "

"Exactly, how can I have a babysitter?" I am going to protest starting from today. Imagine if Anna found out I had a babysitter; her attacks would be relentless.

"Forget about Anna; she really does not think much and she is not smart either. You're smarter, so don’t worry, nothing will happen. she won't hear." He stated that he pushed her towards her parents' apartment.

He was still in the middle of cajoling her when the elevator door slid open. The drunken features of his father made Peter gasp. Dahlia’s eyes widen in horror.

Peter was, however, pro-active about it. He watched his father’s drunken haze lift to meet his own terror-filled one.

He pushed Dahlia inside their apartment and slammed the door shut. He heard the door lock, Panicked he rushed her off into his room just as his father came into the house.

"Come over here, boy." Just what are you hiding? " He asked. Clearly, Peter guessed he was sober already before coming home. He sighed. His father was one hell of a professional drinker. He would drink to a stupor and still be able to navigate his way home safe and fine.

"Nothing"

"You think I don’t know what it is you have been doing right? I know just what you are doing at that school, "he shouted, kicking the table away, the bottles of wine on the table shattering to the floor.

It was at that point that Peter realised that Dahlia’s fine, pretty princess schoolbag was still slung across his shoulder.