The Devil's PlayGround

Jumped

*Brie POV*

The office hummed with tense silence as the Principal finished delivering the verdict. Tawny and her crew got an in-school suspension and were kicked off the cheer squad.

Tawny’s face flushed bright red, humiliation and rage, twisting her features as she gripped the edge of the desk so hard her knuckles whitened. She didn’t even glance at the principal, her eyes locked on Erik.

“Erik!” she snapped, grabbing his arm and yanking him to a stop, ignoring the way he frowned and tried to pull away. “What the hell is wrong with you? Why do you care so much about Brie? You never even looked at me. Everyone likes me!” she screeched.

Erik’s jaw tightened, his expression cold as he pried her fingers off his sleeve. “Tawny, it’s not about you. You guys ganging up and hitting her? Just because you like me doesn’t mean you can hurt other people,” he replied.

Erik grabbed my hand and led me out of the office, paying no more attention to Tawny, but their unyielding expressions made it clear this wasn’t the end of things. Tawny still called me a “f*****g troll” as I walked out of the office, and I heard the principal yell at her for opening her mouth. She was his problem now, not mine. I had other things to worry about.

"Why do you keep putting yourself and your reputation at risk for me? I'm a big girl, Erik. I can handle myself. Remember, I was raised by bikers. They taught me well," I asked.

He stopped walking, and since he had my hand, I had to stop too. "Like I said, you were just jumped on by a group of idiots, and they were getting the best of you. What kind of human would I be if I just let you face that, and then be on your own? I'm trying to be a friend, Brie. Now, go inside and get checked out, and I'll be out here waiting," he replied.

I hadn't even realized that we were in front of the infirmary. I knew Nurse Mary was waiting for me, so I didn't reply. I simply made my way inside to be checked out so I could go to class.

Thankfully, there was nothing serious. Just a few cuts, and a little bit of bruising on my jaw. I could deal with that.

To my surprise, Erik was still waiting for me till I came out of the infirmary. He had a sandwich and banana in his hand, as well as a soda.

“I told you that you needed to have lunch. We still have three hours of this place to deal with, and, if I’m not mistaken, they are your hardest classes. You need some brain fuel,” he smiled.

I took the food, and ate as we walked. I had to get to what was left of my American History class, so I ate as quickly as I could.

“Don’t you have class?” I asked. He shook his head and said that it was his free period, and he would have just slept anyway.

“Look, Brie, I know it’s probably s**t timing, but I wanted to ask if you would go to the graduation dance with me next week. The truth is, I’ve always had somewhat of a crush on you. I just didn’t know how to approach you about it. Especially after your brother threatened Kaiden Sutton last year. He’s freaking scary. So, here I am, shooting my shot. You can say no, but I’m hoping that you won’t,” he said nervously.

So, the rumors are true. Heather had heard correctly.

“Uh, Erik, I don’t know. Blaze isn’t the only thing I would have to worry about. There’s the whole cheer squad who would love to have my blood on their hands. If they see you with me on a date, it would be the perfect reason for them to go that far,” I replied.

Instead of being disappointed or angry that I said I had just tried to turn him down, he said something completely unexpected.

“f**k them. Brie, if you live your life trying to avoid them, and not doing things that might provoke them, your life will be awfully boring. Especially if you plan on staying in this area. Just live for once. Go to the dance with me,” he said.

I wasn’t sure how to reply now. So, I just accepted. If Blaze blew a gasket, I could always cancel.

“Fine. However, if I feel uncomfortable, I leave. Deal?” I replied. He nodded and then grabbed me and hugged me tightly.

He thanked me, and asked for my phone. I looked at him curiously, but handed him my phone anyway. He entered his number into my phone, and sent himself a text so he would have my number.

“I’ll message you later. Thanks for agreeing, Brie. You won’t regret it. I will make sure you have a good time,” he smiled, and left me standing outside my class.

I watched as he walked down the hallway. His tall, lanky stature disappeared as he grew further in the distance. Erik wasn’t an ugly guy. Quite the opposite, actually. He was over six feet tall, blonde shaggy hair, and his features were chiseled and perfect. His long lashes framed his gorgeous hazel eyes, and the dimples when he would smile made any normal girl melt.

Maybe I was more normal than I thought.

As I walked towards my last class, I could hear people talking about me, saying nasty, untruthful things. Little did they know that, as a wolf, I could hear even the slightest whispers.

I walked past one group of girls, and I knew they were part of Tawny’s cheer squad. When I heard what they said, I couldn’t contain myself.

“I heard she f***s all of her brother’s biker friends. She’s a slut for sure. I guess when you are raised by people like that, you lose all your morals. I heard she’s now trying to f**k Erik. How low do you have to be to screw someone else’s man?” Jessi whispered.

“A slut, huh? Wow, I learned something new about myself. It’s really hard to be a slut when you are a virgin. Yea, you know, something you were at one time. Definitely aren’t now. I heard you had a threesome with a few basketball players, or is that a lie? Geez, Jessi, talk about a lack of morals. As far as Erik, we are just friends. Nothing more. So before you start spewing dumb s**t, how about you at least have some of the facts right,” I snapped.

I walked away leaving the group in shock that I stuck up for myself. Erik was right, I can’t live my life worrying about what they are going to do. Bullies will continue to be bullies no matter who they are. If it’s not me, it will be someone else.

This day definitely couldn’t get any worse. Could it? Oh, it definitely could.

I walked into my physics class, and Mr. Dugan looked me up and down like he usually does. He has always creeped me out, but has never been out of line with me.

There are rumors that some of the female students have given him oral for good grades, but I don’t know if they are true or not.

Today, however, something seemed off. Maybe it was my paranoia from everything that’s happened today. However, I was bracing myself in case it wasn’t.

Thankfully, the class went quickly. However, Mr. Dugan asked if he could speak to me.

Here we go.