Her Savior

Chapter 9

*Harper's POV*

I raced to school, knowing I was already twenty minutes late for first period. Dad decided his eggs weren't done correctly, so my morning punishment put me way behind. I was worried I was going to get detention for being late, since this is the second tardy in three weeks. Our principal has a low tolerance for the tardiest and absences. Receiving a detention would mean I would be home late today and I really didn't want that to happen. I was physically and emotionally exhausted from all of my recent punishments. I just wanted one full day without a punishment...but that was unlikely as of late.

I went to my locker and I noticed no one was in the hallway. I already knew that would happen since I was twenty-five minutes late. Everyone else was already in the middle of first period. I grabbed my books from my locker and headed to first period, trying to catch my breath.

I head into History class to see everyone working in groups. My teacher stares at me as I enter the room and calls me over to his desk. He gives me a detention slip and motions me to take a seat. I was absolutely mortified, but I knew there was no reason to fight it. I had a feeling it was coming, since I knew Mr. Swanson doesn't excuse anyone for being late, which seemed so unfair. If I just explained why I was late and why I can't serve detention, he would probably give me leniency...But that would mean they would know about dad and my home life, and that can't happen. I feel so stuck, constantly searching to find a new way out, but always coming up short.

I took my seat, holding the tears back from falling down my face. Mr. Swanson had me join Cole's group for an in-class assignment...great. I moved my desk to join the group.

"Here. Since you're late, you get to write the rest of it down." Cole spat as he handed me the worksheet to finish, not paying me another second of attention.

"OK" I said, not wanting to further irritate him. I finished the assignment and turned it in for the group.

I was beyond grateful when the bell rang. I couldn't get out of the room fast enough. I hated being in the same room with Cole longer than I had to. I made a quick stop at my locker before math class.

"Hey, Harper!" I saw Dawson walking up to my locker and I was grateful to see him, giddy even. I gave him a shy smile as I traded my books in my locker.

"Hey" I said shyly. I was so glad to see a familiar face, one that seemed to enjoy having me around.

"Am I going to see you at lunch again today?" He asked, smiling. G*d, I could get lost in his smile all day...

"Yeah...I would like that" I smiled, happy that I'm finally starting to find my place with a group.

"Great! Can I walk you to your next class?" He asked. I nodded with a smile, and we proceeded to walk down the hall together, talking about our weekends. I let him talk for the most part, especially since I really didn't have much to tell...

Once I got to my math class, we went our separate ways with a promise to see each other at lunch.

I don't know what it is, but there is something about him that makes me happy. It could be that he is the only person who seems to want me around, but maybe that’s because he doesn’t know yet... My heart dropped, thinking about what would happen once he knew. Will he hate me like everyone else or will he understand that it was just an accident and not blame me like everyone else does?

I try to put the thoughts out of my head as I take my seat in the back of the room. I try to focus on the lesson for the day, but I can’t seem to get Dawson out of my head, and I’m not sure why. . . I just keep looking at the clock, waiting for lunchtime to come...It’s been a long time since I’ve been excited about anything, and I’m starting to like the feeling again.

I finally made it to lunch. I grab my food and head straight for Dawson’s table in the back corner. I see his group of friends waving me over as I got closer.

“Hey girl!” Irene was quick to welcome me as I sat down next to Dawson. Everyone else followed her lead with a nice ‘hey’ and a wave. I’ve never had a group be so welcoming to me.

I smile as Dawson and I share a glance. I feel butterflies in my stomach and my breath catches for a second. I forced myself to break eye contact with him and proceeded to take a bite of my sandwich in front of me.

As we are all eating lunch and conversing, I notice Dawson grabbing my hand under the table. I smile, shyly, as I intertwine my fingers with his. My heart is beating so fast, I only hope he can’t feel the sweat building up in between my fingers. I was completely lost at the moment and didn’t hear my name being called over the intercom.

“Oh man, what did you do, Harper!?” Zeb said jokingly. I realized my name was among the five who were called down to the office. I only wish it was a joke, but it was more like a nightmare for me.

“Oh, it is just because I was late for first period” I said, trying to play it off with a smile, but I was worried inside. I started to get up and throw my lunch away before heading to the principal’s office.

"Well, I better get going then" I said as I started to depart from the group.

“Can I walk with you?” Dawson asked with a bright smile that made me swoon.

I was hesitant at first, but it was not like he could go into the room with me, so I nodded. “Yeah, sure” I replied with a smile.

“Well, see you guys later!” I said with a smile and a short wave.

“See ya later!” Zeb and Blake seemed to say at the same time.

“Good luck girl!” Irene chimed in.

Dawson and I waved to the group and took off towards the Principal’s office. As we were walking down the long, deserted hallway, Dawson attempted to distract me with conversation.

“So. . . I was wondering if you wanted. . . to. . .maybe hangout this weekend?” He asked, scratching the back of his neck, seeming nervous. I smiled, appreciating this side of him, which doesn't come out very often. He usually seems so collected and composed.

“Um yeah, I would like that.” I smiled, but I was worried about how I would pull that off with dad....He would absolutely lose it if I just told him the truth. I would need to come up with a lie...Regardless, I would like to be able to pull it off because I would love to spend more time with him. I also yearned to have somewhat of a regular life like every other teenager.

“Awesome! Well, I’ll let you go. See you later?” His smile was infectious and I couldn’t help but smile in return. He made it so easy.

“Yeah, sounds good” I replied shyly and turned to head into the Principal’s office.

I checked in with the secretary and then sat down to sit and wait. I was looking around the room to keep my mind busy. I wasn’t sure what he was going to say, but I was pretty sure this wasn’t a positive meeting. I’m just hoping the teachers didn’t notice something and tell him about it. I got a little self-conscious, thinking maybe I didn’t hide my makeup well enough or maybe Talia told someone. No, she wouldn’t do that. I quickly put that thought out of my mind. No matter what I tried to do to preoccupy myself, I couldn’t take my mind off of what this meeting was about or what it could mean for me later. . . Was he going to call dad? My heart clenched at the thought...

Before I could read further into the meaning of this meeting, I saw the door down the hallway open and Principal Garrison stepped out into the waiting room.

“Ms. Greene” he looked my way and motioned for me to follow him. I took a deep breath before proceeding to follow him to his office.

I sat down and immediately started twiddling my fingers in my lap, nervously, as he went through my file.

“So. . .Ms. Greene, I see you already have two tardies, and we are only in the third week of school. Is something going on that I need to know about?” He looked at me inquisitively, trying to read my reaction.

I tread carefully and tried to play it cool. “No, s-sir. I’m so sorry. I’m just trying to get back into the swing of things. It won’t happen again, sir.” I responded, breathing deeply in an attempt to calm myself.

“I understand, but if you get one more tardy, I’m going to have to call home.” My heart dropped and I’m pretty sure the blood drained from my face. I tried to relax so hopefully he wouldn't notice.

“Yes, sir” I responded in my usual quiet voice.

“Here is a pass back to class.” He handed it to me as he rose and walked to open his door. “You may go” he announced as he ushered me out and down the hall. I couldn’t get out of the office fast enough.

I took my pass and headed to English class. Walking quickly around the corner, I tripped over something and went crashing to the floor, books scattered about. Before I could turn around to see what was happening, I was being pulled up by my hair and thrown against the lockers. I winced as the front of the lockers dug into my back. I met face-to-face with Cole and I was terrified. I looked around for help but no one was in sight. Everyone is already in class and, of course, this is one of the few spots with no visible camera. He held me tight against the lockers so I had nowhere to go.

“What was your little visit to the principal about?” He demanded, looking me square in the eyes.

"J-Just being t-tardy" I said, nervous. Cole's unpredictability absolutely terrified me. He would do anything and everything to protect Tyler...and my dad for that matter.

"What did you tell him?" He pressed.

"N-nothing- just that I w-was still trying to get back into..the swing..of things" I paused, realizing that Cole may tell my dad... "P-please don't tell my dad about this..p-please!" I pleaded, with tears threatening to invade my face. I didn't think he would listen. I thought for sure I was a goner, but he seemed to be deep in thought before he responded.

"OK...I won't tell your dad that his little princess went to the principal's office...on one condition" He smiled maliciously and I was scared. Even if he actually kept this from dad like he said he would, he always has conditions...but he knew I didn't have a choice, which seemed to make it worse for me...

"We will talk about specifics later, but you have to agree to it now, before I tell you my condition. Take it or leave it" he said, matter-of-fact.

"OK...I'll d-do it.." I said, hesitantly, knowing I didn't have a choice. He gave me one final shove, with a big smirk, before turning and walking down the hallway.