Chapter 6

Bronwen

I am ready the next morning when Morana and Andras pull up at two minutes after seven. I grab my bag and walk towards the car. Morana gets out of the passenger's seat, letting it down to access the back seats. I expect her to let me crawl back there, but before I can move, she is plopping into the space and lifting the seat back into place. “I can ride in the back,” I tell her.

“Nope.” She gives me a grin.

“Get in,” Andras says sternly.

Someone is in a mood. I look at Morana and she rolls her eyes with a smile. I sit in the passenger seat and he doesn't even wait until I close the door to start backing out of the drive. I hold my bag in my lap tightly, staring straight ahead. “Thanks for giving me a ride.”

Andras ignores me, my words landing flatly in the silent car until Morana leans forward. “It's really no problem. We can give you a ride home, too.”

“No, thanks. I have that worked out.”

I don't try to speak again, simply watching the trees pass by my window. Morana chatters in the backseat, but I am barely listening. I feel awkward now. Last night, Andras was friendly but today he is so dang hateful that I feel uncomfortable. For the first time in my life, I am relieved to see the school come into view. The second he pulls into a spot, I open the door and get out of the car. “See ya, Morana.”

I speed walk away before she is even out of the car. I would crawl on all fours if it got me away from that car any faster. I quickly move past students, making sure to give them a wide berth as I do so. I push through the doors, taking the halls that lead to my locker practically at a sprint. I open my locker, focusing on calming my breathing and my rapid heart rate. I pull out the notebooks that I would need for class before I shut my locker with a snap. 

I nearly jump out of my skin when I find Andras standing behind it. I take a step back away from him. I never expected to see him there, especially after he acted in the car. He was so cold and mean. Heis looking at me oddly now, before he holds out a book towards me. “You forgot this in my car.”

I take it from his hand and turn around, moving to class with my worn-out copy of Madam Bovary clutched tightly to my chest as if it's an armor plate to protect me from danger.

I know I'm being dramatic, but he throws me off balance with his mere presence. When he goes all hot and cold, it messes with me and I feel like I have gone insane. Did I imagine last night? Was the camaraderie between us some kind of fever dream?

I am sitting in class, waiting for the teacher to begin, when my phone vibrates. A text from Morana. I texted her last night to give her my number so that she would have it. I open the message, reading her words.

Sorry bout A. He's a dick.

She sends an eggplant emoji and an angry face emoji. I am not good with emojis but she has sent at least one in every other text so I try it. I send back the laughing emoji and a simple Don't sweat it.

We text back and forth, making plans to eat lunch at the fountain because after lunch is my study hall, which I spend at the fountain anyway, despite the increasingly cool weather. She keeps me giggling all through my classes, with her colorful commentary on her teachers and classmates.

When the bell rings, signaling the end of class, I stand up quickly from my seat. I can't wait to get to the fountain. I have to tell Morana what I witnessed in class. This girl was honestly giving her boyfriend, or at least I hope the guy was her boyfriend, a handy under the desk. Thankfully they were in the back of the classroom, so no one caught them. Unfortunately, I chose today to sit in the back of the classroom and now I am traumatized.

When I push out of the double doors, stepping into the sunlight, I stop in my tracks. At the fountain, I see Maci, her three friends that follow her around like a shadow, and Andras sitting there. I don't see Morana so I am really hoping that she doesn't see me duck back into the school quickly. I move into the classroom closest to me, relieved to find it abandoned. I pull out my phone to send off a quick text message to her.

Sorry, can't do lunch @ fountain. Maybe tomorrow?

I peak out the window, seeing Morana approach. I watch as she pulls her phone out of her pocket. She looks around her before she looks back at the phone. A second later I get a ding.

Where r u? I'll come 2 u. 2 fucking crowded here, n e ways.

I smile at her, watching as she turns away from the fountain in disgust. Maci is all over Andras, sitting practically in his lap, running her hands over him. I fight back a gag. She is such a freaking skank.

Come inside. I will grab you.

I text back. Morana heads towards the school. I move to the classroom door and as soon as she pushes through the double doors, I grab her arm and tug her into the room. She lets out an unladylike yelp. “When I read your message I didn't think you meant actually  grab me.”

“Eh. Now you know.” I tell her with twinkling eyes and a grin.

She moves to the window and looks outside with disgust. “I am sorry about that.” She tips her head towards the scene.

“Naw, no reason to be. It's not your fault. I just.. I kind of have a thing with Maci. We hate each other, so I actively try to avoid her.” I tell her truthfully. I just happen to leave out that I don't really want to be around her brother either, at the moment. Judging by her knowing expression, I think she knows that much without me having to say it.

“When he asked where I would be at lunch, I didn't expect him to join us or bring his stupid little fan club,” Morana grumbles.

“Oh, if he wanted to hang with you at lunch, then I can catch up with you later,” I tell her, not wanting to get in the way of their plans.

“Hell no. That is the first time that he has ever asked me and it was weird. I am not eating lunch with my brother. It is bad enough that I have to see him at breakfast and dinner.” Morana tells me with a grin. Her phone buzzes and she looks down at it. “Creep. He wants to know where I am right now.”

“Oh,” I say. Please don't tell him. Please do not tell him. I silently beg of her.

She puts her phone down without answering and I breathe a sigh of relief. “So, I wanted to talk to you about something. As your bestie, you are obligated to give me all the deets.”

“Okay...?” I ask warily.

“What is up between you and Noah? I was getting some definite vibes from him last night.” Morana says, looking at me with the same piercing stare as her brother.

“Oh, um, he has been friends with Alec since they were little kids. Since I was a tiny little baby. I fell in love with him when I was eleven. I have been obsessed with him since.” I say, although now the words feel different to say. I have been so annoyed with him lately. I don't know if maybe that is why I am having trouble believing I am in love with him. Or maybe my feelings are changing and I am finally growing out of my crush.

“He was giving you some definite looks last night,” Morana says. "And he was giving my brother some definite glares."

“He won't date me though. I'm not pretty enough for him.” I tell her in a rush, then flush with embarrassment.

“Bronwen, you are absolutely beautiful. Seriously.” Morana says, looking at me as if I'm crazy.

“Not beautiful enough for him,” I say, hurting at the words. For him, or anyone else. If I was so beautiful, why hasn't anyone ever asked me out? Or shown me any sort of attention. I am not beautiful, Morana is just saying that to be kind because she is my friend.

“You are more than beautiful enough for anybody! You just hide your beauty, is all.” Morana tells me, surprising me. I look up at her, confused.

“What do you mean by that?”

She looks me over. “You have a killer figure, babe.. Yet, you wear straight-leg jeans and a men's t-shirt. Your hair is always clean and shiny, but you let it fall into your face, using it as a veil. You hide behind the books, burying yourself in them whenever people are around you.” She comes over to me, plucking at my shirt. “Girl, you've got a light that you are definitely hiding under a bush.”

She just used a kid's song I learned at Bible school to compliment my figure. She is so strange and I love it. “What you need are clothes that show off the sexy body and a large boost of confidence.” Suddenly, her eyes get wide and she nearly bounces with excitement. “Oh my gawd, oh my gawd! I know! Let me give you a makeover!”

“A makeover? Like those ones you see in the corny teen movies? The one where a popular kid takes the nerdy girl and suddenly makes her beautiful and popular, letting her get the hottest guy in school.” I've seen Clueless and She's All That. That shit doesn't happen in real life. I would love a Pretty Woman moment, where after a nice change of clothes I have Richard Gere facing his fear of heights to climb my fire escape with a rose in his mouth. But I am forced to face reality and I know that shit isn't fucking happening.

“No. Those are lame. And you are already pretty. I just want to make you realize how pretty you are, not try to prove it to everyone else. The only thing I want to change about you is your bruised ego and your passiveness. You let people walk all over you and that's bullshit. You need to stand up for yourself more.”

“You think new clothes are going to make me suddenly assert myself?” I ask Morana skeptically.

“Maybe? But what the hell will it hurt to try? Even if it doesn't you will still have a sexy new wardrobe.” She gives an indifferent shrug.

“I can't.” Even if I wanted to, which I'm not fully sure that I did, I couldn't.

“Why not?” Her hands rest on her hips and she looks like a mother about to scold me.

“I don't have money for new clothes. I don't wear this because I like it. I wear it because it is all that I have that fits me.” I admit, embarrassed by the confession.

“That's not a problem.” She waves it off, as if it's of no concern to her.

“This is where you, the wealthy girl, offers to pay for it. I have seen that movie too.” I roll my eyes. I can list the movies that this feels like it's ripped from. Hell, two of my favorite movies are makeover rom-coms. This doesn't happen in real life. “Cue the inevitable, 'I can't let you do that' from me. And scene.” I say sarcastically.

“Fine.” Morana huffs. “Don't think of it as a makeover. That was a stupid word anyway. We will just go shopping together. I will find clothes that would look good on you. You will wear them to prove me right. Boom. Done. Easy peasy.”

“Sounds like a makeover.” I singsong at her.

“Not a makeover.” She thinks for a minute. “It's a project. Think of it as a class assignment or school project. Cause and effect. We go shopping and get the clothes that I think will help you evolve. Oooh, evolution, that's a good topic to study, too. Then you wear them and I observe you, to see if my hypothesis is correct.” She grins at me. “I just know I'll get an 'A plus'!”

“I don't know..” I really think she is setting herself up for disappointment with this project. New clothes will not equal a new me. I can get the nicest clothes known to man but when I walk in this school wearing them, I am still going to be the drunk's daughter and the school loser. I am just going to give them more things to mock about me. I can just hear them now when I walk into school.

“Look at her, thinking she's so cool with her new clothes..”

“Who is she kidding? She's still a freak!”

“God, that is so pathetic!”

They all ring in my ears, sounding like Maci's voice. Although I do give her words some thought. Maybe, just maybe, if I got new clothes and wore makeup, I could catch Noah's attention.. No. Not when compared to Maci and it is stupid of me to even try to pretend otherwise. He has had years of looking at me to notice my beauty. If he hasn't found it yet, then he clearly isn't going to.

“Tomorrow after school. We are hitting the mall!” I open my mouth to protest. “No buts! No. Nothing. We are doing this!” The bell rings and she moves away. People begin to come into the room for class and we leave. “Tomorrow afternoon. Remember!”

Morana walks away and I go to the library for study hall. I know they probably aren't still at the fountain but I don't want to take the risk. I enter the peacefully empty room. Only a few other people are milling about, but when I go to the second floor, it is completely empty. I go to the table under the light and sit down.

It is dark up here and I once again notice how creepy it is, but I ignore it. I pull out my book and begin reading. I feel as if I'm being watched and I look up, but see nothing. I'm still alone. I blame it on my overactive imagination and go back to my book. Yet, the feeling of eyes on me lingers until the bell rings and I leave the library.

Andras

Ugh. That asshole is here. When I came outside I spotted the red sports car and the smiling blonde tool behind the wheel. Noah. I nearly gag on his name. When Bronwen said she had a ride home from school, I should have guessed that she meant this blowhard. Of course, she would choose to go with Noah instead of riding with us. She said it herself that she has loved that bastard since she was eleven. 

He has got his window down, chatting with some seniors. I work hard to not roll my eyes. What does Bronwen see in that smug prick? I walk around my car, sliding behind the wheel. Morana has two minutes to get in this car or I'm leaving her here. I don't want to fucking wait all afternoon. Especially if it means having to watch this asshole act like he's the king of the school.

Bronwen

After class lets out I walk around the school and cut through the soccer field to avoid the parking lot. I do not want to run into Morana or her brother. I move through the empty grass lot until I have gotten to the road I need to be on. Then I pull the drawstring of my hoodie closed and I head for home. I have only been walking for five minutes when a car passes me. One that I recognize right away. I recognize the two blonde heads as well. Noah picked Maci up from school. 

I feel a small pang in my chest but I push aside whatever I'm feeling. Don't think about it. I lift my head and keep walking. The sight of them together makes my stomach unsettled. Like I might actually puke. I hear what sounds like a motorcycle approaching but I tune it out, distracting myself with thoughts of the newest picture that I'm working on.

A car draws up beside me and my whole body tenses. No. Just keep driving. I turn my head, hoping they will think it's someone else, and keep driving. No such luck.

“This is what you meant by having it worked out?”

I heard the sardonic tone of his voice and I grit my teeth. “Yep.”

“Hop in, we can give you a ride to your house,” Morana says from the passenger seat.

“That's okay, I'm almost home,” I tell them.

“You're not even a half-mile from the school. You are still at least four miles from your house.” She tells me, with a roll of her eyes and a grin.

“I need the exercise,” I say, continuing on my walk. He continues to drive beside me. “Well, I'll see you tomorrow,” I tell them. Hoping that they will take the hint. They don't.

“Come on. Please ride with us.” Morana says, giving me her best pleading look.

“No, thanks. I'm fine, really.” I tell her. The last thing I want to do is get in the car with them. With him, I correct. I have no problem with her.

“Get in the car, Bronwen.” Andras's voice stops me.

“I'm fine-”

“Get in.” He stops the car and gets out, laying down the seat. He stands there staring at me, while I stare back with what I know is a mutinous expression. I have no intention of getting in the damn car. And he can't fucking make me get in the car. I turn to walk away once again.

“Please.”

I stop in my tracks. I somehow know instinctively that 'please' isn't a word he uses often, if ever. It is the only thing that gets me to step off the sidewalk and move over to his car, climbing in the back seat. He sits the seat up and gets in, pulling away from the curb with a squeal of tires.

When after a few minutes of silence goes by and he drives past the street my house is on, I look at Morana. “Umm.. he missed the street. I live back there.”

“I know.” 

I ignore Andras speaking and look to Morana, waiting for an explanation as to why he passed my street. I want to be out of this car already, not taking a long way home.

“We are going to the mall this afternoon. I can't tomorrow... We have a family thing.” She gets a sour look on her face. “And I am way too impatient to wait until this weekend-”

“Hence, we are going today.” Andras interrupts. "That's where we are heading."

“We?” I ask. He's coming with us? To the mall to shop for new clothes for me? 

It is as if he read my mind because he looks in the mirror, meets my eyes, and says to me, “Yes.” 

Why? I break contact with his eyes, turning my head to look out the window. We have to drive to the next town over to get to the mall. I dig out my phone. “Which one are you calling?” Andras asks and I ignore his snarky question. I bite back the 'none of your business' that I want to snarl at him.

Alec answers on the second ring. “Hey, Wen. What's up?”

“Just letting you know that I won't be home for a while,” I tell him.

“Good. Um, I was just about to call you actually.” He says, his voice dropping. I know immediately that something is up with him just as I know right away that it has something to do with Samuel, because that's when his voice takes on that tone.

“He's back?” I ask him, dread filling my stomach.

“Yeah. And it's bad. He got in a fight with Myrna and her brother happened to be there. Sammy's got a busted-off face and a bad fucking attitude.” He thinks for a minute. “Are you with Morana?”

“I am.”

“Have her drop you off at Noah's tonight. We'll be staying there for a night or two.” Alec says.

“It's that bad?” I ask worriedly.

“Yeah. I found him on my lunch break when went home. We, uh, disagreed.” I know that's code for fought.

“Are you okay?” I ask with real concern. Alec never wants to fight back against Sammy. He feels it's some parental disrespect thing, so he's willing to just take the abuse, which pisses me off. Samuel is older and out of shape. Alec is younger and well-muscled. He could take Samuel's drunk ass in a heartbeat, but he won't.

“It's just a few bruises. I put him on his ass real quick.” Alec tells me.

“All my stuff-” I suddenly think of it.

“Use our account to get clothes and stuff. I'm not sure how long we will be at Noah's. Buy any girly shit you might need. Eat supper. It doesn't matter what you spend, get what you need to be comfortable there for a few nights.” Alec tells me.

“Does he know that we're coming?” I ask because I would not put it past Alec to just invite himself without any warning at all.

“He knows. Hey, will you pick me up a few things if I send you a list?” Alec asks me. “I don't want to have to go into a store.”

“Sure. Send me a list. I will have them drop me off there later. Love you.” I say, because it has been so long since I told him and sometimes, I just feel the need to tell him. Usually after one of us is hurt but Samuel.

“I love you too, Wen.”

I put my phone in my purse and I fret. A large part of me wants to go home right now and see exactly how bad Alec is hurt. The other part of me wants to stay out all night so that I don't have to go to Noah's place. I have only been there once, right after he moved out of his Dad's house.

“Is everything okay?” Morana asks me, looking concerned.

“Sort of.” I give her a faint smile.

“Where are we dropping you off at after this?” She asks me.

“Noah's place,” I say absently, looking out the window, lost in thought.

I can't keep living at Samuel's house. He is growing more and more dangerous and erratic with each passing day. Alec wants to move away from him, but he would never leave me alone with him to suffer his tempers. Alec will stay and protect me as long as I stay. I don't want to stay there, though. I want to put a million miles between Samuel and me.

I am so caught up in my own mind that I lose track of time. I am surprised when the car rolls to a stop in a parking space outside of the mall. How did we get here so quickly? I get out of the car on Morana's side, pausing to whisper softly to her. “Could we maybe stop at a Target or Costco or something?”

“Yeah. Totally.” She clasps my hand in hers and squeezes, looking at me with real concern in her eyes. “Are you sure that everything is okay?”

“It will be.” I smile, appreciating her concern. She is turning out to be a really good friend. God knows I needed one of those!