The only one who knows about our overnight arrangements is Lisa and she’s promised to keep it to herself, realising the trouble it would cause if she were to say anything. People talk and I have no doubt that they would so easily jump to the wrong conclusion about us if they heard we were sharing the same bed every night.
Things have been so much easier for me at school since the first night that Cole stayed over. The people who used to ignore me and then went on to treat me with disdain and ridicule now greet me in the hallway like I’m their long lost friend. The bitchy girls now say hi to me and almost seem desperate to become my friend and the guys tend to keep their distance. It’s almost as though they’re too nervous to approach me and only smile at me when I catch them staring.
I had no idea what was going on until Lisa finally filled me in a few days after I’d noticed everyone was starting to act strange around me. She told me she had managed to get one of Cole’s friends to open up to her about what was going on and afterwards, I could hardly believe what she had just told me.
Cole had basically warned every single guy at school to stay the hell away from me. He had threatened everyone he thought might look in my direction, approach me or just admire me in general and he had also told the girls to leave me alone. I’m not sure he threatened them but they did follow his instructions and had started to treat me with decency instead of their usual contempt I had become accustomed to.
I couldn’t understand how he had done it seeing as all of this change occurred whilst he was still on his suspension from school but when I asked him about he just shrugged his shoulders, trying to pretend that he didn’t have a clue what I was talking about.
The main buzz around school took place when I started using Cole’s locker. I knew it would generate a new load of gossip and that’s why I was somewhat reluctant when it came to sharing one with Cole.
My old vandalised locker was now being used by one of Jonathan’s friends who I had caught cleaning it but I politely turned down his offer when he suggested that I use his for the time being. His face turned pale when I informed him that I was sharing Cole’s locker instead and I swear I saw actual fear in his eyes when he thought he had crossed a line with his suggestion.
I assured him I wasn’t angry, even though I’m now pretty sure it was him and a couple of others who decided to trash my property in the first place. I had more important things to think about and my most preoccupying thought was the knowledge that Cole’s suspension was nearly over.
I had no idea what life would be like with Cole being at school again and I worried about it so much, it even stopped me from sleeping. I would toss and turn, tormenting myself by the idea that things would soon go back to normal if he returned to school. I was terrified he would ignore me like he used to before and the possibility of seeing him with other girls made me feel sick with envy and insecurity.
“Don’t you trust him?” Lisa asks, linking her arm through mine as we make our way into school. “Is that what all of this is about?”
“I do trust him… at least I think I do. I just can’t help being afraid that everything will revert back to how it was before Cole got suspended.” I admit, glancing around the school car park as we near the entrance.
“But you’ve almost spent every single night together since then, why would you doubt him now?”
“Oh, I don’t know. I guess I’m just being a little paranoid.”
“Don’t say that.” She comforts me. “You’re allowed to be nervous.”
“Am I?”
“Of course. Today is a big deal for the pair of you. You’ve both grown used to the situation and you’re just a little scared that the end of his suspension will change things.”
“But do you think it will?”
I come to a standstill and gaze up at the school’s building before it. It looks so daunting, towering above me with a dark and thunderous sky above it. It’s been threatening to rain since I woke up this morning, storm clouds leaving no room for the comfort of the sunshine or the light it brings.
“Serena, it’s bound to change things but that’s a good thing! I promise you it will all work out for you.” She concludes, smiling at me warmly.
“Thanks, Lise. Thanks for everything.”
“Don’t mention it, now let’s hurry up before we both get in trouble for being late!”
My first lesson of the day is English. It’s also the only lesson I share with Cole and the apprehension that I feel as I make my way down the main corridor towards the classroom is beyond anything I’ve ever experienced.
The last time I heard from Cole was the night before. He didn’t stay over because he said he had some things to do before he came back to school today and I didn’t want to ask any intrusive questions at the time. However, that doesn’t mean I haven’t been wondering since then what he was referring to. I just hope to God it has nothing to do with Jonathan. I heard from Lisa that one of his friends told her he’s now out of hospital but won’t be back at school for a few more weeks. I’m dreading the thought of seeing him again and realise that I’ll have to have a serious talk with Cole before either one of us see Jonathan again. I can’t risk Cole doing anything that’s going to get him into any more trouble and I don’t want the idiot who tried to attack me to get away with causing any more trouble for Cole.
I pause outside the classroom door, trying to gather up all of my strength before I open it, struggling to find the courage to go in there. What if Cole’s already inside? Do I say hi to him? Do I ignore him? Should I sit next to him? So many questions keep racing through my head, confusing everything until I feel like I might faint or pass out from the fear of stepping inside a harmless classroom.
“There’s my girl.”
Two strong arms circle my waist, pulling me back against a solid chest as I’m deliberately moved away from the doorway.
“Cole! What are you doing here?” I exclaim excitedly, spinning around to face him.
“I’m about go in there for English.” He replies casually, nodding in the direction of the classroom. “Aren’t you coming inside?”
“No, umm… I mean yes.” I stammer. “I was just waiting.”
“Waiting for me?” He asks, his eyes sparkling with playful mischief.
“No! I-I guess I was just feeling nervous, that’s all.”
“There’s no need to be. I already told you that we’re in this together.” He assures me, taking hold of my hand as he leads me towards the classroom. “Come on, there’s nothing to be afraid of, ok?”
“Ok.” I whisper uncertainly, squeezing Cole’s hand tightly.
All eyes are on us as soon as we step through the doorway and there doesn’t seem to be a teacher in sight. I presume she hasn’t arrived yet and hate the fact that we didn’t wait a little longer to come inside. At least no one would be able to say anything if the lesson had already started.
“You’re sitting with me.” Cole orders, almost commanding me as he places his hands on my shoulders and steers me towards the back of the classroom.
“I normally sit near the front.” I murmur, glancing over my shoulder.
“From now on you sit at the back with me. No exceptions.” He instructs me, pulling my chair out for me so I can take a seat.
I collapse into my chair, relieved that I no longer have to stand up in front of our inquisitive audience. I avert my gaze towards my desk, trying to decipher all the individual markings and slogans that past students have used to mark their territory. I can’t bring myself to look up, knowing I’ll have to face the prying eyes of everyone in front of me.
“You can all stop staring now.” Cole snaps bitterly, glowering at the people who are still watching us observantly. “I’m with Serena and if anyone has a problem with that, I want you to come and say it to my face, not hers. Is that understood?”
There’s a momentary silence before a few people agree, acknowledging his statement and turning away from us at last.
“Thank God f
or that.” I say softly, sighing with relief. “I’ve never experienced anything like that before.”
“And you won’t again. No one will dare say anything to you and if they do, let me know.”
He speaks with certainty, utterly convinced that no one in this place will hassle me again.
“You can’t always fight my battles for me, Cole. You won’t always be there to protect me.”
“Yeah, I will.” He growls, touching my chin so he can make me look at him. “I’ll always be there to keep you safe, no matter what.”
The rest of my day feels kind of blurry. I don’t remember a great deal about it, except that Cole and I are the talk of the school. It’s more than a little disconcerting for me to go from being completely ignored to someone who is recognised and accepted in a way I never have been before. I’m not sure I’m comfortable with it but try my best to go along with it and realise that this might be how things will be from now on.
At lunchtime, I head towards the cafeteria to meet Lisa at our usual table. I was a couple of minutes late getting out of History so I expect she’s in there already and I quicken my steps in my attempt to reach the dining hall a little sooner.
Sure enough, my best friend is at our table and waves me over as soon as she spots me. I join her but promptly realise I best join the queue before they run out of food and grab a plate.
I figure that I’m only going to have a few minutes left to eat my food before I have to rush off for my afternoon lessons and tap my foot impatiently, eager for the line of students waiting in front of me to get shorter.
It’s only when a bunch of guys from my year barge right into me and shove me against the wall that I finally lose my temper.
“You do know there’s a queue! What right do you have to cut in line?” I exclaim loudly, capturing the attention of some of the students nearby.
One of them turns around, looking me up and down in a lecherous manner.
“I’ll tell you what I’ll do… I’ll let you go in front of me so long as you let me take you from behind.” He sneers, idiotically waiting for his friends to jeer him on.
Except they don’t. All of them remain silent, refusing to back him up or even laugh at his disgusting joke.
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me, Princess. I heard that’s what you like. At least that’s what Lewis said before he left last year.” He sniggers contemptuously.
The whole dining hall goes silent all of a sudden, causing me to feel even more embarrassed and humiliated than I did a second ago.
Two footsteps approach me from behind, sparking fear in the face of my aggressor. I look behind me and see Cole striding over towards us. The expression on his face is dark and cold, resembling a man who only has murderous intentions in mind. I hurry over to him, placing my small hands against his heaving chest.
“Cole, please don’t.” I beg him, imploring him with my eyes as I look up at him in alarm.
“Get out of my way, Serena. In fact, get the hell out of here altogether. I don’t want you to see this.” He growls menacingly, his eyes a thunderous shade of black.
“Cole, stop it. He’s not worth it and you know he isn’t. Please don’t jeopardise everything you have because of one idiot talking nonsense.”
“He was threatening you.” He whispers, taking a step closer towards me so no one else can hear him.
“No, he wasn’t.” I proclaim frantically. “He really wasn’t. He just cut in front of me, that’s all.”
“That’s all?” He challenges me, staring down at me in anger. “That’s given me a good enough reason to beat the hell out of him.”
“Really? That’s a good enough reason to put another guy in the hospital?”
“Tell me what he said to you.” Cole demands, ignoring my question.
“Nothing! He didn’t say anything to me. I told him off for pushing in front of me and that’s it.”
“You’re lying.”
“So now you’re calling me a liar?”
“No, I don’t mean it like that. I can just tell you’re holding something back from me. I know you.”
“Let’s just get our food and sit down. Everyone is staring at us.” I say, keeping my voice low.
“Go to the front of the line and place your order.” Cole instructs me. “I’ll join you in a minute.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Nothing. I just want to say something to him, that’s all.”
“Cole…”
“Serena, go.” He orders harshly, leaving me with no other option.
He storms past me towards Peter, the imbecile who was taunting me just a couple of minutes ago and I watch his friends scatter, anxious about making themselves scarce. When he spots Cole he spins around in an attempt to escape him, pushing those aside who are in his way. He’s heading for the exit of the cafeteria and almost makes it until Cole sprints after him.
Students are shoved out of the way as Cole increases his speed, knocking over chairs and leaping over tables in his attempt to catch up with a terrified Peter. He grabs him by the collar, hauling him backwards down the flight of stairs you have to ascend to leave the dining hall.
Peter falls flat on his back, landing on the hard wooden floor with a bang. I wince in sympathy, knowing how much that must have hurt him.
“Get up.” Cole orders, unsympathetic and unfeeling.
“Cole, I-I didn’t do anything. I swear I didn’t.” Peter splutters, begging my boyfriend to believe him.
“I said get the fuck up. Now!”
“My God… should we do something?” Lisa asks, hurrying over towards me.
“Like what? I’ve already pleaded with Cole not to hurt him.” I tell her, feeling more helpless and feeble.
“I don’t know. Should we get a teacher?”
“If we do that then Cole will be excluded for good.” I remind her. “I won’t do that to him.”
“But he looks like he’s going to kill him. I’ve never seen anything like it before. He looks… dangerous.”
“He’s not.” I claim fiercely. “He’s just being protective.”
“Serena, I don’t think you even believe that yourself. Who are you trying to convince?”
I tear my eyes away from Cole, glancing at my friend before I take a step forward.
“I’ve got to do something, I can’t watch him do this.”
“Serena, stop. You can’t get involved or you’ll be in trouble yourself.”
“I don’t care. I can’t just stand here like this.”
“Serena, wait!”
I break free from her grasp and push my way through the crowd of people who have now gathered around Cole and Peter. I get shoved back plenty of times before I finally make it to the front of the circle which is surrounding them. The majority of people seem to be on Cole’s side, proving that fear and popularity is enough to influence someone’s beliefs when it comes to doing what is right or wrong and I feel so powerless against it. I have no idea what I can do to prevent any of this from happening.
“Causing trouble again?”
I whirl around and come face to face with Louise. She’s glowering at me with so much hatred, narrowing her blue eyes at me in revulsion.
“Not now, Louise.” I sigh wearily, trying to turn away from her.
She grabs hold of my arm before I have a chance, digging her long fingernails into the tender flesh of my skin.
“I’m not going to let you get away with this.” She snarls disdainfully.
“Away with what?” I question her. “What have I done to you that’s so terrible?”
“You stole him from me and you know you did.”
“Louise, I-I know why you hate me and I can’t say that I blame you for it. Cole was wrong when he said my name and-”
“What did you just say?”
“Nothing, I… forget it. I don’t know anything.” I stammer, realising the monumental mistake I just made.
“I swear I’m going to make y
ou sorry, bitch. Who the hell do you think you are?!” She cries out loudly, grabbing hold of me by the shoulders so she can shake me.
Her shrill voice and the possibility of a cat fight steals some of the attention away from Cole and Peter, as another crowd starts to congregate around Louise and myself, making me feel trapped and suffocated. There’s no way out of this and I’m certain there’s no one who will decide to step in and help me. I don’t even know if Cole can see me due to the fact there’s hundreds of people surrounding us.
“Louise, I don’t want to fight you. You don’t have to do this.” I beg her, holding my hands up in surrender.
“Yes I do.” She states boldly. “No man is going to want you by the time I’m through with you and certainly not Cole.”
She grabs hold of my hair, yanking on it firmly. I cry out, reaching for her fingers so I can try and loosen the grip she has on me. My eyes fill with tears as they search the faces of people cheering her on. The pain of what she’s doing doesn’t even compare to the humiliation I’m experiencing. It’s almost like I’m her prey and she’s just toying with me for everyone else’s entertainment. It strips away my pride and leaves me more vulnerable and exposed than ever, my dignity is gone and I don’t think there’s anything I can do to get it back again. It’s degrading and demeaning but there’s nothing I can do about it. Physically, she’s much stronger than I am and she has the unfair advantage of having the entire school behind her.
All of a sudden, she relinquishes the unyielding grip she had on my hair, enabling me to free myself from her hold. I stand upright, wondering what on earth must have happened for her to back down from hurting me.
Cole.
He’s the one who got her away from me, placing himself in front of me so she can’t touch me whatsoever. He has hold of her arm, shaking her roughly as he glares down at her in loathsome disgust.
That Summer (Part One) Page 14
