Exposing Kitty Langley

by Deanna Kinney

  Kitty

  I pulled out of the school parking lot with renewed hope. Reed had offered to help me. I had to be honest, I loved the idea, but at the same time, I felt guilty. What if he got hurt because of me? He seemed to be such a nice guy. The idea of someone hurting him surprisingly upset me. But, if I had learned anything about him in the last week and a half it was that he would not be deterred. Also, I wasn’t sure how much longer my strength would hold out. I really didn’t think I had much choice anymore.

  I spent the weekend taking it easy, trying to recover from my injuries and studying. I made sure to stay away from the Internet, knowing full well I wouldn’t like what I saw. My parents had grown suspicious after my encounter with the elbow. Also, hiding my swollen fingers, a result of Carla stepping on them when I was knocked down in the hall yet again, was almost impossible. The endless drilling from them had lessened at least, and I was able to concentrate solely on the week ahead. It was exams week, and I was trying so hard to bring my grades up. And since I no longer had a social life I had more time for studying. I had to make good grades on my exams. That alone had become my primary focus. Well that—and staying alive.

  So my weekend consisted of studying and soaking, studying and soaking—then soaking some more. By Sunday evening, not only was I very clean, but I felt I was indeed ready for my exams, along with the other tests that awaited me. Only now I didn’t have to face them alone.

  When I arrived at school Monday morning, I smiled as I immediately spotted Reed, just as he promised, standing by the parking lot waiting on me. I don’t know why I was surprised. I guess I thought maybe he would’ve had the weekend to think about it and therefore time to wise up. But I was happy he hadn’t. He looked incredibly handsome, with a white button up shirt with sleeves rolled up to his elbows, nice looking jeans that fit him perfectly, dark sunglasses, and a brilliant smile that made my heart do odd things. I knew I should keep my distance from him, but I was no longer able to do that. I needed him, plain and simple.

  He met me at the car and opened the door for me. “Hello, Kitty.” He smiled. I had heard that for years, but it sounded more endearing coming from him. Actually, everything did. What did that mean?

  I smiled back, something I haven’t been doing much of lately. “Hey, Reed. I kind of thought you might change your mind about this.”

  “And why would I do that?”

  “Because this is insane. Because you could get hurt.”

  “And do you care if I get hurt?” He smiled, pulling his sunglasses to the tip of his nose and peering down at me.

  “Of course I care if you get hurt. Why have I insisted on you leaving me alone?”

  “I just thought it was because you didn’t want to be my friend.”

  “And is that what we are—friends?”

  He took off his sunglasses then. His amazingly blue eyes smoldered as they stared down into mine. “I think you could use a friend right now, and I think I’d be a good one for you.”

  “We’ll see.”

  He shrugged. “Well, I guess we should go.”

  My face fell. I took a deep breath, preparing myself. “I guess so. Last chance to change your mind.”

  He laughed. “I don’t think so.” He started to take my hand but then hesitated and instead put his arm around my shoulder, pulling me against his side.

  The gesture surprised me. I’m not sure why. I mean, after all he was pretending to be my boyfriend.

  He must’ve sensed my unease. “Is this okay?” he whispered.

  “Oh—sure. It’s fine.” I couldn’t tell him it was more than fine—that I felt better already and that my unease was from the thrill of his simple touch. Oh well. I wrapped my arm around his waist as we made our way toward the school.

  The first person that greeted us with hostility was Haley. “No way! Please tell me this is a joke! Reed!”

  He grimaced. “Not now, Haley.”

  We passed her and she followed. “How could you hook up with her? Are you crazy?”

  “I’m warning you, Haley. Just leave it alone.” I could tell he was getting angry but his voice remained calm.

  “I thought we were friends. How could you keep this from me? Are you two—you know—together?” She could barely get the words out.

  “Yes we are. I didn’t tell you because of how you’re acting right now. And you’ll have to accept it if you want to stay friends.”

  She stopped then, looking very hurt.

  I turned to study her with concern. “Reed, should you have been that way with her. She really likes you.”

  He sighed, pulling me close again and whispered. “Yeah, I know, but I don’t think of her like that. She thinks she rules my life. I can’t let her mess up our plan. The only way this will work is if everyone thinks we’re together and that I’ll do anything to keep you safe. That way they’ll be more inclined to think twice before messing with you.”

  We had just entered the building and people had already stopped dead in their tracks and were staring. “I guess that makes since. So how are we gonna convince them?” He didn’t answer, and I glanced up at him. “Reed?”

  “Like this.” He stopped and spun me to face him. His lips came down on mine without warning—hard and eager. Before I knew what I was doing, my hands were in his hair, pulling him closer. I was lost in the sensation, no longer aware of the audience that had gathered, watching and whispering.

  Just as the heat began to build, Haley jerked us apart. “Reed, I need to talk to you right now!” she demanded, pulling him away. He was still stunned by the kiss and didn’t struggle.

  I was left standing there alone and breathless while everyone snickered at me. Filled with instant unease, I bolted down the stairs toward my locker. “Kitty!” I heard Reed call after me, but I didn’t stop until I was finally standing in front of my locker.

  I had just slammed my locker shut when someone pushed me from behind causing me to drop my books. I looked up in time to see a fist coming toward my face. I somehow ducked just in time, barely missing the impact. I recognized Marcia, the girl’s picture that I helped spread on the Internet.

  “You humiliated me and now that you no longer have your friends to protect you, I’m gonna break your nose!”

  She was angry and my eyes widened as she came at me in a rush, slamming me into the lockers. I was somehow able to keep my footing, though just barely. I wasn’t fast enough to avoid the next blow—straight to my stomach. I doubled over and fell to my knees.

  “Kitty!” Reed yelled, running down the hall toward us.

  Marcia turned, and spotting him, took off out the door and disappeared.

  “Kitty! Are you okay?” He took my arms and helped me to my feet.

  “I-I think I’m okay,” I managed to say through my pain.

  “I’m so sorry. I let Haley distract me. It won’t happen again.”

  I winced as the pain shot through me. “It’s not your fault.”

  “What was that about? Why did she hit you?”

  “I did something really bad to her once. I deserved worse.”

  “You’ve been punished enough.”

  “My punishment is just beginning.”

  He seemed angered by this as he bent down, picking up my books and helping me get them in my backpack. The bell rang, and he put his arm around my waist and helped me to my first class.

  Chapter Eleven

  Reed

  I’d never met anyone as resilient as Kitty before. Maybe it was just me, but it was like she wanted to be punished or something, but that was absurd. No one wants to feel pain—do they? The more time that went by the more I respected her. She might have been a bad person once, but I had started to believe she had really changed. Actually, I didn’t really think she was bad then. I think that somehow she got suckered into that crazy bunch of girls. They had something to offer her, but that time had passed and now she was alone. It was my first day acting as her boyfriend, and I let her down. I let Haley distrac
t me. Dang that Haley! Her jealousy had gone too far. I knew I had to talk to her about it. I really didn’t want to do that, but I didn’t see any other choice. I couldn’t have her causing Kitty trouble. Acting as her boyfriend was my plan, and I had to make it work.

  I was careful to meet Kitty right on time after each class. I didn’t want her walking anywhere alone. The school was crawling with crazy people right now. I think a lot of people were angry with the Bee Hives as a unit and were just taking all their anger out on Kitty. I couldn’t say that I blamed them really. They say that last year the B’s weren’t as bad, that for some reason their meanness was slightly tamed. It was almost like there was a presence watching over them, keeping them in line, but not so this year. This year they seemed to be in full force.

  When the bell rang for lunch period to begin, I scurried to get to Kitty’s classroom. When I got there, however, I was not at all happy with what I saw. Trent was taking Kitty’s backpack for her and ushering her from the room.

  I ran faster. “I’ll take that, Trent,” I said in a cold tone.

  “Oh, Reed. I didn’t know you two were still a thing.”

  “Yeah, well now you do.” It annoyed me how he was looking at Kitty. Did he feel some need to make up to her? Too bad!

  “It’s okay, Trent. Reed will walk with me, but thanks for offering.” Her voice was trying to be sweet, but I sensed some annoyance, which pleased me.

  “Oh, you’re welcome, Kitty. Anytime you need me for anything you just let me know.” He smirked at me before turning and making his way back down the hallway.

  I suddenly had the feeling that Trent wasn’t going away so easily. I’d have to keep my eye on him. “You be careful with Trent. I don’t trust him,” I whispered, wrapping my arm around her waist as we walked.

  “I know, me either, but I think he really feels bad about how he treated me. I think he’s just trying to make it up to me. Don’t worry. I’ve seen his other side. I’ll be careful.” She reached for my hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

  “Good.” I noticed then that she was walking slower than before. “Kitty, did anything happen since I saw you last?”

  “No, why?”

  “You’re walking slower.”

  “My medicine is starting to wear off. I’m hurting.”

  “Hurting? From what, exactly?”

  “On Friday, Melissa Barkley pushed me down the stairs. I was already close to the bottom, but I landed on my left knee. It’s bruised.”

  I stopped us right there in the middle of the hallway. “Kitty! What are we gonna do about this? This is clearly getting out of hand!”

  “It’s all right, Reed,” she reassured me, rubbing her hand on my arm. “I’ll be fine. Now I have you, remember?” She smiled and I couldn’t help but smile back. She was so beautiful, her big, green eyes sparkling. “I’ll take some more medicine when we eat lunch. Speaking of which, I’m starving.”

  She was trying to distract me. “Yeah, me too. Let’s go.” And it worked.

  When we reached the cafeteria, the murmurs began. Everyone seemed to stop and watch as we crossed the room, hand in hand. I really didn’t care, but I felt Kitty tense. I instinctively pulled her tighter against me. She glanced up at me and smiled, an unspoken understanding passing between us.

  I spotted Haley first as we made our way to my table. She jumped to her feet the moment she saw us. “Oh, no you don’t! Please tell me she’s not sitting with us now!”

  “Don’t do this, Haley. I mean it.” I warned.

  Remarkably she sat back down. I half expected her to storm off in a huff. Jessie, Kyle, and Mark just stared at Kitty, wide-eyed. I knew she was pretty, but come on!

  “All right guys. Put your tongues back in your mouths. Kitty will be sitting with us from now on so you can chill out.”

  Kyle, ignoring me, was the first to extend his hand in greeting. “I’m Kyle, the best looking of us. It’s nice to meet you, Kitty. Nice name. I’m single, by the way.”

  “Yeah, yeah, move along,” Mark said, moving Kyle aside. “I’m Mark, the smartest but sexiest of us. It’s nice to meet you. When you get tired of this one let me know.”

  I rolled my eyes in disgust. They were like a bunch of wild dogs in heat. And making fools of themselves, if you ask me.

  “And I’m Jessie, the comedian in the bunch. We’re glad you’re sitting with us. You’ve never done anything bad to us, so we don’t hate you.” He instantly looked over at Haley and smirked.

  Haley sat quietly, fuming.

  “Um, it’s nice to meet all of you. Thanks for letting me sit with you, and for not hating me.” She smirked at Jessie. “It gets old eating in my car.”

  “You’ve been eating lunch in your car this whole time?” Mark asked in disbelief.

  “Yeah. It’s safe there.”

  “Wow, you really do need our help, don’t you?” Kyle added.

  She smiled and shrugged. It was a sweet smile that showed her vulnerability. “Yeah, I guess so.”

  “Say no more. We’re on the job for as long as you need us,” Jessie said, shoving food in his mouth.

  I took Kitty’s hand. “I’ll go get us some food. You get acquainted with the guys. I’ll be right back.”

  I turned to leave, taking one last glance over my shoulder. The guys were fighting over who was gonna pull her seat out for her.

  Again, I rolled my eyes. Well, at least someone was fighting to be nice to her for a change. That had to feel good.

  I was well aware of Bunnie’s gaze as I passed. There was no escaping her intense scrutiny. She wasn’t happy that I was helping Kitty. I made sure to give her a big smile as I passed. That ticked her off.

  Chapter Twelve

  Kitty

  The bell rang, signaling the end of the school day and I was still alive. My first day with Reed acting as my boyfriend had worked fairly well. I really liked his friends. It also seems that perhaps they liked me too—all except Haley, of course. She mostly hated me because she had a thing for Reed. Any fool could see that, even Reed himself. She was actually quite a cute girl, with straight, light brown hair to her shoulders, brown eyes, and an athletic figure. She appeared to be a tomboy—something I could never be, but something I respected. She must’ve felt more comfortable hanging with guys. Maybe she had never had a girlfriend.

  Reed met me after class and walked me to my car. “Well, I think the day went remarkably well, except this morning when Marcia got the jump on you. I’m sorry about that.”

  “Don’t be. It wasn’t your fault.” I stopped, turning to face him. “You know, Reed, I think there’s something we need to get straight, right up front. This is all an act of course, but if it were to ever start to become reality for you, then we need to end this. We can’t, in any way, have a real relationship. Do you understand?”

  He shrugged, a gesture I was becoming used to seeing. “Oh, sure. That’s no problem. But I’m just curious—why?”

  “We just can’t. Are we clear on that?”

  “We’re clear. Well, I’ll see ya tomorrow.” He hesitated for a moment before leaning down and kissing me on the cheek.

  “Yeah, I’ll see ya tomorrow.”

  Frustrated, I got in the car to pull away, surprised at the emotions stirring inside me. I knew we couldn’t have a real relationship, but I was disappointed at how easily he accepted it. Had I wanted him to protest? Well, a little would’ve been nice. But this wasn’t the time for happiness in my life. This was the time to suffer the consequences of my actions. I was reaping what I had sown. Like it or not—this was what I deserved—pain—not happiness. Anything but happiness.

  That evening, for the first time in days, I actually slept soundly.

  The next day started out better than the others. I hadn’t been ambushed and it was almost lunch. This Reed thing seemed to really be working, but I was afraid to get hopeful this early in the game. The B’s were planning something and no one, not even Reed, would be able to stop what they had p
lanned. I knew them well enough for that.

  Reed walked with me, his arm slung over my shoulder intimately. I’m not really sure why, but the gesture had me tensing. Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything to him about not having a relationship with him. It was unlikely to happen anyway, so why did I have to say anything? The more I thought about it the more I realized I was looking for him to protest. But he didn’t. Why didn’t he? It wouldn’t surprise me if he really was in love with Haley all along but just didn’t know it. That thought alone made me feel like vomiting, something I hadn’t done in at least three days.

  At lunch I noticed that Reed was quieter than usual. “Um, Reed, are you all right?” I asked once we were seated with our food.

  He shrugged. “Oh, yeah. I’m fine. Are you?”

  “Yeah, I think so. Today’s gone pretty good. No one’s tried to beat me up yet.”

  “And they better not either!” he snapped.

  I was startled by his intensity.

  “Sorry. I just take this very seriously. You’ve been through enough.”

  “Oh.” I didn’t know what else to say.

  The silence that followed was awkward and unnerving. His friends bounded around the corner and plopped down in their seats with recklessness. I was thankful for the interruption.

  Walking me to my car was part of the plan and yet it was the part of the day I dreaded the most. This time he held my hand, and it felt painfully good. His hand was warm and strong, swallowing mine completely. I wondered if he felt it too. I looked up and we locked eyes.

  He smiled shyly, but something was bothering him.

  “Reed, thank you again for helping me. I think it’s working, but are you sorry?”

  He stopped abruptly, eyeing me curiously. “Sorry? For what?”

  “Helping me.”

  “Of course not. Why would you ask me that?”

  “You’re just acting strange today, and I was wondering if you were regretting helping me. Maybe you really like Haley after all, and maybe you don’t want to hurt her.”