“Please, don’t say anything.” I plead.
“You tell me if he does anything to make you uncomfortable.”
“I will.” I lie again. I can’t bring myself too. I know he will tell Asher. I don’t want him to know.
Michael comes in and makes himself comfortable on my bed.
“So, are you still dating that tool?”
“Blake? No. We broke up.”
“Good, he was a loser.” He states. I chuckle.
“I know. Sometimes I wonder if the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree, at least where guys are concerned.” I say. He shakes his head.
“You are nothing like her.” He says with intensity.
“Thank you.” He gives me a sad smile.
“So, what do I have to worry about tomorrow?” He asks, changing the subject.
“Well, if tonight was any indication, tomorrow is going to be a shitshow. That was like five girls, you are going to have hundreds of girls at school.” I say. He groans.
“I just want to be normal.” He states. This time I start laughing.
“What?”
“This is what you always wanted. It was what we always wanted….” I say sadly.
“I know, I’m sorry…”
“I know you are. It’s not your fault.” I say. He starts to say something, but I just shake my head. He knows I don’t want to hear it.
“Well, I better get to bed. Tomorrow is a big day.” He says. I nod and accept his hug.
“It’s nice to have you home.” I mumble into his chest.
“It’s good to be home. I missed you Char Char.” I hide the tears gathering in my eyes.
“I’ll let you get some sleep. We have a lot of time to catch up on.” He says, leaving my room with a kiss on the forehead.
Life is going to be different from now on. I love having my cousin home, but Asher and the girls…
I don’t think I can stand to see it. I’m guilty of glancing out the window. For the first time in years, I watch the light in the bedroom across the way turn on. I watch the shadow beyond the curtain move around the room. Asher….
How many years did I watch him through that window, praying he would see me the way I saw him? Now, I have to return to my past and see him in my high school hallways tomorrow. The girls will be even more obnoxious. I mean how many times do famous rock stars come back to high school. Tomorrow is going to suck so bad.
Chapter Three
Today already sucks. I walked into school and we are immediately assaulted by squeals and giggling. Michael and Asher are right behind me. I almost get trampled by the girls running towards their heartthrobs. I slip as someone pushes into me, but I’m saved from splattering by an unknown hand.
I straighten myself up and look around for the savior, but the only person even close to me was Asher. With his attitude towards me, he would let me fall. Besides, he isn’t even looking at me.
I push my way through the girls leaving the guys to fend for themselves, figuring their used to this kind of thing. I fight my way through the crowd to get to my locker.
Shit, I forgot about Blake. Blake hardly comes to school, so I’m kind of shocked to see him leaning against my locker. I take a deep breath and get ready to face the drama.
“Hey.” Blake says, eyes downcast.
“Hey.” I say back. I know this act. He feels bad, wants to get back together, yada yada yada.
I know I shouldn’t even let him speak, but I’m just not in the mood for anymore confrontations.
“Blake, what do you want?” I ask, trying to get him to move away from my locker.
Suddenly, he flips me around so hard, my head hits my locker. He not so gently holds me pinned against the locker. He leans his head down. I turn my head to the side and meet the eyes of Asher.
There is a sea of girls around him, swarming like little bees, but he only sees me. The intensity in his gaze takes my breath away. Blake tightens his grip, making me flinch.
My eyes look back up and I see murder in Asher’s eyes. I look away. I must be overreacting if I think Ash would care anything about me. Blake jerks my face towards his and brutally kisses me. I’m being punished it seems. I try to push him away, but he keeps assaulting me. I turn my face away and see that Ash is coming my way with a pissed off Michael in tow.
I can’t let them see me as weak. I push hard against Blake, knocking him off just enough for me to knee him in the balls. As he squeals like the fan girls over there, I push off my locker and disappear into the flow of students.
Luckily, I make it to my first class on time. I avoid Blake and the boys for a few more classes. Unfortunately, I can’t avoid the excited conversations about the boys being here. They surround me everywhere and I finally pop my earbuds in to drown out their annoying voices.
Lunch finally arrives and I receive a text from Michael telling me that they left campus. They had a conference call with their manager. I get myself a sandwich from the cafeteria and head to my sanctuary. The back of the library is empty during this time and the librarian is a sweet lady that seems to like me. It became my go to place in the days following the boys leaving. Once I met Blake, we would leave campus and go to Chris’s for a hit.
It is kind of comforting to be back in the musty library. I pull on my earbuds and eat my sandwich in peace. It is such a nice break from having to listen to everyone gush over the guys. I do a few math problems until the lunch bell rings. I gather up my stuff and prepare myself for the rest of the day. I exit the library with my head down, hood up, and earbuds in place. I wish I could shut out the world so easily. I make it to my locker when I feel myself being watched. I glance up and see Blake staring at me.
“Hey Chica!” My one and only friend that is a girl, Trix, is standing right next to me. I glance back to Blake.
“Hey, what’s up?” I ask. I really do like Trix.
She was someone that I would never had given two looks at in my previous life. I was in the library one day, crying my eyes out, and Trix was looking for a book for a research paper. She came and sat down next to me without saying a word.
I just cried, and she just sat there with me in silence. When I finally stopped, she got up and left. The next day, she showed up at the library again. From then on, we became best friends, until I started dating Blake. Blake didn’t like her and so I was a bad friend. I stopped hanging out with her as much. We texted occasionally and talked at school, but I admit I dropped her.
“Nothing much, what’s up with you?” Trix asked. She glances over at Blake and I can see the questions on her mind.
“That’s a loaded question.”
“I see that the rock stars have graced us with their presence.”
“I know, so exciting, right?” I say sarcastically. She laughs. Thankfully, she could care less about them.
“What’s up with your boyfriend?” She asks glancing over at Blake, who hasn’t taken his eyes off us.
“It’s over. Why did you let me be with that loser for so long?” I ask. She shrugs.
“Sometimes it’s best for those to figure it out on their own. You’re a smart girl. I knew it wouldn’t take you long to figure out he was a loser.”
“Uh, thanks.” I say and she laughs.
“I’m just glad you are back. I missed you. We need to hang out soon.”
“That’s sounds great!” I reply, and I mean it. I missed my friend. I lost out on so much by being with Blake.
“I got to get to class. I’ll call you later.” She says and walks away. Thankfully, Blake is gone now too. One less confrontation I have to deal with.
I can’t say that the day is getting any better. Asher is in my last period of the day. It is ironically music. I sit in the back and listen to everyone’s excitement as Asher walks in.
I roll my eyes. Yay. It doesn’t help that my ex best friend and nemesis, Natalie Snow is in this class. She hates me. I hate her. It’s a great relationship. I know she is threatened by me. I used to be just like
her. I was pretty, popular, talented, privileged, perfect and she liked me, until I wasn’t any of those things. She has it all now, but she is still scared that I’m going to take her attention away. She is cast all the solos in choir, but she knows I could easily take it away from her if I wanted to. I can’t tell you how many times I have been begged to sing again. But…. I just can’t, not in public anyways.
Our music teacher, Mr. Brown, is beside himself. The great Asher Stewart from The Orphans is in his music class! He can’t get control of the class and I feel for him, just a little. I pull my earbuds on and pull my hoodie up over my head. I slouch down and blare the music from my phone. I’m tapping my pencil on my knee.
After about ten minutes, I decide to see what’s going on around me. With a glance, I wish I hadn’t. Natalie is sitting next to Ash. She is practically on his lap, flirting. He is smiling at her and I see them start to laugh. A sick feeling starts to develop in my stomach. Mr. Brown must have finally got the students’ attention.
I pull out my earbuds, afraid I might miss something important. It may seem like I’m a slacker, but I take my grades very seriously. After all, it’s the only way I can leave this shithole.
“What is the most important thing I tell you about music?” Mr. Brown asks.
No one is paying attention. All their eyes are focused on Asher and Natalie. Mr. Brown asks the question again louder. I see he is about to give up. I raise my hand.
“Charleigh.” Mr. Brown acknowledges me with a little surprise.
Asher’s head whips around. Surprise, fucker, been here the whole time. All eyes follow where his went, including Natalie’s. She grants me with a bitchy scowl. I ignore them both.
“To feel it.” I answer simply.
“Yes. Correct. Thank you.”
“Whore.” Natalie’s voice is loud enough for everyone to hear.
“Takes one to know one, sweet cheeks.” I counter back with a smirk.
“Girls.” Mr. Brown reprimands us.
Natalie flips her hair around and snakes her perfectly manicured hand around Ash’s shoulder. She whispers in his ear and I hear his laugh. Great.
Mr. Brown continues like nothing happened, but hearing that laugh, shatters my cold indifference. What happened to us? He used to be my everything. Why does he hate me? The class is dragging by and I can’t wait for it to end. With ten minutes left to go, Mr. Brown announces a bomb shell.
“I would like everyone’s attention. I have an announcement.” The class quiets down.
“Since we won Nationals last year, we have to defend our title! This year’s guidelines have changed from last year and now we have to perform something original. So, all my songwriters, I need you to take the initiative and come up with something spectacular. Hopefully, Asher can help us out!” Everyone starts chattering and my heart does a little flip.
This is what I’m good at. I should do this, but that was part of my life I gave up. I see a freshman girl raise her hand. Mr. Brown acknowledges her.
“Could Asher play something for us?” I look at the clock. Still, five minutes to go. I feel panic well up, please say no, please say no!
“Mr. Stewart?” Mr. Brown asks.
Ash gets up and walks to the front bypassing the drums. My heart drops into my gut. It is well known that Ash is a great drummer, but he also can sing. Michael maybe the lead singer, but Ash can challenge him for that position anytime he wants. He just prefers the drums.
“How about a little song?” He says with a wink. I hear the sickening sounds of giggles.
I take a deep breath at the same time he does. Then he begins, enthralling his audience with my words.
That’s right, the motherfucker is singing my song. The one that made The Orphans an international success. Bastard. I glare at him as his eyes lock on mine with a knowing grin on his face. I clench my fists and teeth against his assault.
The song is beautiful, and I can hear the panties melt off the girls listening to his intoxicating voice singing about lost love. The intensity builds, and his smirking gaze never strays from mine.
I feel daggers from Natalie, but nothing distracts me from the death glare I’m sending him. I feel the tears building up and I choke them down. By the end of the suffering, I can hardly breathe, and I just want out of here. Now. The class explodes in applause and Ash, still looking at me, takes a sarcastic bow. I hate him. I grab my stuff and storm out of the room before the bell rings.
As I round the corner to my locker, I’m grabbed from behind. My first thought is Ash, but then the scent of weed hits me and I know it’s Blake. I try to shake loose, but his hold is firm. He throws me against the wall.
“You fucking bitch. You can’t just leave me. I own you.” He hisses, pushing himself against me. He grabs at my breast, squeezing hard. I fight against him, but to no avail.
I never thought that Blake would ever be this way. I look around, but the halls are empty, classes full. I thrash against him, praying for the bell to ring.
“You like that don’t you? Is this how it is when Asher fucks you? I know you are fucking him. Just like before, huh, you fucking slut.”
He shoves me back again, this time my head bounces against the wall and I see black spots. Suddenly, he is off of me and I drop to the ground. Ash has Blake slammed against the opposite wall.
“Stay the fuck away from her. Do you understand me!” Ash threatens through clenched teeth.
“Who the fuck do you think you are? Fucking Rockstar, my ass. You stay the fuck away from her. That whore is mine.” Blake’s eyes are wild. Ash slams him hard against the wall. The bell rings.
“Stay the fuck away from her. I will fuck you up if you ever touch her again.” Ash releases Blake, just as the student body starts to trickle in the halls. Without even a glance in my direction, Ash walks away.
Blake glares at me from his wall and I bring myself to stand, staring back at him. Students walk between us oblivious of the drama they just missed. I take one last look at Blake and join the students. When I glance back, Blake is gone.
I get my books from my locker and slam it shut. I’m so ready for this day to be over. I walk out of the school and realize my torture session is still going strong. Ash is leaning against his car which is parked right next to mine. Natalie and her perfect posse’ are surrounding him and leaning on my truck. Ash has his arm slung around Natalie’s shoulders and she is gazing up at him. I want to puke. Well, that sure didn’t take her long.
“Well, well, look who it is.” Natalie taunts.
“Surprise!” I say dryly.
“What are you doing over here, shouldn’t you be with the loser crowd?”
“Last I checked this was a free country. Besides, your skanky ho friends are on my truck.” The girls jump up and away from my truck like it had the STD.
“That ugly thing is yours? Jesus, I thought you had money. Oh, I forgot, your whore of a mother hates you.” Natalie really knows how to dig in her claws.
The truck belonged to my father. It’s an old Chevy. He left my mother when I was five years old. The truck was the only thing he left behind and the only thing I have left to remember him by. When I turned sixteen, my mother had already been through so many divorce settlements that she didn’t care about the truck. It became mine.
My father was shitty to leave but I can’t help but feel attached to the truck. Ash knows all about this and how much it means to me. When our eyes meet, I just see indifference. I don’t know why I thought he would stick up for me. I guess the Blake thing was different.
Ash leans over and starts whispering in Natalie’s ear. She giggles and clutches him closer. Then I watch in morbid fascination as he starts kissing her ear down to her neck.
When he stops, his eyes meet mine. He stares at me while he leans in and toys with Natalie’s blond hair. What the fuck? I hate games and I feel like I’m an unwilling player in this one.
“Move.” I demand at the girls.
I slide into the driver’s
seat and start my baby up. I blare up the music and hit reverse. I don’t even check to see if they are out of the way. I flip them the bird as I peel out of the parking lot.
“Fucking Ash.” I mumble and try to lose myself in the music, tapping along with it against the steering wheel.
I roll into my driveway a few minutes later and hop out. I pull my earbuds on and punch in the code to the front door. I rush into the kitchen. I want to be up in my room before Michael gets home. I just don’t want to deal with anyone after this day. I start to pull the makings of a turkey sandwich out of the fridge.
“Hey.”
I pause at the sound. Shit. I thought I was alone. Why is he here? Mom isn’t even home. This day just keeps getting better. I give him a side glance.
“Hey.” I say back and turn my attention back to the sandwich.
It may look like I’m consumed in my task, but I’m completely aware of where he is in the kitchen. He is moving closer to me. I automatically tense up. My fingers grip the butter knife I was using for mayonnaise. He reaches around me and pulls the fridge open. It’s a game of cat and mouse. He likes to play with his food before attacking it.
“How was school?” Tim asks.
My mom’s boyfriend is a douche and dangerous. He gets thrills giving me punishments. He has yet to try anything more, but it’s just a matter of time. I wanted to avoid Michael, but now I’m just praying someone comes home soon. I feel a hand brush my butt. I scoot out of the way. Suddenly, he leans over my shoulder, resting his hands on my arms.
“Whatcha making?”
I shrug him off, but he brings his arms slowly down to my waist.
I start to panic a little. Just breathe. Do not react. I slap the bread together and start to move. He keeps a hold of my waist as I turn around. I’m facing him trying to duck under his arm.
“Whoa, what’s the hurry?”
“Hey, Tim! Charleigh!” Michael bounds into the kitchen with Asher.
If Michael sees Tim boxing me in, he doesn’t show it. Ash, on the other hand, knows exactly what is going on.
“I’m starving! I forgot how long school can seem!” Michael opens the fridge oblivious.
Lucky Me Page 3
