by Ruth Houston
Suddenly, the fight came rushing back into my head. I groaned and tried to sit up, causing my head to spin.
"Take it easy," Georgia warned. She sniffed emotionally. "You look terrible."
"Gee, thanks," I muttered, slowly raising myself on my elbows.
"No, seriously Amber, Ashley was hitting you pretty hard," Harry said. "If Veronica didn't turn up when she did, you might be in a hospital right now."
"Oh. Wait, did you say Veronica helped you pull Ashley off me?" I asked disbelievingly.
Harry nodded.
"Just before Ashley and that left, Ashley told Veronica that she was a stupid bitch and that she'd get what was coming to her or something," Georgia informed me.
I frowned. "I thought Veronica would have jumped on the band wagon and helped them beat me up," I muttered.
"Gee, thanks for believing in me and my morals, Amber," came a sarcastic voice from the doorway.
I looked up to see Veronica leaning against the doorframe, her arms crossed but a soft expression on her face nonetheless.
"Well, I'm sorry, but you haven't exactly appeared to like me, uh, ever," I said truthfully.
Veronica sighed. "Well, I don't really like you. But I wasn't about to let you get too hurt," she said. "I do have some feelings."
I smiled but found that it was too painful and instead held my head. "I think I'm going to go lie down," I muttered.
"Yeah, of course. We'll help you to your bed," Georgia said quickly.
Harry and Georgia both helped me upstairs and into my bedroom. I lay down on the sheets and closed my eyes, welcoming the warm, painless blanket that was sleep.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
I woke the next morning feeling stiff and extremely sore. Remind me never to get into a nasty bitch fight with three vicious blondes ever again please.
With a low groan, I rolled off my bed, ignoring the sharp pains in my left side. I was momentarily confused at why I was still wearing the same old T-shirt and jeans I had worn last night before remembering I hadn't bothered to change before falling asleep.
I trudged over to my floor-length mirror, my tired eyes on the floor. I slowly raised my eyes to meet my reflection and winced.
All the colour was drained from my face, leaving me with a sickly complexion. The three long scratches I'd gained from Carla showed up clearly on my pale cheek. My lip was split on the left sight and the dried blood cracked when I winced, causing a single droplet of fresh scarlet blood to ooze out.
I raised a hand and wiped away the blood. Remembering that I had tasted blood last night, a sudden horrifying thought occurred to me. What if they'd knocked out teeth?
I immediately bared my teeth and was extremely relieved when I saw that all my little biting machines were intact. I opened my mouth wider and saw that the cause of blood had been the inside of my cheek. Obviously I had accidentally bitten it sometime in the fight.
I gathered up the front of my baggy shirt to expose a long, purple and yellow stretch of skin up my left side where someone had obviously aimed a kick. That explained the searing pain.
After dropping the front of the shirt, I simply gazed at my ragged appearance in the mirror. I vaguely wondered what kind of pain Ashley may or may not have faced in her past that drove her to be so protective over her boyfriends.
I groaned suddenly and squeezed my eyes shut. I knew that I couldn't show up to school today, if not ever again. No, I didn't want the attention that came with being beaten up. Besides, even if I did go now I would be late, which would mean even more unwanted attention from my classmates.
Well, that decided it. I was definitely staying home.
Sighing and readying myself for Mum's questions and David's suggestions to go to the police, I stepped into the silent hall outside my bedroom. So far, so good.
Slowly, I made my way downstairs, careful not to overexert myself and cause pain to go shooting through my injuries again. I went into the empty kitchen and a piece of paper on the kitchen bench caught my eye.
Frowning, I walked over to it and read:
Amber –
Veronica told me that you're not feeling very well this morning. Coming from her, I knew it must be true so I didn't wake you. David is at a function in the next town over and I'm out with friends. I'll ring and check in later in the day but in the meantime, there are some leftovers from dinner in the fridge. Have a good day and feel better.
Love, Mum.
I set the note back down on the bench, my brow furrowed in thought. Veronica had lied for me? She hadn't spilled the entire, messy story? What in the world had gotten into her lately?
With a confused sigh, I decided to talk to my step-sister when she got home; and not a competitive or spiteful talk either, a civilized conversation. Something that we had not done in over a year.
I crossed the kitchen, opened the refrigerator door and rooted around for something decent to eat. My eyes fell upon a Tupperware container that held a piece of shepherd's pie.
After grabbing the container and a large fork, I settled down at the kitchen bench to start eating. Just as I spooned the first bite into my mouth, however, the phone began to ring.
I eyed my pie longingly for a few moments before sighing and reaching over to pick up the phone. I pressed a button and said a muffled, "Hello?"
"Hey, Amber, it's us."
I knew by the trio of interlocking voices that the speakers were Jade, Harry and Georgia. Now these were the people worth missing out on pie for.
"Hey guys, what's happening?" I asked, twirling my fork around in my fingers absentmindedly.
"You tell us," Jade said.
"How are you?" Georgia added worriedly.
"Why aren't you at school? Is it that bad?" asked Harry.
"No, I'm fine. Just a bit sore. I've got a few scratches and bruises and things but I'll survive," I said.
"Those bitches," Jade said venomously.
Suddenly, Georgia laughed. "Jade just got out of the principal's office, didn't you Jade?"
I frowned. "Why's that?"
"I punched Ashley," Jade admitted.
"What? When?" I asked.
"She was passing me in the hall just after Harry and Georgia had finished telling me what happened and I sort of… well, you know… WHAM!"
I couldn't help myself, I burst out laughing. "Nice one Jade!"
"Yeah, it was a pretty good right hook. Ashley's now sporting a nose bleed next to the black eye you gave her last night," Harry told me.
I smiled, glad that I had at least gotten in a few good hits in repayment.
"Look, we have a plan," Georgia suddenly spoke up.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"We have come up with a great plan to get Ashley back," Harry said.
"Why?"
"Oh, come off it, Amber. Did you really think we weren't going to get that bitch back for what she did to you?" Jade asked exasperatedly.
"Well, I just didn't expect –"
"Carla and Tracy are so going to get it too," Harry said.
"What are you going to –" My sentence was cut short by the ringing of the school bell, signaling the start of second period.
"We have to go! Bye babe, love ya!" Georgia, Harry and Jade all sung.
"Wait, guys! What's the plan…"
'Beep, beep, beep.'
I growled at the dial tone, threw down the phone and ate another mouthful of pie. I was very touched that my friends thought of a revenge plan; but I wanted to know what it was before they went around getting themselves into huge trouble because of me.
* * *
It was around two-thirty when the doorbell rang.
I walked down the hall and hesitated before opening the door. I didn't want Ashley paying me another surprise visit.
Clearing my throat, I called out, "Who is it?"
"Tristan," came the deep, male reply.
My breath was caught in my throat. If I opened the door, this would be the first time I saw him since the k
iss… the kiss that had caused his girlfriend to come and beat me to a pulp.
I bit my lip but immediately stopped when my teeth landed on the cut on my bottom lip. Did I want Tristan to find out that Ashley had beaten me up? Would he be furious? Would he even care?
"Er… Aren't you supposed to be in school?" I asked, keeping my voice even.
"I was. I skipped last period to come give you your Math homework."
I frowned. "But you're not even in my Math class," I said.
"I know," Tristan said, "I told Harry I'd bring it over. I need to talk to you… or warn you. About Ashley."
A bit late, I thought bitterly.
"Please open the door."
At least I know he cares.
I sighed, my hand on the doorknob. "Brace yourself," I said, mostly to myself, before I swung the door open.
There Tristan stood, looking as unbelievably hot as ever. In his arms he held a folder which no doubt contained my homework. His left cheek looked red and had a bit of a purple tinge to it. He was smiling down at me.
That was, until he took in my appearance. His eyes widened and his jaw dropped as he stared down at me with shock.
"She already came, didn't she?" he said.
I nodded slowly. "Her and two other girls," I told him.
Tristan made a strange, growling noise of frustration in his throat. "I'm going to kill her!" he cried.
He raised a hand and cupped the bottom of my chin, tilting my head up so he could have a better look. Wincing at my scratched cheek, he slowly brushed a soft thumb over the injuries.
I recoiled suddenly, my heart pounding in my chest. I crossed my arms as if to muffle the sound of my frantically beating heart. I didn't want Tristan to know what effect he had on me.
"I'm sorry? Did I hurt you?" Tristan said quickly.
I shook my head slowly. "No. It's just… Ashley could be stalking my house for all I know." I gave a weak laugh. "I wouldn't want her dropping in for another surprise visit, you know?"
"Yeah, I know. I'm sorry…" Tristan ran a hand through his hair, his expression furious again. "I can't believe she did this to you!"
I frowned as a sudden thought came to me. "Do you know… Well, how did she find out about… you know…?"
Tristan sighed. "I made the stupid mistake of telling a guy who I thought was my friend. He told her and I guess she kind of… went mental." He sighed. "That bitch!"
"Are you two still together?" I ventured to say.
Tristan nodded slowly. "But we won't be," he assured me after my face dropped. "I am going to dump her as soon as I see her next, don't you worry about that."
"So… Where'd you get that bruise from?" I asked, gesturing to Tristan's cheek.
"Ashley… who else?" He chuckled bitterly. "When she found out, she slapped me and then said something along the lines of: 'Don't worry baby, we'll pull through this. Amber, however, is a different story.'"
I sighed. "She's a pretty good puncher," I muttered.
Tristan's expression softened. "I'm sorry I put you in this position. It wasn't fair…"
"No," I said firmly. "I was the one that kissed you, not the other way around. If anyone should be apologizing, it should be me."
Tristan just looked at me.
"Look, I think… you should just get out of here," I said suddenly. "I don't want any of Ashley's little minions seeing us alone together and going to report to the queen bitch… uh, I mean queen bee."
Tristan lifted a corner of his mouth in a half-smile and made a strange movement with his arms. "Well, I would hug you, but if anyone is watching…" He sighed. "This will all be over soon, I promise."
I nodded and watched as Tristan turned and walked back to his car. He raised a hand in goodbye before sliding into the vehicle, starting the engine and driving off.
I closed the door with a sigh. Was Tristan right? Or would Ashley come back to get me when he broke up with her?
My eyebrows drew together in a frown.
If she does come to get me, I'll be ready.
Good plan.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
I spent the rest of the night pretty much avoiding Mum and David at all costs. I didn't want to go through the questions and phone calls to parents. So, before I showed them my ragged appearance, I had to come up with a story… which I just so happened to be horrible at.
So I went to bed early and when I did emerge for dinner, I had sunglasses and a hat pulled low over my face. When questioned about my appearance, I merely said I was still sick and didn't want anyone looking at my running nose and puffy eyes.
The next morning, I decided to brave school. I did my best to cover up the scratches with make-up and succeeded in adding more colour to my complexion.
When I got to school, I was immediately covered in four strong hugs from Georgia, Harry, Penny and Jade.
"Hey guys," I gasped, trying not to wince at the pain they were causing me by pressing up against my bruise.
"Are you alright?"
"How are you feeling?"
"We'll get that bitch back don't worry!"
"She's so going down!"
I forced a smile at my friends' supportive comments and couldn't help but ask, "What the heck is that plan you three were talking about?"
"Hush, Amber, hush. Don't worry your little bruised head with those sorts of questions. We have it all under control," Georgia assured me in an annoyingly mother-like tone.
I replied to her comments with a death-glare that clearly said, "Tell me or else."
"What's that, Penny?" Harry suddenly spoke up in an overly-loud voice. "It's time for first period? Already? Well, we better get going then before Amber asks any more questions, huh?"
They were being infuriatingly unhelpful and I was struggling to keep my temper under control. Didn't they realise that if they did something bad enough to get themselves expelled, their failing senior year would be on my head?
I opened my mouth angrily to verbalize these thoughts but my voice was drowned out by the shrill ringing of the bell. I closed my mouth in a pout as my friends bid their farewells and hurried off to the school.
Shifting my bag on my shoulder into a more comfortable position, I sighed and walked up to the school after my friends. I had Art first up and had to hand in Tristan and my assignment.
"You did it all by yourself?" Tristan managed to whisper in my ear guiltily before we both caught the eye of one of Ashley's friends and immediately separated.
It was definitely going to be a long day.
* * *
I was walking outside for lunch when I saw Georgia and Jade running up to meet me halfway down the hall. They were both grinning from ear-to-ear and by their ragged breathing, I had a feeling that they had run around the entire school searching for me.
"What is it? What's happened?" I asked quickly when they reached me.
"Come, quick!" exclaimed Georgia, grabbing my hand and pulling me up the hall at a run.
We hurried down the hall and burst out of the school onto the grass.
My first thought was that the world was ending. The last time I had looked at the weather it had been sunny but now the sky was covered in wolf-grey storm clouds. Also, a large ring of students – mainly Seniors – were gathered, whispering to each other.
As Georgia pulled me into the crowd, I heard a loud shriek, "YOU'RE BREAKING UP WITH ME?!"
Well, that answered my unanswered questions… apart from the weather. I had a feeling Ashley couldn't make it storm, no matter how furious she was.
I pushed my way to the front of the crowd and saw that Tristan and Ashley was the centre of attention.
Ashley's hair was a mess and her face was red. Tears were streaming down her face, causing her mascara to run. Even though Ashley seemed heartbroken and furious and whatever else, I couldn't help but notice how her eyes darted at the onlookers every now and then as though she was glad for the attention.
Tristan, however, looked more than uncomfortable with
the witnesses. He was rubbing the back of his neck and digging the tip of his shoe into the grass.
"Come on, Ashley, calm down. You don't have to overreact like this," I barely heard Tristan mutter.
"Overreact? OVERREACT? No one has ever broken up with me! This is wrong! This is all wrong!" Ashley was sobbing.
Suddenly, her face turned from upset to livid. "It's her, isn't it?"
Lightning streaked across the sky and thunder rumbled down from the heavens. I shot a glance up at the swirling sky, fearful. Maybe Ashley did control the weather. Either that, or it was a very strange coincidence.
"What are you talking about, Ashley?" Tristan asked, slightly exasperated.
Ashley, however, wasn't listening to him. She had staggered a few steps toward the crowd, her flashing eyes sweeping the crowd. Too late, I realised who she was looking for.
Just as her eyes settled on me, I gulped and ducked behind Georgia. Everyone around me turned and looked at me, taking a few steps back as though I had a contagious disease.
Gee thanks for helping out, I thought bitterly. Biting my lip, I peeked over Georgia's squared shoulder only to see Ashley pointing a shaking finger at me.
"You – You went back to him even after I came over," she spat.
I shook my head quickly, not wanting another painful beating. "Uh, no… I think you've got your facts wrong," I managed to say as I stepped out from behind Georgia.
Ashley let out a low growl and staggered a few steps toward me but Tristan was too quick. He stepped in between Ashley and me with his jaw set.
"Leave her alone, Ashley," he warned. "This isn't about her."
Ashley set a whimpering look on her face again as she looked up at Tristan. "Then if you're not cheating, why are you breaking up with me?"
Tristan shrugged one shoulder. "I don't like you anymore, Ashley. You're a spiteful bitch. And you beat up one of my best friends," he added.
Ashley began to sob again. I gave a start as a droplet of rain landed on my arm. I looked up only to get hit in the eye by another rain drop. Not the smartest idea.
"So – So you don't love me?" Ashley asked weakly.
I almost felt sorry for her. She had reached out and was now clutching Tristan's shirt pathetically, as if begging him to take her back. I didn't see why she wanted to hang onto him so badly. She always went through boyfriends as though they were just the days of the week.
