Inferno Part 2

~69~ Quit Being A Creep And Get Some Sleep

Ellie's POV

I go to work the next day, feeling awful. I'm embarrassed. Nick and Lance saw that. Talk about blurring the lines of personal and professional. They saw me in my bra and underwear. They saw me almost get raped. I don't think I'll ever be able to look them in the eye again.

Alex and I haven't spoken since our fight. As soon as he left, Lilah came back over to me and gave me another hug. "I'm sorry, Ellie. I knew he was messed up, but I've never seen him like this before. Please don't hold this against him" she says as she starts to cry.

I say nothing as I kiss her cheek. Liam just leaves silently. I think I'm going to have to have a talk with him one of these days. How have I missed how much he's been suffering? I never miss this stuff, especially with my kids. I think I messed up.

Nora quickly follows after him.

I go into work today and walk quickly to my office. Lance is in the hall, but he's talking to Maggie Henry. I'm pretty sure that's the History teacher that Mason doesn't like. Lance sees me, but he's in the middle of his conversation, so he turns his attention back on Maggie.

I get in and open things up for the day. Suddenly I feel a gentle hand on my bicep, and someone turning me around to face them. It's Nick.

He doesn't say anything as he looks me hard in the eyes, trying not to cry. He quietly pulls me into him and hugs me hard. "Hearing about it and seeing it are completely different. You amaze me, lady" he sniffs as he kisses the top of my head.

"I didn't even recognize him." He continues.

He finally lets me go and stares at me hard. "Are you ok?"

I look down and blink. Then I look at him and wipe a tear away. "I was completely blindsided by that. I had no idea there was a video" I say, trying hard not to cry.

"We wondered if you knew about it. I'm so sorry"

I just shrug. What am I supposed to say? It's no big deal?

Lance comes in then, and sees us talking.

"You ok?" He asks me carefully.

I just nod. He can tell I had a heart-to-heart with Nick just now, and I'm saying nothing to him. His feelings are hurt.

He just nods as he leaves silently.

"Ellie" Nick says sadly.

"Don't. I just got my ass handed to me by Alex after court, I don't need it again."

Nick nods as he silently leaves.

This just sucks.

Halfway through my day, I see Colton walk in. He's a freshman this year. "Hey Aunt Ellie" he says.

"What's up kid?" I ask, giving him a smile.

Once he looks at me, I see it. He's got a cut lip and a black eye.

"What on earth happened to you?" I ask, giving him a hug.

"Got in a fight. Dad is going to kill me" he says sadly.

"You got in a fight with who?"

"You don't know him. Just this kid who drives me crazy."

"What did he do?"

"Made me mad."

"Colton" I say darkly.

He sighs and shakes his head. "Can you call mom, instead of dad?"

"Well, I'm sure Principal Mills will want to see you"

"He did. He told me to come to you to get ice for my eye."