Caught in the Middle

Chapter 3

Searching through my locker, I wont stop thinking about how I hadn't seen Finn about the school corridors all day. Nor had I seen any of his friends...
I take a quick look down at my leg. It still hurts. Scratches and a bruise around the bandaged area. I had managed to amble with a slight limp back to the nurses office... she managed to cover it with a wrap around bandage, a meshy thing, like some sort of sock. She had even offered to sign me off for the day and rest my leg at home. God, I wish I had taken that... But I also knew I needed to be there incase my brother came into trouble and incase he needed my help. How ever it were I could help, at least. If i hadnt needed to keep an eye out for my older brother, like a damn babysitter, who could be set upon by a bunch of jocks out of nowhere, out for revenge, I would have taken the 'going home' option instantly.
And today, Tess points out, I were a damn walking hazard. We sat in class watching slides for english, my mind only wondering over what had happened just previously. But yet, I couldnt agree with her more. Infact, wondering about school today shouldnt have felt like I could injure myself at any moment but it did.
After the bell, my day couldnt have felt more interesting. I did notice I were getting looks. I had wondered if it where my leg. Whether it were how I were dressed, maybe? I started to then feel self conscious when I started to realise I were still wearing make up at school... which I never ever do. Probably a big reason as to why peoples heads were turning, I decide, as I close in on my locker.
Kyle, a slim boy in my grade, not much taller than myself, with dark brown shaved short hair, whose locker were next to mine, glances over at me from the side. I'm unsure why but my heart begins to race. Other than the fact he rarely ever talks to me, he has been quite rude to me in the past. His hesitating to say something, pausing at first, then opening his mouth, and almost instantly closing it again, then turning away. My eyes widen, wondering why people were acting weird... maybe I had toilet paper stuck to my shoe or my back? I check- nothing there! My heart skips a beat as I swallow down the uncomfortable feeling like something is not right. And why is Kyle looking at me right now...like that-
"What happened to your leg?" Asks the boy standing there gazing my way... and I'm almost certain his gazing at my butt, not my leg- cutting off all thoughts completely.
I frown at him, irritated.
"Nothing. Just fell." I put simply, hoping his gaze diverts.
He crumples his brows at me as his gaze meets mine, then looks straight back into his locker. That vague look... I could tell... he hadnt heard me or he just didnt really care.
Suddenly he turns again, and as he goes to say something and I'm closing my locker, we are met with Troy's arm baricaiding my way as he leans across, hand planted against my locker. Kyle grabs his bag, and like a true whimp, scampers away. I watch as he disappears, blending in with the other passing students in the distance, wishing it were me disappearing as fast as that.
It's only Troy. No Jasper. No Francó. No Finn.
"Gabriella." He says slowly, lingering and drawing out my name, it sort of makes me feel uncomfortable. "Why are you looking so fine today? I didn't think that was actually possible for someone like you." He sneers. My heart races in my chest, but I manage a cringe to hide how he really makes me feel. God, how could he possibly be so unpleasant, so annoying, so horribly troubling...and What does he mean 'for someone like me'?!
"What do you want Troy?" I mutter under my breath.
He bites back his bottom lip down, a smouldering look as his eyes watch me, then letting his gaze drag over my shoulder and neck.
"You should know Gabriella. What is it that I always want?" He smirks.
I clear my throat feeling alittle uneased and unsteady, not letting the heaviness of gaze faze me.
"Could you let me through? I'm sort of in a hurry. I have other things to do." I grunt. His smirk turns humoured and let's out a short snort.
"Sure. Im not holding you up, am I? You answer me this first though." He pauses, forcing my eyes to meet his by following my gaze and making them meet. He wants to make sure I hear him. He watches me as he reads if I have connected. He could practically smell my nerves. "Your brother. I heard their soccor team are celebrating down by the lake this weekend. A big party I heard. They won their last game, that's pretty big. Calls for a pretty big party I guess. But... I'm a little offended here... see I never was invited. I mean, thats pretty damn rude-"
"But your not part of the team-" I rasp at him quickly, cutting him off. I scoff in suprise. He laughs.
"Yes Gabriella." He mocks. "I think I would know that. But it doesnt mean I cant go. I mean, around seventy percent of those attending are most probably also not on the team... either. So... Maybe..." he winks at me, licking his lips like the lizard he is. His he doing this on purpose? Does he want to see how I would react? I cringe at him with disgust. Does he really think I would actually go out of my own way to help a loser like him out?... and desert my own brother for him?! Annoyed, and feeling almost unbelievably fried by this talk, I try my best to push past him, ducking my head to squeeze past under his arm. But his quick movement stops me, and he drops down his arm lower, blocking me. His arm ridge and stern, stubbornly planted there, making it highly impossible for me to pass him. I ripple out a groan, loud enough for a couple of passing students to turn and gaze our way. Frustrated, I know I'm not going anywhere.
"Relax, girl." He breaths stepping closer, eyes firm on mine. He seems slightly excited, as though this challenge were exciting for him. Was he enjoying this?! "I would go with you, but I do have a girlfriend, remember? Im faithful. You believe me right?" He says, eyes dropping to my lips. I take a step back, and his eyes flicker back up to mine. Faithful? I highly doubt it... not that it's my business. "So. You take Finn. And we'll tagging along-"
"What?! No! I am not doing that." I snap. His smirk grows. His gazing at me silently for a few moments, curiously.
"Look." He sighs boredly. "I promise not to lay a single finger on your brother. Not even a nail. I'm just there... to observe. That's all. Promise."
Why does my skin still creep with discomfort? I don't trust him... not one bit. Troy is there for more than just observing. I know it. I cross my arms infront of me, my lips pursing in anger. He needs to know he can't do this.
"What are you going to try Troy? The entire soccor team will be there..."
His amused, and he let it known through his laugh.
"This weekend. Its you and Finn." He teases. "I wont be suprised if he tries to stick his tongue down your throat."
What did he just say?!... I'm speechless... I try to reply but my stutter is terribily incoherent. He uses this interstice to break in his message of what he really wants to get across.
"We are chasing that party and crashing it. It could get pretty hard core, Gabriella. So maybe you should be there for your bigger brother, if you know what I mean? So you can keep your eye on him."
Fuming, my folded arms tighten infront of me. His making my heart pound with the need to do something, my blood simmer with heat of rage for him, and his making me so damn furious... He finally lifts his arm away from my locker, the smug look on his face grows. "You should wear that dress. It really makes you look sexy." He says in a deep voice, before clicking his fingers my way. He turns then, and I catch a glimpse of his friends meandering through the corridor. Troy wonders over and greets Jasper with their hand shake, whilst Finn catches eyes with me. His eyes wonder over me curiously, lingering for a while, possibly wondering what exchange Troy would have had with me. His brows furrowed in confusion, as though he were hesitating if to walk over to me or not. His eyes slowly drift to my leg then, watching it curiously. He decides to take that first step toward me, when Troy stops him, locking a hand on his shoulder. He leans in and whispers into his ear. A smile produces on Troy's mouth, rolling into a devious smirk. I know what they are talking about... Im not dumb... but I also didn't want to be there to see the reaction Finn would have. I quickly and quietly turn away, leaving them behind. I really don't want to be there at this party... especially that being there I would potentially have to witness my brother getting hurt. And potentially one of those people hurting him would be... Finn. One of the only jocks... one of the only boys I had started to fondly truthfully respect... He were a certain boy I didn't want to grow feelings for... as hard as that is to say!... because if I did, I knew I were doomed for eventual heartbreak.