Not That Girl

Chapter 22

A giant ice cream Sunday in a tall glass dish, a large soda and a plate piled with two cheese steak burgers and chips sat in front of me.

'Do you really think I can eat all this?'

'Yep, I've seen you eat when you think no one's looking, you've got a guy's appetite.'

I smiled and scooped some ice cream into my mouth savoring the chocolaty taste as Michael dug into his burger, melted cheese and mustered immediately running down his large hands. I didn't fail to notice that Michael watched me eat, smiling when I finally abandoned my lady like manners and tore into the first burger letting myself relax.

Food helps shut out the nervous emotions. Or at least crush them down.

When we were done eating I went to the ladies bathroom to wash my hands and around my mouth, Michael had finished eating long before me and washed up so he went to pay the bill.

Looking in the mirror a frightened teenager stared back at me, her hair in a neat bun and a face clear of make-up. The girl in the mirror doesn't look like me, she's pale and so defenseless.

A knock at the door startled me and I quickly left the ladies room to find Michael waiting, phone in his hand.

'Ryan called, the judge is back with her decision.'

'Okay.'

He took a deep breath and led me out of the restaurant, across the street and back into the court house. Emily gave me a soft hug before we entered the courtroom, William and Ryan both tried to offer words of encouragement but they went straight over my head.

'I need you to sit with me. Please?'

Michael didn't hesitate, he just pulled a chair forward so that he could be with me. 'I'm right here, no matter what happens.'

Suddenly the lawyers came in and Mr Matthews was back with that smug, self-assured look on his face.

"All rise for the honorable judge Paige Matthews."

We rose, we sat, we listened to the meaningless legal babble until she finally got to the important part.

'This court finds the defendant guilty of one count of sexual assault and two counts of harassment. Sentencing is set at minimum three years in a state penitently and you will not be allowed to teach in this state. That is all.'

Three years...

Suddenly I was on the floor trying to cover my face as Mr Matthews yelled, his hands pounding against me. I couldn't really make out what he was screaming but his face was an interesting shade of purple.

The bailiff yanked him off me and he was hauled through a door out of sight.

'Ronny!?'

'What?' I'm still on the floor. Oh.

Ryan was kneeling next to me with a concerned look on his face. He must have been the one that called my name, or said it... I don't think it was a call.

'Did he hurt you?'

'No, I'm fine. Really, I just want to go home.'

Emily held out a hand to help me up and gave me a soft hug. She had her arm around me as we walked to the car and I cuddled into her side while Ryan drove. It's a good thing Michael wasn't behind the wheel because he kept glancing over his shoulder at me.

'Stop starring Michael, you're gonna give yourself whiplash.'

He grunted and sunk down in his seat pretending he didn't hear me.

Michael's arms closed around me as he pulled me closer against his chest, the fuzzy blanket curled around our bodies.

'Thanks for staying with me.' I muttered.

'I wish I could've stopped him from hurting you.'

I twisted my legs between his so we were properly tangled together, 'I don't want to talk about him.'

Michael asked Will to sleep in Emily and my sorority room so I could stay in the frat house. Honestly William could have stuck around but I think Michael wanted to be alone with me.

'Okay, but I promise I won't ever let anyone hurt you again... You're my girl.'

I like the sound of that.

'Yours.'

He gently turned me so I was facing him, his lips found mine in the dark but he hesitated.

'Can I?'

Smiling and pulling an arm around Michael's neck I pulled him close to kiss the idiot.