Perfect Student

Chapter 24

(TRIGGER WARNING- physical violence/abuse) 

**calling Trinity**

"GIRL!" she yelled into my ear after answering on the second ring.

"Yes?" I asked weakly, knowing she would ask me about today.

"What happened? Tell me everything! Everyone was saying you got called to the principal's office and then it looked like you and Hunter were fighting and then you stayed after school?" Her voice was high-pitched and panicked which gave me a rush of gratitude for my caring friend.

"I promise I will tell you all about it later, but I'm actually going to a party soon with Hunter. Do you want to come?" I asked nervously.

"People have parties on Monday nights?" she asked, just as unaware as I was. I let out a loud laugh and confirmed that they do.

"Will you tell me everything if I come?" she bargained.

"I swear," I vowed, sending her the address.

"Send me a pic of what you're wearing, and I'll be there," she agreed. We hung up and I posed in my mirror to send her a picture of the outfit I was already regretting. Hopefully Hunter would like it, at least.

My phone buzzed with Hunter's text. He was here.

"Fuck," I muttered, as I realized I would somehow have to sneak out of here.

I peeked out the window but knew there was no way I was getting down that way in this skirt. Instead, I grabbed my stuff and crept down the stairs, making sure the door to my room was shut and my music was loud. Bryce knew that I froze people out when I was angry and wouldn't be surprised if I didn't answer when he said good night.

When I reached the bottom of the stairs, I squealed as I heard Bryce's voice in the hallway. I leaned against the wall and held my breath until I realized he was walking away from me and into the kitchen.

I took a step to begin rushing out the door but stopped when I heard my name.

"Adeline just doesn't get it, man! I'm doing this for her! I'm strict because I care about her!" Bryce said. I peeked around to corner to see him holding his cellphone to his ear and pacing in the kitchen.

 A muffled voice responded back, sounding equally as passionate.

"No, I wasn't as angry as our dad," Bryce said in a low voice. He looked down as he kicked his foot against the floor, trying to get out a scuff mark.

I startled as I realized that he was talking to the only other person who knew about our father besides the police.

 Bryce clicked the phone on speaker and James' voice rang through the device, muffled, but loud enough for me to eavesdrop.

"Sorry, I couldn't hear you man," Bryce said before waiting to let James continue talking.

"I was just saying that maybe she has a point," James said gently. "I'm mad that she broke in too but are you sure you're praising her enough for the stuff she does, right?"

"I tell her how smart she is all the time," Bryce scoffed.

"Yes, but she's still a young girl. She needs to know that she's kind and sweet and strong and capable. All of it. Not just that she achieves a lot and is good at school. She knows that already," he explained, describing my feelings exactly. He put into words something I hadn't been able to say and the feeling of being understood struck me like lightning. I wanted to be valued, and not for what I did. I wanted someone to tell me I was loved, whether I did the right thing or not.

Bryce made a sound like he was thinking and then digressed.

"Well, she still shouldn't have snuck out," he said firmly. I sighed. He was never going to try to understand how I felt. I waited for him to walk behind the wall to rush out the door and book it to Hunter's car. I jumped in the front seat and gasped for breath. I didn't think Bryce had heard the door shut but I wasn't positive.

Hunter sat in the front seat in a black jacket and his usual ripped jeans with his hair gelled up. He put the car into drive, and I was pulled against the seat with the force of the motion.

I clicked my seatbelt in quickly and looked at him. The color drained from my face as I saw his dark eyes. There was nothing in them; no feeling hiding in the iris. I knew what was coming before he said a word.

"Why did you make me wait so fucking long?" he asked calmly, as my heart rate elevated, and head became light.

 "Bryce was downstairs. I had to wait for him to look away," I told him, pleading in my voice.

"You couldn't have texted to tell me that? So I knew that you were okay?" he demanded, voice still even.

"I was just in my house. I was okay," I argued feebly as he blasted through stop signs on the way to the party.

"Well, I'm glad you were fine. Forget updating me. I guess it doesn't matter if I know where you are, or who you're with," he said sharply, voice rising. I wished music was playing or someone else was in the vehicle to distract him. If another car hit us then the driver could become the enemy, not me.

"I like that it matters to you. You're so protective," I said, placing a hand up to caress his face. I brushed a lock of his hair back but before I could make contact with his skin, his hand was on my raised wrist like a handcuff. I thought my wrist was going to crack with the pain of his grip, but the animosity in his eyes was worse.

"You don't like it. You don't give a fuck about me," he growled, driving faster as his temper blazed.

"I do, you know I do." I said softly, hoping not to provoke. He released my wrist and I dropped it into my lap, rubbing it to try and restore some of the feeling in it. He looked over at me and glanced up and down.

"I like that shirt," he said, shoulders relaxing. I grasped at the straw, the slightest compliment being my lifeline.

"Thank you! I'll wear it more often," I said with a coy smile. I knew the shirt was of no significance to him, it was the amount of skin that showed above the neckline.

"Take the jacket off," he said, without turning from the road. I shrugged off the leather, letting it bunch around my waist on the seat and smiling at him. He gave me another look.

"Damn. I have the hottest girlfriend in the entire world," he said, his grin stretching into a dazzling smile. We drove up onto a street that was packed with cars and teenagers walking towards a poorly lit house. Hunter swung us into a spot beside the curb, bumping it with his front tire before straightening out. I smiled at him in the dark as he flicked the engine off. I tried the handle, but it didn't open so I waited patiently for the doors to be unlocked.

I turned to Hunter when they remained closed.

"You will not embarrass me at this party. Do you understand?" he asked, leaning close to me. I nodded stiffly, forcing a small smile on my face as if it was a joke. His eyes flamed and before I could react his hand was twisted in my long hair, yanking it hard enough to make me cry out.

"Do you understand?" Hunter said, releasing my hair slowly. I waited until his fingers had completely slipped out to release a shiver and a quick affirmation.

"Yes sir," I said, letting the title slip out without my permission. He nodded, satiated, and unlocked the door. He got out and began walking inside, without checking to see if I was following behind. I waited to see if he would turn back but he didn't. A group of football players from our school approached him with high fives and he melted into them like nothing had happened.

I took a few deep breaths, pausing to consider what had just transpired.

Hunter had tugged on my hair, nearly ripping out strands just to prove a point.

But it was for a good reason, right? I wouldn't like if I thought he was in danger and he didn't text me back. He was just trying to keep me safe. I ran my fingers through my hair and exited the car, locking the door behind me. I placed the jacket over my arm and walked towards the house, trembling in the breeze.