My Pace

Chapter 10

Holt's POV
At school, I did my best to stay calm. Paul decided to bother me.

"Where's pretty girl?"

"None of your business."

"Aw! How cute! You have a little slut now! How long before, you throw her out like she's nothing?"

Don't get arrested.

Don't do it.

For once in your life DO NOT DECK SOMEONE!

"What are you? A whimp now? Come on. We both know, that's not who you are."

I clenched my jaw.

"Am I striking a nerve?"

Yeah.

You fucking are.

I slammed my locker shut.

"Come on. Do it. You know you wanna punch me."

"Yeah. You're right. I do."

"Then why aren't you?"

"I've been asked to not get arrested."

"By who? Pretty girl?"

"Why should I tell you?"

"Oh come on!"

"I'm not fighting you."

The bell rang and I started walking to my class. I felt something hit the back of my head. I looked over my shoulder. Paul had a devilish smile on his face.

"Do it! You know you want to!"

"No! I'm not touching you!"

"You might want to after I tell you what, I was about to do to her!"

I turned around. I walked up to him.

"What does that mean?"

"Aw that pissed you off? I was gonna take her back to my place. I was gonna tie her up and lock her in my basement. I was going to fuck her until, she died."

My hands balled into fists.

"Do it! What're you?! A fuckin pussy now?!"

"Stay away from her!" I said through my teeth.

Walk away Curran!

Walk away!

WALK AWAY!

I turned around and went back to walking.

"That's what I thought!"

I picked up my pace and started rushing to my class. I was distracted all day. I did what I said I was going to do for Anabelle. I got her food. I went to the store and bought her a sloth stuffed animal. I went to tue hospital and walked up to her room. I saw Tracey walking out of Anabelle's hospital room.

"Hey. How is she?"

"She feels a bit better. Her vision is a bit clearer now."

"Good. I'm glad."

"I see you're not bloody and bruised."

"Yeah. I promised her, I'd stay out of trouble."

"Wow. And you listened?"

"It was hard. Paul was harassing me this time."

"Is that the guy that's been doing all of this?"

"Yes. Paul Jake. He locked me in a storage closet a few days ago so, I'd be outta his way."

"Have you seen everything?"

"Basically. I-I know this makes me sound creepy but, I've been keeping an eye on the whole situation. It's gotten worse. Did she tell you anything?"

"No. I'm not pushing her."

"Okay. That's a good idea. Is she awake? Can I see her?"

"Yes. You can. She's been waiting."

"She has?"

"Yeah. I don't remember the last time, she was this happy. I'll see you both in a bit."

I walked into the hospital room.

"Hey Ani? I'm back."

She saw me and her face lit up.

"Yay! You actually came back!"

"And I didn't get arrested."

"That's a plus."

I walked up to the bed and put the bags of food on the table.

"They didn't let me keep the food."

"Ah. So, I am saved then."

"Did you get my nuggets?"

"Yeah. I got your chicken nuggets."

"Yay!"

I opened the bags and started handing everything to her.

"How much ketchup did you get?"

"Like you asked. I got like 15 packets."

I handed her, her drink and we started eating.