Saving Scout O'Brian (REMASTERED)

Four

Scout

I held Charlotte's hand in mine as we walked to the school.

As soon as we parked and got out, I could hear the whispers, see the curious glances that flitted from me to my daughter. I clenched my bruised jaw and leveled them with a challenging glare. These petty teenagers were sheep, and I, a wolf. Char stayed plastered to my side, her eyes as wide as saucers as she struggled to take it all in. Since I was due to meet with Ms. Thornton, I had actually gotten my ass out of bed a little early, which gave me a little time before the halls started to fill up.

Char tugged on my hand, pointing at the various art work on the walls. Honestly, the school wasn't anything to croak about. I'd seen so many of them now that it didn't really make a difference to me. But I wanted her to be happy here, so I let her tug me over to the wall, my low slung jeans tugging at my boxers. The dark studded leather jacket was a welcome warmth to the chill as the doors opened every few minutes. I tensed, shifting automatically to hide Char with my body as a group of boys strolled by, their eyes widening on the wolfish sneer of warning I sent their way. They hurried along, and the dark part of me hummed in satisfaction at the fear on their faces.

"Ms. O'Brian?"

I sighed internally as her silky voice wrapped around me. Char immediately squealed and tugged me over to her, despite my protests.

She looked back at me with a gap-toothed smile and all but yelled, "Look Mommy! It's your friend!'

My lips twisted into a scowl as I finally looked at my new principal, blinking a few times, running my gaze down her body. She looked damn good in a two-piece grey blazer, a black blouse tucked into her slacks, open at the collar to show a hint of tan skin. I resisted the urged to look down at my fraying black tank top and scuffed boots.

"Which of all my important nothings shall I tell you first?" I muttered, meeting her eyes.

Her lips curled, and I knew she heard me. "Jane Austen."

I lifted my chin in defiance at the cool amusement in her tone. She inclined her head at the office, holding the door open for me, but I held firm. "I need to get Char to class first. Which way do I go for that?" I was beyond lucky to attend a school that had Preschool to fifth grade, even though it was across the campus in another building. Yeah, this place was more like a university, if the wrought iron at the top of the brick entrance told you anything.

She tucked her hands in front of her and stepped towards me, letting the door swing shut. "Ah, of course. I'll escort you, it's not far."

I breathed an internal sigh of relief, falling into step behind her, barely listening as Char pestered her with questions and she rattled off a few comments about the different classes and whatnot. My steps didn't really falter until we passed the music hall, and I caught sight of a gorgeous Steinway A-II Victorian grand piano. I stopped so quickly I jerked Char into me, and she grumbled crankily. Seeing that we weren't following, Evelyn turned, following my gaze.

"Do you play?"

It was an innocent enough question, but my body shuttered. I blinked, and there was blood across the keys. I blinked again, and it was gone. My heartbeat was a scattered broken thing, and I tried to regain control of my breaths.