Twisted Protection

Chapter 2

The next day I walked in with a little more confidence; my mind filled with memories of the day before. Phelan drove to the next town over which was a larger town. We went to the mall, caught a movie, had lunch down by the river and just generally did whatever we felt like. It was freeing. I felt a smile on my face as I remembered the fun we had. Phelan met me at the front as he did the day before and we walked in together. We were chatting about nothing as we walked to my locker. People were still whispering in the halls, but it didn't bother me today. Not even the shadow left by the paint which was scrubbed off my locker bothered me that much.

By the end of the week people's minds had been turned back to the upcoming graduation ball and ceremony. I found it easier day by day to focus on the last-minute tasks the teachers gave us to 'prepare' us for college. There was an air of excitement in the air as the end of school crept closer. It was on one of these days that I was approached by the head of the committee for the ball. They wanted to talk to me about the dedication they were planning for Skye which would be played at the Ball. I didn't know what to say. I felt it all come back and muttered softly "I... I can't... I'm sorry." I could feel my emotions start to overwhelm me as they kept trying to ask me questions, until I felt Phelan's hand grab mine and squeeze it.

"Can't you see she doesn't want to talk about it?" he said to them angrily before pulling me away.

"Thank you" I whispered to him still staring at the ground not even paying attention to where we were going.

"I told you; I have got your back." He stopped, turning to me. "Sit. Take a breather." He added pulling me to sit. I looked up to see we were at the back of the school underneath one of the large oak trees.

"How do you always know just what I need?" I asked, letting out a relieved sigh.

"I pay attention." He said simply. He looked out at the lawn. There was no one around as it was technically class time. I looked at him seeing a frown on his face.

"What is it?" I asked him, "what's on your mind?"

"It's just..." he started awkwardly. "You may not like what I want to say, but..."

"It's okay, you can tell me anything." I encouraged.

"Well, I just never saw what your saw in Skye. She didn't seem like a nice person to me."

"Oh." I chewed my lip while thinking, "I know she could be mean to others, but I knew what she was like inside, you know? I knew her before all the high school bullshit started changing her, changing us all."

"I just feel you deserved better than her. You never heard the stuff she would say when you weren't there." He looked into my eyes trying to help me understand what he was saying.

I chewed my lip again, staring back at him. "I think I understand what you are saying, but she was still my friend. One of the oldest and closest I had."

"You are an incredible person, Kasey. So kind and loyal." He cupped my face and rubbed his thumb on my cheek. "I wish I got to know you before all this."

"Me too." I whispered back. He lent in slowly, cupping my cheek. I leaned in to meet him as our lips touched and we kissed. His hand moved into my hair as he deepened the kiss. A small moan escaped as I felt his tongue enter my mouth. I felt tingles run down my spine. For my very first kiss it was mind-blowing. We broke apart and snuggled together enjoying the afterglow. We stayed like that for a short time before heading back into class.

* * * * *

UNKNOWN

How could they?! He was fuming, pacing back and forth in his bedroom. How could they dare to glorify that slut with a memorial! They all knew what she really was. She should be condemned not exalted. But he would fix that. He would make sure everyone knew the truth and saw her for exactly what she was. He would make it a Graduation Ball to be remembered for generations. He quickly started to devise his plan as he turned on his computer.

* * * * *

"How was school today love?" my mom asked as soon as I entered the door.

"Ok, they are giving us a heap of BS work to prepare us for our college transition. Really, they don't even care if we go to class." I said with amusement.

"I'm glad to see you are feeling better. Has this anything to do with that new boy you have been hanging out with?"

"How do you know about that?" I ask. I swear Mom has some sort of spy network or something.

"Oh, I have my ways" she cheekily says with a wink.

"His name is Phelan O'Conner." I say rolling my eyes.

"Felon, as in criminal?"

"No mom, Fee-lan. It is from the Irish word for wolf." I say with a giggle.

"Oh... Feeeee-lan." She says with a smirk, purposely over pronouncing it. "So, what's he like, when do I meet him?"

I blush at my mom's enthusiasm. I have never shown much interest in boys. Well, it was more they did not show interest in me.

"He is in a few classes of mine. He helped me on my first day back after..." I trail off. I clear my throat and continue "he is even going to the same college. But we probably not have classes there together. I don't really see him studying literature" I laugh. Mom joins in. "He always seems to know what I need, even when I don't, and he has this awesome car. A 1971 Plymouth GTX. It's a bit rough but runs great and has great bones."

"Oh, well, he sounds lovely. And I bet he had you as soon as you saw the car" she smirks and winks.

"Mom!" I laugh. "He is also taking me to the graduation ball."

"Oooo, a date." Mom teases.

"Mom, stop." I laugh.

"Invite him around to dinner. I would like to meet him before graduation and you two run off to college, okay?"

"Sure mom, I'll talk to him tomorrow."

"Perfect. Now what are you going to wear to the ball? I feel a shopping trip coming up this weekend!" I swear, my mom gets too excited sometimes, but I love her.