Salty Licorice

Chapter 82

Marisa's POV

After everything at school today I was surprised that the VP let me go without any punishment. I guess it makes sense after everything Avery told me they disguised and how Gavin covered for me and her basically and just completely threw Tony under the bus and made it seem as though it was his fault. But that still never stopped the nagging in my head and I had to find out why Gavin of all people would do that.

I stand in the hall rubbing my wrist, the same one I used to punch that guy to get him off Spencer. I was surprised at how many of Tonys guys just disappeared after hearing the VP's voice. I mean so did Spencer after Avery basically told her to get out of there. But all except Gavin left Tony to fend for himself. As the bell rings I hear the doors open and clatter fill the once quiet corridor. I lean my head against the cold of the wall keeping my eyes of passing students looking for a black haired boy with a patchy beard and thin mustache. As soon as I see him I move to close in on him before he gets far.

"We have to talk," I claim, stopping him in his tracks.

"Nothing to be said that hasn't already." He tries to move around me.

"Why cover for me and protect Avery," I say quietly before he gets too far. He stops in his tracks and I can see his shoulders tighten before they relax and he slowly turns around to face me.

"Look," Gavin sighs heavily, readjusting his backpack strap on his single shoulder. "Tonys a dick, everyone knows he deserved what was coming to him. Besides, you helped me out once and I wanted to repay my debt. Plus Avery has a lot to lose if this gets out of hand for her."

"What debt, I never helped you," I narrowed my eyes on him.

"Freshman year, you and Avery walked into the gym unwittingly and caught a group of upperclassmen from the baseball team with me. They were going to take me into the locker room for what they called initiation. I later learned what that meant and to put it lightly I probably wouldn't have been able to walk out of there. Long story short, when you walked in it was like you could see something was off and called me over and away from them. You let me hang around you guys while Avery practiced, never even said a word to me but you saved me that day without knowing it," He explains. "After that day the upperclassmen left me alone after the rumors of you and being a school shooter started to circulate."

I nod slowly not wanting to reveal anything. I do remember that day, but I also remember more of those days with other freshmen. I just shake my head and look him in the eyes nodding my head forward dismissing him and just leave him to watch me walk away. I head out towards my truck to find Avery already sitting on my hood eating another burrito. I shake my head and jump in quickly starting my truck scaring Avery off my hood and she makes her way clumsily into my passenger seat muttering about almost dropping her burrito from being startled.

"Not my fault you're jumpy." I smirk subtly before pulling out of my parking spot and heading for the main road. "So no prom?"

"It's overrated anyway," She grumbles watching the trees along the side of the road.

"Now you're speaking my language," I hum in content.

I pull into the gravel driveway and pull up next to Avery's red pick up. Turning off the truck and sliding out of the driver's seat and letting my heavy boots crunch the gravel under foot. I walk towards the door lethargically and walk through the kitchen door finding it open. I walk carefully into the kitchen dropping my bag on the island and look around till I hear someone upstairs. I walk slowly over to the stairs Avery behind me looking at me confused. I point up and she stops to listen before grabbing a knife from one of the kitchen drawers and walks in front of me slowly making her way up the stairs. I follow close behind as we creep up the stairs till we hit the landing and she points to my dads room and slowly pushes the door open, holding the knife out in a defensive manner. As soon as the door swings open far enough, I hear my dad scream followed by Avery yelling making me scream.