Saving Scout O'Brian (REMASTERED)

Fourteen

Scout

I carried Charlotte into school on my back, oblivious to the stares and whispers as she giggled wildly, her squealing laughter warming the space in my chest where my heart sat. I swung her down as we passed by Evelyn's office. My traitorous heart thumped a little faster as her shadow passed by the frosted glass, the view of just her silhouette made my fingers clench the air as phantom memories of the other night passed through my mind. My throat tightened, my skin feeling extra sensitive against the material of my leather jacket.

"Mommy! Let's goooooo," Char whined and pulled on my hand, snapping me out of my smutty daydreams.

I let her lead me away and in no time at all I dropped her off and was on my way to first period when Casey caught up to me. She linked her arm through mine, a secret little smile on her face that told me the cogs in her brain were definitely spinning, thinking up all the ways to make me spill the details of my forbidden relationship. In true "me" fashion, I schooled my expression into a sly smile, a flash of teeth that told her I knew exactly what she was up to. My church going friend sighed and pouted, her full lips forming a frown upon realizing that I really wouldn't be giving her anything after all.

"You're no fun." She grumbled, the sound morphing into a gasp when a careless freshman slammed into her shoulder and sent her careening into me.

I wrapped my arm around her waist instinctively, and my monster roared to life at the back of my mind, logic taking a back seat in favor of the fierce protectiveness I felt for my friend. In a split second I had the boy by the collar and his back against a locker. Terrified blue eyes looked out from behind coke bottle glasses and a mop of curly red hair, his pimply face paling as I stared him down. I could hear the movement slow behind me and knew a crowd had gathered, no doubt anticipating another Scott situation.

"S-s-sorry," he stammered, his feet barely scraping across the ground. Casey touched my back, her touch burning, and I could see my eyes in the reflection of this scrawny boy's glasses, dark and soulless, and my monster roared as I shoved it back into it's cage.

I let him down, and disappointed whispers echoed around us.

"Watch where you're going next time." I tried not to growl, but by the way he scrambled away from me I knew I hadn't succeeded. The world around us resumed its pace as students grew bored and moved on. I stayed put, trying to piece back together a semblance of control. 

Fuck. Not today.

My hands shook, and I flexed my fingers, trying to bring back the feeling in them. I really needed to stop by that MMA gym this week.

I pivoted suddenly, startling Casey, who blinked at me with wide eyes as she massaged her shoulder.

"Um, are you good now?" She arched a brow.

"Come on." I said, slinging my arm over her shoulders and steering her towards the front doors. "We're playing hooky."

Let's just say it took a while to force her into my car, because Miss Goody Two Shoes did not want to miss her math test today. After three thousand promises that she wouldn't get caught, I managed to convince her to live a little, and we were off. About ten minutes into the drive, my phone buzzed, and I switched the ringer off. After our passionate night together, Evelyn had put her number in my phone and I had allowed it against my better judgement. Casey continuously asked me where we were going, drawing me out of my thoughts. I turned the music up and she started laughing and singing instead.