Tiny Dancer

Ashes and Aftermath

Chapter 13 – Ashes and Aftermath

The walk back to the car after prom was silent. Ella sat in the back of the Vista Cruiser, wrapped in the emergency blanket, pressed close to Donna while Eric drove with tight hands on the wheel. Hyde sat in the passenger seat, battered and quiet.

When they got home, Kitty came out to see the stoic, bruised faces of her children. Her daughter wrapped in her best friend's arms.

"My god, what happened?" she gasped.

"It's fine," Ella murmured. "I just want to go inside."

Eric helped her out of the car. Donna brought Ella into the house, and toward the stairs. Red stood in the doorway, jaw clenched.

"What the hell happened?"

"We'll talk later," Eric sighed. "She needs to rest."

Ella didn't protest as she was led upstairs.

xX Xx

Once Ella and Donna were settled in bed, Eric came back down, fists clenched. Hyde was still outside on the porch, leaning against the railing.

"What the hell were you thinking?" Eric snapped.

Hyde turned slowly, face bruised, eyes shadowed.

"They had her pinned. You wanted me to let that happen?"

"I wanted you to not leave her alone to begin with!" Eric shoved him. "You showed up with one of her BEST friends, then went and left with PAM. FREAKING. MACY!"

"I didn't know she'd be out there, man!"

"Oh, and that makes it better?" Eric shoved him again. "She almost got—" His voice cracked. "And you were off chasing some cheap thrill!"

Hyde shoved back this time. "You think I feel good about it? You think I'm not tearing myself apart over this?"

"You don't get to feel bad," Eric seethed. "She's the one who got hurt."

"I protected her. I did something."

"Yeah, then why won't she even look at you."

Hyde flinched, unable to answer.

"Exactly." Eric turned and stormed inside.

Hyde stayed on the porch long after everyone else had gone to bed. As he walked away from the Foreman house, he glanced up to see the soft light that filtered through her bedroom window.

xX Xx

Ella didn't say anything about that night. Not the bruises, not the panic, not what happened behind the school. For days, she went through the motions. Kitty hovered, Red was quieter than usual, and Eric wouldn't leave her alone, like she'd break if she was left by herself too long.

But Ella said nothing.

xX Xx

A few days later at school, Ella was getting her books when a hand slammed her locker shut.

"Well if it isn't the little tease," Pam Macy sneered.

Ella froze. "What do you want, Pam?"

"Oh, just wondering if Hyde told you we had fun after prom."

Ella stared blankly, trying not to give Pam the rise she wanted.

"Oh yeah," Pam said with a grin. "As you went crying into the night, he got to spend it with a real woman."

Ella's heart pounded. "You're lying."

Pam leaned in. "You know what I think? I think you asked for it. Maybe those guys just saw what everyone else does."