Protective Love

Ch. 19 -- Big News

(Picture above is inside their barn) 

Edited Chapter - This is the new edited version. I have been battling with rights to my book (This first book) as I still have a contract with a different website that has screwed me over. Please be patient, it has been a year since I have updated. 

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These last few days have been a little easier ever since Caroline got suspended from school. I still haven't heard what her parents decided, but I know she acts out just to get everyone's attention. Even though William is still upset with me—and even though I already got a spanking for it —I really believe I was only trying to protect myself. Even though my POTS sometimes makes me feel dizzy and tired, I tried my hardest to be brave. Caroline attacked me first, and before I knew it, I ended up retaliating, which made her tease me in front of everyone. Now I'm wondering if I went too far. I haven't talked much to William lately because I was so hurt, and I know I should have listened to him. Normally, I'd tell a teacher or one of my older brothers, but I didn't want anyone calling me a tattletale. I tried to fix things on my own—and now I've got a really sore bottom and a punishment that feels like it will last forever!

Today is the day Caroline comes back to school, and I know she's going to be really, really mad at me.

"Don't get into any trouble today, please," Sam said for what felt like the hundredth time this morning.

"I won't! I promise," I replied, pressing a quick kiss to his cheek.

Even though my legs sometimes felt wobbly from my POTS, I stepped out of the car with Cody holding my arm for support. As we walked towards the playground in front of our classroom door, I spotted Chris waiting nearby—and the sight of his smile made me feel just a little braver about facing the day.

"Do you think she'll really try something?" I asked nervously.

"If she does, I'm right here for you, Vi," Chris assured me.

I rolled my eyes, exasperated, and turned back to Vanessa for her take.

"Come on, Vi, you know her. Of course she will. When has the ever-so-famous Caroline ever let anything go?"

"And, of course, the idiot is right," a familiar voice sneered. "I told you you'd pay—and here I am."

Before I could react, Caroline shoved me on the playground, and I lost my balance, tumbling onto the rough ground. I scraped my knees and hands, drawing tiny droplets of blood. For a moment, as I sat there, the sheer absurdity of it all made me giggle despite the pain.

"What? What the heck are you laughing at?!" she shrieked.

Vanessa and Chris burst into laughter alongside me as we all noticed Caroline's scraped-up knees and the bright pink bandages wrapped around them.

"What the heck happened to you?!" Chris laughed, shaking his head as he stepped in front of me, making sure Caroline didn't try anything else.

Caroline's face twisted with anger as she stomped her foot. "Your stupid little friend pushed me down and held me there!" she screeched, dusting off her skirt. "Now my knees are all scraped up! And my mom is probably talking to your brother right now about what happened!"

She flipped her hair dramatically and, as she turned to leave, tossed over her shoulder, "At least I still look good. I have natural beauty. Unlike you two, who have absolutely none. You're not even worth my time. You know, people would pay just to look at me."

Vanessa and I exchanged looks before bursting into laughter again.

"Pay to look at her?!"

"Maybe if she had any beauty under all that glitter she piles on every day! People would pay to keep her away!" I laughed.