Show Me What Love Is

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

"Harrison! You scared me half to death!" I scold Tucker's brother quietly. Tucker closes his eyes and releases the breath he was holding. He quietly places the bat back where he had it.

I notice Harrison's hair is ruffled and wild. His clothes are dirty, and some parts are ripped or have holes. His face looks dirty and scratched and bruised.

I gasp quietly. "Wait a minute. Harrison..."

He looks down and away from us. Obviously he's hiding something. What happened?

I hear him try to choke back some tears, but his attempt fails. I gently reach out and touch his shoulder. He glanced at me with watery and hurt eyes. I pull him in for a hug.

"I-I was at Tyler's house working on a-a project," he stutters. "I decided to walk home even though it was so late. A car pulled up, and all the socs got out and jumped me..."

"Oh I'm so sorry!" I tell him. He pulls away.

"I thought you were in your room..." Tucker whispers, a look of shock obvious in his expression.

He shakes his head and frowns. "No! Look. The point is that it's not even important anymore, okay?" Harrison asks a little harshly.

"Yeah... Sure..." I mumble. He sighs.

"I'm just going to bed. You should too. We've got school." Harrison leaves and closes his door. Tucker rolls his eyes.

"School," he says a little sarcastically. "Woo-hoo."

_____

I get to school a little late because Colin never picked me up, so momma had to drive me to school. Plus it's raining so there was no way I was gonna stand outside waiting for the bus.

I remove the damp strands of hair from my face, tucking them just behind my ear. I catch the eyes of two friends walking down the hall to class. They scowl at me, whisper to each other, then laugh. I frown and walk past them.

I walk to my locker. Things aren't any better there. In red lipstick the words "Pregnant slut" are written on my locker. I ignore it and feel everyone staring at me as I open my locker. When I do, water pours on my head. I look up and see a now empty bucket rigged from the ceiling.

Laughter spills into the halls. I slam my locker and run to the bathroom. I shakily hold onto the sink and look in the mirror.

Pregnant?

No. Way. I haven't even done anything, and I think I'd know if I did! Who could've started that rumor?! I know for sure it wasn't any of my friends. I bet Colin told his idiot friends that he got lucky and scored, and then his friends probably blew it up saying I was pregnant.

What am I gonna do now?

Okay. Just have a good day, and ignore everyone. They're not worth the trouble. At all.

I try to dry my soaking wet hair with what little part of my shirt is dry. I then change into the extra shirt I packed in case Ella needed to use it for PE. I guess she's out of luck today.

I walk to class just before the bell rings. Luckily I'm not late. I take my seat, and I feel like the center of attention. I sink down in my seat and try to lay low. Unfortunately for me, it doesn't work out like I want it to.

The teacher starts lecturing and writing on the board. I keep getting spit balls thrown on my desk. I frown and push them away with the end of my pencil I now plan on throwing away. Laughter, giggles, and whispers are all about me. Because of this rumor, people are believing every interesting and dramatic detail they can find on me, whether or not they be true.