Do They Bother You? (Editing)

Chapter Ten

Mid April

"You need to get her out of her room."

"She'll go back to class when you get that bastard-"

"Language!"

"-When you get that bastard away from her." Matthew's voice was deadly calm. "And she has been out of her room. She's sitting outside right now! But she's been assigned to four of her six classes with Ethan in them, and if she doesn't feel safe- which she shouldn't- then she is not going to class."

The school counselor sighed. "I understand that Ms. Masterson has a restraining order against Mr. Helling, but the fact that he is in a few of her classes is no reason for her to get as worked up as she is-"

"He is in the majority of her classes, not a few," Matthew spat. "And if you had any idea why that restraining order was neccessary, you would not be so disrespectful to my sister's feelings."

"I'm not being disrespectful, I'm simply inquiring as to why she feels the need to throw a tantrum-"

"She was in rehab for a year and a half because of him!" Matthew was no longer calm. "She was suicidial! He stole her innocence and her sense of security! He almost killed her! And you want to know why she's 'throwing a tantrum'!"

There was a pause, and I imagined Mrs. Carlisle was taking off her glasses and folding her hands on her desk like she did when she was irritated.

"Perhaps," she said slowly. "If I were told the circumstances around the restraining order, I could better sympathize with Ms. Masterson."

Matthew scoffed. "You don't actually care about her. You're just nosy. You want to know exactly what her problem is so that, when this thing is finally fixed, you can say you helped a 'hard case'."

"Hey."

I looked away from the closed door and my eyes drifted upward. LJ knelt in front of me, putting his hands on my knees.

"Do you need to go? I can take you back to your room, if you want."

I shook my head, taking one of his hands in both of mine and playing with his fingers. This way, I didn't have to look him in the eyes.

"You know, Spring Break is next week," he continued. "And I think it would be good for you to get away from here for a little while. You need to go somewhere he isn't."

"Like where?" I whispered, glancing up at him before looking back down at my hands. "If I go home, my parents will never let me back. And he's probably going home for the break, anyway."

"Asher's parents got everyone tickets to Disney World. All you need is permission from your parents. Asher will even pay for your airfare."

"I don't..."

"Please, sweetheart?" he said, a pleading look in his eyes. "Just think about it?"

Sighing, I nodded slightly. "Sure. I'll think about it."

Matthew came out of the office then, closing the door behind him a little more forcefully than necessary. He gestured for me to stand. "We're going. Come on, buttercup."

LJ helped me to my feet and wrapped an arm around my waist, escorting me from the counseling office. Matthew walked on my other side. I felt like I was smushed between two bodyguards, but that was okay- I felt safer this way.

"Matthew?" I asked, when we were almost all the way back to my dorm. His eyes snapped over to mine almost immediately.

"Yeah, buttercup?"

I took a deep breath. "I'm...I'm sorry that you have to deal with all this, that you're missing school. If you want, I can call Momma and Dad-"

He shook his head, cutting me off. "Don't worry about it, Lena. If you need me here, I'm going to be here. Besides, I like getting out of my classes." He smirked, but his heart wasn't in it.

I was silent for a little while. "Did you have plans for spring break?"

He nodded slightly. "Yeah, but that's alright. There's always this summer, or next year."

"What if...?" I glanced at James, who game me an encouraging smile. "What if I went with LJ and the others to Disney World? Asher's parents said they would pay for everything. I just need permission from Mom and Dad. And that way you get a chance to have your spring break, too."

Matthew debated. "Do you feel up to that, though?" He asked finally. "I don't want you doing anything you aren't comfortable with just because you're trying to make me feel better..."

I gave a small smile. "I've never been to Disney World."

Matthew chuckled, despite himself. "Fine. If Mom and Dad say you can go, than I don't see why not. You deserve to have some fun, after this week from hell." He kissed my forehead. We were in front of my dorm now, and because Matthew wasn't allowed to stay on school grounds, he was staying in a hotel down the street.

"I'll see you tomorrow, okay buttercup?" He gave LJ a look that clearly said 'take care of her'. LJ nodded back seriously, as though they hadn't been doing this since the day Matthew had arrived.

"Okay. See you later, Matty."