Emerald Cove

Chapter 10

Charlotte's POV

The next morning I woke up in the softest bed I've ever even imagined. I slowly realized I was not in my room. The night came back to me. I reached up touching my busted lip and groaned. Suddenly the warmth behind me also groaned and started moving. It wasn't until now that I realized Katherine's arms were holding me tightly and she was snuggled into my back.

"You ok?" she mumbled sleepily as I rolled over so I could see her face.

"I will be," I answered honestly after a long pause. "Thanks again. I really appreciate you being here for me." We laid in bed like that talking for a while longer.

We spent the rest of the weekend swimming in her pool, relaxing, getting to know each other, and watching movies. I didn't want the weekend to come to an end. When Katherine dropped me off at home I felt like crying. She had become my rock over these last few days. I had told her things I've never told anyone. It was like with her I could be myself. She didn't care if my family didn't have money, if I hadn't been to the exotic places she has, or anything else that most people judge me on.

Katherine was right, my face didn't bruise, but it was tender to the touch and my lip was busted. I decided to tell my parents that I smacked myself in the mouth. I'm super clumsy so they bought it without too much convincing. I wanted to kick Mark in the butt because he kept trying to baby me. I know I'm his baby sister and that he just cares about me, but he is really getting on my nerves. He keeps asking if I'm ok or if I need anything. My momma even asked him if he was feeling sickly because of his odd behavior.

On Monday morning, I headed out of the house with intentions of riding my bike to school. Instead, as I walked outside I saw Katherine leaned up against her sports car. She looked incredible in her dark skinny jeans, grey v-neck that hugged her body very nicely, and red high heels. "I figured you'd need a ride," she simply stated opening the door for me.

Riding to school, I started feel self conscious. Katherine looked like some seductive goddess and I looked like an innocent little girl. I was wish I would have thought my outfit through a bit more. I was wearing black capri leggings and a oversized blue Salt Life long sleeve t-shirt, beach sandals, and my hair was pinned up in a messy bun. I hadn't even bothered with makeup that morning.

As we pulled up to the school she took my hand and looked me in the eye and said, "You look beautiful. You'll be fine. I won't let anything happen to you today." With that she got out of the car and led me to the school with the most confident walk I've ever seen. Something about her always calms me.

The first part of the day passed without incident and fairly quickly. Before I knew it it was lunch time. I was heading to the lunchroom when Luke approached me. There wasn't anyone else in the hall right now as most people had already rushed off to the lunchroom and quart yard. His face was battered a good bit, but he still managed to look like a model. I don't know how he does it. I know that right now I looked like a frightened little girl.

"Baby, I've been tying to call you all weekend," he said trying to take my hand.

"Stop. Don't touch me," I said yanking my hand away from him.

"Baby, just talk to me. I feel like you're over reacting. We were just having a little fun. It's not like I would have done anything," he said exasperatedly as he reached for my hand again. Once again I snatched my hand away, but this time he managed to grab my wrist and was holding it painfully tight in his grip. "Who do you think you are? Look I'm trying..."