The Fighter that He Swore to Save

Chapter 11

            

Everett

~*~*~*~*~*~

I was a mess that morning.  I woke up on that uncomfortable cot to a baby crying and two toddlers fighting.  I got up and saw Aunt Marcie rolling over, waking up from sleep too.  I got up and pulled on my hoodie before going to grab something from the small table in the corner where the had some food set up.

"I have the worst neck ache."  Aunt Marcie said when I came back with two cups of stale coffee.  I handed her one and sat on my cot.

"I know, but remember, this isn't permanent.  We'll get through this."  I said sipping at the nasty, luke-warm liquid.

"Speaking of that, I think I found a place."  She said with a tiny smile.

"Really?"  I asked and she nodded.  She opened her mouth to answer but I caught sight of the clock.  "Oh, crap, I'm gonna miss the bus."  I said standing up and grabbing my backpack.  "I'm so sorry, Aunt Marcie, but tell me after school okay?"  She nodded and I took off.

I got on the bus and rode to school in the back as usual.  For some reason I felt odd watching the others on the bus talk to their friends.  Usually, I'd listen and pick up some of the best gossip on the bus, but today as I listened and watched I felt different.  I felt... jealous?

The bus pulled to a stop outside the school and I waited till everyone else was off before getting off myself.  When I stepped out I paused for some reason.  Why was I feeling so off today?  I shook my head and went to my locker.

I opened it and listened to the people around me, but gave up after a few minutes.  I just couldn't focus.  A million thoughts swam through my head but one kept coming back up.  Today was Tuesday, and I was the only one here who knew what tomorrow was.

As I loaded my books into my bag I felt, more than, saw him approach and lean against the locker next to mine.  I smiled a little and turned to look at him.  He was smiling his dimpled smile that I loved so much.

"Good morning."  He said picking up my bag for me.

"I can carry that, you know."  I said closing my locker.

"I know."  He said and Tina ran up to him.  She threw her arms around his neck and I took a step back.  She kind of scared me, not going to lie.

"Gunner, you never talk to me anymore, how have you been?"  She pouted.

"I've been good, Tina, but I talked to you yesterday."  He laughed but shrugged her off his shoulder.  I studied her.  She was trying to get attention, as usual, but it made me smile how Gunner wasn't indulging her like anyone else would have.

"Yeah, but you still barely talk to me."  She pouted even more, if that was possible.  "Ever since your schedule switch.  You must be so bored without anyone in your classes."

"It's been great, actually."  Gunner threw an arm over my shoulder.  My eyes opened wide and I stiffened under his touch.  "I've got Everett here to keep me company."  Tina blinked and looked at me, probably just now realizing I was even there.

"Oh."  Was all she could make out.

"Well, I'll see you around, Tina.  We've got to get to class."  Gunner waved at her and he walked off, pulling me along under his arm.  When we were out of ear shot, he leaned down next to my ear.  "Sorry about that, I just wasn't sure how else to get her to stay off me.  I don't why she keeps doing that."  He whispered laughing a little.

"She's trying to flirt with you."  I said and Gunner looked at me.

"What?"  I looked up at him.  Did he really no know that?  I thought everyone had figured out that Tina flirted with just about every guy, despite having a boyfriend.

"Um, yeah."  I said.

"Doesn't she have a boyfriend?"  He asked uncomfortably and I shrugged.

"Don't feel special, or anything, she was cheating on Mark two weeks after they started dating."  I said.

"How do you know that?"  He asked.

"Not sure."  I answered.  "I guess I'm just pretty good at reading people and picking up on details."  I said.

"I see."  Gunner said deep in thought.  I noticed a few people giving us weird looks as they passed.  What were they looking at?  Then I realized Gunner's arm was still over my shoulder and my cheeks turned a soft red. 

"Gunner."  I said nervously.

"Yeah."  He looked down at me and I was quiet for a moment.

"Nothing."  I looked ahead of me and we kept walking.

We walked together, with his arm over my shoulder, in silence.  What was wrong with me?  Usually I'd either tell him or slip out of his hold, but I didn't.  I suddenly realized that I liked being close to him.  He made me feel safe and secure. 

I smiled a little and leaned into him a little bit more as we walked.  We turned the hall to our class and my step faltered.  Gunner paused and looked at me curiously, but I was looking straight ahead.  My eyes locked with a pair of brown ones and I bit my lip.

Cutter was smirking at me standing next to the principal.  He must be here for a tour before his first day.  The principal didn't notice Cutter's lack of attention and continued walking down the hall.  Cutter followed but his eyes never left mine.

His eyes held so many unspoken questions that I knew he would ask me at some point.  But one thing was for certain.  He wasn't just going to let me be a wallflower, so he called me.  he was about to flip my school life even more that Gunner had and I was a little scared.

"Are you okay?"  Gunner asked and I was shocked by how genuinely concerned he looked.

"Um, yeah."  I answered and we continued walking.  "I just can't help but feel a little nervous for tomorrow."

"What's tomorrow?"  Gunner asked.

"I don't know, but I got a feeling that today is just the calm before the storm."