Tired of the Bruises

Chapter 17

CHAPTER 17

The ride back to the campus is full of questions, each one begging for an answer.

"Mom? How did dad find me?" I ask, fearing the answer.

"Ashley helped him. She told him something about an email from Lisa and he immediately came here to look for you," she mutters. 

So this is what it's like to have your best friend betray you, I think to myself.

"Lisa found out about this. She said we could stay at her place until we get back on our feet. Is that okay with you?" Mom asks me a little louder this time. 

I nod and fall onto Luke's comfortable shoulder. "The rest of the scrimmage was cancelled. Everyone on our team got a point. You're still winning." He informs me, whispering into my hair. 

"Really?" I am surprised. 

 "Yep. I am right behind you and everyone else has one." 

"Wait. Why did Ashley help him find me?" I return back to the old topic.

"She said you thought you were with some other person and wanted revenge. At least that's what she told me." I can't believe she thought that. She has always been my best friend. Well at least she used to be. That has definitely changed.  

I raise my eyebrows and say, "where is she now?"

"I think she is still at the fields. Don't let her get you down, okay?" Mom tells me trying to make me happy again.

I nod and just enjoy the ride and peacefulness I have before I have to return to where my 'best friend' is.

*************

 We get back to the campus about ten minutes later. The car ride was filled with silence, until my mom turned' the radio on. 

"You ready?" Luke asks, obviously concerned for me.

Nodding, I give him the strongest smile I can muster. I am a little hurt and I can definitely feel the bruises forming on my shoulder and stomach. Wonderful. As soon as I swing one leg out of the car, a familiar voice screeches out my name. Luke comes rushing to my side for reassurance. 

"I'm not going to hurt her. I'm not stupid," Ashley rolls her eyes at Luke. Very rudely, I might add.

"Well, I wouldn't be surprised considering the recent events," he mutters back.

"Excuse me, pretty-" I cut her off.

"Guys, please. I just want to go to the dorm. Luke, will you walk me?" I am glad to get them away from an argument. Obviously, I am not in the mood for anything except for changing into sweatpants, sleeping, and eating.

"Of course. Let's go," He pulls me away from Ashley, who is now calling my name again. 

"Are you okay?" he asks me quietly.

"I should be." I respond.

 "Let me know if there is anything I can do for you." By now, we have made it to my door and I am about to walk in. Luke pulls me closer into a tight squeeze and I squeeze back. When he backs away, he looks me in the eye and gives me a smile. I grin back, and stride into my room.

"Oh my gosh! Are you okay?" Savannah, Chloe, and Laura all ask at the same time, all of them getting up from Savannah's bed. 

"Yes! I'm fine. Just bruises, and those I am tired of." They are all pounding me with hugs, each one tighter than the previous.

 "Well, to get your mind off that topic, Laura has something that she would like to share with group that just had to wait until you got here," Chloe exaggerates.