The Awakening

Chapter 12

I have no idea what was behind his reasoning. Why'd he get so defensive about me being called a bitch? It didn't even offend me. I've been called a lot worse. Leo had been beaten just because he wouldn't leave me alone. What would Trevor do if he found out that night I went to Leo's house? Thoughts swirled into my mind. I had no answers, just more questions. I held Trevor tight. Trevor has showed me his scars; shouldn't I tell him what happened with Leo? I don't know if I could ever admit what happened with my dad...

Trevor trusts me.

I trust him too. After all, he's saved me.

"You protected me..." I try to cheer him up, "Just like you promised." I smile as I pull away enough to put my forehead against his. I got quiet as we stared into each other's eyes. "Promise me one thing more?"

"Anything," he squeezes me, brushing his nose against mine.

I took a deep breath. I knew I was going to cry, but not this soon. My sobs came out softly. He kissed my forehead. "What is it?"

"There's something else ... about Leo..." He clenches his jaw. I continue, "He took me," I looked Trevor in the eye. "To his house. . ."

"No." he denies, making me feel eight times worse.

I nod and sob some more, "Yes."

"Did he hurt you?" I nod. "D-Did he touch you?" He was getting closer. I nodded harder. He took a deep breath. We both knew what he was going to say. "Did he force you to have sex with him-" My crying sounded up the parking lot, from where we sat between two cars. I threw my arms around his neck, holding him close. I cried into his neck.

"Y-you can't tell anyone..."

"I can't tell anyone-?!"

"Trevor..." I sniffle, "Promise?" He opens his mouth to argue so I speak over him, "Please,"

He sighs, "I promise."

We got detention for leaving the school. Trevor didn't want to go back, but I convinced him. We had stayed out there until the middle of third period though. We head our own ways and got to class.

Mrs. Marsh wasn't too thrilled about my tardiness, looking down her nose at me when I entered.

As for schools days, this one went by fast, maybe because I was excited for the soccer tryouts. I met Kaydra and Nikki in the locker room. Nikki already grabbed me some shoes. Just the right size. Kaydra threw me my clothes for the day. "Go ahead and change out, try outs are in five minutes!" the coach screams from behind me.

All the girls meet on the football field. The coach had set up only one goal. Soccer balls were lying in a perfect line along the side of the track. "Four warm up laps!" She throws her whistle into her mouth and blows it harshly.

I start jogging. "Warm up?"

Kaydra smiles, "Yeah,"

"Luckily it's not eight like during practice season." Nikki appears on the other side of me.

"Ugh," I throw my head back, preparing for a two mile warm up if I make the team.

"Grab a ball and form a line in front of me!" Coach yells as we're finishing the last lap. Every girl obeys. My group of three ends up at the end. "Alright, listen: you're going to dribble the ball down the field from the left and then you'll shoot. You get in the back of the line. Dribble down and then this time you're going straight down the field. Next time, shoot from the right.... UNDERSTOOD?"

A collective, "Yes coach!" was gathered from the line.

"Then get to it!"

After practice I was sore. Everywhere. We were judged on shooting, passing, dribbling, and she taught us tricks, to see how quick we can catch on.

By the end of the week, she'll have the team posted. Only twenty girls will be able to be on the team. Over forty girls tried out. I hope I did well enough...

"How are you feeling about it?" I ask them.

Kaydra answers first, "Fine, I did the best I could," She winks at me.

Nikki giggles, "I think we're fine. We're some of the best players, couldn't you tell?"

I shrugged, agreeing, "I guess,"

We left the locker room and headed to the parking lot. I say goodbye to the girls. I don't get too far before Trevor gets out of his truck to walk me over. I smile.

"Hey," He kisses me, "How was practice?" He slung his arm around my waist, holding me to him as we walked.

"Tiring, I probably smell horribly." I shake my head.

"You do not," He opens the car door for me before going around and opening his himself. "What all did you have to do?"

I explained what we did as he drove us to my house. We go inside to find my mom at the table again with her new bestie, Jordan.

They come over to greet us.

"Why are you late, young lady?!" My mom's voice is so harsh I stumble back, bumping into Trevor. He puts his hands on my back, steadying me.

"I tried out for soccer..."

From behind her, Jordan gave me the stink eye. "You took long enough! It's almost six thirty!"

Trevor had been waiting at the school for me for that long?! "I didn't know," I had never seen my mom like this. "I just tried out. A lot of girls did, it took a while..."

Trevor put his hand on my shoulder, reassuring me.

"But why's he here?" She motions to Trevor, tossing her hands to her hips.

Her bitch mode was on full blast today. "He gave me a ride home... and he's my boyfriend." It almost comes out as a question. I take his hand from my shoulder and lead him past my mom and her guest, confusion written all over my face.