My Protector

chapter seven

After Jake and I were through talking and of course, kissing, we both went our separate ways. I went home to do homework, while he went to the gym to work on his boxing. I didn’t even know he took boxing! I finished my homework with a smile on his face, wondering if he was thinking about this as much as I was.

For the next week we actually did start to talk at school more. We would actually wave to each other and smile, if we weren’t talking at my locker or after school. He even grabbed my hand once as he walked me from lunch to my next class! I felt brand new, like Stephen wasn’t even a part of my past. As if Jake had taken his place, but this time my bad boy wasn’t actually bad. Well he was bad, but he knew how to keep it in perspective.

I was beginning to think that Stephen would haunt me forever and that I'd have to put up with his constant ghost always messing with my friendships and relationships with people, but I felt with Jake that that could change. We had kissed some more after school and he was even talking about wanting to take me on a date. Stephen had never taken me a a date before. 

Friday after school I was walking to my locker when I heard two voices whispering fast and quietly around the corner and down a strange hallway. I went to see who would be down a strange and empty hallway when i saw two male figures farther down. I could see them, but they couldn’t see me. I listened in as my eyes grew wider and wider at the recognition of the two voices. I covered my mouth and bit my lip, trying not to cry or do anything stupid. Down the hall, the two boys that were whispering were Jake and Ben.

As I was watching the two shadows gesture their hands, showing their emotions as I could tell from here in no other way, I could make out an exchange of money. A small handshake was shared as the two nodded then parted ways. I could barely breathe as the first thought popped into my mind. Was Ben paying Jake to get close to me, just so he could be another bad boy after me? I actually did start crying then as I leaned against the wall and sank to the ground. I covered my hands with my face and tried to take deep breaths as I came to grips with reality. This whole thing between us has been fake. He didn’t want to protect me! He wanted to do the opposite! I can’t believe I actually trusted someone.

I thought of an alternate explanation, that maybe Jake just owed him lunch money or money from something else and it was all just a big misunderstanding, but the thought of that just didn't sit right. Why and how could this happen? Everything was going so perfect and i thought that I had found someone that would actually be there for me and I could be there for them. We both had painful backgrounds that we had shared with each other. Maybe his wasn't even real! Maybe he made it up so I would sympatize with him!

I slowly got up, wiped away my tears, and took a huge breathe. I just wouldn’t let anything go further and nothing bad could happen to me. I wouldn’t play his game. Stephen wouldn’t win and neither would Jake. I had to make sure of that.

I drove home without meeting Jake at our usual spot after school and hurried inside then locked the door behind me. Nobody would trick me and get away with it! Did they all think I was dumb? I had to find a way to prove that I could outsmart them before they outsmarted me. I thought that maybe I could visit Stephen and… no, I would never visit Stephen. After about thirty minutes of brainstorming, I finally came up with an idea that might just work.

If I confronted Ben about paying Jake, he’d have to fess up about it and I’d explain to him that if he did this again or if anybody hurt me under their command I would call the police. I’m sure they don’t want to join Stephen in jail. This plan was foolproof and I knew just when to execute it. If I went to Kelly’s party tonight, Ben would be there and I could confront him then. I hurried to take a shower and in the shower i worked out the kinks in my plan, thinking of just the right words to say and how to say them so I could finally be rid of everybody's bullshit. 

I went to the party with Lilly, who insisted I had at least one drink to calm my nerves because I guess to her I seemed like I had a “stick up my ass.” Anyways I did have a few drinks and I began to feel more confident, warm, and relaxed. I was even kind of excited to confront him feeling as brave as I did, most likely from the buzz I was getting from the alchohol. I spotted him talking to a kid I didn’t know and marched right up to him, interrupting his conversation.

“We need to talk Ben,” I slurred angrily as his friend walked away being as it was obvious I wasn’t going to leave.

“Listen, Danielle.” He started, not being able to finish from me cutting him off in a confident rampage.

“No you listen Ben. I’m tired of you constantly harassing me and I don’t think it’s very fair of you paying someone else to do your dirty work!” I waved my hands in the air as I spoke, trying my hardest to keep from wobbling over.

“Paying someone?” Ben started, but was interrupted by a new member of our complaint party.

“What’s going on here?”  Jon asked as he eyed both of us. Ben leaned in and whispered in his ear, then Jon responded to him by whispering in his ear back. What are we in third grade again? Jon smiled slyly at me and then in a voice that sounded forced he said, “Why don’t you have this conversation with me Danielle. I’m the mastermind of it all.”

“No, Stephen is. You two are his little minions.” I said crossing my arms. He grabbed me by the elbow and pulled me away from the crowd with ease. We slowed to a stop as we came into a closet and closed the door. He turned the light on and looked down at me.

“You have been drinking tonight Danielle, am I right?” I nodded.

“You came to tell me to stop bugging you, am I right?” Again, I nodded.

“Well sorry to break your little heart, but that’s never going to happen.” I smiled slightly and said,

“Then I’m just going to call the police on you!” I smiled confidently until he frowned and then laughed.

“You won’t be able to do that now huh.” He moved closer then turned off the light.