Hated, Dated, Fated

Chapter 20 - Dated

CALEB

Riley tapped me on the shoulder and signaled that she was going to go back downstairs to check on everything before she disappeared through the door. I looked down at my girlfriend, who was sniffing softly, her breaths getting deeper and more even as she slowly drifted off into an exhausted sleep.

We sat there for what felt like hours, but in reality was only about fifteen minutes. The basketball loving part of me wanted to kick myself for running off after Alexa, but I knew I had done the right thing. She had come so close tonight, and it scared me that I almost couldn’t bring her back. The sight of her sitting so serenely on the edge of that rooftop almost made my heart stop. She was so far gone she didn’t even recognize my voice and she wanted to jump, she wanted to end her personal hell, even if it meant hurting everyone she loved. Even so broken she was still so beautiful, so strong, and so mine. My arms tightened around my baby girl. She didn’t deserve the shit she got, and I was going to make that bitch pay. Her impending expulsion was just the beginning. I pulled her file from my mental Rolodex and flipped through, noting that she liked attention and hated people who were better than her, and that the rumor was she had slept with most of the school, teachers included for the worship and the semi good grades. I looked through the list of people that she had humiliated throughout high school, including people like Riley, Amber, the entire group of nerds and geeks, and Taylor, a girl who actually committed suicide because of Samantha’s cruelty. The principal, though fair and just, was equally naïve, and I hated that he didn’t see the shit Samantha was pulling right under his nose.

My phone vibrated with a text and I pulled it out of my pocket gently, careful not to jostle Alexa too much, thankful to have grabbed it right before I ran after her.

Principal wants to see you both. Damage control done and list of people are ready to confess. –R

I had to give it to her, that girl was good when it came to Alexa. She was an awesome friend, and very protective too. I stood up, carrying Alexa bridal style and she curled into my chest, rubbing her nose against my shirt. Carefully making my way down to the principal’s office with my sleeping girlfriend in my arms was no easy feat but I managed, somehow.

“Evans! What the hell?” my coach bellowed from behind me and I spun around, sending him a warning look before he lowered his voice and made his way over.

Alexa started stirring, her eyes fluttering open as I set her on her feet, steadying her as she woke up.

“This your girl?” he asked, voice much quieter than before.

“Yeah. Sorry about running off. She comes first. We won though?” I questioned, already knowing the answer.

If we’d lost coach would be so much angrier than this.

“Barely, Josh made a three pointer just as the buzzer went off,” he grumbled, still sending me looks.

“Coach, with all due respect I’m not going to let my girlfriend run off to god knows where after that stupid stunt Samantha pulled,” I said, my tone turning venomous at my mention of the bitch.

“I know. You did good kid,” he said, patting me on the back before walking off.

“Oh, you’re in for it next training,” he called back, not bothering to turn.

I groaned, knowing I’d be doing extra everything as a punishment.

“Sorry about that,” Alexa mumbled, traces of sleep still evident in her voice.

I shook my head at her and wrapped an arm around her before we walked the rest of the way to the crowded office, knocking twice before entering. Samantha was already seated in the office and she turned, her unfortunately pretty face distorting into a sneer.