Accidental Roommate (NEW)

46 v2

Separating gently from Cameron, Sharon ignored the chills running down her spine. Their presence was not unexpected. She had an inkling that their delay was due to this. But as she stood there, unable to move, she realised she'd misjudged their hold on her. Because no matter how much she wanted, no matter how her brain signalled her muscles and limbs, they didn’t move. Not a quiver, not a shiver.

Frustration pounded at her. This isn't the place to show any weakness. They would pounce on any crack and maul her until they're bored with her. No, not today. Both her pride and sense of survival told her to face them. She had to be prepared, see where the attack was coming from in order to defend from it.

But no matter how much she told herself to move, why was it still so difficult?

Tears gathered in her eyes at the sense of hopelessness. As much as Cameron's words last night had been a revelation, no matter how much strength she drew from them, it wasn't enough. This was something else. One night wasn't enough to erase years of indoctrination. Her fear of them was too great, the wound too raw to face another beating. And there was no illusions that this was going to be another beating. They wouldn't come here otherwise.

“What are you doing here?”Cameron growled, his arms coming around her shoulders and pulling her into his body. Warmth filled her. It was as if he was sheltering her from them. That brought her out of her shock and her body finally obeyed her commands. But before turning to face them, her hand came up and touched his heart, to get some strength.

This ambush was affecting her so much. She was trembling so hard that her hand was visibly shaking. The moment she touched him, though, it stopped. It felt like a connection between them was established, clicking into place that very moment. It was a lifeline between them, a direct line from him to her at which she could draw comfort and resolve.  She could feel all of that transmitting to her, bolstering her, making her feel she could face anything. He was like a stoic bulwark, ready to stand at her back. 

“Oh, look at her dog, baring his teeth at us,”Jasmine sneered, making weak growling sounds. That returned her back to the present. "He’s all brawn but no brain. Right, girls?” The group that came with her laughed. Sharon recognised those laughter. She would know them anywhere. And just like that, they were chasing away the warmth Cameron had given her. They were the same group that had trapped her inside her mother’s house. And they scared her.

She could handle her mother and Jasmine. They were bad but manageable. But these bunch was ruthless. They took one comment and made it worse. They reminded her of a pack of wolves, circling around weakened prey, looking for the moment of weakness to swoop down and give the final blow. The blow that ended it all. 

“You know, I had such high hopes for him but maybe it's true that all football guys are idiots,”one of the wolves said snidely, making the group laugh again. For a moment, all Sharon heard was white noise. She knew the group was throwing insults left and right. But she couldn’t believe that they had just said that. 

Rage flowed through her. It was fine when it was just her. Barely batting an eye when they threw turned on her, she was ready to tear their heads off right now. How dare they went to attack Cameron? It doesn't matter that he didn't care. She cared. If he wasn't holding onto her, she would be on them before they could even laugh. 

Turning resolutely in his embrace, she resisted his strength. He was telling her to hide, his protectiveness riding high. But she had been weak long enough. Now wasn’t the time to cower. They came here for her. It wasn’t fair on him to take the brunt of their attack. And she refused to let him baby her anymore.

“Jasmine, enough is enough- Why are you dressed like that? Are you from your wedding?” Sharon had to stop short when her eyes landed on her former best friend. She had to blink a couple of times, testing her eyesight. Was she really seeing what she was seeing?