Being Neighborly

Chapter 31

"Dude what the hell!" I yell at Tristan as soon as I yank the door to his car open.

"Well good morning to you, too," he says, handing me a travel mug of black coffee. I graciously accept the cup or caffeine, but still slam the door shut when I sit down.

"I was banging on your front door yesterday and called you a million times!" I yell some more, pausing to take a sip of coffee. He makes a nice strong cup, but that doesn't make me any less pissed off. "Why are you ignoring me?"

"I have no idea what you are talking about. I picked you up for school, didn't I?" he says with a stone-cold face. No smirk in sight. He's trying really hard to hide something. Which means I do have the power to break him down.

"Tristan, you are not going to start playing dumb with me right now! What the hell were you doing with my Uncle Luke yesterday?"

"We were having a discussion," he replies calmly, but the whites of his knuckles become visible as he grips the steering wheel a little too hard while making a turn.

"Discussion my ass! Why were you in suits? Where did you guys go? What were you doing? Why are you scared of my uncle?"

That last one caught his attention. "I'm not scared of Luke."

"Oh, really," I say, smiling around the edge of the travel mug. "Because it sure seems like you are."

"I just respect the guy," Tristan mutters through clenched teeth.

"I don't believe you. You barely know my uncle. He barely knows you!"

Tristan stops at a four-way intersection and turns his entire body to face me. "If we don't know each other, then why do you suppose I was out with him yesterday?" He turns back to face the road and keeps driving.

At least I got him to admit he was out with Uncle Luke. Even though I obviously knew that already. But it's something. A small crack in the wall.

I decide to let it go for now. Mainly because we are pulling into the back lot of the school and today my goal is to avoid as much attention as possible. Me arguing with Tristan Johnson in front of the entire parking lot was not a way to do that.

"Thanks for the coffee and ride to school," I rush out of the car as soon as he pulls into his usual back corner spot. "And the lack of information."

Before Tristan can even respond, I slam the door shut and book it across the pavement. The stares from everyone still in the lot sting my skin, so I pick up my pace a little more. I don't even stop long enough at my locker to let Nicole or Nate say good morning. I appreciate their concern, but I need to keep moving. The faster I get into my seat in health class, the faster I can start to attempt to get through today.

Scratch that. On either side of my normal desk is Tristan and Katy. How the hell did this happen? Katy isn't even in this class!

"Katy, um hi?" I greet her, completely ignoring Tristan as I take my seat.

"Oh, Leila! I am so so so glad you are okay!" Katy exclaims, throwing her arms around me to embrace me in a very awkward hug across out desks. She pulls away quickly, still holding my shoulders. "I was so worried about you on Saturday after what happened. You are so very brave for coming in to school today, what with everyone here witnessing it..."

"Yeah, I uh figured there's no use in staying home when I'm safe and that guy isn't walking the streets right now," I say, wiggling subtly to try and get her hands off of me. I didn't know Katy was at The Underground this weekend. And since when did she think we hit a level of friendship where she can show up to my class to voice her concerns about my safety?

"Oh I totally get it! And there's no need to worry since you have Tristan to protect you, right?" Katy says, a hint of bitterness in his sickly sweet voice. Wonder if she has some weird beef with Tristan.

"I don't need him to protect me," I say, hoping this conversation would end with the sound of the first period bell. But it doesn't.

"Of course not! You are a very strong independent woman who doesn't need her boyfriend to protect her. You certainly didn't need KC back in California, so why would you need a man to protect you now?"

KC? Did she just say...

"Anyway, I'm going to be late for class, but it was so worth it to see you and make sure you are doing just great! Let me know if you need anything, okay?" Before I could even think of a response or nod my head, Katy bounced out of the seat and disappeared through the classroom door and into the hallway.

"Leila..." his quiet voice hesitantly grabs my attention. "I know you're trying to give me the silent treatment, which isn't going to work by the way, but are you okay? That was really weird."

The only thing I can manage to say slips out of my mouth in a whisper. The only thing on my mind that stuck from that entire, strange conversation with Katy. The only thing that gave my blood reason to run cold.

"KC."