Wicked Love

Chapter 4

I walk into school on Tuesday morning afraid that Julian has told everyone what a loser slut I am. I keep my head down as I walk to my locker to put my things away, ignoring the regular insults. When I finish getting the stuff I need for my first period, I close my locker and see Julian leaning against the locker next to mine.

"Hey," I said tentatively.

"Hi," He replies. "Why do you look so freaked out? Relax."

"Sorry. Guess I was still expecting you to tell everyone I'm a whore."

His face darkens. "I told you I wouldn't do that. You'll trust me soon enough. For now, how about I walk you to your first class."

"I don't know, people will see."

And when they do he'll get name-called and stuff thrown at him too.

"So?" He asked.

"You don't want to be seen with me. Trust me."

"Don't let them get to you, Kenzie. I don't care what they think, and neither should you," He replies softly.

"Kenzie?" I asked.

"Wanted to give you a nickname," He answered. "Now, let's try this again. Can I walk you to your first class?"

I nod and he walks me to my first period, ignoring the stares burning into us from the other kids.

******

Over the next few weeks, Julian and I have been hanging out more and more. He waits for me at my locker every morning and he keeps the other students away from me. They probably still talk about me behind my back, but no one has said anything to my face, like they're afraid of Julian. He is very muscular and I was close when I thought he looked six-foot-three. He's six-foot-four, so I can see how they're scared of him.

I'm not afraid of him though. I don't think he would ever physically hurt me.

It feels great to have a friend at school to sit and eat lunch with, to goof around with, or just talk to. And he sticks up for me when I'm being bullied or being talked about.

We talk in the classes we have before the bell rings and he hangs out at the Cafe in the same booth every time after school until my shift ends. I haven't introduced him to Belle yet. I like having him as my friend and I'm starting to trust him, but right now I want to keep my school life away from Belle. That includes Julian. Who knows if we have to move to a different country to make sure he doesn't find us. I hope I don't have to go far, but we most likely will have to and I don't want either of us to get attached.

He hasn't pushed about seeing her or tried to talk to her in the diner, so I'm glad about that. He respects the lines that I've drawn.

A week later, it's Friday, and the last bell of the day rang and Julian said he'll meet me at my locker downstairs. His locker is up here while mine is downstairs and on the other side of the school. I normally wait at my locker for him and walk him to his car. An unspoken ritual between us. He offered to give me a ride but I refused and he hasn't asked since.

When I finally make it to my locker, I'm about to put my folder and notebooks in my bag when they're suddenly snatched out of my hands. I look over to see Spencer holding my things above me in the air.

"You want em'?" He taunts.

I try to reach for them, but my attempts are weak and he pulls his hand back before I can reach them.

"Can I please have them?" I asked quietly.

"What?" He asked, holding a hand up to his ear. "I didn't hear you."