Innocent

Chapter Thirteen

"Who would believe you?" I closed my eyes and felt his breath on my neck. "You're just a loner girl that everyone knows is from another state. You're overshadowed by your brother. Your brother that everyone likes." I closed my eyes tighter as I felt his lips come closer to my neck and I managed to suppress a whimper. "Everyone likes your brother. Except you and everyone can see that. If you say anything, they'll just think you're lying so you could have something your brother won't have—a scandal." I licked my lips and turned my head away from him as he sank his nails into my arm. "Or is it because you feel betrayed? Because he picked his girlfriend over his own sister." Shivers went down my spine as he made me look at him. "Don't you get it Chloe? Only one person loved you and that was Tanner, but he's not here. Nobody cares about you and nobody would believe you. Am I right? What did your brother do when he saw the hickeys?" he asked. He tightened his grip on me until I couldn't take it anymore.

"H-h-he told his friends," I whispered.

"He what?"

"H-he—"

"A little louder."

"He told his friends..." I felt tears welt up in my eyes but I wasn't sure if it was because of what Luke did or because of the pressure on my hands.

"And what did his friends do to you?"

"M-mocked me."

"Hmm?"

"They made fun of me and joked around with me. Asked me where my corner was."

"What did your brother do?"

"He laughed along." I felt my back begin to shake and I couldn't control the tears that were escaping my eyes.

"I'm the only one here for you, Chloe."

I cried so hard when he placed his hand on my thigh and I wanted to swat it away but I know that he would just hit me or make it ten times worse.

"Knock, knock." The teacher jolted away from me as the person dropped papers on the ground and looked at me with a horrific expression.

***

"So what does that mean?" he asked me. I hit my pencil against my chin as I tried to understand the Greek poems. I shrugged my shoulders and Aaron simply sighed at me. "You do have to try, you know?"

"I am," I simply replied. "But I don't even know if it's first or third person. It's all just dialogue." I flipped through the pages again and tempted to read when Aaron simply shuffled some papers into his book.

"What's on your mind?" he asked. I closed my books and looked around at the other students and tutors. There were quite a few and I knew most of them, which meant that I didn't feel like a total loser even though I didn't talk to any of them. Aaron instantly knew what I was thinking because when he started packing up his bag, he lent me his hand.

I smiled and simply got up and deflating Aaron's self-esteem. I slowly climbed up the hill with him to our spot and looked out in the view. Setting my books down, I couldn't help but smile a bit as we were up here.

"So I guess this is our secret spot instead of just mine." I didn't answer and just looked out in the view as Aaron attempted to read my face. "You know, I decided that we're not going to my Uncle's." I looked at him and softly smiled. "In a week or so, I have to start going to the gym immediately after school. I have to start doing about twelve hour shifts even though it's illegal. Missy even gave me a raise."

"What about our study sessions?"

"You'll have to find a new tutor," he softly replied.

"Or I could just come to the gym and study with you there?" I questioned. He looked over at me and nodded his head. Before he could protest, I opened my mouth even further. "You could help me with my boxing too if you'd like."

"Good..." He smiled at me and I smiled back before turning back over to the few. "Because you have disgusting posture."

I couldn't help but have a smile appear on my face as Aaron laughed at his own joke. I looked behind me once at our books and as I did so, Aaron caught it.

"You want to try again?" I barely nodded before sitting down in the dirt. "Most girls would've dusted the spot first."

"It's dirt," I whispered. Aaron nodded too and sat across from me. I pulled out the worksheet and looked at all of the questions on the page. "Do these go in order?"

"I believe so. He's not the demon, you know."

I nodded my head and looked at the last question. "'How did Priam die?'" Looking through the textbook, I almost felt like throwing it over the edge.

"Here." Aaron scooted over next to me and pulled the book into his lap. I stared longingly at the pages until Aaron pointed with his index finger. "Try and interpret this page. You'll find the answer in here somewhere."

I nodded my head and looked to see it. Not really understanding it, I slowly took fists of hair into my hands and felt like yelling.

"It doesn't matter how many times I read this, I don't understand it!"

"Tanner, are you okay?" Aaron looked at me with concern and my eye twitched towards him. "I know there's something bothering you."

"How would you possibly know that?"

"You haven't been to the gym in over a week." I pressed my lips together and wished that Aaron wasn't someone who noticed things. "Plus, you've been a lot quieter lately..." He placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder and I felt like pushing it off but I left it there. "I've told you my story, what's yours?"

"I don't have one—"

"Everyone has one." Aaron shook his head slightly and smiled a bit. "It describes who you are. Like, why aren't you wearing that necklace anymore?" I looked down at my chest and put my hand to it.

"It belonged to my ex-boyfriend," I whispered. "He's dead." Aaron's face instantly softened but I could tell he would expecting more. "I just visited his grave a month ago." Aaron nodded his head and looked towards his watch. I was done speaking anyways. "Gym?" I questioned. Aaron nodded his head and I watched as he ran away. "And Aaron..." I watched as he turned his head while he was walking down the hill.

"Yes?"

"His name was Tanner."