Count On Me(90)

Before I reach the safety of the bathroom, I’m cut off. Four people appear in front of me and as I raise my head to meet their eyes, my whole body turns cold. Nothing’s really changed at all. I’ve been living in a dream world.

Amy, Charlotte, Tim and Dillon are all standing in my way and none of them looks all that pleased to see me.

“Isabelle,” Dillon says first, taking a step forward. “I think it’s time we had a little chat.”





Chapter Twenty-Five



Kayden



There’s one aspect of coming back that I definitely wasn’t looking forward to and seeing what I am in the hallway now, I’m reminded of why I dreaded it so much.

I haven’t heard from or seen Dillon and the others since Homecoming. I didn’t want to see them, but considering the way things used to be, I expected to run into more than one of them the minute I got to school.

I’d been lucky though because until now, I avoided them all. It looks like I’m not going to be able to do that anymore. They’re blocking Isabelle from being able to enter the bathroom and just like every other time they get within two feet of her, I want to rush to her side.

Backing as close as I can against the lockers, I keep myself out of their view, but not completely hidden so I can’t see what’s happening. I can make out Isabelle, feeling the tension in her body from here. I know she’s been dreading this moment as much as I have and I’d give anything right now to sweep in and get her out of there.

Unfortunately I can’t do it because if I do, she’s going to assume I’m here to finish what they’re starting, even though it’s the farthest thing from the truth. She believes that I’m the one that put together that shit at the dance and there’s no way I can make her see differently, at least not yet.

The way Dillon is sneering at her makes me sick. I should have finished what I started at the dance that night, even if doing it would have made everything worse. The hold over the school he’s had for the last four years has to end and if I have to be the person to do it, then so be it.

Things need to change.

“You haven’t seen Kayden around, have you?”

I watch her shake her head and I sigh. Of course he’s doing it this way. He’s going to bring me into it right away, so when it’s over, he’s not the one that gets the blame, I am. He’s purposely doing everything he can to ruin everything I set up this morning and I’ve never wanted to kill him more.

“Yeah that’s right, he’s been avoiding you. With the smell coming off you right now, I can’t imagine he’s been able to escape you entirely.”

“D, did you see that? She just rolled her eyes at you man!” Tim yells before laughing. “Retard grew a set.”

“Is that what you’re doing, Isabelle? Trying to show us how tough you are?” Dillon asks, his voice so viciously sweet, I can feel myself getting a toothache from here.

“Maybe I need to take her into the bathroom and show her how tough she really is.” Amy joins in and it takes everything in me not to move forward. There is no way in hell I’m letting them do that to her.

“I’m thinking you might have to.”

“Listen retard,” Charlotte cuts in. “Whatever silly little ideas you’ve got in your head about Kayden and you, forget them. He’s back now and he wants nothing to do with your sorry ass. The game’s over. He’s with me now.”

Despite wanting to let her handle this, I’ve heard more than enough. Before I can come out from my spot, I’m pulled backward and a hand comes across my mouth. It’s a weak attempt to keep me silent, which means it can only be one person.

Eric.

“I know you want to stop it, but if you do, you’ll push her away.” He whispers and I can’t help but agree with him. With everything I’ve been doing today in an effort to soften her, the last thing I wanna do is set it right back to the start again.

“Then you stop it.” I hiss back. “She won’t hate you.”

“Like I can stop those guys!”

“Where’s your backbone man?”

“Wasn’t born with one.” He answers back, his face deadpan.

“Funny.”

“I try. That stuff on the P.A, that’s you right?”

I nod and he smiles, which with what comes out of his mouth next, confuses the hell out of me.

“Are you doing it to hurt her?”

“No. The opposite actually.”

“Thought so.”

“So why even ask?”

“Because even though it doesn’t seem like it, I’m her friend.”

“You got a funny way of showing it. Where the hell have you been for the last month?”