“What is it?” he asked, as my eyes scanned the other side of the room. I held my finger to my lips and tiptoed to my new roommate’s side, searching around her bed. I crouched and ran my hand under the bedframe. When my fingers landed on my old sneakers, I grinned as I pulled them out and held them up for Brock to see.
“She seems like she’s going to be fun,” he joked, as I walked toward him and dropped my shoes on the floor. I grabbed his arm to steady myself as I slipped my feet into each one. “You want to get back at her? I could piss on her clothes.”
I laughed a little too loudly. “You’d do that?”
“If it made you feel better, I would.”
“Well, it doesn’t. Boys are so gross.” I let go of his arm and walked to the door, stopping to look back at Brock, who was eyeing the mass of blankets that hid my new roomie. “Come on.”
He shook his head and followed me into the hallway. “You can’t just let her get away with stealing your shoes, Bird. She’ll think you’re weak, and it’ll only get worse.”
“I know. I’ll talk to her about it when she gets up.”
“Yeah, talking will solve the problem.”
“What do you suggest I do?” I stopped and turned to face him, frustrated that even in a place like this I was dealing with bullies. Brock reached up and tucked my hair behind my ear, his expression softening.
“Nothing. You’re a good person, Lie. Don’t ever change that.”
I turned and continued toward the front room, where everyone was waiting to be taken downstairs for breakfast. Brock and I leaned against the back of the couch near the end of the line. Robert, a gangly redhead, leaned next to Brock, his freckled arms folded over his chest as he talked to another boy in front of him.
“He looked like he’d been hit by a fuckin’ truck.” Robert laughed as he replied to the other boy and nudged Brock with his elbow. Brock’s jaw clenched, and he shook his head slightly but didn’t respond. “Come on, man. Back me up here. It was hilarious.”
Brock still didn’t respond, and I leaned forward to look at Robert. “Who are you talking about?” I asked, and Brock stood up straight and turned toward him to block my view.
“Stop trying to start shit,” he growled, which made Robert laugh nervously, but he didn’t relent.
“My bad, man. I didn’t mean to put your business out there in front of your new piece.”
Brock’s hand went around Robert’s throat, and I saw the thin bones in the back of his hand protrude as he gripped tighter.
“Stop it!” I stepped between them and pulled on Brock’s wrist. He reluctantly released his grip as he sneered, “What’s wrong with you?” The line began to move, and Robert stepped around us to follow the others toward the steps.
“Nothing. Let’s go eat, Bird.” He grabbed my hand, but I pulled back, refusing to follow until I had some answers.
“Tell me who he was talking about,” I pressed.
“You want to miss breakfast?” When I didn’t respond, he groaned, lacing his fingers behind his head as he stretched his back. “He was talking about Keller, some dick who was in here before you showed up. We had a disagreement, and I fixed it. No big deal.”
“You hurt him? Why would you do that? You’re not like these guys, Brock. You don’t need to stoop to their level.”
“You’re not like these fucks, but I am.”
“You’re a bully.” I took a step back, wondering if all this time I was being played, part of some sick joke or a way for Brock to pass the time.
“Lie, I’m not like those assholes from your school. I would never hurt you.”
“But you hurt other people. Why not me then, huh?”
He took a step closer as one of the workers yelled, “Last call for breakfast.”
I raised an eyebrow at Brock, who made no movement to leave. “What makes you think I’d be OK with that?”
“Bird, the kid wasn’t some innocent little fuck. He asked for what he got. I was protecting myself, just like I’ll protect you.” He took another step, and I didn’t move away. “I never said I was perfect, but I’m trying to be a better person.”
“I know you are.” I avoided his eyes, but he ducked down to make me catch his gaze.
“You forgive me?” He put his hand over his heart, and I simpered, unable to be mad at the one person in the world who cared about me. His arms flew around me, and his lips brushed against my cheek. “I won’t let you down, Bird. I promise.”
I was startled awake by a hand on my shoulder, and my scream was muffled by Abel’s hand over my mouth. His other held a finger to his lips to tell me to be quiet. I pushed up from the cushion and brushed my hair from my face as he knelt next to me.