Chapter 5 - Early Morning Trauma

Once again, I willed myself not to cry as I gathered what was left of the remaining good bags and moved to an abandoned shack that once looked like a coffee shop by the corner. I sat on the low step beside my bags and sniffed silently.

I thought of calling Uncle Pete to know if he'll be returning from work already, but I decided it wouldn't be cool to bother him. I swore not to touch the money Asher's grandma had given me. I needed it whole and intact. One thing was certain, I would definitely find my way home. My phone rang about ten minutes later. Regan. I picked it immediately.

"Where are you?!" She barked.

Her question broke the dam I had been holding up for too long. I cried into the mouthpiece and she panicked at once.

"Grace? What's the problem? Are you okay?" 

Exactly twenty minutes later, Regan was next to me, looking so worried and breathless. I was really surprised she could have the mind to look out for me, considering how much she hated me.

"Do you remember the plate number of the vehicle or the driver?" She asked, after we boarded a taxi. 

I bit my lower lip here, wondering if I should tell her all about Asher or not. If I did, it might mean implicating Mia and the money she had given me. Regan was not one to hear about money and stay quiet. She was so greedy for money and went as far as extorting some from her parents. No amount could ever be enough for her. So I decided to summarize. "Actually, I met Asher on my way back. He..." 

"Asher? Really?" She exclaimed. "So you entered the wrong vehicle because of him? Do you suddenly think he is interested in you all because Mia and her friends used you yesterday?" She snickered.

I tried to understand what she was saying. She had barely listened to what I was going to say.

"I'm very sure he made you lose your way on purpose so you could learn a lesson. So much for how proud you felt yesterday with your swollen head. Do you really think he’s into you? He asked about you several times today and looked like he was going to kill you if he ever laid eyes on you. I can’t believe you..." 

And on she went. 

I stopped listening as my mind wandered off, thankful that she had at least come to get me, which was the most important thing.

I went to school very early the next morning. Regan agreed to give me the notes for the previous day on the condition that I did her assignments. That wasn't a problem. I just needed a lot of time before the first period so that I'll be able to face the day's workload without feeling overwhelmed. I was so tired yesterday that I hit the bed before I even realized it. The classroom was dimly lit and empty when I arrived. But I thought I heard strange noises coming from the next class.

Curiosity got the better of me.

When I peeked in, I froze.

A couple was making out right in the middle of the classroom.

I tried to see their faces clearly.

It was Logan Greene, the Algebra teacher. And Mia Harper.

I don’t know what prompted me to pull out my phone and do a ten-second video before leaving. Impulse, I guess. I had barely settled in my seat when I felt a presence behind me.

I tried to turn, but a cold hand clamped over my mouth. The cologne was familiar.

“Come with me,” a voice hissed. “Take your books.”

I obeyed like I was under a spell. 

He led me to the back of the classroom and we crouched low behind some big cupboards. It was indeed Asher. Was he trying to play good to make up for his crass behaviour the previous day? We had barely crouched down when Logan came in, struggling with his belt. Mia was behind him, adjusting her skirt as well. 

"What are you saying, Mia? You were supposed to send her to me yesterday." Logan began.

"I know. I'm sorry. My plan almost worked but hell...I think she's kinda smarter than she looks." 

"Is that why you sent her to Asher first?" 

"Yeah. I did that to buy time. I knew he would want to punish her for asking him out. I don't know what happened later. Asher won't say a word to me and the girl ghosted me throughout yesterday. Some guts she's got." She rendered bitterly. 

It was hard to still my breathing. What the hell were they discussing?

"Don't tell me her guts are bigger than yours." Logan began, his speech slurred as he pulled Mia closer to him. On a good day, one would think Logan was a decent professional who tolerated no nonsense. Good-looking, about 6'ft tall and in his late twenties, I imagined he would be married or in a serious relationship. I never thought he’d be involved in something worse than nonsense.

"Get that blond for me before the end of today, Mia." He slurred again, leaning closer to her.

Mia let out a low moan in response.

I held my breath and looked away, only to meet Asher’s gaze. He had been staring at me the entire time, but I couldn’t read his expression. It was blank.

I hoped he didn’t want me too.

Definitely not.

He must hate my guts so much to treat me the way he did yesterday. But right now, I don't understand why his cologne played with my senses and the background noise did little and nothing to help. 

Fortunately however, we suddenly heard footsteps echo down the hallway. Mia and Logan both hurried out then. The moment they left, I rushed back to my seat. It would be impossible to explain if anyone caught us hiding there.

Asher followed. “Come with me. We need to talk.”

I frowned. I would be foolish to follow him after what I had just witnessed.

“I’m sure you heard me. Poor hopeless nobody,” he snarled.

Anger shot through me. I jumped to my feet. “Don’t you dare...”

Images of Logan and Mia's act flooded my mind again, and I felt super disgusted and sick to my stomach. I couldn't make it to the restroom. I puked. On Asher's shoes. 

"What?! Are you crazy?!" He shoved me back before I could react. My back hit the desk hard, and I slid to the floor. Pain shot through my waist, and I groaned.

Mia stepped into the classroom.

"What's going on?" She switched on the light. "Oh. The SMART girl who had the guts to ghost me yesterday." She snickered. "I bet Asher didn't kick you hard enough. Come with me." 

"She actually puked on my shoes." Asher muttered. "I think she's sick." 

"Obviously, she is. Exactly why she needs to come with me and learn some lessons. Maybe she is feeling on top of the world because you dragged her out of the field the other day."

I shut my eyes, wishing they would both disappear and let me be. 

"Grace! Come with me now!" 

"I think we should talk first, Mia." Asher said.

"No. After you clean up your disgusting shoes." She kicked me hard now. "Are you deaf?" She kicked me harder again and I cried. 

"Stop hurting her, Mia!" Asher yelled, shoving her back roughly. 

"Really, Ash? Are you defending her now?" 

"Yeah. Grace is my girl." He declared. "So don't you dare lay a finger on her.”

Did I just hear him right?