Chapter 3
This foster family is probably the best foster family I’ve had.
That alone immediately puts me on edge.
Don’t get comfortable, Roxie. Nothing lasts forever.
Tom, the dad, woke me up early today and asked if I wanted to learn how to fight. I think he’s trying to bond with me, which is a good thing right?
Don’t get comfortable, Roxie, my inner voice whispers again.
I thought it seemed like an intriguing idea so I said yes. Besides, who doesn’t want to learn how to be a badass?
Learning how to fight will probably be very, very beneficial for me. I have three more years in the system, and then I never have to be under anyone’s thumb again.
Tom put me through a workout and I threw up on the side of the house at six in the morning. But I really, really like how it made me feel. Strong, capable, able to defend myself.
After getting ready for the day, I walk into first period, homeroom, trying not to be hopeful that Ty is there waiting for me.
I’m able to walk through the hallways without anyone really paying attention to me, but there’s always a leering look—always.
Hopefully there aren’t any handsy fucks at this school.
“That’s a good look on you, baby.” Some stupid senior winks at me as I pass, his eyes glued to my bare legs in the black mini skirt I’m wearing. But I just roll my eyes and keep walking.
“Hey!” The brunette jock with a blue letterman jacket pushes out of the group of friends he was standing by and grabs me by the handle of my backpack. “I was talking to you. The least you could do is say thank you.”
“I didn’t ask for your opinion on my outfit,” I sneer.
“Didn’t anyone teach you manners?” His top lip curls up in a menacing look, but I’ve been here before. In every school there’s always one (usually more than one) entitled guy who thinks he’s the top dog and can put his hands on me, call me nicknames, demand my thanks or submission. Stupid boys.
I don’t answer. I try to rip my backpack out of his grip, but he holds on tighter.
“Now, now, now, new girl. I think you and I should get to know each other better,” he says with a sinister edge to his tone, leaning in closer to me. He wraps an arm around my waist, and I throw an elbow back to give him my answer. This guy just laughs.
“What a meager little mouse,” he laughs boisterously, looking at his friends who all join him in laughing. “Was that meant to hurt?”
“Get away from me,” I say through gritted teeth. I’m not going down quietly. Fuck. That.
This guy brings his other hand up, and softly brushes a few of the black curls from my face. “What would the fun in that be?”
I struggle to get free, putting all my strength into ripping his arms from my body, but it’s useless.
Tom didn’t teach me how to get out of this position, I only know a standard jab and hook.
“Don’t be like that, baby,” the guy growls in my ear and actually lifts me off the ground, walking with me in his arms towards his group of friends like they’d provide a shield for him to do whatever he wants.
“Let me go, right the fuck now, or I’ll scream,” I threaten, kicking my legs out, my boots hitting his shins.
But it makes no difference.
“Scream, little girl. Let me hear it. I run this school, no one would dare challenge me.” He laughs humorlessly and all his lackeys join in. Real original.
“I would.” A dark gravelly voice cuts through the laughter, making everything stop.
Ty.
“Oh god, Hernandez.” The guy holding me rolls his eyes with annoyance. “I thought it was someone who actually stood a fucking chance. Get lost.”
Ty clenches his fists, but doesn’t move.
“I’m telling you once, Frank. Let her go or you and your moron followers are going to get fucking flattened. One at a time,” Ty says the last words in a growl and even in the mess I’m in, my eyes widen and I’m drawn to him.
The guy holding me, Frank, stays quiet, glaring at Ty with so much disdain it’s palpable in the air.
“Bitch isn’t worth it,” he finally lands on, throwing me toward Ty in such a harsh manner, I drop to my knees.
Ty’s nostrils flare with anger, but he leans down and holds his hand out. Helping me up, he pulls me behind him and makes sure that I’m as far from the group as possible.
“Next time I hear you’re messing with her, I’m coming for you.” Ty snaps, growling at Frank.
“Ooh.” Frank pretends to cower. “I’m shaking in my boots. My cousin’s going to hear about this, Hernandez. Mark my words.”
“The next time you think of touching me, or anyone without their permission, don’t think anything’s going to save you.
You got the drop on me this time, but next time, you won’t be so lucky.
I don’t give a flying fuck who your cousin is.
” I push past Ty and get into Frank’s face, poking his chest with my pointer finger as hard as I can.
This fucking Frank dude and his group laugh loudly, pissing me off more, but my stance doesn’t change. Fuck these guys.
“Come on, Rox,” Ty says, putting his hand high on my back and ushering me away. Glaring until the last possible moment at Frank, I turn and stomp off towards the classroom.
“Are you okay?” he asks, walking behind me like a tall, dark guardian angel.
“I’m fine.”
“Are you sure?”
“It’s not the first time that kind of thing has happened, and it won’t be the last.”
Ty stops, and grabs my hand, forcing me to turn around.
“What?” he asks with a bite to his tone.
“It’s fine, Ty. Thank you for stepping in, but I won’t let it get that far next time. There’s always some jock or cool kid that thinks he’s the king and untouchable. Now I know who it is.”
I’ve always known I was attractive. I was told enough by everyone around me how cute and pretty I was, but then I started middle school and the boys started going through puberty and their gaze told me everything I needed to know.
Time and time again, I was leered at. Time and time again, I was catcalled.
Time and time again, I was smacked on the ass and told I was hot.
People always say that being attractive is a good thing and while I agree, it’s also a curse.
It’s good for me because I’m able to be taken for older than I am and start working a job to save money. Bad because of shit like this.
“How many foster homes have you been through?” he asks and I stop, just as the bell rings.
“That’s none of your business.”
“You’re right, it’s not. But I have a feeling you and I are going to be friends, so we might as well skip the awkward small talk about favorite colors and such.”
“Who says that’s awkward?” I quirk an eyebrow at him, crossing my arms over my chest.
“Okay fine. It’s awkward for me, but I’m an awkward person.”
“I can see that,” I tease. “Look, we’re already late for homeroom. Come on.”
“Do you…” he starts to ask, but trails off.
“Yeah?”
“Do you want to ditch and go draw or talk or something?” He looks nervous, like he’s worried I’ll blow him off or tell him to leave me alone.
“Sure,” I say with a smile, fiddling with the long sleeves of my black knit-sweater. “You have a place in mind?”
“I can think of a place,” he tells me with a reserved smile and an excited look in his eye.
“When I said we could go somewhere I didn’t think you were going to lead me into the woods. Are you going to kill me? Don’t toy with me, Ty, just do it.” I throw my hands out dramatically. He’s maybe five steps in front of me, trekking through the woods without a path.
I didn’t even think there were woods in Arizona. This must be some man-made forest.
“I’m not going to kill you.” Ty turns around, walking backwards and chuckling. Looking at me with a cocked eyebrow and narrowing his gaze. “Yet.”
Looking at me menacingly, I can see the same look that he gave Frank and his posse in his eye. For a split-second I’m actually worried, but then he breaks into an easy grin.
“Not funny.” I shove him as he laughs at my expense.
“A little funny.” He falls back and turns to walk beside me.
“How much farther?”
“We’re here,” he announces with a flourish and there’s a little clearing with a large boulder that would be perfect for laying across and letting the sun warm us.
The sun filters through the trees, warming us up and shading everything perfectly.
Ty walks forward, stepping into the small circle with his arms spread wide. “What do you think?”
“It’s cute,” I say, stepping into the light with him and taking the flat spot on top for my own. I climb up, laying on my belly and resting my head against the warm stone. “Oh, this is nice.”
“Scoot over at least,” Ty says with a smirk, moving me over with his hands.
“Ugh, I was comfortable.”
“Yeah, well, now you’re comfortable over there.” Ty pulls his backpack up and takes out his book and a pencil. “Did you finish Athena?”
“I did,” I say, shifting so I’m also sitting up, I peek over Ty’s shoulder as I watch him flip through his book. There are so many designs, sketches, works, that I’m almost tempted to grab the book and run off to be able to actually take my time and see all of them.
“Can I see?” he asks.
“Can I see one of yours?” I stop him from changing the page when I see a design that catches my eye.
“Sure, I guess.” He’s hesitant and I get it. I don’t particularly like to show people my designs when they aren’t complete either. But I dig into my bag and pull out my well-worn sketchbook, handing it over to him hesitantly.
“Be nice,” I warn him.
“Right back at you. I don’t exactly have a lot of time to perfect my art.”
“Same,” I chuckle.