Sierra
Chapter twenty
I’ve almost made it through the day. I just have to make it through the last period with Wesley and then I can go home.
Zander - he keeps trying to get me to call him Zan, but I actually like his real name - has been true to his word.
Whenever he could, he stuck close to my side and shot anyone who dared to approach me with a menacing glare.
I’m stepping inside the library when I glance up and see Wesley already perched behind the counter. The bubble of protection that Zander provided me with suddenly evaporates. Wesley looks up with a sinister glint in his eyes.
I quickly move behind the counter, placing my bag on the shelf underneath. There are a few books sitting on the return cart, so I head over to it, pushing it toward the book stacks, all the while feeling Wesley's eyes burning a hole in the back of my head.
I’m busily putting away the books, lost in thought when I feel a heavy hand come down on my shoulder and spin me around. He slams me back into the bookshelf, placing his forearm across my chest. I try to push him off, but I don’t have the physical strength to.
“I bet you think you’re something, walking around school today with Zan chasing after your pussy?
Did you give it up to him already? Spread those legs and let him sink his cock deep inside your cunt.
You’re a fucking whore. Do you have yourself a corner that you pimp yourself from?
” he growls close to my ear, his words full of venom.
“You know I’m not a fucking slut, Wesley. I don’t know why you spread your lies like that?” My voice shakes, even though I’m trying so hard to seem brave.
Leaning closer, he takes his free hand and cups my pussy, rubbing vigorously as he licks up the side of my face. I can feel the tears well up and my stomach turns. Wesley has been cruel to me since that party- but this- this is a new low.
“See, just a fucking street whore, ready to give it to anyone who gives just a little attention. I sure hope Zan wears a condom. I’m sure that loose ass pussy of yours is riddled with diseases.”
He releases me abruptly and walks away. About midway down the aisle, he turns back. “Remember what I said, stay the fuck away from them, Sierra; this is your final warning.” Turning back around, he struts down the aisle like he’s the king of the world.
I guess in a way he is- at least here at this school.
I release the breath I didn’t realize I was holding.
My heart is beating a mile a minute and beads of sweat run down my back.
Blurry flashes of a man in an office hit me and fear builds in my chest. I have no clue what it all means, but with how I’m feeling right now, I don’t want to know.
Catching my breath, I look down at my watch to see that fifteen minutes have passed.
Just twenty more minutes till the end of the period, and I can finally escape this hellhole.
Pushing the cart slowly, I make my way back to the counter, where Wesley is proudly holding court with Mrs. Pearl. “Oh, Mrs. Pearl, I had to show Sierra yet again the proper way to put the books away.”
“Wesley, thank you. Honestly, I don’t understand.
She's so smart and yet she still struggles with basic things. At least her attire is more appropriate today. You are such a good friend to her. I hope she realizes it.” They immediately hush as they hear the creaking of the wheels on the cart get closer, just not soon enough or low enough that I didn’t hear their hurtful words.
Mrs. Pearl glares at me as I place the book cart back in its place and move behind the counter.
She purses her lips before she speaks curtly to me, “Sierra, did you place each book back in its proper location? Some of the other assistants in the other periods have mentioned having to move books back to where they belong.”
I just stare at her in disbelief, as my mouth falls open. Really? What a load of horseshit! “Yes, ma’am, of course I did,” I reply sharply.
“Well, for your sake, I hope so. If I keep getting complaints, and if you continue showing up wearing inappropriate clothing, I will have to speak with the principal about switching you out of this period. Savannah has been on the waiting list and every time she comes in here, I find her moving books back to the proper location. She would make a fine, attentive assistant.” She turns and heads to her office, after giving me the punch in the gut she’s been dying to give me since I stepped into the library today.
Wesley stands proudly behind her, grinning from ear to ear.
“Yes, ma’am,” I mumble, knowing she can’t hear me, not that she’d listen to a word I have to say, anyway.
“I love when you get put in your place, you fucking slut. Remember what I said; if you know what’s good for you, then you’ll stay away from Zan.
This is your final warning.” His voice is so full of hatred.
Even after these last couple of years, you’d think I’d be used to it, but I’m not.
He still looks like the boy who used to be my best friend, the one who would only speak to me with love and kindness.
I feel the phone vibrate in my pocket and pull it out.
Zanders#1: Guess who? ??
Me: Really?
Zanders#1: I know it was lame…
Zanders#1: I was wondering if you wanna ride home with me instead of riding the bus?
As nice of a thought as that is, I know if I take his offer and Wesley finds out, it’s just going to be trouble for me. I don’t know how much more he can do to me, but with his threat, I have a feeling he thinks he has something up his sleeve.
Me: It’s okay, the bus is fine.
Zanders#1: … okay
Zanders#1: Can I call you tonight?
Me: Zander…
Zanders#1: What it’s so we can work on our assignment
Fuck if this boy isn’t persistent and slowly breaking down all the walls I built since becoming a leper at this school.
Me: Fine, can we do around 8?
“I see you got yourself a phone! Been working your corner hard, or did Zander give it to you to pay for your loose-ass pussy?” Wesley rushes toward me, grabbing my arm and wrestling with me to get the phone.
His grip is so hard, the pain radiates up through my arm, but I refuse to let him know he’s hurting me.
“Wesley,” Mrs. Pearl calls out from her office, and he releases me quickly, stepping back.
“Looks like you got lucky this time,” he sneers.
“Coming, Mrs. Pearl.” Turning, Wesley heads to the office.
I quickly shove the phone back in my pocket, feeling it vibrate with more messages from Zander, and blow out a breath.
He’s relentless. Pulling my bookbag from underneath the counter, I make sure I have everything so I can bolt from here the minute the bell rings, signaling the end of the day.
Wesley is still being held captive by Mrs. Pearl when it rings, so I take the little gift handed to me and dart out of the library, heading straight toward the front doors of the school.
If I keep going, I should be able to make it to the bus stop in time for the next bus, and if I miss it, I’ll walk.
There’s no way I’m hanging anywhere near this school.
I don’t realize until I’m safely seated on the bus that I’ve been holding my breath the entire time, and my body sags with relief. Pulling the phone from my pocket, I see a ton of messages from Zander.
Zanders#1: 8 is perfect.
Zanders#1: We can even video chat, then I get to see your beautiful face ??
Zanders#1: ????
Zanders#1: Sierra, are you there?
Zanders#1: Sierra?
Me: Sorry I got caught up with stuff in the library. Umm, I don’t know about video chat.
Me: But 8 is good.
I power the phone off and place it in my bookbag. Staring out the window, I dream of what life would be like if I didn’t live here.
True to his word, Zander called me at eight on the dot.
We talked about our project for about forty-five minutes before I told him I had to go.
It was Sam’s bedtime, and she wanted me to tuck her in.
More like she wanted to sing that ridiculous kids’ song about kissing and babies in a carriage.
But then, after I tickled her for it, she begged me to read her a book, The Lightning Thief from the Percy Jackson Series.
We decided to read the series together and we’re currently on chapter twenty in this one.
Two more chapters to go. I read the last word on the page and glance over to see Sam barely able to keep her eyes open.
“Okay, that’s it for tonight. It’s time for bed.”
“Aww, Ci Ci,” she whines, “just one more chapter, please.”
“No, we’ll read another chapter tomorrow night.” I place a kiss on her forehead and make sure she’s tucked in before setting the book on her nightstand. Heading out, I flip the light off and pull the door behind me, leaving it cracked a little.
Walking into my room, I pick up the phone from where I put it on my bed to let it charge and see I have several text messages.
Zanders#1: I’m glad we got to talk and work on the project tonight.
Zanders#1: I was wondering if I could take you out to eat, maybe even go see a movie this weekend?
Zanders#1: It’s not a date, just two friends hanging out together and having fun.
Zanders#1: Unless you want it to be a date, then I am 100% on board.
Zanders#1: I really really hope you’re just busy with something and I haven’t scared you off. But just know I don’t scare easily.
Zanders#1: Ok well, I’m going to grab a shower. See you at school tomorrow.
I’m about to respond to him when the phone vibrates with an incoming message, only it’s not from Zander. At least, not from the number he programmed in the contacts.
Unknown: Hey Sierra, it’s Brax. Zan said he gave you his old phone, so I took a chance, hoping he never changed the number.
I just want to say I’m sorry I’ve been a dick to you since school started.
Guess fitting in seemed more important until I realized what the price of that was.
What happened with the pictures… umm… I’m sorry.
That was uncalled for. They went too far.
Unknown: I really want to start over with you. To go back to that day in the mall and begin again. I’d like to show you the person I really am and not the one you’ve been seeing.
Unknown: I don’t know if you’re reading these, too pissed off to answer or just letting it all sink in.
Just know that I really want to be your friend.
I fell for you that day and I still really like you.
Well, you have my number, so you can text me, or call me.
Just know I’m going to show you who I really am because I want to take you out on a date.
I’m not even sure how to describe how I’m feeling. I went from one guy wanting to take me out to his brother, admitting the same thing. Did Wesley put them up to this? The more I think about it, the angrier I get.
The fact that I’m attracted to both of them doesn’t help. Plus, the fear of Wesley’s threat looms over me like a dark cloud. He has to be the one behind this.
Me: Why are you messaging me? If this is just to play another fucking joke on me, then stop.
I’ve had enough of entitled assholes fucking with my life.
If this is because your brother gave me this phone so we can work on our assignment, then don’t worry, I’ll give it back tomorrow. I didn’t want it, anyway.
My body is vibrating with anger when I switch to Zander’s message thread and text him. I should have known this was all a joke. I should have seen it coming. No one is nice to me for no reason.
Me: If you thought pretending to be my friend so your brother could play a prank on me would get to me, you were wrong. Meet me tomorrow morning so I can give this phone back. I’m done with you and him. Fuck, I’m done with the whole damn school.
Fuck them all! I power off the phone, wrap the cord around it and toss it in my bookbag, seething the entire time. Worst of all, I’m mad at myself for letting my guard down.