Sierra
Chapter thirty-nine
Walking up the lawn to school, I’m suddenly rethinking why I felt I needed to do this. Just like normal, everyone huddles into their cliques and I can feel their eyes on me. I try not to think about what they’re whispering.
“It’s okay, babe. We’re right by your side,” Zander leans in and whispers in my ear, squeezing my hand.
“Did you just call me babe?”
“Sure did, and I can’t wait to kiss you at the end of our date tonight.” They couldn’t agree, so Cyrus decided they should pull straws, short straw wins, and that was Zander.
They questioned Cyrus why he didn’t pull a straw and he cockily said he didn’t need to since, for the time being, he got me all to himself at night. Personally, I think he enjoyed rubbing it in.
“You think there’s a kiss at the end?”
“I hope so,” he whispers, his breath dancing along the exposed skin on my neck, sending tingles down my spine.
“You can hope. I know I am when we go on ours.” My head spins to the left to see Braxton winking slyly at me.
Okay, he’s very presumptuous.
My eyes roam the groups standing outside, and I notice Savannah isn’t present. Nor are all her worshippers. It doesn’t escape my notice that Wesley isn’t present either.
“Are you sure you want to do this, Sierra?” Zander asks, giving my hand a squeeze and brushing his shoulder against mine. The contact makes me feel warm and fuzzy. “We can turn around and go back to your place, veg on the couch, and get to know each other.”
“Honestly, I’m not sure, but I need to do this. I’m not going to let them think they’re getting to me. I’m walking in that building with my head held high,” I say, trying to stay confident not only for them, but for me as well.
“We’re going to be right there with you every step of the way,” Zander reassures me.
“Let’s get this over with,” Colton growls as he steps in front of me and heads up the stairs to the front door of the school.
I give a smile. It’s forced, but I want them to believe I can do this.
Both Zander and Braxton squeeze my hands, and we follow behind Colton toward the den of Hell.
With each step I take, the pit in the bottom of my stomach becomes heavier. My hands become clammy and I can feel trickles of sweat rolling down my back and between my breasts.
Every fiber of my being is telling me to turn and run and never set foot in this place again. There’s only one problem—if I do that, then Wesley, Savannah and all the other assholes here in this school win.
“Here we go,” I mumble under my breath as Colton opens the door and takes his first step inside.
A hush takes over the hallway, all the chatter now deathly quiet as all eyes focus on the four of us. Mainly me. I go to pull my hands out of the guys’, but they hold me tighter, refusing to let go.
Colton turns around to face me. “Ignore them. You need to go to your locker?”
I can’t form a word, so I nod.
“Okay. Let’s go. Just keep your eyes on my back and tune them all out,” Colton tells me, turning back and taking strides down the hallway. I can’t see his face, but I can imagine the glares he’s giving those looking my way.
We make our way, Colton leading our path. I keep my eyes forward, focusing on the back of his head and the tiny little cowlick he has at the crown. I wonder if he even knows he has one there.
We make it to my locker without incident and I drop their hands.
I step over to my locker and begin spinning the dial slowly to each number of my combination, before the lock disengages.
I take hold of the handle and open the door, only to see it plastered with printed-out images from the video.
I can feel my stomach fall to my feet as the guys curse behind me.
I push the pain away, leaving them where they are, and pull out the books I need for my first classes, then shut the door. Taking a deep breath, I turn around, only to see Savannah and her posse smiling at me over Colton’s shoulder.
“I knew I smelled something fishy. The slut’s back. Made any new videos lately, Sierra.” Her nasally voice croons in delight, her face glowing. She loves hurting me and she knows this is.
“Come on, baby, let’s go to class. Forget about her,” Braxtons says as he takes the books from my hands, taking away the shield I was using to keep everything out. My only barrier.
Zander takes hold of my hand and Colton moves to my side. All simple things they’re doing, but I see the fire building in Savannah’s eyes as she watches. And when her eyes light up, I know she’s put the puzzle pieces together.
“Wow, Sierra, you are a slut. What? Was one dick at a time not good enough? Now you’re fucking all three of them.” She steps forward, raising her voice, as those in hearing distance start to laugh. “Listen up everyone. It seems Sierra’s taking applications. Just so you know, she likes group—”
“Shut your fucking mouth, Savannah. If anyone likes whoring themselves out, it’s you.
I want every one of you fuckers to know if you attempt to bully, demean or harass Sierra in any way, you’ll have me to answer to.
Does everyone understand?” Wesley growls as he walks toward us.
I’m not sure where he came from, but his face is hard as his eyes scan back and forth between Savannah and me.
“Wes, baby, what are you doing? Why are you defending that skank?” Savannah whines.
“I’m defending her because she’s not a whore.
She’s a victim. You, on the other hand, are a fucking monster, just like me and every other person in this school who did anything to her, all because I said to do it.
” He moves closer to me and I step back, not sure what he’s going to do.
“If anyone bothers you, let me know, Sierra, and I’ll handle it.
No one’s going to hurt you again. I promise. ”
He takes a step back and Braxton takes hold of my elbow, guiding me down the hallway with Colton and Zander close to us.
“Did that just happen?” I ask softly, still in disbelief.
“It did,” Braxton says under a muffled breath. “And I’m not sure if it’s legitimate or another way to fuck with you.”
Admittedly, I’m thinking the same thing. I pull my shoulders back and hold my head high as I plaster on an iron tight face of confidence. I’m not going to break. This school is not going to get the best of me.
The sound of heavy feet hit the floor, getting louder the closer they get. I want to run, but I don’t. The guys crowd closer, making a barricade around me as we turn the corner.
Every nerve in me is telling me I need to escape; there’s nothing but danger at this place. But I don’t.
I come to a dead stop, causing Zander to bump into me from where he moved behind me.
The momentum causes me to stumble forward, and my hands grip Colton’s waist as I crash into his back.
He wobbles for a moment, but quickly regains his balance.
My hands slip further around his waist and graze over his crotch, his very massive crotch.
Aww shit!
I quickly pull away, embarrassment consuming me as he turns to face me.
“Sierra! Sierra!” Wesley rounds the corner, breathing heavily, skidding to a halt when he sees us standing there. “Are you okay? I’m sorry about your locker. I’ll pull them down before you go to it again.”
“What?” I don’t even know how to respond to him.
“I’ll take down those pictures and burn them. I’m so sorry. I told her yesterday to leave you alone, but clearly, she didn’t listen. If anyone bothers—”
Colton takes hold of my shoulders, holding me steady as he moves me to the side gently so he can step around me.
“Wes, I don’t know what your game is, but stop.
If you want to do something for Sierra, then get your sheep in line.
Because if the bullying continues, I’m going to end it, and I’m starting with you.
Your family has done enough to hurt Sierra.
When she wants to talk to you, if she does, then she’ll let you know.
Until then, leave her alone and keep your distance. ”
“Fuck you, Colt! You didn’t do anything to help her before, so why now?”
“Because I was an idiot who followed you blindly when I shouldn’t have. My only regret isn’t that I bullied her—I never did that—but that I stood back and watched it happen. What I will do now is protect Sierra. And if she never forgives me? I can live with that. Can you?”
“Sierra, please can I talk to you?” Wesley begs me, and I can see the pain in his face, but I don’t have it in me to talk to him and get through the day.
“No. I need to get to class.” I reach out and put my hand on Colton’s arm. “Can you take me?” For some reason, I think he wants to get away from Wesley as much as I do.
“Yeah, let’s go.” He doesn’t take my hand, or try to pressure me to be closer to him. He simply walks beside me, giving me the comfort I need.
I look back over my shoulder and see Braxton and Zander squaring up against Wesley. They’re talking but I can’t make out what they’re saying from the side, but by the stern look on their faces it’s not good.
“Here we are!” Colton announces as we stop in front of my homeroom. I hesitate for a moment, not wanting to go in there because I know I’ll be alone. Well, Wesley will be there.
“I can come in there if you want. Fuck them if they try to kick me out.” He reaches out, sliding the hair that fell into my face behind my ear.
The tips of his fingers graze the rim of it.
“I mean it, Sierra. I’m going to spend my life making it up to you for not standing up for you and doubting you are anything more than the angel you are.
Whether you ever want to be with me or not will not change that. ”
“Thank you, Colton, for not pressuring me, and giving me time to get to know you.” I smile, feeling the heat on my face as I look at him. “Guess I should get inside.”
“One of us will be here to get you at the end of class. Just wait for us.” He hesitates for a moment, then smiles widely before turning and heading back to where Braxton and Zander are still standing with Wesley.