Page 82 of Fighting the Odds

“I knew it was wrong, Sierra. Then when I started to question Wes, he told me about how you betrayed him, never any specifics, but just that I should be glad my dad was gay if you were going to be around him. That day when you and Sam were at the house, I let his words get to me and made up in my head that you were flirting with him. I was such a fucking idiot. There are no words I can say to make up for all I did to you. But I want to try my damndest.”

He sits there quietly, waiting for me to speak.

I open my mouth a few times, but I’m unable to form the words that are vividly dancing in my mind.

He’s pouring his heart out to me, asking for forgiveness, but not pressuring me to give it. Maybe there’s some truth in what he’s saying.

“Colton, thank you. I know it’s hard for you to say this and I appreciate it. When I first saw you, after I realized you weren’t your brother,”—we both chuckle—“I was attracted to you. But then you became just like everyone else. Having people bully you, and not knowing why, is hard as hell. Then when someone arrives at school who should accept you without prejudice and they don’t, sucks. I can’t forget what’s happened between us, but I can give you a chance to show me who you are and then we can see where it goes.”

“I can live with that.” The corners of his mouth curl up and his face brightens as if a heavy load has been lifted.

“Let’s start over. Hi, I’m Sierra.” I stick out my hand, waiting for him to shake it.

“Colton, the new guy at school. You may have seen an identical version of me running around here. Just so you know, I’m the more handsome, athletic one. Also, I’m the one most likely to stick my foot in my mouth and act like an idiot.” He takes my hand in his, gripping it gently.

“Come to think of it, I have seen someone who looks like you running around here. I even met him before school started and thought you were him ignoring me in class.” I laugh, placing my hand over my heart in mock shock.

“Don’t worry, I’m the better model.” Colton winks, and my stomach flutters. But I won’t let him in that easily. He still needs to work for it. He has to prove to me he’s here for me and fuck what everyone else thinks.

“Tell me about yourself, Colton.”

“Well, I love that you use my full name. I like the way it sounds coming out of your mouth. I’m scared of clowns, especially that creepy one from the book they turned into a movie, but I’ll never admit it to anyone. I cry every time I watch A Walk to Remember. I’ll deny it if you tell anyone. Green is my favorite color and I love pasta. One day I want to play professional football and run a camp for foster children.”

“That’s so sweet. I love that you want to give back to children who were in the same situation as you. And well, I’ll try not to spill the beans on you being a crybaby.”

We sit and laugh as he tells me more about himself and how Sam is doing. He fills me in on all the things they’ve been doing, from the water gun fights to him letting her paint his toenails. He even showed me the bright pink color she painted on them last night.

Before we know it, the guys are walking back in the door with a pizza in hand. I glance over at the clock and see it’s been an hour and a half since they left. It was nice getting to know the real Colton. I just hope he doesn’t disappear when he’s back around everyone at school.

“Who’s hungry?” Cyrus calls out as he heads into the kitchen.

“Me!” I shout. “Two slices please, and a Pepsi.”

“I got you, baby,” Cyrus hollers from the kitchen right before he steps out with two plates in his hands. Braxton follows close behind with four drinks carefully held in his hands and Zander carrying three plates of pizza with the skill of a veteran waitress.

We all sit around the coffee table and begin eating. It’s oddly nice—comforting. But something’s missing or rather someone; Sam.

“Sierra, I can get your school work tomorrow and bring it to you,” Zander tells me around a mouthful of food.

I set my slice of pizza down and stare at him in confusion. “Why would you need to do that? I’m going to school tomorrow.”

“Sierra,” Cyrus says my name so strongly that my gaze shoots to him.

“What?” I ask.

“Please don’t tell me you're going there. Not after what happened today. It’s the last place you need to be.” I love how Cyrus cares about me and my mental health. It’s going to be hard to walk in there and show my face, but I have to.

“I’m going. If I don’t, I won’t ever go back. They’re not going to break me. I’m going to march in there with my head held high. What they saw on the video was someone violating me and if they use it to harass and degrade me, then they’re lower than pond scum and deserve every bad thing that happens to them in life.”

“Then if you’re going back, we’ll be right by your side. Let someone open their mouth and say anything. I’ll fucking end them,” Colton says through clenched teeth.

“So will we,” Braxton adds and Zander nods in agreement.

I pick up my slice and take another bite, a string of cheese trailing down my chin as I pull it away.

“Since we have that settled and I know these knuckleheads have my number on speed dial if something happens, let’s plan our dating schedule. We need our individual ones and some as a group,” Cyrus says. I know once the guys leave, he’s going to try to talk me out of school tomorrow. It won’t work, though.

“Well, I still think I should go first. I met her first, therefore I get to go first. Tomorrow works for me, providing Dad doesn’t ground us for skipping school today.” Braxton stands, presenting his case.

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