Page 2 of Hidden Truths

Dean Maddison isn’t quite six feet tall. He’s got short gray hair, the brightest blue eyes that are completely crystal clear, and a neatly trimmed beard. The few times I’ve seen him on campus, he’s always wearing a suit that looks as if he just put it on. There are no wrinkles, stains, or anything covering the rich material. And, he’s always smiling. I don’t think I’ve ever seen the man without a smile on his face so far. I’m sure it happens, but it’s not normal for him. He actually makes me feel at ease with how genuine and open he appears to be. It’s rare for me to feel like that around anyone since losing my dad.

I take the seat across the desk from Dean Maddison as he sits down and pulls a folder in front of him. Opening it up, he scans a few papers inside before closing it once more and linking his fingers together in front of him.

“Miss Moore, it seems you were quite an excellent student in high school. Not only did you have the highest GPA in your class, but you work an almost full-time job, take care of your brother, and tutor other students during the day. I honestly don’t know how you get everything done,” Dean Maddison praises me as a blush covers my skin from the praise I’m not used to receiving from anyone lately.

“I don’t have any other choice but to get everything done. I don’t have to just consider myself when I’m thinking out what I’m going to do or what needs to be done,” I tell him honestly as he stares at the cuts on my face.

“I see. You know I’m here for you to talk to about anything at all. It doesn’t have to be school related. I can help in all sorts of situations or find someone who knows what to do,” Dean Maddison states as he continues to stare at me, that knowing look in his eyes as he takes in the damage that’s been done to me by my mother.

“I’m okay. I had an accident because I’m so clumsy. It’s not a big deal,” I lie to him, averting my eyes so he doesn’t see the lie.

No, I’m not a good liar and I know this. I hate having to lie to anyone, but the reason for my cuts and bruises isn’t something I’ll willingly share with anyone. The less attention I’m paid, the better I’ll be because I refuse to leave my brother alone in this world if I don’t have to. Every single beating and ounce of pain I feel is worth it to ensure Vinnie is protected and I can watch over him.

“Well, I wanted to sit down and talk to you about tutoring students here,” Dean Maddison says, changing the conversation and making me happy. “I have a student already that needs help in math in order to stay on the football team. He just transferred here from New York and needs the extra help in math and English. Do you think you’ll be able to fit him into your schedule?”

“Since this is just starting for me, I don’t see why I wouldn’t be able to help him out. I don’t know how I’d contact him about setting up a meeting though,” I say, unsure if I’m happy about this or wanting to have time to get in a routine before I start tutoring anyone.

“He’s actually supposed to be here any second. I’ll introduce the two of you and you can take it from there. Now, I know in high school you didn’t get paid for the help you gave other students. That’s not the case here. You are more than welcome to charge for helping anyone you tutor. The price is up to you. If someone doesn’t want to pay it, you don’t have to work with them. Everything is your decision to make, Miss Moore,” Dean Maddison assures me as if he knows that nothing in my life is my decision any longer.

“Thank you,” I say just as a knock sounds on the door.

Dean Maddison gets up and answers it. Turning in my seat, I find a very good looking guy standing in the doorway. He looks at me with a smile on his face. His smile lights up the room but I don’t feel any flutters or anything. When I get just a glimpse of the guys who shall not be named, they make me feel things I didn’t believe I’d ever feel when it comes to guys. He’s over six feet tall and muscles for days. I’ve never seen a guy with so many muscles in my life. Especially not someone in college. There’s also tattoos on his tan skin where his tee-shirt doesn’t cover his arms. Though, it’s his eyes that suck me in. This guy has light gray eyes that are almost silver. I’ve never seen a person with the same color eyes as him. I can’t pull myself away from staring at them.

“Miss Moore, I’d like to introduce you to Brock Hopkins. Mr. Hopkins, this is Arabella Moore. Based on her transcripts, I believe she’d be the best person to help you. I know classes are just starting today, but your assessments weren’t good in math and English and we need to keep you passing if you want to remain on the football team,” Dean Maddison explains to us while leading Brock in the room as they both take seats.

“I’ll take all the help I can get. Math and English have always been my problem classes,” Brock says, offering me another smile.

“Well, I can help you with those. Um, I don’t know how this is supposed to work here with everything else I have going on outside of classes,” I tell him, trying not to stare in his eyes again.

“Whenever you have the time we can meet and go over whatever you feel I need to work on. Are there certain days that work better for you?” Brock returns, not once losing the smile.

“Not really. The only time I can meet is between classes here. I have long breaks on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Other than that I have early days and won’t be on campus once my last class is done for the day. We can meet in the library for your sessions,” I say, looking at the Dean for confirmation.

“Yes. The library has study rooms that are private and you won’t be disturbed,” he informs us. “You are welcome to reserve one for each semester so that no one is allowed to be in there during the times you’ve got it reserved. If you want to do that today for the semester, you should. That way you always know there’s a room available and you don’t have to contend with other students in the rest of the library.”

“Sounds good to me. As long as your break is earlier in the day, I can make those days work. I have practice every day and games on the weekends. The only time I won’t be able to make a Thursday session is if we have to travel out of town for a game. Other than that, I’d like to book all three days with you. At least until you feel I don’t need as much help. I’ll pay whatever you want. By the hour or session. It doesn’t matter to me. I just want to play football and I’m willin’ to put in the hard work needed to pass these classes,” Brock says, not losing his smile as he remains looking at me.

This guy must be the happiest person in the world. Or he’s a very good actor. I can’t figure out why he’d be smiling at me for any reason. If he plays football, that means he knows three of the jerks I used to call my best friends. I’m sure they’ve all talked shit about me as normal. I’ve heard it all. Not directly from them because that would mean having to get close. Something I vowed I’d never do again.

“Okay.”

Pulling out my schedule I show it to Brock and we plan on meeting today in the library as soon as I’m done with my second class of the day. He’s also got a break and will have both classes before we meet. It will give me a chance to go over the syllabus and find out if he’s been given any homework in the class. If he has, we can work through it and I can figure out what his main problem areas are. Filling him in on this, he agrees and we both stand, saying goodbye to the Dean, before leaving the office.

Brock remains at my side as we make our way to our first classes. He only leaves when his building comes into view. With a hesitant wave to him, I make my way into my own class to start my day. I’m already exhausted and ready for a nap. Unfortunately, I don’t see one happening for me anytime soon.

Bullies

Arabella

I’VE BEEN AT school now for two weeks. I’ve managed to get a pretty good routine down between my classes and tutoring Brock three days a week. He comes in and works his ass off on his assignments and listens when I talk to him. I work with him through a few problems and Brock catches on to what he’s supposed to be doing. It’s not hard helping him at all. I honestly have a good time when we’re studying. Plus, it gives me a chance to work on my own homework while he’s working on his. It saves me time when I’m not at school so I have less to do at home. This gives me more time with my brother so I don’t have to work when he’s sleeping.

There are only two dark spots on any day I have classes. Seeing the guys and running into the people who bullied me throughout high school. Karmen is still here and ruling over the same idiots that followed her lead all these years. I don’t know if it’s because she has dirt on them or what, but it’s like we’re still in high school. Thankfully, nothing too bad has been done to me yet. I’m still waiting for that bomb to go off. Seeing the guys around campus every now and then always makes a sharp pain fill my chest. They’re always laughing, happy, and surrounded by a ton of other students. Mainly girls. It’s not surprising considering that’s how it’s always been with them.

Everyone is drawn to the five boys who once were my entire world. Witnessing them living their lives happy as if I never meant anything to them always lodges the dagger just a little deeper into my chest. Now, I have the added worry of if they’re going to do anything because of me saving Fallon when the old gas station was on fire. I don’t know how they’re going to come at me. Or if they even will. All I know is I’m not ready to see them on a daily basis because my walls have been so shattered by my mother that I can’t continually build them up against all of the people against me here. There’s just too many people I have to look out for and it’s exhausting.

Honestly, I’m surprised Brock is still getting help from me. He’s popular already and plays football with Fallon, Dash, and Braxtyn. I’m sure they’re filling his head with all sorts of things about me. None of them are good either. No one ever has a good word to say about me. They don’t know me, but they don’t give a shit either. So, I keep my head down and wait for Brock to tell me he’s done with his tutoring sessions.

I sit in the library when I’m not in class or working with Brock to see if anyone else will come to me for tutoring. There’s only two other people I’ve seen offering any availability for it. Everyone goes to them and avoids me like the plague. I’m used to it. One of the girls shouldn’t be tutoring at all. She doesn’t do her own work and I have a feeling this is some game to her in order to meet guys. She tried to do it in high school and the principal quickly caught on to what she was doing and put an end to it. The guy, I don’t know at all and I’ve never seen him in High Point.

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