Page 3 of His Brave Girl

When class starts, the coach informs us that we’ll be paired up for fitness level testing today and that it’s ladies’ choice. Meaning: us girls get to pick a guy to be our class partner for the day. Andlucky me, since I’m the new girl, I get to pick first.

I turn toward the group of guys and for the first time realize thathe’sin my class. Mr. Dark and Dangerous is staring right at me, watching me like a hawk. His eyes are focused on his prey, trying to lure me into temptation. He wants me to pick him. The silent message he’s sending isn’t missed. My first instinct is to go straight to him and drown myself in his heated attention. But that’s never going to happen. The way I’m feeling right now is the exact reason I need to choose someone else.

I scan the rest of the crowd, still feeling his eyes singeing my skin, but I’m desperately trying to ignore the pull to choose him. When I spot a boy standing off to the side, lonely and with a face already filled with rejection, I walk straight to him. He’s the one who knows he’ll be the last one picked. But not today. Today, he’s going to be the first one chosen.

As soon as I walk up to him, he practically starts to shake. His eyes look at me nervously, as his Adam’s apple bobs. Again, the reaction pains me. He’s another one who somehow managed to be alienated at no fault of his own. He can’t help the way he looks, or that he may not have the coolest taste in clothes. Whatever his circumstance is—rich, poor, smart, challenged, awkward, or normal—none of it should make him any less worthy of acceptance, less worthy of being included. Yet, I’m positive he’s another one always left out in the cold.

“Hey, would you mind being my partner?” I ask, hope radiating in my voice.

“Um… Yeah…um…sure.”

His stuttered answer has my stomach knotting with guilt. I hate that I’m making him nervous. “Thanks.” I lean in close. “Just promise you won’t tease me on my pull-ups. I can’t even do one.”

He looks at me and then looks down at himself. I know he sees the physical difference between us. He’s gangly and definitely wouldn’t be mistaken for an athlete, and me, well, I’ma dancer so my body is toned, sculpted to perfection from years of pouring my heart and soul into the only thing that’s kept me sane. But I wasn’t lying to him; I still suck at pull-ups.

He holds up his arm, showing me his lack of muscle. “I’m not one to make fun of anyone. I don’t even have biceps.”

A genuine smile lifts my cheeks. “Well, good. So, we’ll both be in good company with our zero scores then. I’m Presley, by the way.”

“I’m John.” He gives me a hesitant smile and nods, still watching me skeptically. I think he thinks that this is all some kind of joke. Like I’m playing a prank on him. I’m not. I wouldn’t do that. But I understand exactly why he feels that way. He’s probably a regular target of cruel jokes and evil pranks. And he’s probably wondering what I’m going to do to him during class to make him the butt of everyone’s joke.

I’ve never understood why people need to be bullies. To find a target and prey on the weak. If the Elite have looks, money, and everything they could ever want, then why do they need to tear someone else down? Why can’t they just appreciate all their gifts in life and leave people alone? But they don’t. In some sick and twisted way, it makes them feel better about themselves. It puts them on some kind of power trip.

Never once did I ever participate in the cruelties at my other schools, but… I didn’t do anything to stop them either. From now on, I’m going to do everything I can to stop someone who already feels uncomfortable in their own skin be humiliated and made to feel even worse about themselves. I’m going to protect the innocent from getting hurt. I’ll make myself the pin cushion. I’ll brave the pain for them. And hopefully, in the process, boost them up and make them realize they’re just as worthy as the rest of us.

We turn our attention back toward the class, and by no surprise, Mr. Dark and Dangerous was the second guy chosen.But his attention isn’t on his partner, the Elite girl, standing by his side. No, he’s watching me. His eyes locked on mine, and I’m caught like a fly in a spider’s web, struggling not to become his prey. The hairs raise on my arms. My body ignites like it’s on fire, and every part of me is clenched with need. And, if I don’t turn away now, I’ll be eaten alive. But it’s like pulling against gravity as I draw my attention back toward the rest of the class and watch as the girls make their picks.

Once the coach gives us our instructions and hands out the sheets to record our numbers on, we’re off. Every station John and I go to, the defeat hits his face before we even begin the exercise. And each time, I do my best to boost his morale and do something stupid or funny to loosen him up, eventually getting him to relax. Every exercise he does, he surprises himself and performs better than he expected. I honestly think he just needs to be pulled out of his own head and stop letting the negative image that has no doubt been drilled into him over the years hold him back. So that’s what I’m here for. I want him to stop doubting himself and be brave enough to face his fears.

“Okay, kids! Class is over. Turn in your sheets and head into the locker rooms.” The coach takes our papers and John turns to me right before we’re about to go our separate ways into our assigned locker rooms.

“Thanks,” he says, and the sincerity etched in his eyes squeezes my chest.

“Thank you, partner.” I smile. “And I’m telling you, John, by the end of the year, we’re both going to be able to do a pull-up.”

A huge smile splits his face. “Hell yeah. It’s a goal.” He nods, before practically strutting his way into the boy’s locker room. The confidence is already starting to show in his shoulders, and it brings a smile to my face. But that smile fades as I feel the intense stare at my back, the heat burning my nerves. I glance over my shoulder, and my instincts are proven right. Mr. Darkand Dangerous is stalking towards me with a look of pure determination on his face.

My feet fight to lock me in place, to keep me rooted in the spot so he can catch me, but I quickly gain control of my body and flee into the safety of the girl’s locker room right before he gets to me. Once inside, I take in the gasp of air I struggled to find while out in his presence. I need a moment to steady myself.

“Seriously, though, don’t you think it’s about time he had a girlfriend? I mean, don’t you think he gets tired of just fucking around and always being with different girls all the time? I just need to show him how much fun we could have if we were a couple. We’d be so great together.”

I want to tell the girl that she shouldn’t waste her time on whoever the guy is. All guys want to do is fuck around. If they can get sex on the regular, why would they want to tie themselves to one girl? Guys want to sample an assortment, not settle for one flavor. I’d love to point out the obvious, but I’m going to mind my own business and get changed out of my clothes.

“I love you, Whitney, but you know he’s never claimed a girlfriend before, and we’ve known him for years. I don’t think he’s magically going to change his mind. Besides, you know Cassie would ice you out if you even tried to get near him. She’s dead set on locking him down this year and will no doubt kill anyone who gets in her way of finally having him. I mean, for reals.”

My eyes roll as I head to the sink to wash my hands. God, it’s like déjà vu. Another queen has staked her claim, and if any of her minions cross her, she’ll socially destroy them. And they won’t just fall from the top gracefully, land themselves in another social group and be left to move on with their lives. They’ll be tormented until they want to withdraw from school and hide. The good news is…the guy doesn’t seem interested. Which is a bonus point for him. Because if he hasn’t alreadygiven into the ice queen, I’m guessing he doesn’t like her personality.

It also sounds like he’s only interested in a hookup, scoring him another point. Because at least he’s being honest about what his intentions are. He’s not trying to lead the girls on just so he can break their hearts. And he’s also being rational about the fact that settling down at eighteen is a ridiculous notion. Now, I’m wondering just who the guy is because he’s earned my respect.

CHAPTER 2

Presley

Iplace my books inside my locker and pull out my lunch. Then I finally check my phone. The thing was blowing up in my bag during World History, and I had a gritty feeling in my stomach, so I decided to wait until after class. As soon as I see the four missed calls from the prick, I wish I’d left my phone in my locker and ignored it entirely. The five text messages have me curious though, so I go ahead and open the first one.

Sarah:Did you see this yet?

I click on the attached image and a screenshot of Chelsea’s FB post pops up. It’s a picture of her and Maddock kissing. Honestly, I’m not surprised. I saw that one coming. Even knowing what he did, she still had that dreamy look in her eyes every time he walked into the room, so it was just a matter of time before they got together. What does surprise me though is that it doesn’t bother me. It doesn’t hurt like I thought it would, which hopefully means I’m getting over my broken heart.

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