Page 12 of Silent Desires

“When class is over, wait here, and either Tuck or one of the twins will come get you, okay?” he asks. I shake my head. This is the last class, and I know I’ve got to get home as fast as possible, I can’t wait around for one of them to show up.

He frowns at me, obviously confused why I won’t wait, so I tap my wrist, where a watch would be. “Time?” I nod and he continues. “Oh, you have to go home after class?” I nod. “Well, not to worry. One of us can drive you home, so you’ll still get home quickly.” He smiles at me as if he solved the problem. “See you later.” He quickly turns and leaves before I can figure out how to communicate with him that his plan won’t work.

I still can’t wait around. They can’t drive me home, if my mother saw someone dropping me off, it would be really bad. I’ll have to make a hasty exit as soon as class is over and try to avoid them so they don’t force a ride on me, as I don’t think I’ll be able to say no to any of them.

I sit at the edge of the bleachers, about halfway up, where I think I won’t be noticed by the other students. I see Tucker setting up some things on the field. He looks up like he’s searching the bleachers for something.Or someone.When he sees me, I can see a smile on his face and he waves his hand. I lift mine slightly to return his greeting. He goes back to what he’s doing, and soon he’s joined by a bunch of students. I watch as they toss around different-shaped balls and run up and down the field, doing things in pairs or small groups. Even though they’re not doing much, I know I won’t be able to do any of it easily. I’ve had such little exercise in my life, I probably have no muscle or stamina. Being locked in a basement will do that to you. I sigh and wonder if my life will ever get any easier.

I notice students heading inside and realize class is almost over. I see Tucker is talking to a couple of students with his back to me and take the opportunity to make my way down the bleachers. I decide going around the school will be easier and faster, plus I’ll avoid bumping into anyone.

With about five minutes to spare, I jog up my driveway. I might not get exercise anywhere else, but my jogs home from school are definitely going to help with my stamina, if nothing else. I pant heavily as I take my shoes off and head through the kitchen, smiling when I notice a bowl of macaroni and cheese on the counter. I look around, not sure if it’s for me or not and wait for another minute, unsure what to do. I really need to eat, especially since I threw up everything I ate at lunch.

“Mina, are you home?” I hear her before I see her. She gives me the evil eye as she comes into the kitchen, as if trying to find fault with me. When her eyes narrow, I know I’ve done something wrong. “You stupid girl, you took your braids out!” she growls. Terror grips me when I realize I forgot to put them back in my hair before I came home.Stupid!

“I’m feeling generous today. You can still have dinner, but you get one lashing. Where do you want it, your back?” She says it so casually you’d think she’s asking me what I want for dinner. I don’t want it on my back, I won’t be able to reach it to clean it, and with having to wear a backpack everyday it would be painful and hard to heal. I don’t have much choice. I point to my stomach.

“Alright, take your school clothes off. Gotta keep them clean,” she chuckles darkly. I know the drill. I pull them off and stuff them in my backpack for an easy getaway after. I stand with my back against the wall, placing my arms over my face, keeping them well away from my stomach. I made the mistake of leaving them at my sides once, and the belt marked them as well.

Squeezing my eyes shut tight, knowing it’s best not to see it coming, I hear her footsteps and the tinkling of the belt buckle. As soon as I start to wonder if she’s actually going to do it, I feel the sting across my stomach. It takes all I have not to bend over in pain, knowing that action will probably get another lashing on my back.

“Go,” she says calmly, then I hear her cross the kitchen and drop the belt back in the drawer she keeps it in.

I let out a breath as I drop my arms and quickly grab the bowl and my backpack and start heading for the basement door. Her voice halts my steps. “Oh, and if you make that mistake again, I’ll have Jeff show up in the middle of the night to give you your punishment.” She gives me a sadistic grin, then walks towards me. I quickly head down the steps, hearing the door slam and lock behind me.

I place my bag and dinner on my bed before looking at my new wound. It’s an angry-looking welt, about ten inches, angled across my torso between my stomach and chest. There is a thin slice through it, but it’s barely bleeding, thankfully. I grab a gauze bandage and wrap it around my torso, wishing I had some sort of antiseptic cream to put on it first.

I decide to check the wound on my arm. But as I unwrap it, the pain increases tremendously. The worst part is how hot it feels. When I finally have a good look at it, I see a small amount of pus leaking from it.Gross.I sigh. I need money, a way to get to the drugstore, and time to get there. I have none of those things. What a disaster. I wrap it back up and eat my dinner slowly, afraid it will make me throw up again, it’s not difficult since it tastes horrible.

Eventually, I lay down and finally fall asleep, trying to devise a plan to get medication and coming up with nothing. I have to hope that if I stay on my mother’s good side, she will get me antibiotics, eventually.

Chapter seven

The next morning thankfully goes just like the previous one, with the added bonus of my mother giving me a granola bar for breakfast. As I get close to school, I remove my braids and wonder where I’m supposed to go. I guess I should go to math class with Max, but I’m not sure I can actually walk in there without him.

There seem to be a few more students around this morning, probably because I took five minutes longer getting here today. I’m tired, and the wound on my stomach pulls with each step, so I found myself going slower to reduce the pain. Keeping my eyes down, I head inside, hoping to go unnoticed.

As I turn toward the hall where my math class is, a hand forcefully pushes my bad shoulder, backing me into a locker and pinning me in place. My heart hammers in my chest as I look up and see the grinning face of Brad. Oh God... him again? He leers at me and licks his lips as he steps in close, his body basically holding mine against the lockers. My hands shoot up to his chest to push him back, but he’s huge compared to me and I’m unable to move him even an inch.

“Hey babe, how’s my girl doing?” I keep my eyes focused on my fingers pushing at his chest. He uses one of his hands to tilt my chin up so I have to look at him and whatever he sees in my eyes has hisgrin growing into a full-blown smile. My breath starts coming in short pants as I try to catch my breath, I don’t like being this close to him, I don’t want to be anywhere near him, but as I try to push harder, he just chuckles like my attempt to escape amuses him.

“Come on, babe, tell me what you want me to do.” He has me pegged, I think he knows I can’t speak to verbally protest his advances. I shake my head rapidly while still trying to push him off me.

“Aww, you’re shy, huh? Well, don’t worry. I know what you need and I’m here to make everything better now. Come on, let’s go to the caff, and I’ll let you sit on my lap.” Is that supposed to be some sort of privilege? His hands, which are on my shoulders, start to curl around them, peeling me off the locker. I shake my head faster, and my breathing starts to pick up even quicker. I feel a panic attack coming on and have no space to deal with it here.

My eyes widen when a hand reaches over his shoulder and grabs his wrist, yanking it backward and turning him to face a fuming Jasper, who is now standing beside him, his face a mask of fury and anger. Hoping he’s here to help me, I let out a breath of relief.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing, grabbing her like that? It’s fucking clear she’s telling you no, so back off, and if I see you so much as talk to her again, my fist is going to have a conversation with your face!” Jasper yells, practically baring his teeth in anger.

Brad looks at him with frustration and agitation. “Dude, calm down, she’s my girlfriend. And she likes it a little rough.” Brad turns his face to me with a smirk. My eyes widen in fear, how was I supposed to tell Jasper that he’s lying?

“Really, Brad? She said no yesterday. You think that trick is going to work any better today?” Jasper asks, glaring daggers at Brad.

“Fuck off, this doesn’t concern you. After I met her, I knew we’d be great together. I told her she’s my girl, and she agreed.” He lies so easily it scares me, and the smile he gives me terrifies me. I shake my head, looking at Jasper with panic.Oh God, is he going to believe him?

Jasper’s eyes bore into mine and I beg him to understand. I have no idea what he’s thinking, and I pray to whatever god is out there that he doesn’t believe Brad.

He turns to Brad as he calmly asks, “if she’s your girlfriend, tell me, what’s her name?” My heart leaps up to my throat. He doesn’t know it… does he?

Brad’s mouth opens, then he freezes, and I can literally see him trying to remember if he knows it. His hand, still on my shoulder, loosens, so I take my chance and pull myself away from him and fly toward Jasper. He opens his arms for me, and I plaster myself to his side, gripping his white dress shirt tightly while he curls one arm gently around my upper shoulders.

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