Page 92 of I Don't Need Your Protection
“The very same. But it’s not a coincidence that he and I started school on the same day. Or that he doesn’t have any friends. The only reason he’s here is because of me.”
Forget looking puzzled—they look bewildered beyond belief.
“So…there’s something about me that you don’t know,” I admit, hugging Ellie again and praying they won’t be hurt or upset with me. “My real name isn’t Addie Nelson. It’s Addilyn Hayes. And up until two months ago, I had a normal life just like everyone else. My parents…” I swallow the lump in my throat. “I had two parents. But two months ago, they died and I was put in a group home.”
Carly’s hands shoot to her mouth. “Oh my gosh! I’m so sorry.”
Raven and Sophie say the same.
I smile sadly. “Thanks. My parents were unbelievable people. I miss them so much.” I wipe away a tear that slides down my cheek. “But a month after they died, I found out I had a grandfather. A grandfather who is the richest man in the country. His name is Nathaniel Bradshaw. I gather you heard of him?”
They gape at me like I told them I’m the daughter of a royal family. Which in their eyes, I guess I kind of am.
“He brought me to his house, but the thing is, I couldn’t live with him. My life is in danger.”
“Danger?” Carly gasps.
“Yeah. Apparently, my grandfather has made some enemies over the years and…” Fresh tears fill my eyes and spill down my cheeks. “They killed my parents.”
“Oh mygosh.” Carly leaps from her seat and flings her arms around me. “That’s so terrible.”
Sophie and Raven wrap their arms around us as well, creating a best friend sandwich that brings me more comfort than I felt in two months. Minus Caleb, of course.
We remain like this for a short while, with them showering me with love and comfort and me soaking in as much as I can. Eventually, they return to their seats. I rub my forehead when I feel a sudden throb.
“You okay?” Carly asks.
“Yeah, just a slight headache. There’s more to the story, ifyou want to hear.”
“Whatever you want to share with us,” Sophie says.
“Yeah, we have your back one thousand percent,” Raven adds.
“We’re here for you,” Carly says.
I give them a thankful nod. “My dad and his father were estranged for years. That’s why I never heard about him or met him. When my grandfather found out I existed, he immediately got me out of the group home and took me to his house. But he wanted to put me in hiding right away, before my parents’ murderers could find out where I was. So he enrolled me here at Harrington Bay Academy, and he hired someone to be my bodyguard. Some of the security guards around the school are hired by my grandfather, too. A few are undercover.”
Carly blinks at me. “So the hottie Caleb is your bodyguard?”
I nod. “He’s our age, but he’s pretending to be a student here. He’s been staying in my room all this time, always watching over me. I found him super annoying at first, but I’ve come to rely on him so much. And he saved my life last night. I’m sure I would have died if he hadn’t found me.”
They gape at me and then each other, as though they can’t believe what they just heard. Like it’s from a movie or something.
“I know it’s a lot,” I say. “But I don’t want to lie to you anymore. I trust you guys with my life and know you will keep my secret. That is, if you still want to be my friend. I understand if you’re upset that I lied to you.”
“I could never!” Carly says. “I understand this was a matter of life and death. It’s not like you knew you would become friends with us or that you could trust us. Obviously, you had to do whatever you needed to stay safe. I’m not mad at you at all.”
“Me neither,” Sophie says. “And you didn’t really lie to us. You’re stillyou. You just happen to be the granddaughter of the richest guy in America. But that doesn’t change who you are. You’ve always been real to us.”
“Same with me,” Raven assures me. “From what I gather, the person you are with us is the person you were before you found out who your grandfather was, so you were never lying to us. And we love you.”
I smile once again as fresh tears fill my eyes. “You have no idea how much this means to me. And you’re right—the person I truly am is the person I am with you. I don’t know what will happen after my parents’ killers are caught and I no longer have to hide. I’m sure my grandfather would want me to start living as an heiress, whatever that means. I just hope I don’t lose myself in the process.”
Carly grins. “We’ll make sure that doesn’t happen. Because the world needs you just as awesome as you are.”
I stand and wrap my arms around them, once again thanking them for being so understanding.
“So is Caleb guarding outside your room?” Raven asks.
