Page 59 of Collision
His presence will only make things worse. And he knows it. Maybe that’s exactly why he’s here; to needle Travis, and fully relish his defeat. I tilt my head and glare at him, as if to say, “What the hell did you come here for?” But he doesn’t reciprocate. His whole attention is on Travis. He stares straight into his eyes.
“Everything’s fine. You can go,” I say hastily, doing my best not to stutter. I really don’t need to witness a second fight between these two.
“What the fuck do you want?” Travis snaps after a moment of hesitation.
“She doesn’t want you to touch her, asshole.” Thomas inches toward him, and I instinctively block him, grabbing him by the arm.
Travis shifts his sharp gaze to me. “Are you going to let him defend you now?”
“I’m not letting anyone defend me!”
“Then explain why I’m looking at him right now!”
“I don’t know!”
“You sure? Because I’m beginning to understand,” he says mockingly.
Panic takes over my body.
Travis looks at Thomas and then immediately back at me, staring at me pensively for what feels like the longest second of my life. Something in his face changes, as if he has just solved a riddle. “You’ve really hit rock bottom, haven’t you?”
“Excuse me?”
“You let this asshole fuck you!” he shouts in front of everyone with a disgusted grimace on his face, and I am paralyzed.
“Travis, you’re out of your mind!” Tiffany lashes out at her brother, yanking him back roughly.
“What is he talking about, Vanessa?” asks Alex, baffled.
“N-no…” My voice shakes, and I pray that Thomas doesn’t embarrass me in front of everyone.
“Do you think I’m stupid? You’re wearing his shirt! I spent the night worrying about you, and you were hooking up with him? I can’t believe it.” Travis runs a hand over his face, red with anger. “Did you want to be one of his whores or were you just looking for someone experienced so you could work on your subpar skills?” he rants hatefully. My heart skips a beat. My tears well up, blurring my vision.
“You are such a son of a bitch.” Thomas is about to lunge at him, but Alex gets between them in time to avert catastrophe.
“Everyone, calm down,” he orders sharply. “Vanessa, you’re leaving with us now.” He takes my hand gently, as if I were some delicate crystal ornament ready to crumble at his touch. And he keeps talking, giving Travis a threatening look. “From now on, you will stay away from her. And you are done mocking her.” Travis is motionless. I know him well enough to realize that he is repentant. But I won’t let him manipulate me again.
“You are such a disappointment,” Tiffany whispers, with tears in her eyes. It is so rare to see her cry.
“Okay, guys, show’s over!” shouts Alex irritably, addressing the students who have crowded into the garden. Then he leads me away, while Tiffany wraps an arm around my shoulder.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t think it would go that far.” She holds me tightly and I lean on her shoulder as I try to push back the tears and soothe the pain and shame that I feel.
But we don’t make it to the exit before Thomas comes after us. Alex and Tiffany turn their heads in surprise, and I can’t help but wonder why he keeps following me. Why can’t he just leave me alone?
Alex stands between me and him and puts his hand on Thomas’s chest. In response, Thomas looks down at the other boy’s fingers. “Move it,” he orders with a clenched jaw.
“Vanessa doesn’t need any more messed-up people in her life,” my friend says, but Thomas is not even listening. His green eyes are fixed on me and they scrutinize me intently. “She’ll be fine,” Alex adds, sensing his thoughts. “We’re with her, her friends. Her family. She doesn’t need anything else,” he concludes.
“You done?” Thomas silences him with a raised eyebrow. “Now move over.”
“No, dude, I know your game, and I’m not letting you do it.”
Alex is immovable.
“Fine, I’ll bite: what’s my ’game’?” Thomas crosses his arms over his chest, looking down at him.
“You took advantage of her at her weakest moment. Low, even for someone like you.”
