Page 2 of Cheering For The Castaway (Rejected 1)

Chapter 1

Bailey

“Oh my gosh, here they come. I swear, I would sell my soul to the Devil for a chance with just one of them,” my friend Chloe says, grabbing my arm as she drools over them.

The TT Misfits.

Or trailer trash misfits, as everyone else likes to call them, stroll through the halls of Lee Adams High school like they own the place.

Which, in all honesty, they kind of do. Everyone clears the halls when they come through. No one goes near the small hall of lockers they claimed their freshmen year and never changed, and they even have their own bathroom. No one officially says it’s theirs, but no one will dare go in there, not even teachers. I duck my head and try not to steal a glance at them. Well, one of them in particular—Alec Harrison.

I’ve had the biggest crush on Alec since the second grade. Billy, the star quarterback and overall asshole, pushed me off the swing set so he and his friends could have a turn. That’s when Alec came over while I was wiping the tears away and helped me up. He dusted off my knees, then walked over to Billy and punched him square in the face. He got suspended, but I never forgot what he did for me. He’s never even spoken a word to me, and there’s no way he knows I exist, but I still can’t help the feelings he brings out in me.

“Shit, anyway, you gonna be at the party tonight after the football game? Malcolm’s been asking a lot about you,” Chloe says, wiggling her eyebrows, but it just makes me want to throw up.

“I don’t think so. My dad’s gonna be home tonight, and I think my mom wants to do a movie night,” I tell her, and she rolls her eyes.

“You have to be the most boring person on the planet. You are the most popular person in school and could have any guy you want. Your parents let you do whatever you want, and you would rather stay at home and have a movie night with them,” she says, like it’s impossible to believe.

I have an amazing relationship with my parents. They trust me because I never give them a reason not to. Truth is, I would rather spend time with my parents than go to a party where people are, drinking, smoking, and doing god knows what else. It makes me uncomfortable. It doesn’t help that guys think they have the right to touch me without permission. Plus, the girls give me death glares because they would die for that attention. It’s way more fun and a lot less drama to stay at home.

“Sorry. We don’t get to hang out a lot with my dad’s work schedule,” I tell her, shutting my locker and turning to head to class.

“Yeah, sure, whatever you say, Bailey. I’ll see you around,” Chloe says, walking away. She makes sure to sway her hips in her cheer uniform so that all the guys turn to look at her butt. I’m the complete opposite. I ever wear my cheer sweats under my skirt while in school. I don’t like the stares like Chloe. I make my way to class, ready for tonight’s game.

“You sure you’re not gonna come to the party, even for a little bit?” Julian, one of the girls on my cheer team, asks, climbing in the convertible Mustang she and three other girls are taking to the party. We just walked off the football field after a major win, and I’m ready to go home.

“No, I’m gonna head home. You guys have fun.” I wave to them as they drive off. I continue walking to my Volvo, parked under one of the closest lamp lights in the parking lot.

“Bailey, wait up,” Billy calls, breaking from his laughing friends and heading my way. I roll my eyes, not wanting to talk to him, but my manners get the best of me.

“What’s up, Billy?” I ask, still heading to my car.

“You want to ride with me to the party? My trucks right over there,” he says, pointing a few cars down.

“No, I’m heading home,” I tell him.

“Oh, come on, let loose for once. Come, hang out,” Billy says, sounding exasperated.

“No. Thanks. But I hope you guys have fun,” I say, so he gets the hint as I finally make it to my car.

“For fuck’s sake, Bailey,” Billy growls, grabbing my arm. I look up at him, trying to jerk my arm free, but his hold is bruising.

“Everyone else seems to know you’re mine, except you. What’s it going to take to convince you of that fact, too?” he asks, walking me back until I’m pressed between his body and my car. I can feel his hard crotch at my stomach, and it makes me gag.

“Get away from me,” I say, trying to shove his chest, but he doesn’t move an inch.

“Come on, baby. Just a taste.” He leans down, and I can hear his buddies hooting and hollering by their cars.

“She said get away from her. Why don’t you back the fuck up?” a masculine voice says from beside us.

“Why don’t you mind your own fucking…” Billy starts, but a fist comes flying at his face before he can finish his sentence.

“When a woman says no, that means fucking no. I better not see you touch her again, or a busted lip will be the least of your worries,” Alec says, kicking Billy once more before turning to me. All I hear is what sounds like grunts coming from the direction of Billy’s friends, and when I look over, I see all the Misfits kicking their asses as well.

“Th—Thank you,” I stutter, still shaking from Billy’s assault.

“Are you okay to drive home, Doll?” he asks me, and I nod my head yes. He reaches toward me, opening my door and helping me in.

“Drive safe, Doll.” He gives me one more glance before shutting my door and watching me as I drive out of the parking lot.

In a daze, I make the drive home, not really paying attention to the road until I’m pulling into my garage. Did that really just happen to me? I mean, my parents always tried to teach me how to defend myself, but you never really expect it to happen to you. I don’t know if I should be grateful for it not being worse than it was or if I should be on the floor crying. I don’t know how to feel, and it all seems so unreal, so overwhelming; I just feel numb. It will probably hit me more later, but I just need to shut it away right now. It’s over and done with thanks to Alec. I just want to relax with my folks as planned. Get everything back on track.

“Mom, Dad, I’m home,” I call as I head into the house, finally getting myself under control. My mom walks out with my dad on her heels, staring at her butt. While it grosses me out, I can’t help but love the way he looks at her, even after twenty years together.

“Hi sweetheart, I made the popcorn. Are you ready for the movie?” my mom asks, staring at me. I know she can tell something is wrong, but she won’t push it. One of the many things I love about my mom is she trusts me to come to her with my problem. Right now, I just need to spend my night hanging out with my family, forgetting about the mess that happened, and trying to not obsess over the hot as hell way Alec looked, punching Billy in the face. Yeah, that might just be next to impossible when it comes to him.

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