Shattered Ties(35)

I rolled my eyes as I made my way through the doors and down the hall to the classroom. There was no way that Emma could lie to Lucy. Hopefully, Lucy could be trusted not to blab to the rest of the school.

I ignored Emma through first period since Lucy kept watching us. I didn’t want to make Lucy anymore suspicious than she already was in case Emma was going to try to lie to her.

Emma was forced to ignore me in second period because Todd was keeping her attention on him as he passed note after note to her. I gritted my teeth every time one fell on her desk. I was sitting right beside her, and I couldn’t do a damn thing about it.

She wasn’t mine to claim—at least, not yet. If something happened between us, she would need to get used to the idea of me protecting what was mine. Mine? Shit. I was already thinking that she was mine when she wasn’t.

I had no idea what the hell was wrong with me, but this wasn’t how I normally acted. People came and went in life, and I refused to form attachments to any of them—with the exception of Ally and Andy. I was safer that way. No one could hurt me if I didn’t care. I mean, look at my mom. Even now, years after my dad had left us, I knew she still missed him.

There was no way that I would give someone that kind of power over me.

When the bell rang, I grabbed my books, and I all but ran from the room.

I did not want to see Emma and Todd talking together. It would bring out jealousy that I didn’t even know I had inside me. It was one of those things I was better off not knowing.

I was one of the first people in line for food when I got to the cafeteria. After I paid, I walked to my usual table. Sean and Charles weren’t anywhere to be seen, and I was glad. Even though I’d been sitting at this table since my first day, I rarely spoke to either of them. They were nice and all, but we had nothing in common.

My phone vibrated in my pocket, and I pulled it out to see a text from Emma.

Emma: Where’d you run off to so fast?

Me: I was hungry.

Emma: Oh, okay. The way you left class, I thought you were mad at me or something. Do you want to sit at my table? I don’t think anyone would mind.

Me: Do you think that’s a good idea? I thought you were hiding me.

Emma: I guess you’re right. I didn’t even think.

I put my phone back in my pocket, not bothering to respond. I was irritated, and I didn’t want to yell at her, so it was better if I stayed away. I finished my food before Sean and Charles even showed up.

I dropped off my tray and walked out of the cafeteria, passing right by Emma’s table. She was sitting with a few of the other cheerleaders, and of course, Todd was sitting in the seat beside her. She gave me a small smile, but I ignored it. I walked through the hallways, trying to kill time before my next class.

The school was small enough that everyone had lunch at the same time, so the halls were completely empty. I was enjoying that simple little pleasure when I heard footsteps behind me. I had wandered to the opposite side of the school from the cafeteria, so I assumed it was a teacher.

Two hallways later, the footsteps were still behind me. Feeling slightly annoyed with my followers, I turned to see who it was. Todd and two of his friends were at the other end of the hallway.

“You guys need something?” I asked, not bothering to hide my annoyance.

Todd waited until they were closer before answering. “Yeah, actually, I do. I want you to stay the hell away from Emma.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’ve seen the way you watch her,” Todd growled as he stepped closer to me.

His two buddies followed him, and they surrounded me. This wasn’t going to end well for any of us. I doubted I would win a fight since I was outnumbered, but I’d be sure to get in a few good hits before they took me down. The Todd I’d seen with Emma was gone, and a raging * was standing in front of me. I knew there was a reason I didn’t like him. He was finally showing his true colors.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I said casually as I tried to figure out which guy I should hit first if they came at me. I wanted Todd, but that would be the obvious choice. I needed to take out his buddies and go for him last—if I could make it that far. Judging by the size of all three guys, my chances were slim.

“Don’t pretend that you don’t want her. I can see it every time you two are in the same room. This is your one and only warning, trailer trash. Stay away from Emma. She’s mine.”

So much for my plan to go for Todd last. As soon as I heard the words trailer trash, I saw red. I drew back and threw all my weight into a punch. I hit my target, and I heard a sickening crunch as his nose broke.

He howled in pain as he clutched his face. “You son of a bitch. You’re going to pay for that.”

One of his friends charged me. The guy was big, but he had no idea how to fight, and I dodged him easily. He turned to charge me again, but before he could, I slammed my fist into his face. I didn’t break his nose, but I definitely slowed him down. Before he could recover, I grabbed his head and yanked it down as my knee came up.

When he dropped to the ground, I turned to the other guy. He didn’t look as sure of himself as he had just a few minutes ago. He hesitated for a split second before turning and darting down the hallway. Coward.

Since the first guy was incapacitated on the ground, that left just Todd and me to settle things. I turned back to him, and he started walking backward down the hall, trying to escape me.