The Cheerleader And The Nerd

Chapter 21

Just then I heard a few hushed voices. My ears perked up as I recognized Kyle’s voice. What the hell was he doing in the hallways when everyone was at the cafeteria? Curiously, I snuck myself closer and hid behind a wall that completely concealed me. I poked my head out, testing it out, and in the shadows my dark hair blended right in so I was sort of camouflaged. Perfect. Feeling more excited than I had in weeks, I poked my head out again and saw the little scene in front of me.

Only it wasn’t what I expected… at all.

‘’Huh? Gonna mess with my girl, are you? I’d like to see you try after this,’’ Kyle said menacingly. ‘’You. Will. Stay. Away. From. Riley. Got it? She’s mine!’’

No, everything wasn’t in slow motion and everything wasn’t blurry. I could see the scene unfold in front of me in perfect clarity.

 I immediately felt all color drain from my face as I saw Kyle throw a punch to Jayden’s stomach. Followed by Kyle’s best friend, Blake, who kicked Jayden in his shins repeatedly, and Daniel completing the trio, threw a punch to Jayden’s face and then pulled at his hair and banged his head repeatedly into the lockers behind as Jayden’s body shielded itself by covering his hands over his body as it automatically took a defensive formation, curling up into a ball.

I was frozen. My eyes widened but my body didn’t – couldn’t – move.

‘’Had enough yet?’’ Dan and Blake laughed, as Kyle shot them a grin. Jayden glared at them which caused Kyle to laugh out. ‘’Ooh, the eyes? Trying to scare us? Boys look, I’m just so terrified!’’

Another punch and another kick followed after they finished laughing. I gasped, seeing Jayden spit out blood and cough violently. Tears sprung to my eyes and I immediately ran out – my body finally responding at seeing Jayden so hurt and in pain – not caring I almost tripped in my heels.

‘’Kyle!’’ I screamed, staring at him in disbelief.

He paled and turned to shoot me, what he hoped for, was a breathtaking smile but just looked cheap to me. ‘’Hey babe. What are you doing here?’’

How fucking dare he?!

‘’W-what-t w-were y-you…’’ I said, as I dropped to my knees in front of Jayden. He averted his eyes from me, as I covered my mouth to stop a sob from escaping at seeing him so battered and bruised.

‘’Nothing,’’ he shrugged, as if it were a normal thing to beat someone up like this. ‘’Just teaching this nerd his place.’’

My eyes shot to his – I didn’t miss the way his friends scurried out faster than bullets out of a gun, at my appearance – and I gave him a look of pure repulsion.

‘’How dare you, you-you monster!’’ I cried out in rage. Kyle had just crossed the line here. ‘’His place!? The only douche that needs to learn his place here is you. You and I are nothing. How many fucking times do I have to say it to get my message across?!’’

I was practically screaming now, as I saw complete red. How fucking dare he?! He needs help… serious help.

I heard Jayden cough below me, and I almost burst into tears there and then at how broken he looked and sounded. He already had a dark bruise forming on the right side of his face. I tenderly stroked his hair, loving how soft it felt under my fingers. ‘’J-Jayden?’’

The only response I got was another cough as he tried to sit up properly, leaning his back on the lockers behind him. I helped him sit, thanking someone up there that I’d chosen to wear full skinny jeans today and not a skirt or dress. My screaming had caught quite some attention and I saw a few people gather round out of the corner of my eyes.