The "Herd" passed my locker in the hallway, by necessity of course. I'd been given the misfortune of being near the weight training room.
With only the warning exchanged mischievous looks, they shoved its newest member my direction. My locker had slammed shut with a loud, metallic "clack". Seconds before, it had been opened so that I could gather my morning materials.
The unfortunate missile had left a small dent just below the grey vents. The smug laughs and back slapping of the instigators had begun in the worst spot to try such a thing. The acoustics of that small section would've upped the volume of a chirping cricket to deafening.
The last letterman's jacket in the group had taken the time to study me and the dent before anyone had noticed.
Instead of essence of "smug jerk jock" I'd witnessed "trapped-decent-human being".
I turned my attention back the groaning heap rolling around at my feet.
No letterman's jacket, only his now dusty football workout shirt.
Obviously one of the freshmen that hadn't learned the system of The "Herd", especially when the coach hadn't been around to put an end to the stupidity they'd called "fun".
I helped him up with a sweet-salty smile.
When you come from the family line I do, vengeance is strongly discouraged. Kindness is the absolute mandate, no matter how painful it might be. Personal opinion plays no role in the actions that follow.
Who are The "Herd"?
This group consisted of the varsity elite of the male variety with all the manners of a society of uncivilized cavemen. A stench cloud of male ego and manly odor followed them wherever they trampled through.
The worst part about The "Herd" mentality is that they knew that many of those in authority would never attempt to challenge their power. Supposedly, the varsity football and basketball teams were the primary source of funding for the school district.
Sometimes I wondered if every teacher had been told to appease the school board members by allowing The "Herd" to perform their year-round routine of terror without intervention.
Ordinary students were encouraged from day one to never oppose their Neanderthal tactics of highlighting their social "authority" in the hallways. I've heard it said that The "Herd" is largest at the dances. The members and their hand-selected girlfriends have a corner reserved for them.
Let me tell you this, the girls that ran with them weren't much better. I would have to say that, in many ways, they were far worse.
Their methods didn't hinge on openly arrogant, brutal shows of force. No, these girls were more brutal with words and with their ability to make others think the worst of their victim.
Should any girl challenge their "superiority", they just found ways to make that girl's life miserable. Quarter-true stories, concocted by the nasty bunch, lost all its truth after it had gone through the "telephone" lines of every locker room in the school.
Let's face it. Guys, will forever be better known for their brutal physical attacks. Girls, on the other hand, have the power of life and death in their mouths.
Understand that standing up to The "Herd" and antics they find funny would be costly to my family. How many girls can proudly proclaim the title "Granddaughter to Snow White and Prince Charming", without appearing delusional or an outright liar?
I wouldn't trade Killian or Emma for a normal set of grandparents. Killian never has to raise his voice or put a finger on his opponent. Being a pirate with a wicked right "hook" has its perks.
Pardon the pun, I couldn't resist.
I, privately, revel in the fact that I am the daughter of Henry Mills and Cinderella.
I like my social life the way it is because of who I am.
The last scene of the morning's excitement stuck with me for the rest of the day.
How I got through the two classes of notes, I will never know. I think my brain had gone on autopilot.
Maybe I should double check them later?
Getting sidetracked again, sorry.
Dad had been waiting for me by the curb in Grandma Regina's car, as always. I didn't breathe even a little relief until the shadow of the school had been in my passenger side mirror.
The relief flooded my mind and soul once we passed through the city line.
For a place that has had more than its fair share of drama-trauma, it had been a safe haven for me.
I dialed Emma's number, only to have Killian answer the phone.
At the moment, the thing I had needed the most was to have someone to talk to about it. I do my best reasoning aloud rather than in my head. If I stay in my head for too long, the confusion never clears up.
"If it's okay with you dad, I'd like to go to Emma and Killian's."
Dad smiled without turning his head my way.
"It's fine with me. I want you back home by sundown."
Sometimes I think it bothered dad that I preferred the input of my grandparents to his and mom's. He'd never said so in words, but I could tell when he'd been hurt and when all was well.
Lucky for me, this had happened to be one of those "I-Understand" moments.
He stopped in front of the Emma and Killian's house and kissed me on the cheek. Not wanting to feel the burden of an overweight backpack, I'd left it in the car.
The wide-open front window curtain , a great omen. The chances of witnessing the unforgettable appeared to be a non-risk.
The door opened just as I put my right foot on the bottom step of the porch.
"Come on in, love." Killian stood in front of the door.
Killian's near hoarse, fatigued voice had sent my eyes to the house not far down the road. I tried not to feel guilty, but for me it can be easier said than done. Emma napped on the couch, her feet hung over the wooden arm at the end of the couch.
Killian stroked Emma's hair as he passed her slumbering body. He stopped short of passing the couch to kiss her forehead.
"How does hot chocolate sound? I need some coffee myself." Killian used his hook to push the swinging door forward.
"Sounds great." I'd tried not to let on how guilty I'd been starting to feel.
Killian had made me a cup of hot cocoa and him a cup of coffee on one of the newer machines with, little to no trouble at all.
"Here ya go, Lucy. What's on your mind?" Killian placed the ceramic mug in front of me.
One of those signature "Killian the Charming" smiles hid the beginnings of sleepless circles.
"Now I can see why Emma married you. I know teachers that must have help working one of those machines. Wow."
Killian's response surprised me.
No offense taken. It had appeared to me, to be taken as a compliment.
"I can thank my girl, Hope, for it. Beautiful she is, but sleepless she can be." Killian pointed to the family picture on the wall.
Toddlers…
"Is somebody bothering you at school. I can fix it." Killian turned his attention to my unspoken issue.
The image of The "Herd" stampeding towards the nearest refuge while Killian's confident strides followed them, offered me a dose of temporary satisfaction.
Tempting…very tempting indeed.
"It is school related, yes. It has to do with a group of somebodies. I have to deal with it, even though the idea of you sending them running would be entertaining."
Killian chuckled.
"Anyway, one of The "Herd" shoved someone into my locker this morning at school." I continued my story.
My mental movie paused on the scene where the guy had looked back at me.
"One of them looked back at me before joining the rest of them." I held the picture in my mind.
Killian had been drinking his coffee, his eyes stayed on mine.
His blue eyes softened, as if understand the brave soul's actions.
He rested the half-empty mug on the table.
"I've been there, Lucy." Killian spoke up.
He detached his hook and placed it on the table, not even a metallic "clink" touched the air.
"He was with his mates. He's not like them but he can't let them know that." Killian leaned back.
It had made sense and yet it had been ridiculous idea, at the same time.
"He's fancies you. He just can't let anyone else know it." Killian put his hand on my resting hand.
"I don't mean to call you a "liar" but I don't see how that can be the case."
In the time I had come to know my grandparents, both of them had embodied the principles of what devotion and true love were.
"Isn't that how you and Emma started out?"
The sound of muffled footsteps approached my chair.
"Not quite, kid." Emma answered before Killian could.
I kept my seat when Emma kissed Killian and took the seat next to him. A story would end my day.
Lucky for me, the sun still had a few more hours of playtime.
