Muster

by willa76

Set in modern times. Lou walked out of their lives two years ago. No explanation and to their knowledge no reason. She has come back for their last year of school. Will friendships be mended and will love find her again? Rated M, be warned.

4. Chapter 4

I don't own TYR

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Rated M

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"Hi I'm Lou, Mr Smith organised for me to come for an interview for a cleaning job."

"Well hi there darling, I'm Charlotte, Mr Wicks and Mr Hopkins personal assistant, receptionist and at the moment, the cleaner. And there will be no interview sweetheart."

"Oh, I'm sorry I thought…"

"Sorry what I meant to say was, if you were recommended by Nathan Smith then we are happy for you to start." Charlotte seemed to study me before continuing. "I'm guessing you do want the job. I mean you have turned up."

"Yes, of course."

Her face lit up, "You have no idea how happy that makes me. I have been doing it all on my lonesome." Charlotte grabbed some papers from her desk, before standing. "I'll show you around and give you a little run down on what is expected."

"Sounds good to me."

"Wonderful. Now I'm not sure how much Nathan has shared, but we need someone Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights. I'm guessing you'll come after school which works out perfectly."

Straight away I was thinking about my study sessions with Ike. They would have to go, or I could see if he would mind doing another night.

I was happy that it was only three nights though. It seemed almost doable. Charlotte opened a door from a long hallway.

I peeked around her to see it was a small store room. There was a small stainless steel bench with a deep basin in the middle of it.

I followed Charlotte in, my eyes going to the buckets and mops as well as the vacuum cleaner.

"You'll find all the cleaning products you should need in here." She opened the small cabinet under the basin. "Of course if there was something special you needed that we don't have, just write it down and I'll do my best to get it for you." After she rushed that out she was heading back out to the hallway.

I was already feeling lost as she led me through corridors and into offices.

"Empty the bins in every room. Coffee cups and glasses all washed and put away. The reception area dusted, magazines straightened and any dead flowers thrown out. It's where most clients spend their time looking around as they wait so please spend a lot of time making this area spotless."

"Bathrooms must also be spotless. There are two. No, sorry three, the staff one is down the corridor to your left." She pointed in the direction with her finger. "Always make sure the toilet paper is full and that a spare is handy. There is a soap dispenser that must be filled every night and then the paper towels also. I hope I don't have to explain how to clean a toilet."

"No, I've cleaned toilets before." She didn't even acknowledge that I had said anything as she continued telling me what she expected around the office. At this rate I could see I was going to be here all night.

"I won't be here until after school, and it will obviously take me a few hours to get all of this done, will someone else be here or will I have to lock up?"

"No darling, someone is usually working late so you won't have to lock up."

"So if someone is in their office working, do I still go in there and clean?"

"Everyone knows and expects a cleaner, just knock and tell them that is what you are there for. They will tell you if it's the right time or not."

I just nodded, but to me that didn't make sense. What if one person isn't ready for me for hours and I'm stuck there till all hours?

I shouldn't complain, this is a good job and it pays really well.

The sound of a door opening up behind us had the two of us turning that way.

"Ah Mr Wicks," Charlotte sung, "This is our new cleaner Lou McCloud." Mr Wicks glowered down at me, his eyes taking in what felt like every inch. I could almost feel his ….

"Lou?" Oh god this isn't happening. Teaspoon poked his head out the door before he came to stand next to Mr Wicks. "What are you doing here sweetheart?"

I clenched my fists at my side. Where the hell did he get off calling me that? But I couldn't pull him up on it without making a scene in front of my new employer.

"You know this girl Teaspoon?"

"I do Lyle. I was married to her Mother a few years back." I'm sure my mouth just fell open. How was it that he could talk about her so easily? I hated this man.

"Well she is now my new cleaner." Mr Wicks, or Lyle, smiled the slimiest smile down at me.

"Lyle," Teaspoon sounded concerned as he too stared down at me. "A word," He stretched his arm towards the door they only just came out of. "Lou it was nice to see you again."

I didn't trust myself to say anything to him, so I only nodded. I was slightly confused what was happening here and an unsettling feeling settled into my stomach.

"Well Miss McCloud it was lovely to meet you. I'm sure I will be seeing quite a lot of you, so please don't hesitate to ask for anything." I looked to Charlotte to see if she was taken back like I was in that moment. A moment ago he looked at me as if I was a pebble in his shoe, now he was being over attentive.

To my surprise she was staring at him with starry eyes. I looked back to Mr Wicks.

"You to, Mr Wicks."

Teaspoon cleared his throat where he still stood behind Mr Wicks.

"He's such a doll," She sighed, "Isn't he the nicest man you have ever met?" Charlotte asked me as she still stared after Mr Wicks with a longing and loving look still in her eyes.

"He is," I agreed, my body cringing on the lie.

"Right, well you are due to start Monday night, but did you want to follow me around tonight so you can be sure what you are doing tomorrow?"

"Ok, that sounds good."

For the next two hours I followed and helped Charlotte clean the office and toilets, it was a huge job for the two of us, so I was guessing it was going to take me three or four hours by myself.

After saying my goodbyes I grabbed my bag and started my long walk home. I was hungry and I was cold and tired.

In my head I was already spending my first pay cheque. I knew that I probably shouldn't but I was a little excited. I think I deserve to get myself something, and something I needed.

I was thinking a phone would be my best bet.

If I had one, I could use it now and call Buck to see if he would pick me up.

I pulled the sleeves over my hands and wrapped my arms around my body trying to get warm, but it was useless.

By the time I got home my bones felt cold. I locked the door behind me and went straight into a hot shower.

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On Friday I told Ike of my new job and that I was going to have to change our study nights. Unfortunately for me he wasn't able to do it other nights as he worked after school.

"You know I could come over one day in the weekend if you'd like. We could hang out?"

I laughed, but not to make fun of him, more because it all just seemed so perfect for me. I was so lonely in the weekends and it would be so much easier for me if he came to me.

"Are you sure? I mean won't your parents want to spend time with you?"

"No. They'll just be happy that I'm going out at all. If I tell them it was to spend time with a girl," Ike stopped mid-sentence and shook his head, "No I won't finish that," I laughed at the slight blush on his cheeks. Now I really wanted to know.

"No, tell me what would they say?"

"Oh no, I'm not giving you that." Ike was bright red.

I was going to push him, but the sound of the bell rung through the corridor. "Saved by the bell." I told him trying to look menacing.

Ike laughed spinning around to run off to class in the opposite direction to where I was headed.

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I walked into health actually relieved that there was a spare table with no one sitting at it. I plonked myself in the seat and pulled my health book from my bag.

"Right, well on Monday we started to discuss pregnancy, and in particular teenage pregnancy. We have discussed contraception, abstinence, and the act itself. What I would like to do this week is a test of sorts." The rest of the class groaned dramatically while I had braced my hand over my queezie stomach. I had missed the class because I had a meeting with Mr Smith. But I had heard what was discussed. I was relieved at the time, thinking I had missed the awkward discussion. "Oh come on now, you're all making me think that you don't like my class." Mrs Downs smirked.

I looked over to Emily to see she was staring back at me. I offered her a small smile but she turned her head back towards the teacher instead of smiling back. I had no idea what I had done to upset her, but it was starting to upset me. Ike and I have become very good friends, and I know he likes Emily. If she is important to him I really want her to be important to me too.

That probably isn't healthy, but I was scared that I could lose him if they got together.

"Now this assignment is going to be a test run for future grades. I have never actually done anything like this, so it will be a test for you and me both."

"It will be done in pairs. And before you get too excited about teaming up with your friends or the person you sit next to, think again. I have paired you all up and I have all put you with the opposite sex." Giggling erupted in the class, "I want a female take on this, and also a male's. The assignment must be presented as such."

"Jed, Cody, you boys can come and give me hand please." I looked down at my desk not wanting to make any sort of eye contact with the boys. It ha been over a week now and the boys were still distant. I was hoping that the wall between me and them would slowly start to crumble. But my heart wasn't thinking it was going to be this slow.

Moments later they came back in with two large sized boxes, before leaving the room again.

I could hear the rest of the class whispering in speculation as what it was we were going to be doing. This time Mrs Downs and the guys came back with a large box each. The guys placed theirs down with the first ones before taking their seats again.

"Right," Miss Downs said more to herself. She looked to the boxes and then to the computer on her desk. "Now I think the best way to do this would be to get you in your pairs and then we will discuss what is required next." She sat down at her desk in front of the computer. I emailed your parents a permission slip last semester, as this assignment will affect them too." A stab of pain shot through me and straight away it bought tears to my eyes.

I quickly tried to blink them back, but had to wipe the odd few that just couldn't be helped. Mrs Downs gave me a sorrowful look as she continued. "Sorry Emily but you won't be taking part in this one." Emily quickly looked away nodding as her hands gripped onto her book tightly. "And I'm sorry Matty, with you away for the weekend you won't be able to do this one either. For the rest of you, be prepared for the hardest weekend of your lives."

"Kid and Samantha, Cody and Amanda, Dex and Amy, Jed and Kathleen, Will and Dorthia,"

"Oh yuk, come on." Dorthia hissed rudely. I didn't know who Will was but I felt sorry for him in that moment. Mrs Downs looked to the back of the room seeming just as disgusted as I felt.

"Will I'll place you with Cassie, and Dorthia you can team up with Noah." I sat there with my mouth agape. Surely she didn't just give into Dorthia. How the hell does Dorthia have that much pull to get a teacher to change her ways?

"Next I will have Jimmy and Rose. And last but not least, Tyler and Lou,"

You have got to be kidding me?

Of all the people I could be partnered with. Could I hope and pray that he really wants to pass this class as well?

"If the men would like to go and sit with their partners that I have just called out please." Mrs Downs clicked away on her computer while the sounds of scrapping chairs filled the room.

"Even the teach thinks that we should be together," Tyler whispered in my ear from behind. Goose bumps pricked my skin and a shiver ran up my spine. Tyler was a creep and I really wasn't looking forward to this.

"Just sit down and don't talk." I told him trying to keep my distaste from my tone.

"So you are probably all wondering what it is we are going to be doing." I didn't like the huge grin that the teacher wore, "Well congratulations you are all going to be parents." Her grin got bigger while the rest of us gasped. "Ah, I can tell by you reaction you weren't ready for that. Well a huge percentage of kids your age are having children, and that percentage is just getting bigger year by year. You are going to get a taste of this reality over the weekend."

She got up from her chair to stand in front of the class.

"Each couple in this room will take alternate days with your child. You will change it, feed it, burp it and care for it. It will cry throughout the day and night, it is your job to soothe it and find out what it is he or she needs through eliminating all of its needs. Each baby has a computer inside of it I will be able to tell when he or she cried, if they were neglected in any shape or form. That means even if you drop the baby it will tell me, in fact I think I read that if the baby is shaken, dropped or suffers a knock in any way, the baby will just continue to cry and it will have to be reset by me."

"What happens if their babies do have to be reset?" Emily asked. I looked over to her and could see she was really interested. She obviously wanted to be a part of this and I wondered why her parents wouldn't give permission.

"Then you and your partner fail. If your child comes back to me to be reset, or your data tells me that you neglected it that is an automatic fail. You do not want to fail this as this whole semester is based around this very subject and will go towards your overall grade."

I looked to Tyler then to see he was laid back in his chair not really giving a shit. That pissed me off because I needed this and I needed him to care.

"Talk with your partner, organise a schedule and I will call you up one couple at a time and hand you your child."

I spun in my chair and asked Bryce straight up. "What do I have to do to get you to do this properly?"

"Are you saying that I won't do it properly?" He smirked.

"What do I have to do?" I repeated.

"You know what I want." His eyes hooded and trailed up and down my body suggestively.

"You're such pig." I snapped, "You don't even know me, you're just being a dick for the sake of it."

"I don't have to know you to want to fuck you. You're hot. You're new and I want you first," he whispered. "I know you know Kid and his crew, but I also know that it was platonic, you were more like a sister to them boys than you were their slut, like Dorthia says you were. I simply want to be able to say that I've been there and done you before they do, like every other girl in this school." He snared, causing my skin to prickle with goose bumps.

"I got it wrong, you are a disgusting pig. I wouldn't sleep with you if you were the last man on this planet, so think again." I looked over to see Emily was watching us carefully, no doubt hearing every word being spoken. "And the fact that you're even suggesting that so you can be one up from that group is just sad."

Tyler spun me and the chair around to face him quicker than what I thought possible. I gasped out loud from shock more than anything, and I was faced with his angry face.

I just stared at him while he stared at me. I could see his eyes darting over my face.

"Is there a problem Mr DeWitt?" It was then that I noticed that the classroom had gone dead quiet, no doubt they were all watching us, but Tyler and I were not taking our eyes off one another. I was pissed but slightly scared while he was just plain old angry.

"No Mrs, no problem over here," he sneered.

It took a couple of minutes before the silent chatter filled the room again. Movement caught my eye beside me and I turned my head in that direction.

Kid was watching us with a strange look in his eye. I looked back at him trying to read him but also daring him with my own eyes to say something to me.

"What is your number?" Tyler asked bringing my attention back to him.

"I don't have one." I told him honestly before looking back to Kid, but to my disappointment he had moved.

"Bullshit." He growled, "You just said you wanted me to do this thing right and now you're making it hard for me to do that."

"I'm not lying to you Tyler. I don't have a home phone or a cell phone." I sighed while pulling a piece of paper from my note pad. I wrote my address on it, knowing in my gut that this wasn't going to end well. "I will take the baby tonight and Saturday night you can come and pick it up Sunday morning and bring it to school on Monday."

He looked at the paper and then to me and then to the paper again. His repulsive smirk on his face sickened me.

"Right I will call each group up one at a time. You will collect your baby, and the care instructions, I highly recommend you read through it thoroughly as it will tell you everything you need to do to comfort this baby."

The sound of the bell was accompanied by the sound of chairs scrapping along the floor and the rustling of bags being packed and picked up off the floor.

"Please take this seriously," Mrs Downs yelled out over the noise. I had to smile at her dedication or should that be desperation.

As I picked everything up Emily walked past my table. I really wanted to reach out to her again, and find out what I had done to upset her.

"Hey Emily," I called out but she pretended she couldn't hear me. Well that just pissed me off and made me even more determined to talk to her.

I started to run up to her but for the second time this week I slammed into something or someone. But before I could hit the ground strong arms caught me and helped me to my feet, setting me right.

I looked up to thank them, but I stumbled again when I realised who it was.

"Whoa there girl," He lightly laughed. Once he was sure I was securely on my feet he smiled sadly at me. "Give them time. You hurt them but they still care." Jimmy told me before walking off. I frowned as I watched him walk out of the school's main corridor.

I hurt them?

It was them that didn't come and see me, visit Mum. They hurt me. It should be me that is giving them narrowed eyed looks from across the room. It is me that should have a friend snigger behind their backs. It is me who…Oh god, just stop.

I berate myself.

I walked out the doors and groaned as I thought about my walk home with the doll. I was sure I was going to get some strange looks.

Talking about strange, my eyes did a double take when they spotted Tyler.

He was leaning up against a tree. His eyes were looking hard at something…or someone. I followed his gaze to see he was staring daggers at Kid.

And I could see why he looked ready to kill someone.

Kid had the same girl I saw Tyler with the other day, pinned against his car. I could see his hands were up the girls shirt and his lips were one hers. He pulled back and said something to the girl, before he then pulled his hands from out of her shirt and leaned over her to open his car door.

The girl got in the car, no questions asked.

As Kid ran around to his side of the car his head snapped up as if he knew he was being watched. My eyes held his, but only for a second or two before his frown deepened and he opened the car doo and got in.

I was starting to think that the boys in this school were using the girls as their pawn in some little sick side line game that they had going on between them. Though the girl that just slid in the car with Kid, was definitely the same one I saw with Tyler, so she knew what she was doing.

Tyler.

I looked back at Tyler, shocked that he was just standing there staring at them and not doing anything. Was he not going to fight for his girlfriend?

When I saw him walk away I just shook my head. What a dick.

I gathered the baby stuff up and adjusted my bag on my shoulder. My arms would be killing me by the time I got home.

For about the tenth time this week I wondered if I should get Buck to teach me to drive, but then I remind myself that there's no real point. I mean, I can't afford a car, and by the time that I can, School will be a distant memory.

A truck screeched to a halt in front of me. I screamed and dropped everything at my feet. Luckily I had my arm through the strap of the baby carrier so that didn't fall too.

I looked up at the truck to see Tyler's ugly face sneering back at me. Had he seriously followed me home?

"Are you this big of a jerk to all the girls or have you just saved it for me?" I asked bending down to pick up everything I had dropped.

"I know all about you." I didn't like the way he was looking at me, "Do you know that I moved here about two years ago. I must have just missed meeting you but I damn well heard all about you." Ok I don't think I wanted to hear where this was leading. "Kid, Jed and their little bitch friends walk around this school, and run around that football field like they fucking own it. I'm the Quarterback, I'm the one who should be at the top of this school and I should be the one girls go for."

"So you're jealous?" I started to walk to my trailer, it wasn't like I could keep where I live a secret, he has my address anyway.

"No I just don't want their sloppy seconds."

"Eww." I couldn't help myself. When the hell did people start talking like that?

"Sorry Lou it is what it is. You have no idea how frustrating it is coming second in everything. How low I feel when I take girls out and I'm being compared to them." He laughed, "I even had a girl scream Kid's name when it was me she was screwing."

"I'm yet to see how you being a disgusting prick to me, comes into this." I stopped short of my trailer, there was no way I was going to let Tyler come inside.

I groaned when he turned his truck off and got out. His eyes locked with mine.

"I know you were their friend, their step sister. I would put money on it that you never slept with any of them." He was watching me for a reaction, he wouldn't find one. "They don't talk to you. You're an outcast, a fucking hot one at that, be with me, let me put it out there that we hooked up at least. It would help the both of us."

"No it wouldn't. You're fooling yourself and me. I mean can you even hear yourself? You need to get over this sorry little vengeance plan you have going on. The reason girls aren't picking you over them is because you're a vile human being. You're only interested in getting your dick wet…"

"So are they. They hook up with a different girl every weekend and yet they're gods." All of a sudden the baby started crying. I frowned as I looked down at it.

"Because they're not walking around talking about it. I only just met you, and the first thing you went on about, was sleeping with me. No girl wants to hear about it. Kid and the rest of them don't walk around spewing that bullshit. It's the girls that are telling everyone, that is how the whole school knows who's doing who." I really needed to see what this baby needed. "You are upset because you weren't man enough to stop that girl getting into Kid's car. Maybe you should be asking yourself why they seem so eager to get away from you and run to him."

"You know what, do the fucking assignment yourself." He yelled over his shoulder leaving me outside my trailer with a crying baby.

I prayed to god that this wasn't a glimpse into my future. I cringed at the thought as I picked the baby up and out of its carrier. This was going to be a long weekend.

By the time evening rolled around I was tired and frustrated. I was starting to think Mrs Downs had given me a faulty doll.

Surely babies don't cry this much.

I quickly wrote everything down in my diary before crawling into my bed. I was so tired and I was starting to get the feeling I should try and sleep while the doll was asleep.

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I had no idea what the time was, or how long I had been asleep when banging and yelling woke me up.

Dazed, I slipped out of bed and wandered down to the door.

My eyes briefly looking at the baby, to my relief it seemed like it had remained asleep.

"Come on L.O.U…let me in, I want to see my baby" Tyler laughed.

Oh god, I groaned. What the hell was he doing here?

I opened the door carefully to see him swaying on the small door step, "Your drunk." I stated looking behind him to see his truck was parked sideways and he had left his door open. "And you drove!" I snapped angry at him for even thinking about getting behind a wheel in his state.

"How else was I going to get here from the party?" He roared pushing his way into the trailer.

"Ouch, watch what you're doing." I cried out as my back hit the edge of the door. "And I didn't say you could come in."

I stood with my back against the wall beside the door that was definitely staying open. I looked down for a second hoping that all of me was covered. I had gone to bed wearing only a singlet top and my panties. The singlet top was baggy and hung quite low so that I was grateful, however the top of it also hung low and lose which wasn't so great since I wasn't wearing a bra.

"Tyler I really want you to leave." I told him firmly, "Even if you just sleep in your truck or a friend of mine lives in another trailer, you could sleep on his couch." I suggested, liking that idea a lot better than what was happening now.

"What's wrong with your shitty couch?" he pointed to my…well it was my shitty couch, but it was mine and that was all that mattered.

"I don't want you here. You scare me." I told him bluntly and truthfully.

"I scare you?" he laughed straightening out to his full height, "How is it that I scare you?" he took a step closer to me and I quickly looked for my exit, not liking where this was going. Tyler looked to the open door at the same time as me and in that instant we both flew at it.

My hand touched the door frame, but a hard knock to my upper cheek had me howling back in pain and falling to the floor. Tears blurred my vision as the sound of the door being shut sounded out around me. I let out a cry as my hand covered my throbbing cheek.

"I didn't do that on purpose," Tyler told me, "You caught my elbow…"

"Can you just go," I cried, "I'm tired and now I'm sore…I just need for you to go." I braced my hands on the floor either side of me to give me some momentum to get up off the floor.

Just as I was getting up two hands gripped my arms and pulled me the rest of the way up. I was about to say thanks thinking that he genuinely didn't mean to hit me and was feeling bad for the fact that he had. But when one of his hands tightened around my arm and the other slipped up the hem of my top panic and fear surged through me.

"You are so hot right now," he purred in my ear as his hand slid up my torso towards my breasts. "You don't even know how fucking sexy you are, do you?"

"Please, please can you just leave? I…I won't tell…"

"I want you to tell. I want everyone to know I was touching you when they weren't."

"B-b-but-t-t I don't ….awwl…" His hand twisted and pulled at one of my nipples and it wasn't gentle at all. He was doing this to hurt me and I was confused and so, so scared.

"You're going to rape me?" I sobbed, "You will go to jail," I told him letting him know that what he was going to do wasn't right. He wasn't thinking.

"Why would I go to jail? I come from a wealthy family. I get good grades and I'm the towns star Quarterback they won't throw me in jail. They wouldn't believe trailer trash like you. Look how you dress…" Tyler pulled his hand away from my breasts and instead pulled my top all the way up my body, and over my head. He couldn't take it all the way off as his other hand was still gripped tight around my arm, so the top just hung between us. My naked breasts on display and my black panties the only thing covering me.

His mouth started kissing up my neck and then back down to my shoulder. With my free arm I grabbed a chunk of his hair and twisted and pulled.

"Awwl you stupid bitch." I cried out as he shoved me to the ground.

My knees banged against the hard floor but I didn't think of the pain, I didn't let it register because I immediately started crawling as fast as I could away from him.

I could feel his hands trying to grab at my ankles from behind but I kicked out and kept kicking until I struck him.

"Bitch," He yelled getting to his feet and delivering two kicks to my side.

I rolled over the floor holding my side with my hands but I didn't get far before he was on me.

His breath stunk of alcohol and cigarettes, it was vile and I tried to turn my head to get away from the putrid smell.

His hands were all over my body fighting with my panties I was wearing.

"Tyler, please," I whimpered as my own hands tried to fight his off.

His weight was suffocating me and panic was really settling in when I thought that there was no way I could physically fight him off.

He was to strong.

He was trying to kiss me but I kept shaking my head back and forth so he couldn't touch my lips.

I could feel my hair matting at the back as it rubbed against the carpet, but I didn't care. I wouldn't give into Tyler.

He pulled back to look down at me before his lips moved back to attack my lips. I threw my head forward coming in contact with his nose.

"Fuuuucccckkkk!"

His fist came down hard on my face.

"What the …" Buck's surprised voice brought me such relief but not as much as having the weight of Tyler pulled off of me.

It took me a while to find the strength to get up off the floor. I used my hands to cover my breasts, as I stumbled to me feet.

Buck was delivering punch after punch after punch to Tyler's body and face. I looked at the scene saddened and hurt that it came to this. Tyler obviously had issues, but this was scary.

"Buck stop," I found myself whispering, "Buck," I said more forcibly.

His head turned to me then and I watched as his eyes softened. He pulled off his t-shirt and threw it in my direction before he picked Tyler up by his collar and threw him out the door and slamming it shut.

I saw Buck pull a phone from his pocket and I began to stress. "Please don't call the police," I sobbed. I still held his shirt against my chest.

"Put that t-shirt on Lou," he told me as he continued to press what I could guess was numbers into his phone before putting his phone to his ear.

I slipped on the t-shirt with shaky hands just as the sound of the baby cried. Buck swung around with wide eyes.

"It's fake…for school." I explained weekly as I hobbled over to grab it from the car seat thing.

"I wanted to give you a heads up," Buck's voice growled into the phone, "I had to kick your younger brother's ass tonight." I frowned as I listened in.

"I had my reasons."

"Found him trying to rape a young friend of mine."

"No nothing like that. She's like a sister man, and when I saw him doing that…Kids lucky to be alive."

"No, just banged up is all." Buck's eyed me carefully. "You might want to come get his sorry ass. He's passed out cold." He turned back towards the small window, "Sean I could smell the booze on him as soon as I seen him." Another pause, "Yeah his trucks here."

"No, she can't drive." He looked at me again, "Did you drive him here?" I shook my head no. "No man she didn't."

A heavy sigh came from Buck, "Look she's a good girl, and I was the one who caught him…yeah see you soon."

I had changed the diaper and placed the bottle into the baby's mouth. She was no longer crying as I naturally started to rock her. The thing even made a cooing sound.

"That thing seems pretty real." Buck eyed the doll carefully.

"That's the point." I tried to smile but my face was all kinds of sore so it came out more like a grimace.

"You ok?" Buck asked, "I mean he didn't get to far did he?" He began to panic.

"No he didn't." I shook my head. "But far enough…" Buck took a step forward in horror, "No…I meant…" I indicated to my face and neck, "This was far enough." I started to cry again as I thought about the last ten minutes or so.

"I'm going to see if I can move to a trailer a little closer." Buck started, "I mean if I hadn't come in when I did…" He didn't need to finish that sentence because I really didn't want to think about it.

"Yeah," I frowned and pulled the bottle from the doll, placing her over my shoulder and started rubbing her back in a circular motion.

"You're a little too good at that." Buck smirked, but I could still see the concern in his eyes.

"Well this is what I want to do." I said softly, before thinking about how that may have sounded. "Be a nurse not a mother. I mean someday maybe, but not yet." Buck laughed.

"I know what you meant." I rolled my eyes and placed the baby back in the carrier.

"Is Tyler's brother coming to get him?"

"Don't you worry about Tyler. " Buck growled. "Why don't you go and have a shower and get back to bed."

"Did you mean what you said to his brother?" I could see he was confused, "About me being like a sister." I explained.

Buck's face softened and he nodded. "You know I did. Thought we talked about this. I think it makes sense that I look out for you like that."

"And I'll look out for you." I whispered.

Buck smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. Instead his eyes were studying me, I'm guessing my face was a mess, it sure felt like it anyway.

"That bad, ha?"

"I'm thinking I should take you to the hospital. That eye looks pretty bad." He took a step closer to me. "You didn't black out at all?"

"No." I could almost see his brain working overtime as his eyes still stayed focused on me. A tick in his jaw told me he wasn't happy, and I thought I was going to have a fight on my hands making sure he understood that I was ok, but he surprised me.

"Get in the shower, I'll lock the door behind me and come and check on ya in the morning." He leant forward and kissed my forehead. "I'll go wait outside for Tyler's brother."

I should have been concerned that Tyler wasn't walking away in good form, from this trailer tonight. But I wasn't.

Sleep didn't find me at all that night. My side was killing me where Tyler had kicked me and I just couldn't get comfortable. And on top of that it felt like just as my eyes closed the baby started to cry. In fact every two hours that baby cried. By five in the morning I stopped wondering if I had a faulty doll, I knew I did.

.

.

I didn't even bother getting up on Saturday, other than to let Buck in. After an hour fighting with him about going to see a Doctor, because apparently I looked a lot worse than last night, he left and I went back to bed.

By the time night was well and truly around me I was over the baby and I was over School work. I went to sleep pretty convinced that I wasn't going back to school.

Then by the time Sunday was nearly over I came to the conclusion I wasn't going to let the likes of Tyler win.

My mum had cancer for Christ sake, she never gave up until her body could no longer live another day.

I will not give in, not over this.

So with that in mind I spent the rest of Sunday night finishing off the baby diary and the rest of my homework. It seemed that the baby had finally settled as it didn't cry as much on Saturday night or all of Sunday.

I looked over at the tiny doll, it was weird, even though I knew the thing wasn't real it was kind of nice having something that needed me, that kept me busy and my mind off something other than me.

I decided enough was enough for tonight. I placed everything away and made sure all was locked up. Buck did mention that he may call in tonight, but it was already after ten so I had a feeling he may have forgotten or been held up.

I took the baby carrier into the bedroom and placed it beside the bed in case it woke up through the night.

I then went and washed up, trying hard not to look in the mirror as I didn't need to be reminded of what I looked like. I just hoped Tyler would stay away from me tomorrow and I hoped that Annie and Mr Wicks would still allow me to start tomorrow after School.

"What a mess" I told mum as I kissed her photo before I slid into bed.

.

.

For some reason I had thought that when I woke up this morning the bruising would be gone or at least faded slightly, but my right eye was still swollen and slightly shut and my neck, arms and legs were still sporting their own bruises.

I looked to the doll that was feigning sleep in its carrier, "Should I or shouldn't I go to school?" My mind was quickly processing different pros and cons for why I should just stay at home but when it came down to it I just couldn't afford to do that and I had already decided yesterday that if mum can stay strong then I could too.

So with the decision made I dressed for the warm day in my jeans to cover the bruises on my legs and pulled on a light long sleeved shirt to cover my arms. I left my hair down but took a tie just in case it annoyed me later in the day.

'Oh shit,' I have Gym today. I quickly grabbed a pair of yoga pants and a t-shirt. That will have to do, I was already late.

.

.

The bell rang when I had just stepped inside the building. As quick as I could I raced to my locker hoping that the baby didn't start crying. I threw everything in there and grabbed my health book and the diary we were keeping for our babies.

I carefully and quietly opened the class door, but it didn't matter as all eyes landed on me anyway. "Sorry I'm late," I smiled to Mrs Downs hoping that she didn't make a big drama out of it.

"Oh dear, what happened to you Lou?" she asked in concern and coming over to me. I sighed cursing myself for forgetting to cover my face with my hair.

"It's nothing," I said quietly and turned for my seat.

The sound of a chair being pushed back drew my attention to the back of the room. Kid stood and was staring hard at me and then looked to the other side of the room to stare at Tyler who was also sporting a black eye, and a cut lip.

I quickly turned away from him.

"What the fuck," I heard Jed hiss but he stayed seated.

"Did you want me to leave the baby here?" I indicated to the table off to the side of the teacher's desk to see a few of the other babies sitting there.

"Ah… yes," Even the teacher was eyeing Tyler and myself, "Can I have a word Lou," I nodded but she pointed outside the classroom, "Out there." I placed the baby on the table and walked back out the door. "Tyler you can join us please." I took a deep breath. I really didn't want to go through this with her or him.

I stood on the opposite side of the corridor not wanting to be anywhere near Tyler. He was wise enough to catch on and stayed on the side he just came from. Mrs Downs stood in the middle of the corridor looking between the both of us.

"Do I need to know what happened between the two of you? I mean I shouldn't really speculate that the both of you did this to each other, but considering that you were both working on a project together all weekend and…"

"I hurt her," Tyler spoke up quietly, shocking the hell out of me. "I am so sorry Lou. There is absolutely no way you deserved that. I was angry, I was drunk and I was pissed off with someone that wasn't you." I looked to Mrs Downs not knowing what to say or do, but I realised when she looked just as panicked as I felt, I knew she wasn't going to give me any direction.

"Tyler…I…"

"You don't have to say anything back. I just wanted to apologise and to let you know that I will do everything in my power to make it up to you." I saw his eyes fill with tears, "I nearly…Oh god Lou…what I was doing…what I wanted to do…I feel sick." He doubled over with his arm across his torso.

I wanted to believe him, I wanted to forgive him but I couldn't do either in this moment. The memories of Friday night were still too fresh in my mind.

I looked back to Mrs Downs who had her hand covering her mouth. I could only assume what she was thinking.

"I was so consumed with wanting to get you first, to actually win against Kid, I didn't, I couldn't…"

"So you're still using them as an excuse?" I was bewildered and having heard enough. I looked to the teacher. "Can I go back in?" she only nodded and stepped aside.

I walked past her and back in the class room taking my seat. No one said anything, even when the teacher came back in and gathered up Tyler's things and taking them back out of the class room. I briefly wondered if she had kicked him out but I highly doubted it since he didn't actually do anything on school grounds.

I opened the baby diary and started going over what I had written when someone crouched down beside my desk.

I looked down and into the eyes of Kid.

"What do you want?" I snapped.

"What happened?"

"Do you even care?"

Kid studied me for a moment longer then stood. "I suppose I don't,"

"Miss McCloud, if you could come with me." Mr Smith was standing in the door way. He looked concerned as he studied my face, where I was probably looking pissed that this was becoming a big deal. I just wanted to get on with it.

I gathered up my stuff again, and placed the baby diary on the teacher's desk before following Mr Smith out of the class room.

No words were exchanged between us until I was sitting in the chair of his office and the door was shut behind me.

"Before we start I need you to understand something. I know you hate talking about you, I know you hate coming in here and I know you hate me, but you have to know that we can't let this go." He sat down behind his desk. "Two of our students have arrived here on a Monday morning banged up. One of those students has admitted to hurting the other. Now with the other being you, I need to know what happened because Lou, I do have to report this."

"That's not fair. I mean I didn't do anything, I promise you I didn't." I cried, I was worried that my life was about to change, once again.

"Tell me. Just tell me what happened." He grabbed his phone, "I'm going to record this conversation so I don't have to write it all up now."

I told him everything that Tyler said and everything he had done. I even told him that Buck saved me and that Tyler's brother came and got him. I made sure he understood that I didn't leave those bruises or cuts over Tyler and that Buck did, because he was protecting me. I even told him about Tyler touching me and taking my shirt off.

I was actually starting to feel very exposed, and I didn't like talking about this stuff with a man. But Mr Smith continuously asked more and more questions, wanting more and more details.

I wasn't sure I could take anymore, but was thankful when Mr Smith's phone began to ring.

I didn't listen to his conversation. I just kept my eyes to the carpet and continuously berated myself for even coming to school.

"Lou I'm sorry you had to experience that. Really I am. Thank you for telling me what happened." I looked up from the carpet wondering when he had finished his phone call.

He gave me a strange look that I couldn't quite decipher, before he gathered up his phone and a few papers.

"Why do I feel like something else is going on?"

"Because there is. Tyler's father has been called into the school."

I shook my head not seeing how this was my problem. "So?"

"You are going to have to meet with him and Tyler for a more formal discussion." My heart was pounding in my chest because I didn't know what was going to happen. "When we go in there you have to trust me, because I will be there for you. I will be there to be on your side."

I put my head in my hands. How did all of this happen? How did all of this turn to shit?

"You have to do this Lou." Mr Smith told me once again. "Under normal circumstances we would have your parents come in, but in your case you are it." And with that he opened the door and started walking.

I slowly stood staring at the open door. The way he said what he did before he left, was harsh. Didn't he just tell me he was on my side? That he was going to be there for me?

I started walking towards the Principals office, pausing at the door and taking in the different voices.

"Where are the girl's parents?" Mr DeWitt asked looking around the room, his eyes landing on me in the door way.

"Miss McCloud is an emancipated minor Mr DeWitt. Her mother passed away a couple of months ago and her father has been out of the picture since she was a baby."

"I see,"

I squeezed my eyes shut and rung my hands, trying to keep the tears at bay and my urge to comment. I mean what the hell did 'I see' mean?

"Lou, please come in and take a seat." Mr Smith pulled a chair out for me. I quickly sat in it hoping that it would swallow me whole.

"Miss McCloud did my son rape you?"

I looked up at him and shook my head no.

"Did he touch you inappropriately?"

I looked at Tyler, cringing.

"Dad I told you what happened…"

"Yes but you were also intoxicated."

"Yes," I whispered.

"Instead of making Lou talk about this, she and I met before coming in here, I recorded the conversation. Now with your permission Lou, I could play the recording so you don't have to keep repeating what happened."

"But then everyone here will know…"

"That's the point."

I looked around the room. There was the Principal Mr Harris, the counsellor Mr Smith, Tyler, and his father. I really didn't feel comfortable with this.

"I just want to go home." I looked to Mr Smith. "I don't want to do this."

"You should have thought about that before you made a complaint little girl."

"But I didn't."

"Then who made the complaint?" Tyler's father questioned, "I mean I was on the understanding that my son was facing expulsion because of a complaint."

"Mrs Downs has made the complaint after the incident was made aware to her."

"Did this even happen on School grounds?"

"No it did not."

"So why am I here? This little slut comes in on a Monday morning yelling rape and you all jump on her bandwagon?'

"DAD."

"I didn't …." I was horrified what was happening here.

"I would like to remind you that you are an adult here Mr DeWitt I am pretty sure that you were here when it was announced that it wasn't Miss McCloud who alerted us to this issue. In fact I could actually go as far as saying that Tyler informed Mrs Downs about Friday night's altercation."

"Even so, I feel that you are going beyond your pay grade and discussing expulsion. I will be getting my lawyer to come and speak with your board of…"

"I never threated expulsion. I merely mentioned that we could have grounds to consider it."

"Well then it seems to me that the issue is in the schools hands. I will have my lawyer call you by the end of the school day for and update as to what you have decided to do about this matter."

"We would ask that Tyler have the remainder of the day at home. The scene this morning was very disruptive and a few students are upset by what has occurred here."

"I don't see that as a problem as long as this…girl is given the same request."

"We will be suggesting the same for Miss McCloud as well."

"Tyler, grab your things."

My stomach was turning and my throat was tight. I could feel something inside of me building and I was scared, because I knew I was going to lose it and I really didn't want anyone in this room or this school for that matter to see that.

"Lou go grab your bag and wait for me by the main doors. I'll be with you in a moment or two."

I couldn't speak. I just did as I was told.

I was thankful that there didn't seem to be many students in the halls.

"Lou?" My head whipped up at the sound of Ike's voice.

I saw Ike coming towards me. I didn't even think I just saw him and I ran to him. He opened his arms to me just as I got to him.

"Lou, what's wrong?" He asked, but I just sobbed into his chest. I wanted him to hold me tighter, but there was no way I could ask him for that. This would have to be enough.

"Lou do you have all your things?" Mr Smith was behind me, and obviously he was ready to take me home so I couldn't talk to Ike.

I pulled away from Ike, "I have to go."

"Lou what happened?" Ike asked at the same time. I could see his eyes taking in the bruises on my face.

"I'm being sent home for the rest of the day?" I looked to Mr Smith to check I had that right. He gave me a slight nod, "I will talk to you tomorrow."

I turned on my heel and followed Mr Smith out of the school.

"Lou," Ike shouted after me. I stopped and turned to look at him. "I will see you after I finish School."

I couldn't help the genuine smile at hearing that. Ike truly was becoming a friend.

"I'd like that." I smiled and gave him a small wave before continuing to follow Mr Smith. But then I remembered, "Ike I can't. I have work." I told him sadly.

"I'll think of something." He told me, before I turned back around to follow Mr Smith.

On the way to his car we didn't talk, I actually didn't know what to say.

"I think there are some others that want to talk with you too Lou."

I looked up to see Jed, Kid, Cody and Jimmy all standing next to a white car. I looked back up to Mr Smith. "I'll give you two minutes," he told me standing where he stopped and turning his back to the boys.

I wasn't sure I wanted to talk to them. After a week of not being acknowledged by them at all, I felt like I really didn't owe this conversation to them.

But being the fool that I am I walked over to the car, making sure to keep my distance.

"You're being sent home?" Jed asked,

"Yes. Just for the day"

"Tyler was sent home too." Cody told me, but of course I already knew that.

"Was he?"

"What happened between the two of you?"

"The two of who?"

"You and Tyler"

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Really, you want to play those games?"

"That's the thing Kid I haven't been playing any games. I told you where I was and what had happened and still I get nothing but the cold shoulder from all of you. So forgive me if I don't want you knowing anything about me or what is going on in my world. Because I can tell you I have stopped caring about yours."

"Excuse me gentlemen, its time you all headed back onto school grounds and I need to take Lou home."

Sitting in his car, my hands were shaking in my lap so I placed them under my legs and stared out the window.

I still had the strangest feeling in my gut. I couldn't begin to even explain it, but it made me nervous, anxious and scared. I felt like there was no way I could talk, and I really didn't want to talk to Mr Smith right now.

I chanced a look at him.

He let me down today.

I think.

I mean he was my counsellor, he was meant to be there for me. He even said that he was on my side.

The problem is, I didn't feel like he was there for me at all. He actually made me feel worse about the situation.

I wouldn't have said anything to anyone. I wouldn't have pressed charges, made a complaint and I would have never gone anywhere near Tyler ever again.

"Lou can you tell me how you thought things went down in the meeting."

"Honestly Mr Smith I feel like I could cry for a week." I told him truthfully. "I feel ashamed, I feel let down and I feel alone." I started to cry quietly and kept my eyes out the window. "No one cared to ask if I was hurt, all they asked if I had been raped. No I hadn't, but he still hurt me. He still put his hands on me and it hurt. No one asked if I needed a doctor, no one cared that I was surrounded in a small room with men, and you asked me if you could play that tape. You didn't even ask if you could tape me, you just told me that you were. I had no one in my corner. I had no one caring about me. I don't even know if this is allowed. I mean can you just send me home? I haven't done anything wrong."

I was full on crying now. "I have no one. I couldn't even ring someone. A mum, someone who's a girl, I don't have that. And I really want that more than anything in this world. I want my mum." I continued to wail as my mind thought everything over.

"The pain is unbearable. I can't ever get her back. I can never have her by myside, protecting me ever again."

"Loula…"

"Just don't. Please just don't."

I asked him to drop me at the entrance of the park, but that was all I said to him. That was all I wanted to say to him.

As soon as I stepped inside the safety of my trailer I ran to my bathroom to empty my stomach, before crashing on my bed and crying myself to sleep.

I didn't know if I could do this.

Not by myself.

.

.

I ended up taking the week off. I knew that I would pay for that, but at the time I just couldn't find it in myself to care.

I started my new job on Monday night, to say Charlotte was shocked at the bruises on my face, was an understatement. But she didn't ask questions, and I didn't give her any answers.

Ike came around on Tuesday and Wednesday and bought with him notes from the classes I missed that he was in. He also gave me a drive to work on Wednesday which I was grateful for.

When Ike asked me what had happened, I just gave him the bare minimum. I wanted to tell him about what happened, but I didn't know where to start so I just gave him little bits which I know frustrated him, but I couldn't afford to lose him too.

I felt like if I told him he would take it upon himself to help me in some way. And I didn't want him to have that responsibility on his shoulders. So I acted if it was really not a big deal and that Buck had already taken care of what needed to be taken care of.

Of course Ike being Ike knew it was all bullshit, but he played along all the same.

By the time it was Sunday again I was anxious, as I had to go back to School and face everyone and everything.