Her hair was cascaded around her face, slightly curled, just like
Charlie always liked it. She wore a short black muscle tee with a silver
star on it and ultra low rise flares, all because Charlie loved the way it
looked on her. Her outfit was complete with his lettermen jacket. She
excitedly jumped into his arms as he waited outside of her geometry
classroom for her. Shane followed with a smile on his face until he saw
Charlie, and then stalked away angrily.
"And what's with the excitement?" Charlie asked as he placed her back on the floor.
"I just got an A on my geometry class," she smiled.
"Good job baby. I always knew you could do it," he replied as Matt began to walk by them with Amy on his arm and Adam and Jay next to them. Cinder started to run after them, but Charlie's strong hand gripped her arm tightly. "Where are you going?"
"I wanted to go tell Adam and Jay. Plus Matt's the reason for my good grade. He should know," she replied.
"You can tell Adam at home and I'm sure Jay will be there too. As for Matt, forget about him. I'm sure Adam can deliver the message," Charlie said and wrapped an arm around her bare waist, pulling her closer to him.
"No, I want to tell him Charlie. Why are you being such an ass about me hanging out with MY friends?!" she exclaimed as she pushed away from him, causing many to stop and stare at them.
"I'm not being an ass, I just think you should be spending more time with me. To kinda make up for getting yourself in trouble and not being able to go to homecoming with me!" he yelled. Adam heard his raised voice and stopped instantly, turning around, he walked quickly towards his little sister. Jay, Matt, and Amy weren't too far behind.
"Oh right, because this is all about you!" Cinder yelled as she pushed against Charlie's chest. "You have the biggest fuckin ego of anyone I know!"
"Are you calling me selfish?!" he yelled.
"Oh no Charlie. Where would you get THAT from?!"
"Fuck off Cinder. Shut up and learn your place in the world!" he growled as he roughly grabbed her by her wrists.
"I think you'd better get your hands off my sister," Adam said calmly crossing his arms over his large chest.
"Adam, please don't............"
"Shut up!" Charlie yelled as he threw her to the side and he immediately turned on Adam. "Ya know, I'm sick of your shit! You can't treat me the way you treat me!"
"I'll treat you anyway I want to. You're fucking up my little sister in the worst way! If it was up to me, I'd MAKE her break up with you. But I don't have that kind of control over her! She's old enough to make her own decisions. All I can do is protect her to the best of my abilities and that's what I'm doing right now. So if I ever catch you treating her that way again, I'll kick your sorry ass!" Adam yelled furiously as Amy wrapped a comforting arm around Cinder.
"You alright, girl?" Amy asked in a concerned tone as she looked into Cinder's pain stricken blue eyes.
"I don't mean for any of this shit to happen, Ames. Really I don't," Cinder sighed looking as though she was trying to fight back tears.
"I know sweetie. You can't help it if Charlie's being an asshole about things," Amy replied hugging her best friend tightly.
"She's my girlfriend and she needs to know her place!" Charlie's yells interfered with Amy and Cinder's hug.
"She knows her place. You need to learn your place!" Jay piped in.
"Oh my God! You actually spoke up for a change?! Good Lord! The world is gonna end!" Charlie laughed sarcastically at Jay's expense. "Now is not the time to get all heroic buddy!"
"Hey, leave him alone!" Amy said as she burst into the argument. Charlie whipped his head around and gave her a harsh stare before turning back to the guys. "Hey, I'm talking to you!"
"Don't get into this! Trust me, you don't want in," Charlie replied in a threatening tone.
"Are you threatening her?" Matt asked as he crossed his arms. Cinder stepped up and stood next to Amy as the pain suddenly left her eyes for anger.
"If I was, she'd know it!" Charlie yelled.
"THAT'S ENOUGH!" Cinder screamed. Everyone turned and looked at her. "Adam, this is my battle and although I'm grateful for you helping me out, you really shouldn't be getting involved. And Charlie, if you keep this shit up, we're through. Actually right now, I think it's best we split for awhile until you get less possessive!"
"What?! Oh come on now Cinder. I'm not being possessive. I'm being a boyfriend," Charlie argued.
"Boyfriend's don't leave bruises on their girlfriend's arms," Amy pointed out as she lifted Cinder's arm up to Charlie's face, a slight bruise beginning to form on her wrists.
"Bastard," Adam growled as he turned Charlie around to face him. Adam pulled his arm back and hit Charlie's face with a massive force. "No one hurts my sister and expects to get away with it!"
"Mr. Copeland!" Principal Bischoff's voice rang through their ears as he approached them.
"Shit," Adam muttered as he turned around.
"My office, now!" Bischoff ordered as he turned quickly and headed for his office.
"Thank you Adam," Cinder smiled as he started after their principal.
"Did you just see what your brother just did?!" Charlie yelled.
"Yeah, and you deserved it. Just like you deserved my punch last time!" Cinder yelled as she stormed off, the others following her closely.
"So, what started it off this time?" Jay asked.
"He wouldn't let me share my exciting news with you guys," Cinder laughed.
"Exciting news?" Jay wondered.
"I got an A on my geometry test and it's all thanks to you Matt!" Cinder replied happily as she hugged him tightly.
"No, you got the A, I just aided you a bit," Matt smiled. "But congratulations."
"Thanks. I just hope I can keep up these grades," Cinder smiled as they walked out of the school.
**********************
"But mom, I was just trying to look out for Cinder!" Adam argued with his mother in the living room while Cinder listened to them fight. It had been going on for about a half hour and she was getting tired of it. She hated hearing her brother get in trouble for something he didn't cause. She sat on her bed with her knees up to her chin, with a stuffed Tigger Adam had given her for her 13th birthday wrapped tightly in her arms. She had changed into a long sleeved shirt immediately after she had gotten home from cheering practice, trying to hide her bruises from her mother. She closed her eyes tightly and listened to their raised voices.
"Adam, I will not tolerate you getting suspended from school for any reason!" Leeann yelled at her son as she paced the room. Adam flopped down on the couch and rubbed his face.
"But mom, she was in trouble!" Adam yelled back.
"Don't you ever yell at me young man!"
"Mom, if I hadn't stepped in, who knows what could have happened. She's my little sister, what was I supposed to do, stand back and watch?!" Adam exclaimed.
"There was absolutely no reason for you to hit him! If you wanted to stick up for her, that's fine, but you had no reason to use violence! And now you're suspended from school for 2 days for your actions!"
"Stop it!!" Cinder screamed, tears streaming down her face. Her shirt was soaked with her tears as she wrapped her arms around her slender body. She stood at the foot of the stairs, ready for bed in her terry clothe boy shorts and hair looking as though it was just thrown up absentmindedly. Leeann walked towards her daughter and Adam leaned against the wall. "Mom, please don't yell at Adam. He was just trying to help."
"Honey, there was no need to hit Charlie," Leeann said softly as she placed her hands gently on Cinder's shoulders.
"Mom, there was reason," Cinder cried as she slowly rolled up her sleeves. Her mom stepped back in horror as the once barely noticeable bruises were now dark and very visible.
"Did Charlie do that to you?" her mother asked. Cinder bit on her lower lip as she gave hr mother a slight nod. "Oh sweetie." Leeann wrapped her arms around her daughter and placed a soft kiss on the top of her head. "Did you tell Mr. Bischoff?"
"No, I didn't tell anyone. I don't want to make a big deal out of it," Cinder replied.
"I think we need to press charges. Honey, this is assault and abuse," Leeann said as she looked into Cinder's blood shot eyes.
"No, I don't want to. I just want to let it go," Cinder responded softly.
"Are you sure?" Adam asked.
"Yeah, I'm sure. And Adam, I'm sorry for getting you into all this trouble," Cinder apologized as she walked into her brother's open arms. They slowly wrapped around her tightly.
"You have nothing to be sorry for," Adam said shaking his head.
"Adam, I want you to listen to me closely. I don't ever want to hear that you've gotten into another fight! I'll let this go because I know you did it out of love and to try helping you sister," Leeann said.
"Thanks Mom. And don't worry, none of this will happen again!" Adam smiled as he kissed his mother's cheek before running up to his room.
"Cinder, are you okay?" her mother asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I think I'm just gonna go to bed early, okay?" she said.
"I think that's a good idea," her mother smiled as Cinder walked up the stairs. Cinder walked into her room and curled up on her bed, leaving her door open to any visitors. She laid awake in her bed for quite sometime. She wasn't even really tired, she just didn't want to deal with today anymore.
"Cin, you alright?" Adam asked as he peered into her room.
"Yeah, I'm fine," she said quietly as she felt her bed sink under Adam's weight.
"Ya know, I'm just trying to look out for you. I know you can handle yourself, but I can't help it," Adam said as he softly rubbed her back like he used to when she had trouble falling asleep.
"I know, and I've come to accept you for the over protective older brother you are," Cinder laughed.
"Well, um, congratulations on you geometry test," Adam smiled as Cinder sat up.
"You heard?" she smiled.
"Yeah, Alanah told me," he replied.
"I wanted to tell you myself, but that's the reason this whole thing started today."
"Yeah, it's okay. Anyways, I got some English homework to do. Goodnite C," Adam said kissing Cinder's forehead.
"Nite Adam. And thanks," she said as he shut the door on his way out of the room.
*********************
"So, you and Charlie are no more huh?" Jeff asked as he stood next to where Cinder was stretching for cheering practice in the gym.
"For the moment yeah," she answered as she pulled her arms way above her head. "God it's gonna be a scorcher out there today."
"Yeah, I'm glad I'm gonna be in the nice coolness of the house," Jeff smiled as he pulled Cinder to her feet.
"Come on C. The heat of the sun awaits us!" Trish smiled as she walked out of the locker room in a pink sports bra and short shorts.
"Wow," Jeff swooned. Cinder rolled her eyes and nudged his shoulder. "Um, I'll talk to you later."
"Yeah, later," Cinder laughed as she ran after Trish and the other girls, plus Rico.
Cinder sat on the coolness of the grass drinking the last of her water in the 85 degree weather. She was instructing some of the girls on their spots while some of the others took a break. She had already shed her t-shirt, leaving herself in a blue sports bra and pair of netted shorts, but she was still sweating furiously in the heat.
"C, I can't do this anymore," Alanah sighed as she fell to the ground in exhaust.
"I know. You guys, take a break. Go in the shade, get some water, do whatever, and we'll meet back here in 10 minutes," Cinder replied as mostly everyone ran off to the gym. Trish sat next to Cinder and dripped some cold water on her head.
"God it's so hot out here!" Trish complained as she looked over at the football team. "Even they're exhausted!"
"I know. It's really bad," Cinder sighed as she laid down, closing her eyes. A sudden shadow covered her body, shielding her from the sun. She didn't even have time to open her eyes before she felt a down pour of cold water all over her body. She sat up in shock and stood, dripping with water. "ADAM!!!"
"How was your shower?" he asked with a mischievous grin on his face. He shook the empty water bottle at her as Trish laughed.
"You asshole!" she exclaimed as she ran after him down the field.
"Feeling refreshed?!" he remarked as she suddenly jumped on his back.
"I can't believe you did that!" she laughed.
"Bet it felt good though," he said as he came to a stop and held onto her legs.
"You bet it did!" she said. "Shouldn't you be practicing?"
"Coach let us out early cause of the unbearable heat. Plus I have to be at the airport by 5," he answered. "Thought you might want to come with me."
"Why? What's goin on at the airport?" Cinder asked as Adam walked her over to where the cheerleaders had been practicing.
"It's a surprise. But just trust me that you'll love it," he smiled as she slid off his back to the ground.
"Um, okay," she said curiosity evident in her voice. The others had gathered back at their spot and she smiled. "Since it's so damn hot out here, I'm letting everyone go early. Enjoy your afternoon!"
"Thank you SO much C," Alanah said excitedly before she kissed Adam's cheek. Alanah rushed into the gym with the others to change.
"So, we headed to the beach then?" Trish asked.
"Um, no. Can't. I'm still grounded, plus I'm going with Adam to the airport for whatever reason," Cinder laughed.
Trish gave her friend a light chuckle and nodded. "Alright, I'll see you tomorrow, C. Bye Adam!" Trish ran off, leaving Adam and Cinder standing there.
"Well, go grab your stuff and hurry!" Adam instructed. Cinder shook her head at her brother and ran off.
"And what's with the excitement?" Charlie asked as he placed her back on the floor.
"I just got an A on my geometry class," she smiled.
"Good job baby. I always knew you could do it," he replied as Matt began to walk by them with Amy on his arm and Adam and Jay next to them. Cinder started to run after them, but Charlie's strong hand gripped her arm tightly. "Where are you going?"
"I wanted to go tell Adam and Jay. Plus Matt's the reason for my good grade. He should know," she replied.
"You can tell Adam at home and I'm sure Jay will be there too. As for Matt, forget about him. I'm sure Adam can deliver the message," Charlie said and wrapped an arm around her bare waist, pulling her closer to him.
"No, I want to tell him Charlie. Why are you being such an ass about me hanging out with MY friends?!" she exclaimed as she pushed away from him, causing many to stop and stare at them.
"I'm not being an ass, I just think you should be spending more time with me. To kinda make up for getting yourself in trouble and not being able to go to homecoming with me!" he yelled. Adam heard his raised voice and stopped instantly, turning around, he walked quickly towards his little sister. Jay, Matt, and Amy weren't too far behind.
"Oh right, because this is all about you!" Cinder yelled as she pushed against Charlie's chest. "You have the biggest fuckin ego of anyone I know!"
"Are you calling me selfish?!" he yelled.
"Oh no Charlie. Where would you get THAT from?!"
"Fuck off Cinder. Shut up and learn your place in the world!" he growled as he roughly grabbed her by her wrists.
"I think you'd better get your hands off my sister," Adam said calmly crossing his arms over his large chest.
"Adam, please don't............"
"Shut up!" Charlie yelled as he threw her to the side and he immediately turned on Adam. "Ya know, I'm sick of your shit! You can't treat me the way you treat me!"
"I'll treat you anyway I want to. You're fucking up my little sister in the worst way! If it was up to me, I'd MAKE her break up with you. But I don't have that kind of control over her! She's old enough to make her own decisions. All I can do is protect her to the best of my abilities and that's what I'm doing right now. So if I ever catch you treating her that way again, I'll kick your sorry ass!" Adam yelled furiously as Amy wrapped a comforting arm around Cinder.
"You alright, girl?" Amy asked in a concerned tone as she looked into Cinder's pain stricken blue eyes.
"I don't mean for any of this shit to happen, Ames. Really I don't," Cinder sighed looking as though she was trying to fight back tears.
"I know sweetie. You can't help it if Charlie's being an asshole about things," Amy replied hugging her best friend tightly.
"She's my girlfriend and she needs to know her place!" Charlie's yells interfered with Amy and Cinder's hug.
"She knows her place. You need to learn your place!" Jay piped in.
"Oh my God! You actually spoke up for a change?! Good Lord! The world is gonna end!" Charlie laughed sarcastically at Jay's expense. "Now is not the time to get all heroic buddy!"
"Hey, leave him alone!" Amy said as she burst into the argument. Charlie whipped his head around and gave her a harsh stare before turning back to the guys. "Hey, I'm talking to you!"
"Don't get into this! Trust me, you don't want in," Charlie replied in a threatening tone.
"Are you threatening her?" Matt asked as he crossed his arms. Cinder stepped up and stood next to Amy as the pain suddenly left her eyes for anger.
"If I was, she'd know it!" Charlie yelled.
"THAT'S ENOUGH!" Cinder screamed. Everyone turned and looked at her. "Adam, this is my battle and although I'm grateful for you helping me out, you really shouldn't be getting involved. And Charlie, if you keep this shit up, we're through. Actually right now, I think it's best we split for awhile until you get less possessive!"
"What?! Oh come on now Cinder. I'm not being possessive. I'm being a boyfriend," Charlie argued.
"Boyfriend's don't leave bruises on their girlfriend's arms," Amy pointed out as she lifted Cinder's arm up to Charlie's face, a slight bruise beginning to form on her wrists.
"Bastard," Adam growled as he turned Charlie around to face him. Adam pulled his arm back and hit Charlie's face with a massive force. "No one hurts my sister and expects to get away with it!"
"Mr. Copeland!" Principal Bischoff's voice rang through their ears as he approached them.
"Shit," Adam muttered as he turned around.
"My office, now!" Bischoff ordered as he turned quickly and headed for his office.
"Thank you Adam," Cinder smiled as he started after their principal.
"Did you just see what your brother just did?!" Charlie yelled.
"Yeah, and you deserved it. Just like you deserved my punch last time!" Cinder yelled as she stormed off, the others following her closely.
"So, what started it off this time?" Jay asked.
"He wouldn't let me share my exciting news with you guys," Cinder laughed.
"Exciting news?" Jay wondered.
"I got an A on my geometry test and it's all thanks to you Matt!" Cinder replied happily as she hugged him tightly.
"No, you got the A, I just aided you a bit," Matt smiled. "But congratulations."
"Thanks. I just hope I can keep up these grades," Cinder smiled as they walked out of the school.
**********************
"But mom, I was just trying to look out for Cinder!" Adam argued with his mother in the living room while Cinder listened to them fight. It had been going on for about a half hour and she was getting tired of it. She hated hearing her brother get in trouble for something he didn't cause. She sat on her bed with her knees up to her chin, with a stuffed Tigger Adam had given her for her 13th birthday wrapped tightly in her arms. She had changed into a long sleeved shirt immediately after she had gotten home from cheering practice, trying to hide her bruises from her mother. She closed her eyes tightly and listened to their raised voices.
"Adam, I will not tolerate you getting suspended from school for any reason!" Leeann yelled at her son as she paced the room. Adam flopped down on the couch and rubbed his face.
"But mom, she was in trouble!" Adam yelled back.
"Don't you ever yell at me young man!"
"Mom, if I hadn't stepped in, who knows what could have happened. She's my little sister, what was I supposed to do, stand back and watch?!" Adam exclaimed.
"There was absolutely no reason for you to hit him! If you wanted to stick up for her, that's fine, but you had no reason to use violence! And now you're suspended from school for 2 days for your actions!"
"Stop it!!" Cinder screamed, tears streaming down her face. Her shirt was soaked with her tears as she wrapped her arms around her slender body. She stood at the foot of the stairs, ready for bed in her terry clothe boy shorts and hair looking as though it was just thrown up absentmindedly. Leeann walked towards her daughter and Adam leaned against the wall. "Mom, please don't yell at Adam. He was just trying to help."
"Honey, there was no need to hit Charlie," Leeann said softly as she placed her hands gently on Cinder's shoulders.
"Mom, there was reason," Cinder cried as she slowly rolled up her sleeves. Her mom stepped back in horror as the once barely noticeable bruises were now dark and very visible.
"Did Charlie do that to you?" her mother asked. Cinder bit on her lower lip as she gave hr mother a slight nod. "Oh sweetie." Leeann wrapped her arms around her daughter and placed a soft kiss on the top of her head. "Did you tell Mr. Bischoff?"
"No, I didn't tell anyone. I don't want to make a big deal out of it," Cinder replied.
"I think we need to press charges. Honey, this is assault and abuse," Leeann said as she looked into Cinder's blood shot eyes.
"No, I don't want to. I just want to let it go," Cinder responded softly.
"Are you sure?" Adam asked.
"Yeah, I'm sure. And Adam, I'm sorry for getting you into all this trouble," Cinder apologized as she walked into her brother's open arms. They slowly wrapped around her tightly.
"You have nothing to be sorry for," Adam said shaking his head.
"Adam, I want you to listen to me closely. I don't ever want to hear that you've gotten into another fight! I'll let this go because I know you did it out of love and to try helping you sister," Leeann said.
"Thanks Mom. And don't worry, none of this will happen again!" Adam smiled as he kissed his mother's cheek before running up to his room.
"Cinder, are you okay?" her mother asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I think I'm just gonna go to bed early, okay?" she said.
"I think that's a good idea," her mother smiled as Cinder walked up the stairs. Cinder walked into her room and curled up on her bed, leaving her door open to any visitors. She laid awake in her bed for quite sometime. She wasn't even really tired, she just didn't want to deal with today anymore.
"Cin, you alright?" Adam asked as he peered into her room.
"Yeah, I'm fine," she said quietly as she felt her bed sink under Adam's weight.
"Ya know, I'm just trying to look out for you. I know you can handle yourself, but I can't help it," Adam said as he softly rubbed her back like he used to when she had trouble falling asleep.
"I know, and I've come to accept you for the over protective older brother you are," Cinder laughed.
"Well, um, congratulations on you geometry test," Adam smiled as Cinder sat up.
"You heard?" she smiled.
"Yeah, Alanah told me," he replied.
"I wanted to tell you myself, but that's the reason this whole thing started today."
"Yeah, it's okay. Anyways, I got some English homework to do. Goodnite C," Adam said kissing Cinder's forehead.
"Nite Adam. And thanks," she said as he shut the door on his way out of the room.
*********************
"So, you and Charlie are no more huh?" Jeff asked as he stood next to where Cinder was stretching for cheering practice in the gym.
"For the moment yeah," she answered as she pulled her arms way above her head. "God it's gonna be a scorcher out there today."
"Yeah, I'm glad I'm gonna be in the nice coolness of the house," Jeff smiled as he pulled Cinder to her feet.
"Come on C. The heat of the sun awaits us!" Trish smiled as she walked out of the locker room in a pink sports bra and short shorts.
"Wow," Jeff swooned. Cinder rolled her eyes and nudged his shoulder. "Um, I'll talk to you later."
"Yeah, later," Cinder laughed as she ran after Trish and the other girls, plus Rico.
Cinder sat on the coolness of the grass drinking the last of her water in the 85 degree weather. She was instructing some of the girls on their spots while some of the others took a break. She had already shed her t-shirt, leaving herself in a blue sports bra and pair of netted shorts, but she was still sweating furiously in the heat.
"C, I can't do this anymore," Alanah sighed as she fell to the ground in exhaust.
"I know. You guys, take a break. Go in the shade, get some water, do whatever, and we'll meet back here in 10 minutes," Cinder replied as mostly everyone ran off to the gym. Trish sat next to Cinder and dripped some cold water on her head.
"God it's so hot out here!" Trish complained as she looked over at the football team. "Even they're exhausted!"
"I know. It's really bad," Cinder sighed as she laid down, closing her eyes. A sudden shadow covered her body, shielding her from the sun. She didn't even have time to open her eyes before she felt a down pour of cold water all over her body. She sat up in shock and stood, dripping with water. "ADAM!!!"
"How was your shower?" he asked with a mischievous grin on his face. He shook the empty water bottle at her as Trish laughed.
"You asshole!" she exclaimed as she ran after him down the field.
"Feeling refreshed?!" he remarked as she suddenly jumped on his back.
"I can't believe you did that!" she laughed.
"Bet it felt good though," he said as he came to a stop and held onto her legs.
"You bet it did!" she said. "Shouldn't you be practicing?"
"Coach let us out early cause of the unbearable heat. Plus I have to be at the airport by 5," he answered. "Thought you might want to come with me."
"Why? What's goin on at the airport?" Cinder asked as Adam walked her over to where the cheerleaders had been practicing.
"It's a surprise. But just trust me that you'll love it," he smiled as she slid off his back to the ground.
"Um, okay," she said curiosity evident in her voice. The others had gathered back at their spot and she smiled. "Since it's so damn hot out here, I'm letting everyone go early. Enjoy your afternoon!"
"Thank you SO much C," Alanah said excitedly before she kissed Adam's cheek. Alanah rushed into the gym with the others to change.
"So, we headed to the beach then?" Trish asked.
"Um, no. Can't. I'm still grounded, plus I'm going with Adam to the airport for whatever reason," Cinder laughed.
Trish gave her friend a light chuckle and nodded. "Alright, I'll see you tomorrow, C. Bye Adam!" Trish ran off, leaving Adam and Cinder standing there.
"Well, go grab your stuff and hurry!" Adam instructed. Cinder shook her head at her brother and ran off.