I'm back! So this chapter might be kind of short. But before we get started, let us take a moment of silence to remember all those who died during 9/11 ... Oh, and I need suggestions for a new title. Please help! On with the story.
Disclaimer: I don't own
Chapter four: Bruises
Sophie walked into school, scared. After she had gotten home, she had been beaten severally. She focused on getting better, so she didn't return Lok's calls or texts. Concealer became her best friend, besides Lok obviously. She saw Lok bound up to her, cheerful per usual. Here goes nothing.
"Hey, Sophie! How come you..." Lok trailed off as his face flipped to a frown. His fingers whispered over the bruises on her neck and arms. Sophie broke away from his blue gaze when his eyes met hers.
"What happened?" Shock and concern spoke through his voice.
"I fell out of a tree," she lied easily. Lok didn't believe her, but she obviously wasn't going to talk before she was ready. He wasn't going to push her, but he still wanted the truth. He traced one long bruise down to her finger tips. Taking her hand and flipping it over, he saw the red mark. A long, thin cut, deep into her palm.
"How did you get these?" He pointed out several cuts on the back of her hand.
"I landed in a rose bush." Which was actually true. She had been pushed into the rose bush in her backyard. Lok saw a bit of truth resided in her eyes and let it go.
"Are you going to come to tryouts?" Relieved, the green-eyed girl nodded. Lok regained his smile.
"Great!" STARSTARSTARSTYARSTARSTARSTA RSTARSTARSTARSTRATSRATSRATSR AT
Lok watched Sophie all through lunch. She didn't eat the yogurt, which he packed specifically for her, just swirled it around. Finally he stopped her.
"Okay, no. What's wrong?" Sophie faintly blushed at his hand resting on her. The girl just shook her head. "Talk to me, please." Sophie shook her head, violently this time. "Come on."
"No...no...no..." The whisper flew from her lips. Memories plagued her mind. The darkness, the loneliness, the terror of the situation. Not enough air to breathe. Chocking, gasping. Suffocating. No where to run. No where to go. Tears started to slip down her face. Sophie burst into sobs.
"Hey, hey, it's okay." Lok held the fragile girl in his arms and rocked her back and forth, as she cried into his shirt. " It's okay. I gotcha."
STARSTARSTARSTYARSTARSTARSTA RSTARSTARSTARSTRATSRATSRATSR AT
Dante watched as Zhalia rose from her table. She nodded in his direction. facing his fellow jocks, who were babbling about tryouts and Scarlet's latest shenanigan, he said,
"Coach wanted to meet with me; I'll see you guys later." He swung his backpack over his shoulder and caught up to Zhalia in the hall. She smiled a rare smile. He wound his arms around her tiny waist. She laughed into his chest.
"Come now, surely you didn't miss me that much?" Her teasing tone caused Dante to softly chuckle; he kissed the top of her head.
"More than you could ever imagine." Zhalia tilted her face up to meet his lips. Their passionate kiss lasted about thirty seconds. The pulled away for air. Zhalia's face then slipped into a frown.
"What are we going to do about Scarlet? She can't give Sophie a break. Did you see what she did to the poor girl? Scarlet has gone far beyond pushing and shoving. She stalked her, Dante. Got at her when she was weakest. She is such a …... BITCH!" Dante knew that when Zhalia got started, it was better to just wait it out.
"I don't know. But she seems to have an interest in Lok." Zhalia cut him off.
"Well, of course! He's the only one she can't get."
"Anyhow, I was thinking we might be able to use that against her."
"Maybe." Zhalia sounded exhausted. "It just hurts to see Sophie like that. She was once so happy, and then..." Her voice trailed off. Dante pulled her close. He, too, remembered when Sophie was always cheery.
"I know, babe. I know."
Sorry it's short, but I have homework! See you later. Not sure when...