A part of her was nervous when she walked to school next morning. Would he still want her or had she just been a conquest he could cross of his list? Her mind was quickly put to ease when she saw him waiting for her. He put on a huge smile once he saw her, wrapped her in his arms and kissed her.
He took her hand and they walked into school together. For the first time in a very long time she held her head high as she walked the hallways. He was there beside her to protect her and to be with her and all of the sudden she felt courage. Courage to hold her head up high, courage to let herself be seen, courage to show them all that despite everything they still hadn't broken her.
They walked into the classroom together and no one said a word. Roman frowned when he saw Johnny. At first he tried to hold it in as they walked down to their table in the back but the moment he was down there so close to Johnny, he snapped. A shockwave went through the class as Johnny was pulled up from his chair and slammed against the wall. Roman was all up in his face.
"If you ever touch my girl again, look at her or even talk bad about her behind her back, I'm gonna give you the beating of a lifetime. Am I making myself clear?" He growled.
Johnny seemed lost for words and just nodded, fear clearly showing on his face. Roman let go off him and went to sit next to Kayle. He took her hand and leaned in to give her a quick kiss to show everyone in the classroom that he meant it. She was his and no one would be allowed near her as long as he was around. A little smile showed on her face.
Weeks passed and everyone left her alone. No one dared to cross paths with Roman. An angry Roman was someone they all feared. She enjoyed her new found freedom in school and things were going great between them on the private front as well. She had become very close friends with the twins as well and all in all her life seemed to blossom.
"Hit me," Dean said.
"What?" She asked.
"Right here," he said and pointed at his shoulder.
She tried throwing a punch at him and he just laughed.
"Horrible. I gotta teach you to do better," he said.
Seth and Roman sat back and watched as Dean tried to teach her how to fight.
"What are you gonna do after Summer?" Seth asked.
"I try not to think about it," Roman answered.
"That's not fair to her. She needs to know," Seth said.
"I know. It's just so hard. I never thought I'd fall in love with someone when I transferred but she has gotten under my skin," Roman said.
"She loves you just as much as you love her. You gotta tell her. Maybe you'll find a solution," Seth said.
"Yeah, maybe," Roman said.
She came walking towards them, laughing together with Dean.
"Okay, who wants to be my guinea pig?" She laughed and held her fists up.
Roman reached up and grabbed her wrist, dragged her down on his lap and kissed her.
"Later baby, I'll have you fight me all you want in bed," he whispered in her ear.
He waited. He couldn't bring himself to tell her at first and she didn't open the conversation either. It wasn't until their last day at school, he finally spoke up once they were back at his place.
"Freedom at last! No more hell!" She laughed as she threw herself on his bed.
He sat down next to her and took her hand. His eyes seem worried and she stopped laughing.
"What's wrong, baby?" She asked.
"What are your plans after Summer?" He asked.
She knew they were bound to talk about it at some point but she had kept pushing it away. She knew this could ruin everything.
"Truth be told, after what I went through, I'm not really keen on studying anymore. My mom has gotten me a job at the factory she's at and I'll start in a couple of weeks," she said.
He nodded.
"What about you?" She asked, knowing his answer was gonna break her heart.
"I'm going away for college," he answered.
This time she was the one nodding.
"I can put it on hold for you or find another school closer to here," he said.
She held her hand over his mouth to stop him from talking.
"No! No way in hell I'm gonna let you put your dreams on hold for me," she said.
"We'll get through it. Many people have long distance relationships," he said.
"I couldn't do that to you. You should be free and have the time of your life," she said.
"But I don't want that. I want you. I don't wanna lose you," he said and wrapped his arms around her.
"And I'll still be in this town once you're done with college. If it's meant to be, then it's meant to be, and we'll figure things out when that happens. But for now we still have the Summer. Let's enjoy it together," she said and kissed him.
He felt heartbroken as he kissed her back. Was she really gonna let him fly free and allow him to do whatever he wanted? He understood where she was coming from and deep inside he knew she was right. Right now it was just so hard. But she was right, they still had the Summer and he intended on spending every day with her. He laid down on his back and dragged her down with him, holding her tight on top of him.
"I love you, baby," he said.
"I love you too. Now be a good boy and let me go so I can get ready for the party tonight," she said.
"Hmm... no," he said and squeezed her tighter, making her giggle in the process.
How he was gonna miss hearing that once the Summer was gone.
The party was held by a friend to a cousin of Roman so many people were there they didn't know and unfortunately also many they did know as they realized several of their classmates were there. She made her way to the kitchen with the twins while Roman found his cousin.
For a while they stayed in the kitchen, drinking and laughing, before returning to the party in the livingroom. The moment they entered, they saw Emma all over Roman. She obviously thought Kayle wasn't there and tried to make a move. Disgust showed all over Roman's face but unlike Dean, he wasn't gonna hit a woman. Dean took a step forward but Kayle put a hand on his arm, holding him back.
"The cunt deserves it," he growled.
"I know," she said.
She leaned her head in so her forehead touched his, grinning like a mad person in the process.
"But I'm gonna do it. I'll be the psychopath tonight," she said.
As her words sank in, Dean started grinning too. He relaxed and held his hand out to show her she should go ahead. He would stay back and enjoy the show. A year of bullying and frustration mixed with the heartbreaking conversation with Roman earlier were flowing through her entire body. She saw red.
"I might lose him soon but not to a cunt like you," her mind growled as she made her way towards them.
Before anyone could react, Kayle threw her fist straight into Emma's face. Emma fell to the floor right away and Kayle jumped on her, letting her fist rain down a couple of more times before Roman finally got a hold of her and dragged her away.
"That's enough," he said in her ear as he dragged her backwards.
Seth and Dean were instantly by their side, walking out of the party together with them. Well, the guys walked. Kayle was more or less being carried outside by Roman.
"What the hell?" Roman asked as he let go off her but he couldn't keep the smile from appearing on his face.
"You did good, sweety," Dean said.
"Fuck, that hurt," she said and held up her hand.
Seth took it and looked at it.
"Yeah, better get you home and get some ice on it," he said.
"I'll take her home. You guys can stay and party if you like," Roman said.
They sat on his bed, her with ice on her hand.
"So about our conversation earlier..." He started.
"Baby," She said and put her free hand on his cheek.
"I know you're right. It makes sense. But that doesn't stop it from hurting, you know," he said.
"I know," she said.
"But you're right. If it's meant to be, we'll find our way back to each other again somewhere down the line. I'd like to think that's what's gonna happen," he said.
"Me too," she said.
He leaned in and kissed her. His arms went around her waist and he pulled her close.
"We still got some time. We got the Summer. I don't wanna waste a single moment away from you if I get a saying in it," he said.
"Of course you do. I don't wanna say goodbye to you before I really have to," she said.
"I love you, baby. No matter what happens with us in the future, remember that I love you," he said.