Just as the guy comes up behind Grant, ready to blindside him with a crushing blow, I bend forward and plow into him with my shoulder, throwing him off balance. His elbow comes around and collides with my jaw just as we topple to the ground, my knee strategically landing between his legs.
"What the fuck?!" he chokes out when he realizes I'm on top of him, my left hand holding him down, digging into the soft flesh under his jaw.
And because he has a tiny dick and couldn't feel the impact of my knee (that should have incapacitated him) he grabs one of my braided pigtails and tugs. He's about to slug me, but I swing first, my fist coming down hard across the jaw.
"Stay down," I seethe in his ear. I pull back to land another punch, but before I can, arms wrap around my waist and pull me off of him. I kick and elbow the solid body that has me hoisted in the air.
"Lana, stop. It's me," Grant says, continuing to back away from the guys.
"Fucking pussy!" One of the morons yells. "Have to have a girl fight for you."
Grant calls out over his shoulder, "She hits better than I do."
As soon as he sets me down, I prepare for their retaliation. But none of them do. Instead, Limp-Dick's walking away with his friends, the girls trailing a good five feet behind them, like they're embarrassed they came together. I can hear him bitching about being sucker punched and that he wasn't about to hit a girl. Whatever.
When I turn around, our entire group is staring at me. Kaely looks traumatized. Brendan appears impressed, as does Stefan. Squirrel ... he may have missed it, too focused on the bag of flavored popcorn he's digging around in. Lily is covering her mouth with her hands like she's trying not to scream. And Ashton has an eyebrow raised in a what the fuck was that kind of way.
"What the hell, Lana?" Lance pushes his way from within the middle of everyone. His face is red, like he's about to have a heart attack. "Are trying to get arrested again?" He clutches the top of his head, his bright blue eyes huge. "Because you know if you do, you're so screwed. And there's nothing my dad will be able to do to help you."
I gape at him in shock, surprised by his anger. Even more surprised that he cares and that is why he's angry. Lance realizes what he said a little too late and looks around at the eyes that are even more shocked then they were a second ago--because there were only two other people in our group who knew about my arrest record. And Lance just broke a pretty sacred vow by exposing me like he did.
I glance up at Grant for the first time. And he doesn't seem shocked exactly. His expression is more contemplative, like he's putting pieces of me together that he didn't know were missing. I'm waiting for him to decide that he doesn't like who I am.
Ashton is the first to break from the group and hugs me. "Are you okay?"
"You're bleeding," Lily notices, standing on the other side of me. "Let me go get some ice."
"I'll be fine," I try to assure her, swiping at the small trickle of blood on the corner of my lip. I must've bitten my cheek when he elbowed me. But Lily's already gone.
"That was the craziest thing I've ever seen in my entire life," Kaely babbles, still in shock.
"Welcome to my life," I tell her with a small smirk. Brendan lets out a laugh but cuts it short when Lance glares at him.
"Would you mind if I drive Lana back to the school?" I'm not really sure who Grant's asking, but Lance shrugs in approval. Then Grant asks me, "Is that okay?" I nod.
I shoot Ashton a worried glance, afraid this car ride will be the end of whatever Grant and I are.
"I'll see you at school," she tells me, sharing my concern. "Come find me when you get back."
I give them a weak wave and walk off with Grant. After a
few steps, he slides his hand in mine and squeezes. I relax ... just a little. Hoping there's still a chance he won't give up on me just yet. We continue the rest of the way to his car in silence.
Grant's car is straight out of a black and white, classic Hollywood movie. It's some sort of navy blue vintage convertible coupe with a white racing stripe. I don't think I could've designed a better car for Grant if I tried. He opens the passenger door for me to get in.
Before he starts the car, he faces me. I hold my breath, waiting for him to tell me how reckless and stupid I was. Instead, he runs a hand along my jaw. I wince.
He leans over and brushes a feather-light kiss against it. I close my eyes and hold my breath, wishing he'll follow it up with one on my lips. But he shifts away and starts the car.
Even when I start breathing again, it still doesn't feel like I'm getting enough air.
"What time's your curfew?" he asks as we wind through country roads, the sun shooting rays of orange and gold through the trees as it nestles into the horizon.
"Midnight," I tell him, trying not to smile. Because that's hours from now, and I doubt he's preparing to spend the next three hours telling me why he never wants to see me again. I was so scared that after he witnessed the worst of my truths, he wouldn't be interested anymore. And the fact that it scared me, scares me even more.
I glance over at him, his golden hair ruffling in the wind. He shoots me a crooked grin before taking my hand and kissing the back of it. "I'll have you back in time. I promise."
"I'm not worried," I tell him. Not anymore--I don't say out loud.