Beautifully Broken

Nothing but air.

Beads of sweat drip down my neck as the feeling of impending doom lingers. The memory of a crooked grin I’ll never forget flashes before my eyes, amping the intensity of my breakdown.

I spent a good part of this year in counseling to learn how to manage my panic attacks. Finding ways to keep everyone from noticing my freak outs, but Tad makes me feel like I’m trapped. Watching from the outside I lose all control.

Three Mississippi.

Logically I know it’s been more than three seconds. It has to have been, but I’m stuck in a time warp. Everything happens at a snail slow pace yet lightning fast at the same time.

Tad pushes me against a wall near the entrance of the girl’s bathroom, just outside of the football stadium. He lets go of my arm and presses his hands on either side of me. I realize that this situation probably isn’t going to end well, but my anxiety begins to subside. As close as Tad is, he’s not touching me anymore.

I can think again.

Feel again.

Pain surges through my arm like a lightning bolt. It was probably there the whole time, but I didn’t notice. I’m going to have five little bruises from the pressure of his fingers but I don’t move to soothe the throbbing. I hold my ground, fists balled at my sides, and stare up at him.

“I'm not above dragging you into the bathroom, but I don’t want to do that. I just need you to go in there with me, Piper.” Tad rests his forehead against the wall. His breath loud and shaky beside my ear. “A thousand dollars,” he says suddenly, turning his head, begging me with his eyes to concede. “Walk in there with me. Please. You have to… ”

If my heart wasn’t already racing, it would be. That’s a lot of money, enough for a ticket out of town and a few nights at a cheap motel. It’s not nearly enough to pay my bio-mom’s debts, but it would put a dent in it and maybe keep everyone off my back a little longer.

I don’t know though. Whatever rumor is bound to start about me would be gone in eight short weeks, but this situation doesn’t feel right. Something’s off. “I need that money. More than you can imagine, but no.”

Tad beats his fist on the wall beside me. I flinch, but he’s so lost in himself he doesn’t seem to notice. “What the fuck, Piper? I’ve offered you ten times more than your worth. If you don’t go in there, I’m gonna be...” He shakes his head.

“I don’t want—”

Tad turns to me again, this time crashing his lips onto mine. He tastes like cigarettes and tuna fish, two things I hate. His hands push into my hair, tangling and pulling my roots. Bile creeps up my throat.

I don’t want this.

I don’t want him.

No! I bite down on the tongue that’s invaded my mouth and press my palms to Tad’s chest, pushing as hard as I can. He stumbles back a step and stares at me, wide eyed, apparently shocked that I rejected him.

“You bitch!” He grunts, raising his hand and slapping me across the face. “You don’t want to do this the easy way, fine. We can do it—!”

“Hey!” A deep voice booms from my right. A wide, tall body comes out of nowhere, physically shielding me with its massive frame while a hand shoves Tad’s shoulder.

Tad loses his balance and stumbles a step to the right. “The fuck you want, Montgomery?”

Rex Montgomery—owner of said voice—reaches behind him and puts a protective hand on my hip. With everything that’s happening, my brain doesn’t seem to register the touch. It can’t, it’s too stunned that he of all people came to my rescue.

I mean, the man is a living work of art. At six-foot-four, Rex towers over damn near everyone at St. A’s. Teachers included. It’s a known fact that he played ice hockey at his last school, and rumor has it he’s already been drafted to go semi-pro next season. Needless to say, every inch of him is carved from gold. Not really, but I hear his muscles are drool worthy. Add to that near perfect body a strong jawline and an angled nose. Yeah, girls swoon just from hearing his name. I’ll admit, I might be one of them, sometimes, but never in public.

“Leave her alone,” he growls.

Tad snorts. “That’s cute. You sticking up for the trash. This bitch doesn’t belong here, Rex. All girls like her are good for is a quick lay.”

“Fuck you,” I yell. Rex squeezes my hip, probably trying to be reassuring. Oddly enough, it works. A calm settles over me, releasing an unexpected smile.

What the heck is happening right now?

“Tell you what, you can take her into the boys bathroom first. When your done I’ll do my thing with her in the girl’s. My treat, Man.”

Without warning Rex swings, catching Tad off guard with a right hook to the eye. Rex moves like a shark. Agile. Quick. And with precision. He swings again, hitting with enough force to knock Tad back a step.

I stand there like an idiot. Mouth open. Eyes gaping as if this is the first time I’ve witnessed two boys throw down. I’ve seen fights before. Hell, my tattoo artist runs a backyard fight club once a month that once upon a time I used to go to.