The Love of My Bully

“Rules then.”

“Rules are good,” she said. “No one can know anything about us.”

“It has to be top secret,” he said.

She chuckled. “It feels a little over-dramatic. We’re just two high school kids and yet we’re acting as if we’re doing something wrong.”

“We are,” Drake said. “We’re planning on hooking up and it’s against my parents’ rules. What about yours?”

“They adore Sean. I think if I was to have any kind of boyfriend-like material, it would be him.”

“Don’t talk to me about him. Seriously, he’s off-limits for anything.” Drake slashed his hand across in front of him and she nodded.

“No Sean, got it. I don’t want to hear about all your conquests either.”

“No previous girls, got it.”

“I’m not going to be with anyone else. We’re secret but we’re also exclusive.”

“I hate to break this to you, Pru, but we’re not fucking.”

“I don’t care. You’ve already made it abundantly clear it’s where we’re going. I’m not going to risk getting any kind of diseases.”

“I do know how to take care of myself, you know.”

She was going to retaliate but instead held her hands up, counted to ten, and forced a smile. “We can’t argue. Unless you’re doing something to keep up appearances.”

“This sounds like a good one.” Drake crossed his arms across his chest and smirked. “Are you going to give me more details?”

“When we’re alone and together, we can’t argue like this. We either agree to disagree or we move on. If we’re in the company of other people, I don’t want you to treat me any differently.”

“Are you giving me permission to bully you?”

It sounded stupid even to her. “Yes.” She wasn’t looking forward to being on the receiving end of his brand of bullying but she also had to keep up appearances. If Drake suddenly started to treat her fairly, others would want to know why. “Why not?”

Drake smirked. “I can’t believe you’re giving me permission to hurt you.”

“It hasn’t bothered you before. Why would you care now? This is only going to be until we head to college next year.”

“You’re going to college?”

“I want to. I don’t know where yet. I’m keeping my options open.” He wouldn’t want to know the truth. Sean wanted her to go to the same college as him, but that meant being miles away from home, which sounded awesome, and it truly did, but for her, she wanted to be a little closer to her parents.

“Isn’t that something you’d have figured out?” Drake asked.

“You’d think so, wouldn’t you? But no. I haven’t made any plans.” This summer was about her making a final decision. Her parents only wanted the best for her, even though they were on a limited budget. Anything she wanted would have to come through a scholarship.

“Moving on. What other conditions you got?” Drake asked.

“You can’t push me either. I’m not ready for sex.”

“I can’t even believe I’m discussing this with you.”

“I don’t have anything else to add.”

“Let me get this straight, we can’t be with anyone else but each other. I can’t push you into fucking, but I can’t be with another girl. No one else can know about us. Behind closed doors, we’re good and friends, but to the outside world, I hate your guts and can bully you.”

“Yes, that sounds about right. What do you think?” she asked, biting her lip.

“Whatever. Can I kiss you now?”

Just as she was about to tell him to go right ahead, the door to her home opened.

“Raincheck?”

Chapter Thirteen

Just for the summer

“So, I was thinking we could go and see a movie tonight. What do you think?” Sean asked.

Pru glanced at her friend. She stood at his bedroom window overlooking his yard. He had a nice place and his parents were able to afford a gardener.

“Pru, is there anyone in there?”

She pulled out of her thoughts as Sean came over to her, waving a hand in front of her face. “Sorry, I was kind of off in my own world. What?”

“What’s with you lately?”

“Nothing is with me.” It had been three days since she and Drake had made that agreement. Three entire days of her thinking the absolute worst about her own decisions. There was no one for her to talk to other than Drake and he’d been shockingly silent.

“Are you sure? You’ve been … quiet.”

She chuckled. “Are you trying to tell me I’m a bit of a loudmouth?” she asked.

“Trying to?” Sean asked, laughing.

“Hey, don’t be mean.” She tapped his arm playfully.

“In all seriousness, you’d tell me.”

“Of course. You’re my best friend. I’d tell you anything.” The lies rolled off her tongue and she felt sick to her stomach. “You know, I think I’m going to head out, actually. It’s nothing bad, but I’m not feeling so good.”

“Do you want me to drop you off at home?”

“No, I prefer the walk. It might help make me feel better.” She grabbed her jacket. “I’ll talk to you soon, right?”