The Love of My Bully

“It’ll be fun. Please, don’t make me go on my own. It wouldn’t be fair. You guys are my besties and I do all the same stuff with you. When we hang out, we listen to music, watch movies, you know, that kind of thing.”

She didn’t. The only time Ree ever remembered they were friends was in classes they shared. Ree hated sitting alone, and despite Ree’s obsession with Drake, Pru didn’t see a reason to not sit with her.

“We’ve got a date with pizza,” Sean said, putting his arm around Prudence’s shoulder. “We can’t crash at no rich boy’s party.”

“Prudence, please, I know you won’t let me do this alone.”

“I’m sorry. Sean and I do this every single year. It’s tradition. A way to ring in the summer.” She wrapped her arm around her friend and Ree glared at the both of them.

“Neither of you are fair at all. I just want one night to go to this party and all summer we can hang out.” Ree stomped her foot.

Laughter from across the hall caught Prudence’s attention and she saw Drake with his group of friends and girls who liked to hang around him.

“Instead of having a temper tantrum like a child, go and talk to him. He’s right over there.” Prudence nodded her head in his general direction.

Ree turned and when she looked back at them, there was a huge smile on her face. “Oh, my, you’re so right. I have nothing to worry about.”

Without waiting a second to think it over, Ree left them alone and headed toward Drake.

“You think this is a good idea?” Sean asked.

“I don’t know. He’s never been pissed at her. It could work. I don’t know if I feel sorry for her or not.”

“I don’t. Whatever he does, she has it coming.” Sean didn’t lower his arm and they stood in the same place, waiting for Ree to make her decision.

“Don’t be like that.”

Prudence watched as Ree hesitated a few feet from Drake. He hadn’t even noticed her approach yet. He was laughing at something one of his friends said.

“Why not? She’s always talking about him and making excuses. Why are we even friends with her?”

Prudence nudged his arm. “We’re the only ones who could put up with her brash city ways and attitude.”

“No, you put up with it because you understood her. Me, I don’t get her. She’s seen what a dick he can be to you. Why would she think for a second we’d even want to hang out with him? You’ve heard all the rumors about his family. When someone makes waves, they disappear. Do you remember that Colin guy a couple of years back? They wanted to buy his property and land for some kind of development, and he wouldn’t sell? Then all of a sudden, he’s wanted for some kind of drug smuggling. He was arrested, the key thrown away, and the land is up for sale. I tell you, they’re bad news. The further away we are from him, the better, and there’s no way in hell I’m changing my mind.”

She placed her head on his shoulder. Sean had always hated Drake from the time at the playground where he was beat up. She always felt responsible for it. Drake hated her and because Sean opted to be her friend, Drake always made sure he paid for it. Of course, Drake’s parents were another problem altogether. She had never personally met them, but the rumors were rife around them. No one would stand up to them, not in their small town. They owned half of the factories and businesses, and there were rumors that extended to them blackmailing cops or buying them to do their dirty work. Whenever someone got in their way or didn’t bow down to their power, something nasty would magically happen that would cause the person to leave, go to prison, or to sell up.

It often made her wonder if that was why Drake was as bad as he was. He was a bully, but deep down she knew there was more to him than she cared to find out. Then, she’d find herself not really caring because he’d say or do something that really pissed her off, and she wouldn’t care what he went through or why.

She wasn’t a bad person, though. Until she met Drake, she’d never once started a fight or gotten in trouble. At least in the past year, she’d learned to rise above and now she always held the upper hand, much to Drake’s irritation.

Watching Ree, she couldn’t help but feel sorry for the other girl. She was so desperate to be with Drake.

Ree took a step closer and Prudence tensed up as Drake and his boys all looked toward her.

“She really shouldn’t have done this,” she said.