Sean shrugged. “We warned her and now we’ve got to stand and wait here to see what evil dick has to say.”
She giggled. “Evil dick?”
“You bet.”
“You’re crazy.”
“True. I never claimed to be anything but.” Sean pulled her in close, kissing the top of her head.
“Stop, stop. Don’t be stupid.” She burst out laughing.
This was why she adored Sean. No matter what, they always had each other’s back. They both stayed still, watching as Ree finally began to giggle and flirt with Drake.
He didn’t look impressed and the girls who hung out with them. They looked like they wanted to claw her eyes out.
“I don’t see the attraction. He’s a class-A asshole.”
“True, but maybe that’s a thing for chicks nowadays.”
“You’re a chick,” Sean said. “I don’t see you hanging off his every word.”
“I’m clearly immune to his asshole ways.” She sighed as Drake glared at Ree. She wasn’t close enough to hear what he had to say, but Ree turned on her heel and walked over to them.
“Oh, no, he’s being a douche again,” Sean said.
She knew Sean wasn’t a big fan of Ree, but she liked the girl. Ree reminded her a little of what it was like when she was younger and in the city. Ree hadn’t left the city that long ago and often talked about her time in high school.
Ree had tears in her eyes.
“You okay?” Prudence asked.
“What the fuck do you care, bitch?” Ree pushed her arm away and before she could stop her, Ree was already running down the corridor and out of the school.
“Fucking bitch,” Sean said.
“Don’t. Don’t even go there.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t know how you put up with it.”
“She’s got a crush and I like her.”
“Come on, let’s get out of here. I want to go for some pizza.”
Prudence rolled her eyes. “I’ve got to pee. You take my bags and I’ll meet you out there in a second?”
“Sure thing, baby.”
She chuckled as she left him alone. Sean was always making teasing, cute comments. They were sweet and always made her laugh.
Before making her way inside the bathroom, she hummed to herself, moving out of the way as three girls left. She entered a stall and stared at the graffiti on the wall.
“What are you fucking playing at?”
“Nothing!” She spoke the word slowly so he’d get the fucking clue. “You really think you matter enough to me to even give you the time of day?”
He stepped close to her. The menace in his gaze terrified her. She stared at him, waiting for whatever bullshit he was going to do. They were both seventeen years old, and they’d been fighting like this for so long now.
Drake could hit her, call her names, say and do whatever the hell he wanted to. He often did anyway, but she wasn’t going to let him hurt her anymore. They were just words and the pain from his touch would disappear, as would the bruises.
She’d given him a fair few over the years as well. She wasn’t proud of it, but she’d only been sticking up for herself. Every time she hit him, or hurt him back, the euphoria never stayed with her. In fact, she would go home flooded with guilt, knowing she’d hurt someone else. Pain never solved anything.