Unbroken

Chapter 8: Rumors

Emma:

"Hey, pretty lady." The voice behind me sounded familiar. Quickly glancing back, I saw Jeff pushing through the crowded hallway in my direction. Please let him have been talking to someone else. I turned back around and quickly headed for my math class.

As I got to the classroom, an arm dropped across the doorway before I could enter. "I said, hello pretty lady." Jeff's teeth were clenched. A lock of dark hair flopped across his forehead. His angular face showed his annoyance with me in the narrowing of his eyes.

Glancing down the hallway, I took a step backward. "Excuse m-me, please?" My voice squeaked at the end, making my cheeks heat.

Jeff scowled at something behind me just as an arm dropped down over my shoulders. "Move, asshole." Nix glared at Jeff, waiting for him to move out of the way.

"One of these days, your guard dogs won't be around to protect you." Jeff slid a finger down my cheek and I nearly gagged at the cold feeling in the pit of my stomach.

Nix pulled me closer to his chest and away from Jeff's fingers. From the way his fist tightened against my shoulder, I knew he'd read Jeff's lips. "Let's get to class, Em." His low murmur was almost unheard as he ushered me into the classroom.

My teeth sank into my bottom lip as I glanced back at where Jeff had been standing. Why was he so interested in me? Unless, maybe I was one of the only girls in school he hadn't done yet. That might explain his interest. A shudder wracked through my body as the memory of his clammy fingers against my skin crossed my mind again.

Nix's chest rumbled, and he must have said something. "Again?" I signed, glancing up at him this time.

"Are you okay?" he repeated, his voice a little louder. At my nod, he prodded me towards a chair before dropping into the one behind me.

Swallowing hard at the lump in my throat, I turned to him to see his eyes narrowed on my face. "What?" I signed, not understanding the look on his face.

"You're shaking," he observed, grabbing one of my hands.

"I'm fine," I shot back, not wanting him to guess how shook up I was about the confrontation in the hallway.

As Mr. Kale began the lecture, I started signing for Nix. My shaking started to subside about halfway through the class, but I refrained from looking Nix in the eye. Before I knew it, the bell rang, and I shoved my stuff into my bag, hoping to avoid any questions that he might have.

Before I could get much further than the hallway, a hand grabbed my wrist, pulling me into a hard chest. I started to push away from him, but when I recognized his spicy scent, the fight left me. "I'm sorry that Jeff was a jackass." Nix's voice rumbled deeply in his chest so that I felt more than heard his words.

I backed up slightly so that he could read my lips. "It's fine. I'll be okay." He cocked an eyebrow, and I added, "He shook me up a bit, but he's gone now." I bit my lip, looking him in the eye. "Thank you for rescuing me. I need to get to gym class, though." I wasn't sure what it was about him, but I wished I could have stayed wrapped in his arms the rest of the day.

"I'll walk with you." His tone was firm enough that I knew it would be pointless to argue. His fingers slipped over my palm, sliding so that our fingers were intertwined as we walked. Surprisingly, I kind of liked it.

Rook:

"Hey, did you hear that Jeff actually went all the way with a girl?" I was attempting to ignore the chatter around me as I unhooked my pump and put it in my locker.

Another voice pipped up, "Really? I always thought he was gay."

A third voice added, "He is. His dad nearly beat the shit out of him when he found out, though."

"If he's gay, how the hell does he get it up?" the first voice responded.

"I don't know, but he claims that she was all over him and practically begging for it. Some cute little blonde. I think she's new here," the third voice added.

My head flew up and I froze with one leg in my gym shorts and one leg out. "Do you know her name?"

"Shit, I didn't realize anyone else was still in here." One of the guys peeked around the row of lockers to look at me. "Naw, Man. I didn't catch her name. I think it's the girl you've been going after, though. Sucks to be you." The three guys chuckled nervously.

Shoving my other leg into my shorts and yanking them up, I tossed out, "Funny thing about rumors. They aren't always true."

I tugged my gym shirt on as I left the locker room, my eyes scanning the others in the gym until I found Emma, leaning against the wall at the opposite end of the gym.

On my way to Emma, I stopped at the wooden bleachers to grab the water bottle I'd left there. Two girls stood in my way, chatting. "Excuse me, I need my water." I pointed at my drink so that they'd understand.

The girls broke apart and I grabbed the bottle. Turning, I took a step towards Emma when I heard one of the girls murmur, "He's so hot. It's too bad he's sick. I'd be afraid that kissing him would give me whatever he has."

The other girl giggled, replying with, "I feel bad for that girl he's been hanging out with lately. She probably has it now."

Just walk away, Rook. My fist tightened around my water bottle and my eyes drifted shut as I counted to ten slowly. It didn't help. I swiftly turned on my heel, looking at them. "You do realize that diabetes isn't communicable, right?"

The first girl twirled a strand of her dark hair around a finger, showing her nervousness. "Communic..." She trailed off, obviously not understanding the word.

"It's not contagious. I highly doubt someone is going to lose the use of their pancreas simply because I kiss them." I shook my head, stalking away with a huff.

Emma glanced up at me with wide eyes. "Is something wrong?"

"No. Are you okay?" Nix had texted me earlier about Emma's run in with Jeff, and I was worried that she'd heard the rumors. When she nodded, I realized she probably hadn't. Did that mean I should tell her? I didn't want her to be upset, but she should be prepared, just in case she finds out about them.

Pulling her against me, I gave her a one armed hug. "Em..." I paused, not really sure what to say. She glanced up at me expectantly, waiting for me to continue. This was like ripping off a band-aid. Just be quick and it'll be over. "There are rumors going around about you and Jeff."

"Rumors? What kind?" She bit her lip and backed up.

"Not good ones." I didn't want to have to go into more detail.

Tears sprang to her eyes, but she blinked hard, not letting them fall. "Rook?"

"He's claiming that you slept with him." A shudder went through her small body and I pulled her back against me. What if she ended up getting sick again because of her anxiety. Fuck.

She looked up at me again, her eyes searching my own. "I didn't."

"I know you didn't. I'm pretty sure no one would sleep with him, but I'm afraid that some people are going to believe it."

She took a deep breath, shrugging back her shoulders. "There's not much we can do about it now." Another shudder wracked her body as she attempted not to give in to the tears.

I rubbed her back, trying to comfort her. I was suddenly thankful that my sister was given to tearful theatrics, because I could handle Emma's tears. "The guys and I will fix this, Em. I promise."

"You can't really fix it. It'll be all over school..." she trailed off, biting her lip again.

"I said we'd fix it, and we will. Unfortunately, it'll take a little time."

Emma nodded and stepped back as class started. 

A/N ~ Okay, that's it! I want to make this story the very best that it can possibly be, so don't forget those honest opinions!