All Alone

Chapter 13

Avianna's POV

Kaden is making my life heck. We are learning new phrases, and trying to work on fluency, and he won't stop jabbing at one of my bruises. What is even worse is that he knows they are there, so it looks like I will be getting conditioned to abuse again after all. Kaden continues to pummel my side throughout the period, and I feel one unjustified tear sliding down my cheek, stupid nervous system; why can't the school day end already?

Kaden's POV

I made her cry, but this is necessary. She needs to stay away from the guys and I because we will bring her nothing but pain and suffering. Looking at her though, I am not sure that this is the right way to try and protect her. I know that I am stooping dangerously low by damaging one of her bruises, but I need to get my point across.

The guys chewed me out for being harsh, and I got in a fight with Luke. He seemed to be getting way too cozy with her, and I haven't seen him talk to somebody that much since his sister died. His burst of speech was unnatural for all of us, himself included. I was surprised when he held a conversation with her and annoyed that the guys were becoming invested.

I could see their desire to befriend her grow as she demonstrated her knowledge about cars, and I became more than a little wary. I feel protective of her, and we will just damage her. I am a truly messed up guy.

When I saw her walk into Ms. Lopez's classroom, it was obvious that this would be my way to make her want to sever all ties with us. I hate seeing her upset, but I have to do this. I don't get close to people for a reason.

When the bell rings, she rushes outside, and I feel accomplished. She will stay away now, but then I hear the thunder.

When the student body reaches the doors, we are all able to see a storm ripping through the city. The wind was tearing down branches, and the streets were already semi-flooded. 

Lanie.

I push through the crowd, tearing the doors open and desperately climb into my truck. Lanie is home alone, with this storm ripping the city apart. For once the engine doesn't give me heck, and the truck roars out of the parking lot seconds later, muffled by the magnitude of the storm.

I hadn't driven that far when I see Avianna out the window. Her makeup is gone, and she seems to be soaked to the bone. She isn't walking, though I think that is out of fear of being found out. She can't apply her beloved makeup in the storm. I am about to leave her when I hear the approach of another party. 

I can't make out what they are saying to her, but I can see her walls appear, and the blank look coating her features. She looks dead inside, and the men are pushing her against the wall. I need to get to Lanie, and I need to leave, but I can't bring myself to drive away and let her get hurt more.

The guys have already begun to kiss up and down her neck and put their hands where they shouldn't be by the time I reach her. She seems so used to this treatment, and I become more and more furious before my fist collides with the jaw of the apparent leader. I don't wait for the crew's reaction before taking each of them down. Everything was a blur of shoving and I think one of them bit me. By the end of it, there were five men laying unconscious on the slippery pavement.

I grab Avianna more forcefully than what was probably appropriate and yank her to the truck. She needed to get out of the rain, and I needed to get to Lanie. Once I had successfully gotten her buckled and secured, I put the car in gear and we started moving again. 

"Are you okay Avianna?" My only response was a sneeze followed by a series of what sounded like a coughing fit, but way more breathy. I look over once we reach a toppled tree, and I am upset to see her shivering violently. Her lips are blue, and she seems unaffected by the heat that is on full blast.