HIDDEN CREEK FOREVER: a hidden creek high novel, page 18
Maybe they were going to get along but Aira knew how to remind Noelle who was in charge. Bold. Bitchy. But beautiful at the same time.
I leaned against the railing on the steps. “What’s going on here?”
“I was surfing with Nova,” Aira said. “Everyone else showed up. I decided to stop by here.”
“At least someone cares enough to check up on me,” Noelle said.
“Yeah. Sorry.”
“It’s fine,” Noelle said.
She stuck earbuds in her ears.
I glanced at Aira.
“Do what you have to do,” she said.
I grabbed her hand as she walked away. “Hey. I love you.”
“I know you do,” Aira said. “I know you have to take care of this too. I just wanted to keep reminding her who I am.”
“You’re terrible,” I said. “But I get it. Want me to remind you who I am?”
“Oh, trust me, Wes, there’s no way anyone could forget you.”
“I’ve heard that many times,” I said, wiggling my eyebrows.
Aira threw a punch to my arm. “I’m going back to meet up with Nova.”
“I’ll be there in a few,” I said.
Aira disappeared as I sat down next to Noelle.
I hooked my finger into the string of her earbuds and yanked them.
“That still hurts,” she said.
“I don’t care,” I said.
“What do you want, Wes?”
“He’s gone now. For good. Forever.”
“I know how death works.” Noelle finally looked at me. “Remember?”
“When your father was dying, he asked me to look after you. And I did. I can’t take back what happened with Ryland. Nobody can. Even though he’s dead doesn’t take it back. I get it though. You didn’t want to face the funeral. Or any of the other bullshit in this town. I can check up on you every single day, Noe.”
“Won’t that make your girlfriend jealous?”
I laughed. “And here I thought you two were getting along.”
“Not so much,” Noelle said. “She asked me to come to the beach and I said no. She showed up here. I didn’t expect that.”
“That’s Aira,” I said. “Things have changed.”
“They always do, Wes.”
I grabbed one of her earbuds. “That’s why you listen to music, right? Because that doesn’t change for you. I get that, Noe. I want you to know that when I went looking for Ryland that night I was thinking of everyone. Aira. You. Everyone he’s ever fucked with. I was going to do something really bad and really stupid.”
“I guess we all got lucky then,” Noelle said. “I don’t think anyone around here could stand to lose you.”
“I don’t want to lose anyone either,” I said.
“So what do we do?”
“You listen to your shitty music,” I said with a wink. “Write in your notebooks. Let Ryker and Walker take care of you up at Tech. You have to know what you mean to me.”
“I do, Wes. I know what I said before to Aira was wrong. But I was jealous.”
“That’s fine.”
“She’s going to hate me forever,” Noelle said.
“I doubt it. But if she does, it’s her problem. I’m not going anywhere. Cherry’s home is a second home to me. To us. Ma’s home is home. Jett’s home is home. You’re part of that.”
“What if Aira doesn’t understand that?” Noelle asked.
“She does, Noe. Believe me, she does.” I put the earbud to my ear for a second. “Oh, this is such garbage.”
“Shut up, Wes,” Noelle said. “You never gave it a chance.”
I gave Noelle the earbud back and stood up. “No, I guess I didn’t.”
There was hurt in her eyes.
That comment wasn’t about the music.
It was about us.
But that was life.
The only option for Noelle would have always been heartbreak.
My heart had been reserved and waiting for Aira all along.
Chapter 20
Aira
Wes grabbed my sides and dug his fingers so hard that I screamed.
It tickled and hurt at the same time.
He pulled me back, faking some kind of scary laugh, taking both of us to the bed. Again.
“We’re going to be late, asshole,” I growled at him.
I wrestled away from him and turned, grabbing his wrists, pinning him to the bed. I straddled him, which wasn’t the best position to be in. Well, it was the best position to be in, but not when we were scrambling to get to HCH.
My hair fell forward and I shook my head, tickling his face.
Wes blew breaths and coughed. “You’re killing me, darling.”
“That’s what I thought,” I said.
I pushed away from his wrists and jumped off the bed.
Wes sat up and grabbed my waist, making sure I didn’t run away too far.
He rested his chin to my chest and grinned.
“What is with you?” I asked.
“I have no idea,” Wes whispered.
“You’re trying to avoid leaving.”
“Yup.”
“We have to go, Wes.”
“Yup.”
“I’m serious,” I said.
“I know,” he said.
I groaned and wiggled away from him his touch.
I was done looking at myself in the mirror too. It wasn’t a fashion show or anything like that. Especially when you considered I was wearing my favorite jean shorts and one of Wes’s hoodies. I smelled like him and that was comfort for me.
I went to the window instead of the mirror and looked out to the ocean.
“What are they going to do if we don’t show up?” Wes asked. “I don’t care anymore. Henders has been letting everyone take as much time as they need.”
“Wes, we have to go,” I said.
“Fine,” he groaned. “Let’s go learn some shit.”
I laughed.
Wes was shirtless wearing shorts that were deadly. Because when he walked, you could definitely see something walking with him. And of course, him being a guy and life being fucking simple, he dropped the shorts and traded them for jeans. He grabbed a t-shirt off the floor, put it on, and looked sexier than I could have ever tried to do for myself with hours of trying.
I rolled my eyes.
“What?” he asked.
“Nothing,” I said. “I just hate guys. All guys.”
“Even me?” he asked, offering me his hand.
I slapped my hand to his. “I hate you the most, Wes.”
He pulled me out of the bedroom and wrapped his arm around me.
I shut my eyes for a second and smiled.
Seriously though… I fucking loved him so much.
* * *
It was almost normal.
The word almost being very fluid. One second things felt like they were supposed to be. The next second it would get quiet and I’d look around, waiting for Ryland to come around the corner and kick up problems.
But that would never happen.
Never again.
I stood at my locker with my back against it, waiting for everyone to casually walk by.
There wasn’t a second I had been paying attention in any classes. Which was expected. At this point, most of us were just flowing along, waiting for that amazing last day. Then we’d never have to go near HCH again. Pass the torch to another class of rich kids trying to make each other’s lives hell.
Kailey and Emma were arm in arm as they approached me.
“Weird day, right?” Kailey asked.
“Really weird,” I said.
“I say we ditch,” Emma said. “We showed up. Henders saw all of us already. It’s not like we’re skipping.”
“I think I’m okay with that,” I said. “I begged Wes to come-”
“I’m sure Wes has no problem coming,” Flynn’s voice said from next to me.
I rolled my eyes. “Hey, Flynn. Good to see you.”
“You see Charlotte yet?” he asked.
“No,” I said. “Surprised your tongue isn’t down her throat.”
“Or between her legs,” Emma said.
“Is that jealousy I sense?” Flynn asked. “You had your chance.”
“She did?” I asked.
“That was a long time ago,” Kailey said.
“Wait, wait,” I said. “What’s the story?”
“A party,” Emma said.
“What’s with you and parties?” I asked with a wink.
“We had an arrangement,” Flynn said. “But she stiffed me.”
“I didn’t stiff you,” Emma said. “It was weird. Making plans like that. It was…”
“That’s because Flynn can’t make a move,” Kailey said.
“Bitches,” Flynn said.
Charlotte joined the group and Flynn hurried to kiss her, turning it into a full blown make out session.
“I think you hurt his pride,” I said to Emma.
“No offense, but if a guy’s going to go down on me, I’m not making plans for it. Or setting a timer. Or turning it into a damn event.”
“Who’s going down on you?” Charlotte asked, breaking up the kiss with Flynn.
He buried his face into her neck and kissed her so she’d scream.
“Nobody important,” Kailey said.
“Trust me,” I said with a laugh. “Nobody important at all.”
When I saw Wes, a wave of relief washed over me.
He and Leo looked deep in conversation.
They just walked the hallway and everyone moved. If they didn’t move, they were blasted with Wes and Leo’s shoulders, knocking them away.
Wes hit his fist with Leo and then his attention was all for me.
I leaned back against my locker and grinned as he grabbed me.
When he kissed me, everyone groaned.
We were the new Flynn and Charlotte.
Except so much cooler.
“I’m about ready to get out of here,” Wes said.
“We were just talking about leaving,” I said.
“We?” Wes asked.
“All of us,” Emma said.
“So we just walk out as one big group?” Leo asked. “I like that. It’ll drive Henders crazy.”
“Fuck him and fuck this place,” Wes said.
“Then let’s go,” Kailey said.
“We can hit the beach,” Nova said. “Surf.”
“Look for boys,” Emma said.
“Oh, yes, please,” Leo said. “Bring me all the boys.”
“That’s weird, bro,” Flynn said.
“I think it’s sexy,” Emma said. “Leo knows what he wants.”
“Hey,” Leo said, pointing to Emma. “To each their own, babe. But I know what I like.”
“Oh yeah? What’s that?” Emma asked.
“Are you two going to make an arrangement?” I asked.
“Arrangement?” Wes asked.
“Emma likes to know when someone’s going down on her,” I said. “When, where, how long…”
“Aira,” Emma said. “Bitch.”
Leo looked at his wrist as though he were wearing a watch. “Now, girls locker room, and hours… that work?”
“Ohhhh baby,” Kailey said.
“Looks like Emma is staying in school for some extra learning,” Nova said.
“Please,” Emma said. “I’ll teach you all something.”
“Does that mean we can watch?” Flynn asked.
Charlotte slapped Flynn across the face. “Perv.”
“What?” Flynn yelled, touching his face.
“The only thing you can watch is me leaving this place,” Wes said.
“Let’s get out of here for real,” I said. “I keep getting creepy vibes.”
“That’s what happens when you sleep with Weslee Jackson.”
The voice wasn’t part of our group.
But I knew that voice all too well.
It was Mika’s pathetic voice.
* * *
Mika. Kaci. Nelle.
The three rotten bitches just taking up space in the hallway.
I clapped my hands together. “Well done, Mika. Take a cheap shot at me. And at Wes. Because he’s so dirty and gross. We get it.”
“She doesn’t get it,” Nelle said. “At all.”
“I know,” Mika said. “Sharing the same guy. Doesn’t even know.”
“Excuse me?” I asked.
“Get the fuck out of here,” Wes growled.
“Aira, just start walking away,” Charlotte said.
“No,” I said. “I’m not walking away. These whores can walk away.”
“There’s only one whore here,” Mika said. “Well, two, if you count Emma. Her legs are open more than a twenty-four-seven gas station.”
Emma moved toward Mika and she stepped back.
Kailey grabbed Emma’s arm. “Hold up, girlfriend. Wait until we’re out of here. And then get your bat.”
“I wouldn’t hit her with my bat,” Emma said. “It’d probably make her face look better.”
“Oh, that was a good one,” Mika said.
“Whatever,” I said. “Enjoy the rest of your day. Good luck walking the halls around here feeling alone. And sad. Hope that goes away.”
“Just like the image of Wes fucking Nelle,” Mika said.
Everyone sucked in a breath.
“What did you say?” I asked.
“Aira, ignore them,” Wes said.
I looked at him.
It didn’t matter what happened in the past, right? I knew coming to Hidden and getting tangled up with Weslee Jackson that there would always be a story. Just like he and Emma. Things that happened. Then. Not now.
Then. Not now.
“Look at her face,” Mika said. “She’s going to cry. The bitch is going to break again.”
“Or maybe she’ll cut herself,” Nelle said.
“Oh, fuck no,” Wes yelled.
He turned and Leo grabbed him.
He pulled him out of the way which only gave me a direct path at Nelle.
She had pouty, fake lips. Big eyes. Everything about her rich and fucking fake.
“Aira,” Nova said.
But I was already jumping forward.
Kaci pulled Mika out of the way and tried to swing at me.
She missed.
My hands slammed against Nelle’s shoulders, driving her back into a locker.
She hit with a thud and let out a yell.
I slapped her across the face. My hand open.
But that wasn’t good enough.
I brought my hand back, closing my hand, sort of punching her.
She turned and screamed.
Mika sank her nails into my neck but I elbowed her out of the way.
I went after Nelle again.
Everything had officially snapped inside me. There was no holding it in or holding it back.
When I got my hands on her again, I threw her to the floor.
There was already a decent crowd around us, some yelling to get help, some cheering. Some yelling out the names of who was fighting. But this wasn’t a fight though. This was me beating Nelle’s ass for running her pompous mouth. And when I was done with her I planned on going after the other two.
I fell down to the floor to keep going at Nelle.
It was a mix of slaps, punches, me trying to claw at her face, anything I could get my hands on.
Someone grabbed my sides and I kicked back to kick them away.
I was on my knees, hovering over Nelle.
Swinging both hands.
Wanting to destroy her.
Everything flashed through my mind.
The fire. Breathing the smoke. Feeling the heat. Being ripped out of the house only to have some asshole spread a rumor about me being naked when I wasn’t. Jesse cheating on me. Coming to Hidden. Wes devouring me. Ryland trying to ruin me. Fighting with… everyone…
“That’s enough, darling,” a voice said.
Wes had his arms around me as he lifted me up.
Nelle started to kick, hitting me over and over and until Wes turned and she was kicking him.
When Wes let me go, I went for Kaci.
She screamed for help but I got a handful of her hair.
I pulled her back and had my left hand balled up tight into a fist.
“That’s enough!” a voice screamed like I never heard before.
By the time I turned and saw Principal Henders breaking up the crowd, Miss Carson had arrived with him. She covered her mouth, looking at Nelle as Mika hugged her.
“Before you do anything,” Wes said to Principal Henders.
But he wasn’t having it at all.
“You,” Principal Henders said to me. “My office. Now.”
I showed my hands in defeat.
Most of the crowd had broken up and took off.
Those left were the ones who knew the truth.
But something told me the truth wasn’t going to matter right now.
* * *
I was in the big office now.
No more Miss Carson.
Her office was dark and comfortable. Set up to be a soothing place. A place to talk and figure things out. A relaxing place.
But not Henders office.
No way.
His office was big, bright, smelled clean. Like an authoritative kind of clean.
Behind him on the wall hung rows of awards and degrees with his name on it.
And I just sat in a comfy chair that made me feel like I was about to get sentenced to life in prison.
He didn’t sit.
He just stared at me.
“What do you expect me to do right now?” he asked.
“That’s not my job.”
Smart mouth answers, Aira… that’ll work.
“So you don’t even care?”
“I care.”
“About?”
“You don’t know what happened there.”
“I heard the commotion. And I saw you physically assaulting students.”
“Okay, so you do know what happened there,” I said.
“Tell me why.”
“You know why,” I said.
Henders finally took a seat. He folded his hands. “Patience. That’s the word that comes to mind right now. Patience.”
“Okay.”
“I’m trying to understand you, Aira. You grew up in this town and left. You came back. Since your arrival…”
