Page 7 of Friend
I threw my bag over my shoulder and moved past her. But then I glanced at her face, and my heart twisted.
She was staring at the place where Cory, Adrian, and Drew had disappeared.
“What?” I asked her, even though I knew the answer.
“What was that?” Bianca’s question was distracted and small. She finally moved her attention to me. Her wide, confused eyes captivated mine. My stomach knotted from guilt, and I could almost read her thoughts written on her expression.
She knew she was missing something important. That something was happening that was beyond her understanding.
And she wasn’t quite sure how to feel about it.
But I couldn’t explain it. What was I supposed to say? We’d gotten older, and the bullying was beginning to move to a whole new level.
A level that was probably vaguely familiar to her, and what I’d been trying to shield her from ever since I’d first learned of her past.
I’d never forget the day I found out.
She’d been important to me before that—she’d saved me by inserting herself into my bond with Kiania. I was grateful to her, because after she came into my life, I didn’t feel so alone. There was hope.
And it was all thanks to her. My best friend.
However, it wasn’t until two years later, when her parents and Dr. Kohler sat me down and explained to me that, because of Bianca’s past, she had to be treated gently. They wouldn’t tell me why, and it was only after my private investigations that I was more determined to protect her at all costs.
And, of course, when I’d made it my life’s mission to make those bastards pay.
Everything took on new meaning. Every time she flinched away, or when she refused to talk when someone made a comment of a certain type, or something triggering played on the television.
And especially those times when she looked at people with fear in her eyes.
Every time it happened, I died a little more inside.
‘Don’t underestimate her.’ Kiania’s voice suddenly drifted through my thoughts. ‘She’s a lot stronger than you think.’
I wanted to believe the shikigami, but right now, seeing the way Bianca stared up at me with fearful trepidation, it was hard to picture her as anything other than the tortured girl who needed my protection.
So, instead of answering Bianca’s question truthfully, I lied. I would not let her know that sort of danger existed here.
“Nothing,” I said. “Cory’s just being stupid again.” I reached past her, grabbing her drink and placing the cup back into her hands. “Finish this and let’s go.”
She glanced at it, and I realized that her hands were shaking. My pulse began to race.
“Bianca.” I picked up her backpack, slinging it over mine. “Let’s go to class.”
Her gaze moved from the coffee to me, and my heartrate slowly returned to normal as she brought the drink to her lips.
“O-okay…” she muttered, swaying toward me slightly in compliance. “Okay.”
I pressed my fist against my thigh, the wrongness of the situation rubbing at me. All of it was unnatural, but especially the nature of our relationship and the way she obeyed my lead.
She was supposed to be the one in charge. I was meant to follow her.
But right now, reality was a lot different than what the stories had taught me.
