Not My Hero - Michelle Heard Page 0,39

I’m so sorry.”

Brie’s eyes drop to the floor, and she shrugs. “It’s… okay.”

“Whoever did that to you is just petty and mean,” Mom continues.

Brie nods and seeing how uncomfortable she is with this conversation, I ask, “Do you want some coke?”

Brie moves closer to me, her eyes continually darting to my mom. “Please.”

While I pour us each a glass, I think how it’s only been twenty-four hours since Brie walked into this house, and already everything has changed.

At first, it was a desperate hope that Brie would give my mom a new reason to live, but now I know she will.

Brie might need us, but we needed her more.

Chapter 14

BRIE

I feel nauseous as Colton and I walk into school.

Everyone’s eyes are on us again, but no one says anything, and there’s no sign of Michael.

“I hear you and Michael had a fight,” Sully suddenly says behind us. “One punch, hey?”

Sully throws his arm around Colton’s shoulders, but Colton immediately shrugs it off and growls, “Don’t touch me.”

“So damn sensitive, dude,” Sully says with his hands up to indicate peace, then his eyes fall on me. “Damn, Weinstock. What happened to your hair?”

Before he can say anything else, Colton shoves him away, snarling, “Don’t talk to her. I’ll rearrange your face if you so much as glance at Brie. Stay the fuck away from us.”

The grin fades from Sully’s face, and then he glares at us before he stalks off.

Colton turns to me. “That’s how you deal with a bully. They’re cowards by nature and will only engage if they think it’s a sure win. You might have to snap at them a couple of times, but they’ll get the message and leave you alone.”

Yeah, right. No amount of snapping from me will get the bullies to back off.

I don’t say anything as Colton wraps his arm around my shoulder and pulls me into his side when we begin to walk again.

I have to admit it feels… safe, walking next to Colton, and it makes the corner of my mouth lift slightly.

When I have to go to PE without Colton, I duck my head low and start sending up prayers no one will notice me.

I keep close to the wall as I move through the throng of students, and rounding a corner, I slam into someone. My eyes dart up, and seeing that it’s another student, Carter, anxiety spikes through me like a rocket. He’s not a bully per se, but he’s known for being violent.

“Out of my way,” he growls, shoving me hard against the wall.

I stand frozen as Carter passes by, but he doesn’t make it far before Dr. Montgomery, the school’s counselor, grabs hold of his arm, dragging him to the classroom alcove near the girls’ locker rooms.

I hang back, not wanting to get in the way while she talks to him. It’s clear they’re both upset.

When Carter storms off a few moments later, not looking my way, I decide it’s safe enough to move. The warning bell rings, and gripping my sketchpad tighter to my chest, I walk faster.

“Hey. Wait,” I hear Dr. Montgomery call, but figure she’s calling after Carter.

Just before I can slip inside the locker room, someone grabs hold of my shoulder. I let out a frightened squeak but seeing it’s Dr. Montgomery, I let out a sigh of relief.

“Hey, what’s your name?”

Crap, the last thing I need right now is the school’s counselor wanting to talk with me. I worry my bottom lip, and keeping my eyes on the floor, I mutter, “Brie.”

“Brie, you should come talk to me soon.”

I glance up and down the hallway, wondering what I should reply with.

“Hey,” she lowers her voice, “No one has to know. Just come see me. Okay? I promise it will be our secret.”

Yeah, right. The last time I went to a counselor because my mother broke my arm, they called child protection services, and a woman came to our house. It only caused me a world of trouble.

Never again.

I nod so she’ll leave me alone and then dart into the locker room.

Ugh, I wish I could have all my classes with Colton. Everything is just so much easier when he’s around.

COLTON

Walking into the cafeteria, I don’t see Brie. I stand in line and get myself pizza, then go sit at a table near the back, making sure I can see the entrance and queue from where I am.

Brie instantly catches my eye when she darts into the room. Her shoulders are hunched, and