Chapter 20 Chapter: 20
ADDISON
I was completely alone with five mean looking girls, it's obvious they're here looking for trouble. This is all Shepherd's fault, the jerk is hell bent on making my life in Brighton hell.
And I can't fucking believe I let him kiss me not once but twice now.
“Look who we have here,” Angela started. “The little slut in the flesh.” I sighed. I knew this was coming and although I told myself I was ready, I really wasn't.
“Look Angela, I know what you're thinking and… and what you saw. But I promise you Shepherd was just a mess…”
Shock stole the breath in my lungs as her palm landed on my face with a resounding echo.
“Oops,” Angela's voice lilted. “Don't ever cut me off again, you'll listen when I talk.”
I stared unbelievably at her, my palm still on my throbbing cheek. Anger surged inside me and I snapped.
“You fucking bitch,” I spat, raising my hand to slap her back, but before I could two of her girls grabbed my hands, holding them back.
I could tolerate a lot of things. Verbal abuse I could shake away, but I draw the line at physical abuse. If she wasn't such a coward that needed backup to bully others, I'm sure people wouldn't have been so scared of her.
And even with her status at Brighton if her minions hadn't held me back I would smack some sense into her. I fisted my hands tightly as I struggled to free myself from the girls still holding me so hard.
I glare at Angela wanted to punch the fuck out of them all. She grabbed my jaw, squeezing hard.
“You think you're tough? I'm going to break you and make you regret the day you decided to get in my way.”
She scoffed, let go of my jaw and then looked at the slightly taller and familiar blonde beside her. “Christy?”
She whispered something into her ear and then they both smirked before Christy and the other short blonde stroll out of the bathroom.
I feel my heart sink into the pit of my stomach. Something tells me things are about to get worse, despite my rage and anger. I try to reason with her.
“Let me go Angela and I will forgive and forget everything that happened up to this point,” I said.
“Pretentious little whore. Still acting innocent I see. I gave you the benefit of the doubt and you lied straight to my face,” she sneered.
“How dare you play me for a fool. How dare you go after my boyfriend, you have no idea who I am or what you've done, but I'm going to put you in your place bitch.”
The irony didn't escape me. If not for the misfortune that had fallen on my family. Angela is nowhere near the person I used to be. But unlike her I never abuse my power as the little princess of Raymond Campbell. If I had I would have said this is karma and I'm paying for what I'd done.
I didn't know where I got the strength from but somehow I managed to calm down a bit. I know that I need to get out of here before I lose my temper, I just need to let them lose their guard so I can make a break for it.
“I never lie to you but clearly you're not interested in knowing the truth, you're just looking for an excuse to bully me. Otherwise you would have noticed, Shepherd was the one who grabbed me, he was the one who kissed me, everyone saw that,” I said calmly.
Maybe that was a wrong choice of words because Angela's eyes hardened with the last words. Just as Christy and the other blonde girl came back.
“If you have an issue, take it up with him. He's your boyfriend. I have nothing to do with him, and I'm so tired of being part of your stupid couple drama so I suggest you tell your little minions to let me go.”
“Let you go? I'm not nearly done with you bitch and stop trying to act all smart and innocent with me,” she sneered, then smirked.
“Girls? Hold her tight,” For the first time I noticed the two blondes who had just returned were hiding something between them that I couldn't see.
“Angela? What are you trying to do?” I asked, a wave of apprehension coursing through me when I saw the unhinged look in their eyes.
I glanced at the shut door as I struggled to free myself, desperation made me fight harder and just when I managed to get free and was trying to push between them to get to the door.
“Get her.” She'd barely close her mouth when something warm and slimy was dumped on my head.
It trail all over me suffocating me but it wasn't for long because the girls holding me suddenly let me. I try to wipe my eyes so I can see.
My hands came away with something thick, sticky and it was all over me. In my hair, on my face and neck and it soaks through my shirt. It smells like flour and eggs and I could taste the sweetness of sugar where it touched my lips.
It's batter. Cake batter, they must have gotten it from the school kitchen. Probably the same one used for dessert.
Before I even have the time to panic, pain explodes all around my body. I raise my hands, blocking my face as they pelted me with stones…no not stones.
Stones don't break.
It was eggs, raw eggs. Plenty of them and they fucking hurt like stones. I try to fight, try to protect myself, especially my face, as much as I can from their attacks.
I was fighting blindly, not really sure who or where I was hitting. I don't think I did much, but when I heard one of them screamed.
“Stupid bitch she scratched my face!”
A sense of satisfaction hit me. I knew I at least got one of them. Fortunately they seemed to have run out of raw eggs, but that didn't mean they were done with me.
They yanked at my hair, pushed and shoved me around, hitting me until I could no longer stand and had to curl in the corner of the bathroom, my arms around my knees.
Despite everything I refused to cry, I won't give them that satisfaction. I still couldn't see much.
“Enough girls, I'm sure she gets the message,” Angela said, as footsteps echoed towards the door.
“Stay the fuck away from Shepherd, he's mine. The next time I see you anywhere near him I will make this seem like nothing.” I heard rather than saw her smile widened.
“You know, I almost feel bad for you. Almost. But honestly, you should’ve known better.” I didn't answer her.
Too busy holding back tears, trying to wipe my eyes and praying I won't have to shave my hair due to how matted it has become.
She leaned in, her perfume cloying. “Than to think Shepherd would ever actually want you.”
The words sliced sharper than I wanted them to. I didn’t flinch, wouldn’t give her the satisfaction, but my pulse drummed painfully in my ears. I could partially see though not very much.
“Angela,” that damn voice came out of nowhere. Sending my heart into overdrive. She turned, her expression freezing mid smirk.
He strode inside the bathroom, face hard as marble, his eyes like glacier. “Addie? What the fuck!”
Her painted smile faltered. “Shepherd?” She went to hold him, but he pushed her away and stormed over to me.
“Don't fucking touch me!” I warned, voice cold with rage. That rage was all that's holding the tears at bay.
But it seemed it fell on deaf ears because Shepherd scooped me up like I weighed nothing even as I fought him, raining blows everywhere I could. It didn't stop him from walking or trying to leave.
“Shepherd what the hell!” Angela screamed with fury. “This isn't like you, what makes this stupid bitch so special?”
“Get the fuck out of my way and not another word out of your mouth. Or I will have you fucking expelled before the day is over,” he growled so low and menacingly, I'd stopped hitting him out of fear.
Angela looked so shocked, fear flash in her eyes at the obvious threat. But more than that it was anger and hatred that lined her face when she glared at me.
But she wisely kept her mouth shut and started to move. Her minions were already far away from Shepherd.
Only Shepherd being Shepherd didn't wait until she was out of the way before he slammed against her left shoulder sending her straight into the counter before he stroll into the crowded hallway with me in his arms like a fucking invalid.
I feel so humiliated having people stare at me like this, looking like an urchin from hell, covered in batter, smelling of raw eggs, my hair matted and that's the least of it.