Chapter 204 I've Got You
"Trent," she gives me a shy smile. "I'm sorry for-"
"No! Don't you dare say you're sorry. I'm glad I know now. I'm going to be here for you, Charlie. I'm not going to give up on you," I insist, pulling her into a careful hug. I just hold her for a moment, because I also feel like I'm about to fall apart and I need her to ground me from my spiraling mind.
We walk through campus and I can't help but notice all the glances and the whispers as we pass. I'm not really surprised after what happened yesterday. Of course, there will be rumors flying about me and Charlie after my show-down with Melissa. It must've hurt her pride to be publicly humiliated. But I don't really care.
I'm not a stranger to having attention or whispers. I was the high school star quarter back, after all. I got a lot of attention, on and off the field. Not saying I like it, but I'm used to it.
However, Charlie is ducking into my side just to stay out of sight. I can feel her shivering under all the scrutiny. And I want to punch every single one of them in the face. But I can't because then people would think I'm a psycho.
"Don't pay attention to them, Angel. I don't know what the hell they think they know, but they are just jealous. Melissa won't show her face around you. Not after I shut her down so publicly," I whisper into her hair.
Charlie nods her head. She relaxes into my side, still looking at her feet to avoid eye contact. I wish there was something I could do to fix it, but I can't. At least not yet.
We take our seats in Bio-Chem. I got absolutely zero studying done for this class yesterday. And I have a feeling Charlie didn't do much better. Maybe we can study when we're finished with class. We can go to the library, or the cafe and catch up on what we were supposed to study yesterday.
However, the minute I sit down, I can see all the questioning eyes looking over at us as I keep a protective arm around my girl. I know I haven't asked her yet, but I'm going to. I should be allowed to hold my girlfriend. They can all just fuck off.
Melissa stomps into the room like she owns it. She's in a too tight dress, and shoes that should be breaking her ankle. She's never going to change. She thinks she can buy peoples loyalty with money and popularity. But she's wrong. Because anything that can be bought can be outbought. Including her!
Her eyes land on my arm, and there is an ugly sneer directed to Charlie. I really wish she'd just give it a rest. I'm already getting sick of defending myself to her. Doesn't she have anything better to do than be a petty bitch?
"Melissa, if you've got something to say, keep Charlie out of it. Say it to my face! This is my decision. I have a right to have a choice of who I am with! If it's too much work for you to behave yourself, then just walk away," I growl.
"Why are you still with her?" Melissa snarls.
"Because I actually like her. And I think I'm gonna keep her," I shrug. "Charlotte Turner is going to be my girlfriend, and someday she's going to be my wife." I know I shouldn't have said that, but I wanted to rub it in just a little bit.
Charlie sends me a questioning look, but I just wink at her and give her my charming smile.
"I told you! You can't have her!" Melissa growls, reluctantly bringing my attention back to the bitch.
"Ya know, I called my dad. He said he didn't know what the hell you were talking about. So, I guess there really wasn't a contract on her. That's good, because if there was, I'd beat the shit out of anyone who put her name on it," I state, not even bothering to hide the fury rolling off me.
Melissa gets scared at the information. She swallows hard and looks around the room like she is searching for something. Interesting. "You can't! Just come back to me!" she hisses.
"Melissa, even if I didn't want to be with Charlie, and you happened to be the last female on earth, including dogs and worms, I'd still not go back to you," I snort, leaning back in my chair. "I don't know why the hell you are so desperate to get me back, but it's never going to happen. Go find yourself someone else to torment."
"You don't understand!" Melissa exclaims.
"Well, I will soon. I'm taking Charlie back home on Friday. Then we are going to get to the bottom of this whole contract mess," I smirk watching her face pale.
Before she can retaliate, Professor Lenard walks in and sees Melissa standing in the middle of the row, and glares at her. "Either take a seat or leave my classroom!" He demands.
I smirk as she looks like she was caught like a deer in the headlights. If she knew what was good for her, she'd leave. In fact she should transfer out of the class. She's going to fail anyway. Why torture everyone else?
Finally, she takes a seat across from ours, glaring daggers right at my head. But I don't even pay attention to her. She can do whatever the hell she wants, as long as she does it away from me and Charlie.
I reach for Charlie's hand and squeeze. "I've got you," I whisper.