Chapter 265 Choice
Liam leads me into the nurse's station. Didn't remove his arm from me the whole walk here. I wish he could just take me home. Jos would probably panic, but I know, sure as hell, she wouldn't let me back here today.
I want to lean into his protective arms, but I can still feel Brax's eyes on me like lasers on the back of my head. I don't dare seek comfort from another man right now.
Finally, we push through the office doors and away from Braxton and his fury. I don't know what they are going to do to him. I don't know if Ms. Larson sent a message to Mr. Reynolds or not about what happened. Probably not. And I doubt very much Braxton will be honest.
"Are you going to be okay, Liv?" He asks, helping me to my chair. Liam is so sweet to me. He is the complete opposite of Braxton Davis. Brax should take notes from Liam on how to treat people.
"I think so," I sniff. I'm sort of embarrassed about how I'm acting. I'm not a baby, but I feel really fragile right now. I hate feeling like this. I want to be able to stand up for myself like Josie does, but I'm too scared.
" I don't want to leave you," he admits, softly grazing the swollen cheek. "I don't want Braxton to come in here and find you alone."
I don't want him to leave me alone either, to be honest. I'm scared Braxton will mosey on in here and start something. Unless there is an adult in sight, he could come in here and start screaming at me again.
But I need to stand on my own two feet this time. At least this time. Ms. Larson is expecting Liam back in class. "I'll be okay, Liam. Thanks for sticking up for me today," I blush, trying to send him a small smile.
My face still stings, and I'm not going to forget this for a long time. I don't even want to know what I look like. Liam looks like my face had ended up in a meat grinder and not just a dumb slap.
"Anytime, Liv," Then he's silent for a minute. "You deserve better than him, Olivia. You shouldn't have to put up with him. Just... think about it? If you need me, you know where I am," he says with a gentle smile just as Nurse Judy enters the room.
"Thank you, Liam. I think I've got it from here," she says kindly, and reluctantly he turns and leaves the room.
She gives my cheek on glance and heads over to her freezer and pulls out an ice pack. "I'm going to call your sister and ask if I can give you a pain reliever," she says placing the cold pack on my face.
It's jarring and I wince but nod my head. I'm sure Josie would be fine with it. But I'm going to have to explain what happened, and she's going to be pissed. So is Rick. If I know them, they will be having words with Braxton's parents.
For the rest of class, I sit in the nurse's room thinking about what Liam said. And he's right. I shouldn't have to put up with Braxton or his shit anymore. Charlie and Jos have basically said the same thing to me over and over again. But it comes out different when it's from someone not in my family.
Maybe it's time to break up with him. The thought makes my heart tumble a little. Not because I'm scared, or I don't want to. It's more of excitement. If I leave Braxton, there is a whole world of possibilities out there that have nothing to do with him bossing me around all the time.
By the time lunch rolls around I've made up my mind. I can't stay with Braxton anymore. It really is time for me just to cut my losses and move on with my life. I need the chance to be happy for once.
I decide to go sit with Kimmy and Court, who just so happened to be sitting by Levi, Brad and Liam. I went right by the jock table, completely ignoring the expectant look on Braxton's face.
"Hey, Liv. You feeling better?" Liam asks with the sweetest smile when I sit next to him. He looks so happy I decided to come sit next to him today!