Chapter 9: Chapter 9

Sid tripped Tucker down and passed over on him, gagging him. We were shouting out and crying, no one stepped in to get them apart.

Tucker, who was under Sid, locked his arm around Sid's neck and drew him downwards. I was weeping at full volume and Dina was howling for help, but no one wanted to piss about with either of them.

"Tucker leave him," Dina yelled when Tucker began choking the guy to death. "Let him go you are proceeding to kill him." Dina ran towards Tucker and tried to break free the guy from his grasp while I had no strength and courage to be near them. Sid passed out and that's when Tucker realized that he has messed up. He got up promptly, he was strong and he knew that too. His wide eyes surveyed the surrounding anxiously to capture the reaction from the bystanders.

"Let's go," Tucker ordered, grabbing Dina's hand and pulling her along with him. He didn't ask me if I was alright or not, not for love but at least as a human, as a person who lives with me, he should have been at least worried a little about me since he was once again making his way out of the mess and leaving me behind. I didn't move, feeling lonely and unloved and when I lifted my face, Tucker ceased upon his spot, his neck turned to see me, "Giselle, come on." He was staring deep into my eyes as he pulled his hand out, leaving Dina's hand.

Feeling better, I ran and held his hand. I know it probably wasn't the right time to think about it, but his touch made the back of my neck hair stand up. Tucker began the car engine, leaving behind the mess he started.

"Why are you such an idiot Tucker," Dina yelled, rubbing her palms nervously. Tucker was driving fast; he knew Sid's gang will be after him.

"Tucker it is all your fault." Dina continued in panic and anger. She had her cheeks still stained with tears as she fussed him about the incident in the Cafe, infuriated

"Why did he come in front of me?" Tucker passed a lame excuse and kept his eyes on the road. It was no secret that Tucker bugged the guy first, none of that would have happened had he kept his mouth shut.

"Like it was his fault that he was in a public cafe, Elle why are you silent? Back me up." Dina has never learned to quit, she was only a moment away from hitting Tucker and his obedience towards her was getting on my nerves, but I would never want them apart, I would never want Dina to go through a breakup. I knew I was wrong for even fantasizing about my friend's boyfriend now, but at that moment, it didn't hit me.

"You okay Tucker?" I questioned, ignoring their argument, I saw the blood from Tucker's lip and my heartfelt pain. Seeing him in pain was like spending a night in hell for me. Tucker swiftly looked through the rear-view window and watched my face and averted his stare back on the road.

"I am fine Don't worry Giselle." He murmured very softly, he needed comfort, which Dina should have provided him.

"But you are bleeding," I mumbled in my mouth if only I could take his pain away.

"But that's his fault, he started it." Dina slapped his chest and shook her head like the blood coming out of his lips was no big deal.

"Giselle, can you please teach her to be kind?" Tucker joked awkwardly, if he knew I was such a nice person, why didn't he fall for me?

"Says the guy who is so kind that he almost killed another human for fun." Dina muttered in annoyance, "Drop me here, I can't tolerate your mother's spiteful eyes." Dina was never shy about how she felt about Lauren, she didn't like her. Even though Dina was pretty loud about her opinions on Tucker's mother, he never objected or talked back to her. He dropped her where she asked him to and continued to drive in the same direction.

"Thanks!" he whispered, stopping the engine in front of the house. He took minutes to express his thankfulness, might be thinking about it this whole time. I head straight into my room, spending a few hours studying and watching Lucifer. It was almost around 9 pm when I heard yelling coming from downstairs, it was Mr. Ben shouting.

I rushed down and saw the family gathered with the town's Sheriff Levin present too.

"There she is," Mr. Ben pointed towards me, I saw Tucker standing in the corner with his head down.

"So what were you saying, Mr. Tucker Arch?" Sheriff mumbled, watching my face and looking at Tucker again. "Tell us everything that those orphans did,' the Sheriff, Dina's father stated. Her family seemed to be like the only stable family as there was never a drama surrounding them. You must be wondering why they called Sid and his group The Orphans? Well, those kids were never adopted by anyone, as this family took me in but nobody adopted them, and sending an orphan outside the town wasn't allowed so they kind of lived their lives in an orphanage owned by Mrs. Lock, who was Steven's stepmother.

So these kids had pet hate for the town as they thought if they had allowed them to be adopted by someone outside the town, their life would have been so much better. But I had heard the news that every orphan has a father, who never met them, but would spend money on their education and expenses, but these were usually the very rich people outside the town.

"Sid was harassing her and that's when I stood up for the right. He was molesting her; how do you expect me to stay silent?" Tucker yelled aggressively, Lauren covered her mouth while Ivory shook her head. For a moment, I was lost, what he said totally shook me. What happened? Who molested who?

"Is it true Miss???" Sheriff interrogated, his eyes watching the color of my face fading away, they were talking about me. Tucker lied, he dragged me into this mess while keeping Diana's name out of his mouth. I watched their faces for a moment, Tucker denied to have eye contact with me and Lauren was watching me like she wanted me to agree with Tucker. I gulped, lying about something so sensitive will ruin that boy's life.

"Why did you leave like that?" My door slammed open and Ivory stormed in. I watched her face and cleaned my tears, seeing which she scoffed.

"Because it is a lie, he didn't say a----," I stopped when Lauren came inside with tears in her eyes, she began sobbing and crying.

"It is okay, you don't have to lie," Lauren said through gasps, her voice was low and coming out in murmurs.

"But mom, what about his football team? What---," Ivory was going to add some more stuff when Lauren showed her hand and gestured her to keep quiet.

"He will get what he deserves even if I die of sadness. I don't know why he did that, but if this incident changed his future, I will die, I will ne----," She sobbed, covering her face and slowly dropping on her knees on the floor.

"Aunt pleas---," I ran to help her get up but Ivory pushed me back.

"Don't act like you care, if something happened to my mother you will be responsible for that." Ivory pointed a finger at me and helped Lauren up. But what have I done?

"It is okay, we can't blame her, she hasn't loved someone enough to do anything for them." Lauren denied to watch my face and her body began falling again when Ivory held her tightly.

"Mom, are you okay?" Ivory's voice was shaky, I couldn't stand there and watch her feeling sick. I admit it all seemed too manipulative, but with Lauren being involved, I highly doubted she was lying. She was a mother; her feelings were true. This woman has always stood up for me and now it was my time to not only repay her back for her kindness but also, save Tucker's future.

"I will go and give my statement against Sid." I quickly announced and ran downstairs without wasting a single minute, I couldn't see them in pain. Apart from everything, how can Lauren question my love for Tucker, when she knew I had loved him unintentionally.

After giving my statement, the Sheriff left, Mr. Ben advised Tucker to be careful next time and don't take matters into his own hands. I went back to my room and Lauren was still there.

"I am so glad and thankful for you, see, that's why I want you to be with Tucker." She rubbed my shoulder and marched outside. There was this guilt in my heart for lying, that guy Sid was innocent as he didn't start all that. How long am I going to sacrifice to show Tucker my love and why would I care what he thinks of me now? I mean, isn't it gross that I am trying to impress my friend's boyfriend? Minus he made me lie.

I was dying with the guilt; why can't I get out of this imaginary world of mine? When will people stop using me? Why was I so badly stuck on Tucker? Now that all the whispering about how good I am and weeping noises disappeared, my brain began to work against my decision of helping Tucker and how cleverly they made me give a statement in his favor.

Me: He told the Sheriff that Sid was harassing me.

I text Dina, she has always been there for me and despite being jealous of her, I still knew she would be there for me.

Dina: What? But that's not what happened.

Me: well, but he said this in his statement.

Dina: Tell me you didn't agree with him?

Me: I can't see Lauren crying.

Dina: I should have known that bitch will do her emotional spell on you.

Me: Hey, respect, please.

Dina: Does she respects you? No, then no I am not respecting her.

Me: Thanks, but there is nothing we can do about it now.

Dina: damn, I am so mad at him.

We had a little more chat and then we said Goodnight. I was still not sleepy but didn't want to keep her awake with me. I kept changing sides and feeling alone, a part of me knew they tricked me, but the other part refused to believe it. I was living with them; they were the only family I recall when I remember my childhood. My actions were directly or indirectly influenced by them.

In the morning, Tucker decided to drop us. Ivory didn't join us, which was strange because usually, she took a ride to school with us every day. We were on the way when he stopped the car on the side of the road.

"What happened?" I mumbled, looking out of the window. He has never done that so obviously I was shocked and afraid too. He got out of the car and opened the door to the back seat, my heart instantly missed a beat. He slid in, perching inside with me, his scent filled my nostrils quickly. Hesitatingly, I moved away, but his body was all turned towards me.

"I wanted to talk to you, Giselle." He mumbled, demanding eye contact. How can I look in his eyes, there was so much wrong with that? First, he was my friend's boyfriend, second, what he did has upset me badly.

"Giselle!" He called my name to have my attention, I was not in a mood of going through all the pain from last night. "Giselle, I know you are mad at me and you have all the rights to do so but hear me out first," he begged, sliding close to me. His closeness was bringing shiver down my spines and I had no idea why he was noticing me now when he had never acknowledged my presence before.

"Okay," I gave him the chance to lie on my face, what could he possibly say to make things better? To justify his actions?

"You know why I took your name instead of Dina's?" he questioned, slowly pulling himself closer to a point where our bodies slightly touched, I gasped and turned around only to see his beautiful eyes staring at me. "because I knew you would save me no matter what," he said huskily and deepened his stare, I couldn't get my eyes off of him.

"Why?" I was only able to utter, my cheeks felt the heat as I looked away.

"Because nobody is you and nobody cares for me as you do." his words and the way he pulled himself closer to me, froze my body. Shyly, I looked away and bit my lip, hiding the smile trying to appear. At least now my heart was at ease, he expected me to speak for him, he knew I would.

"When Dina was accusing me and lecturing me about right and wrong, you were the one who asked me if I was hurt, if I was okay." all of a sudden, I felt his fingers tugging a strand of my hair behind my ear and the world stopped right there. All my life, I have wanted his attention, I wanted him to look at me the way that makes me blush and now it was time, but he was dating my friend.

Giselle, he is dating your friend, my mind snapped.

"Yeah, because I care about everyone." I snapped, moving my body away from his and looking outside the window. I don't know what he was thinking, but he was silent for a moment.

"Does that mean you have forgiven me?" whatever took him so long to respond, but his voice was back to normal.

"Yeah!" I mumbled, playing nervously with my fingers. His intimacy had dazed my mind and now all I can think about was him and him only.

"Giselle, look in my eyes and say it aloud." He insisted, his voice sounding husky again. Part of me knew he was taking advantage of my feelings but the other part yelled *Giselle he doesn't even know how you feel about him*

"Yes Tuck," I turned my neck to him and whispered, my head down, but my cheeks all red. Why was he so attractive, dammit?

"I knew you can't be mad at me for too long." He smiled flirtatiously and walked out of the car. He took his seat and started driving again. I couldn't process what just happened. Our bodies touched, he stared into my eyes, said sweet things, and even brushed my hair with his fingers, too much good happening at a single minute was killing me with happiness.

I got out of the car and the minute Tucker stepped out, Dina approached him.

"Hey, Dina!" I greeted and seeing her face made the guilt rush back at me. Well, she didn't bother looking at me as her eyes fixated at Tucker.

"Hey babe," he called her babe, I looked away as the feeling of being hurt was getting visible on my face.

"Don't babe me," she showed him her palm and made him stop on his tracks as he tried to fill her in his arms. "Why did you use her to save your a***?" she folded her arms and stated annoyingly. Tucker quickly watched my face and then Dina's, who by the look of it, looked pissed.

"I----," Tucker scratched the back of his neck and stole his eyes from her, he didn't say none of the words he said in the car.

"It's okay." I interrupted, Tucker sighed in relief and shrugged his shoulders to Dina.

"Maybe you should adopt a few things from her," Tucker commented on Dina as he walked past us. All his comments made me think about Lauren's advice, she was right about Tucker seeing the good in me one day, and lately, he has praised me a lot for my goodness.

"are you kidding me?" Dina approached me angrily, watching my face and waiting for an answer.

"Dina there is no point in fighting about it now." I stole my eyes and kept walking towards the class as Dina continued to follow me.

"There is so that he thinks twice before pulling you along in a mess again." She commented and we both entered the class. Everyone looked at me and the whispering began, it was weird how everyone was watching me and then talking in whispers.

"Why are they looking at me like that?" I whispered in Dina's ear who had no idea. When they came to know about Dina dating Tucker, they would stare at her and even try to be friends with her but these were some different kinds of stares they were giving me.

"I have no ide---," Dina whispered back and halted, "What?" she waved her hand aggressively at one of the girls talking about me with her friend.

"Nothing." The girl drowned her head in the book and pretended to be studying.

The rest of the day was awful as where ever I went, everyone looked at me and then whispered something in their friend's ear.

...................

"Elle," Dina's voice startled me as I was trying to peacefully enjoy my sandwich while sitting in the cafe.

"You scared me." I held a hand on my heart and mumbled. She sat across the table and rubbed her face in her hands, "What's wrong?" I inquired.

"Do you know why everyone was staring at you?" she questioned and waited for me to respond, I shook my head and she continued, "Because they know what happened here the last day and they know that Sid harassed you," she said everything in one breath, which I don't get a reason of her surprise as Obviously, they were going to know one day and if not by us then by Sid and his friends.

"I knew this was going to happen," I mumbled, not really thinking much of it. I have made a mistake and this was my punishment.

"But here is why they were actually staring at you," she lowered her tone as if there was a big storm in her news, "A few days ago, my father received multiple reports on the orphans, so my father and the mayor decided to transfer the orphans to our school than sending them out of the town to a new school. And now with an orphan harassing you, they thought it is best that they introduced them here soon so they can educate them and let them know the kids here." her words shook me, "so that means, Sid will be joining our school in a day or two." now that was where my body began shivering.

Dammit, so everyone was kind of worried for me as Sid would harass me more now but he hadn't before and now that I have lied to him, I am going to be his target.

"I am doomed," I uttered in my mouth, my heart beating in my head and my vision getting blurred. Why can't I be at peace for a day? just for a day at least?

"I know it is bad, but we will be by your side every minute Elle." Dina, who was genuinely worried for me, squeezed my hand in her hand to drag me back from my own hell where Sid was chasing me to death.

"I--," i was nervous and shaking badly. I just wanted to be in everyone's good books but now with Sid coming here, everyone would know I lied and caused an innocent so much trouble.

"Oh hello!" we two turned our necks to see Monica standing at our table, along with her two minions.

"What do you want Monica?" Dina, who disliked her because she was Tucker's friend and was always trying to steal him back, rolled her eyes and tied her hand across her chest.

"I just want a friend like Giselle," She smiled, treating me like I am a kid who would be happy to hear that. I can't even blame her as I have acted like a child myself.

"Really?" Dina, who was doubtful of Monica's intentions, raised her brow.

"Yeah! but it is so sad that she loves the same guy you are dating." Monica, in the spur of the moment, faked a sad tone. I lifted my face in surprise and my eyes bugged out in shock, Dina stared at me blankly. What the hell? How the hell did she come to know about it?

"Oh, you don't know? well, I have something to show you." Monica, sure of what she was talking about, pulled her phone out of her purse, and after looking through the screen, she turned it towards us and my mind just blew out. My whole world shattered under my feet, this was bad, it was not supposed to happen.