1
__________
Seven years ago
Cooper
Rushing around the corner, I collide with someone, clumsily knocking them back. Before they wind up on their ass, my hands spring out to steady them, grabbing onto silky tender flesh. I hear the exhale of an oof as I stare into beautiful liquid caramel orbs.
“L-Lidia, damn, I'm, damn, I'm s-sorry.” I quickly drop my hands away. Not that I'm repulsed by touching her. Just the opposite. But I'm sure Lidia doesn't want my paws on her.
Her chuckle surprises me; her smile even more so.
“No harm, Cooper. Guess you're in a hurry.”
“Uh, yeah, not really though. Ya know, math test.” I'm a tongue-tied idiot.
She laughs. “Well, should be a breeze for you, Mr. Math Tutor.” When all I can do is remain silently stunned, she continues. “Good job what you've done with the underclassmen by setting up the tutoring schedule during free periods. I hear it's made a wonderful impact.”
Yeah, I guess as student body VP, she'd know about student affairs like that. I wasn't looking for any kudos; just trying to help because I know all about struggles.
Realizing I'd remained silent while she continues to stare, I try to coherently formulate a response.
“Thanks, it's no big deal. I, uh, I better not be late.”
“Oh, sure. Well, again, good job, and good luck with your test.” Her smile renders me speechless so all I can do is nod before hurrying away.
Such a doofus.
I jog across the square then slow down before rounding another corner, making sure I don't crash into anyone else today. An unmistakable, grating voice stops my progress.
"Are you kidding me? She'll never know the difference. And I'll finally get her to loosen up a bit, ya know?"
Snickers follow those words from Jonathan Archer as he and whatever asshole friends are with him crack up. My fists clench, knowing exactly who the her is he's talking about. Lidia Hightower. She and Jonathan are like the power couple of the school. She's a beautiful person who unfortunately gets treated like a possession by this douche. Jonathan is king jerk of the school in my opinion, thinking he's better than everyone else. Doesn't help he's top jock and from one of the wealthiest families in South Portland, Maine. Some would say that does make him better, but that's bullshit.
I just wish she'd find the courage to break away from him before she gets hurt.
"So what's the plan?"
I jolt as I hear Tina Marsh, a supposed friend of Lidia's.
"After prom, we're all hanging out at my place for a party. We got the pool and liquor, and even the pool house to crash in."
"What about your parents, dude?" Marvin asks.
Jonathan scoffs. "They're all too happy to see me graduate high school so the party was their idea. Liquor and all. Said it'll be fine as long as anyone drinking remains for the night."
"Shit, that's pretty cool."
I roll my eyes at these numskulls. All they care about is the next party or piece of ass they can score. What's worse are their parents who turn a blind eye to their actions. Talk spreads even though I don't run in their circles.
"Damn right," Jonathan says. "After Tina pushes the drinks on Lidia and she starts feeling good, we're gonna rock that pool house, so I'm counting on you to make sure nobody gets in until I get off."
More laughter. "You got it, man," Marvin says.
Fuckers! I want to rush around the corner and pummel every one of them, even Tina.
If only, I scoff to myself as their voices fade, telling me they're moving away from the building. They play every school sport imaginable while I can barely make it through a PE class without huffing and puffing as if I'd just climbed Saddleback Mountain. And that's less than 4200 feet. Yeah, I'm not in the best of shape. I'm six foot three, two hundred seventy-five pounds, and never do more than what's required in gym class. But lately I'm spending more time moving rather than sitting in front of my gaming console. I mean, my games are important because they're gonna get me into college, but I'm realizing there's more to life than that.
Like Lidia. I know she's way out of my league, but a guy can dream about one day having a special person in his life. If only it could be her. There's a natural beauty about her, from her pretty face that looks like it doesn't get coated with five pounds of makeup, to the easy charm she radiates. She's the sweetest, kindest girl in school. Smart, too. Except when it comes to guys. She's only with Jonathan because that's what her parents want. I know this because I happened to overhear a conversation between Lidia and another friend. I'm not particularly proud that I was privy to it, but they didn't know I'd been shoved in the library's janitor's closet right before they decided to have their little heart-to-heart. And there was no way I was gonna embarrass myself further by stepping out of a place I had no business being in.
Regardless if she was my friend, Lidia would never look at me with anything but kind smiles over the years. But no way would I let her look at me with either pity because of my disheveled appearance or with horror because she'd realize I'd heard her confession.
After listening to that bastard Jonathan brag about what he planned to do to Lidia – and the others being in on it – no way can I let that happen. I have to do something.
I foolishly look back in the direction I came from, hoping to still see Lidia.
And then what? Run to her and spill what I heard? Beg her not to go to the prom or the party? Yeah, right.
Prom is tomorrow night but I'm not going. As a junior, I couldn't care less. Well, even if it was my senior year I'd have no interest. Besides, I have an online demo of a new game I'm conceptualizing. If all goes well, a college scholarship could be in my future. The chances of successfully intercepting Lidia before prom are low but I know where Jonathan lives. Maybe I can somehow sneak into the party and try to stop his shitty plan.
I have to try. For Lidia's sake.
* * *
"Lidia! Dammit, where's Lidia?"
I bust through the drunken crowd trying to make my way to the pool house. My path is blocked by Marvin, Jonathan's meathead sidekick, and Tina, who's cozied up to his side.
"What are you doing here, nerd?" he snickers. Tina smirks while others give us the side-eye.
Yeah, real original.
"I'm here for Lidia."
Tina scoffs and Marvin laughs before saying, "Like you got a chance with her. She's already spoken for, idiot."
"I don't need a chance with her, I just need to get her away from you scumbags." I look from him to Tina, receiving a sneer from the little bitch.
Marvin steps right in my face and shoves me on my shoulder. "Who the fuck do you think you are, loser? A smart guy would turn around and run away before he gets his ass handed to him."
"And a smart guy, or friend," I sneer right back at Tina, "wouldn't let that douche Jonathan get away with practically raping his so-called girlfriend."
Collective gasps sound off around me as people start gathering and eyeing Marvin with suspicion.
He shoves me again and I stumble back a few steps.
"The fuck you talking about! Nobody's getting raped. My boy's just having a good night with his girl."
"Is that what you call slipping her liquor that's probably doctored up with Rohypnol? That's a roofie, you morons."
Murmurs and whispers get louder around our confrontation.
"You don't know what you're talking about." Tina glares at me.
"Really? So I didn't hear you," I look from Tina to Marvin, increasing the volume of my voice, "and you, talking outside the science building with Jonathan yesterday about this party and how Tina would push the drinks on Lidia while Marvin makes sure nobody goes into the pool house until Jonathan comes out?"
Others around us emit chokes and gasps.
"Is that true?"
All eyes turn toward the shaky voice coming from behind Tina, who whirls around to face Lidia. She's barefoot wearing shorts and a t-shirt, and her hair is rumpled like she just got out of bed.
No, please don't let it be too late!
I start to take a step toward her but am pushed back, this time by Jonathan who snuck up on the side of me.
"Nobody invited you, weasel, so if you know what's good for you, you'll get the hell outta here."
Lidia ignores Jonathan for the moment as she squares off with Tina. "Is that why you kept putting more in my cup even when I said I didn't want it? And you kept insisting I go be alone with my boyfriend?" When Tina remains silent, pursing her lips, Lidia turns to Jonathan. "Were you really drugging me so you could get me to sleep with you?"
"You're my girlfriend. We shoulda already had sex."
I hate seeing the stunned expression on Lidia's face. I want to scoop her up and get her away from the prick.
"Lidia." I take a step toward her but receive a punch to my jaw that sends me spinning.
"Jonathan! Stop!" Lidia yells.
"Why the fuck should I stop when this guy is ruining my party?"
I get my bearings and face Lidia just as Jonathan grabs her arm and starts to pull her away.
"Let's go, babe."
Lidia jerks away from him. "I'm not your babe. I'm not your anything anymore so don't ever touch me again. We're done."
As she turns, Jonathan's face morphs with rage, reaching for her again. But before he can touch her, I charge like a crazed bull with a red flag waving in its face. Using my bigger size and heavier weight to my advantage, I throw my shoulder into his gut and take him down to the ground. Yelling starts and sirens can be heard in the distance. As they grow louder, people scramble, tripping over one another as they try to leave.
Yeah, that'd be my doing. I made an anonymous call to the police to report a rowdy party with underage drinking. I had hoped to be gone before they arrived.
While I'm sprawled out on top of a struggling Jonathan, I crank my head around to Lidia.
"Go! Get outta here before the police arrive!" She hesitates and looks at me with uncertainty. Just as she opens her mouth, I yell again. "Go! Mark is in his blue pickup a block away. Wait until the coast is clear and he'll take you home!" I know she knows who Mark is because he's a senior like her. They share classes. He also happens to be my gaming buddy.
Jonathan strains and manages to roll me off of him. As he gets to his feet, Lidia screams when he makes a grab for her. Before he can make contact, I snatch his ankle and trip him, giving Lidia a chance to run. When she does, Jonathan turns to growl at me.
The last thing I remember is the bottom of a sneaker headed for my face.
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