Riff said it was up to me, but he thought perhaps I might like company tonight to help fight the nightmares. My eyes filled with tears, and I stared at the ground, trembling, and he used his fingers under my chin to tilt my head up. Staring into my eyes, he smiled tenderly and hugged me. Char joined in, rubbing his head against mine with a soft growl. Marcus waited until I did my nightly routine after ordering me to bed. When I climbed in, Riff and Char followed suit, cuddling me on either side, and I sighed. Biting my lip, I worried about Ky, and the odd pain I hadn’t experienced all day.
Seconds later, there was a howl that sounded like it was outside my window, and I stiffened with shock. Growling, Marcus walked to it, slamming it open and snarling under his breath, “haven’t you done enough?” A soft growl was his answer, and he snorted, albeit he removed my screen, and the giant wolf climbed into my room. Wagging his tail, Ky barked in greeting and jumped onto the bed.
“Great, fleabag is here,” Char noted dryly to Riff, who nodded with a slight smile that grew when Ky growled. Huffing, the wolf lay at my feet with his head resting on my legs. He sighed as if all was right in the world, and I smiled while stroking his silky fur.
Marcus kissed my forehead, pulled the covers to my chin, and ordered the boys to keep me safe before he left, turning out the light as he went. I sighed when the lock clicked on the front door, and it shut a moment later. “Sorry if this is awkward,” I muttered, and the boys laughed.
“We get to snuggle the prettiest, sweetest girl in school, and she apologizes,” Char chuckled with a grin to Riff, who rolled his eyes with a smirk.
“You forgot the most badass, but yes, she’s a bit of a dork when it comes to her worth. Still, let’s enjoy our little slice of paradise before Angel decides we cannot sleep like this anymore,” Riff snorted with mirth. My cheeks burned, but I felt so warm and loved that I believed I might sleep well.
In the morning, Ky excitedly licked my face to wake me, and I groaned before giggling at his exuberance. He looked at the window, and I let him out with a sigh, sorry to see him go, but happy that he stayed last night. I didn’t even dream. Riff and Char woke when I did and watched me curiously. “Do you want a shower, and we’ll help you change your bandages, or we help you wash your hair, and the evil change happens after school?” Riff asked gently.
Mulling it over, I went with the second option and chuckled while I got dressed, and the two of them fought over who got to shower first. While I munched on my never-ending supply of granola bars, they showered and wolfed doughnuts. My fingers itched to draw them with how adorable they looked, a doughnut in their mouths while they grabbed their backpacks. Riff grinned and waggled his eyebrows on his way past me, and I chuckled while Char rolled his eyes. Marcus drove me to school while the boys took their separate cars, just in case they needed to leave for any reason. Marcus mentioned that I could text him and he would be happy to take me home early if I wanted to leave school today. I eyed him warily, receiving a tight smile in response, which told me I wouldn’t like what he put in motion to happen. Great, something to look forward to. Joy.
Before I got out, Marcus told me they got Matty and Tammy out safely with no mishaps, and I smiled. I should receive an email later telling me they arrived, which would be a relief. I wished I could call Matty, but I didn’t dare. You never know who is listening. Marcus added that I was not to wander too far from either Char or Riff when possible, and I sighed. As annoying as it might sound, I wasn’t bothered. I probably should be, but all I feel is valued, loved, special. Smiling, I told Marcus to have a wonderful day, and he chuckled, kissing my forehead before wishing me the same and banishing me from his car. Laughing, I got out, waving as he drove off and waiting for Riff and Char to enter the school.
Riff threw his arm over my shoulders while Char glared at anyone who stared for too long. Each of them kissed my forehead before sending me into my first class. Taking my seat at the table in the back of the room, I steeled myself for Kyler’s arrival. I smiled when Mr. Hicks came in, I gave him my finished homework, and he smiled. He asked how I was since Riff confessed my visit to the hospital to gain the work I needed to make up.
I had only returned to my seat when Kyler walked in, looking irritated. His eyes focused on me with even more hate than usual, and I flinched. What did I do now? I wasn’t even here. “Look what the cat dragged in, a dirty street rat,” Kyler sneered, and I sighed.
“Hi to you too, hotshot,” I drawled, rolling my eyes at his attitude before dropping my gaze. Great. Whatever Kyler did to me was instant, lovely. Well, I guess he deserved it, but I still didn’t like it.
“Did you just roll your eyes at me?” Kyler seethed, and I chuckled under my breath. The temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees, so he heard me.
“Oh my, you saw something right in front of you,” I gasped sarcastically. “What
