Lenora’s POV
I couldn’t believe I was actually telling someone about the incidents that had been happening. Crystal had always been a physical person even when we were friends, but never to where I thought she would actually hurt someone let alone me.
“Why don’t you tell someone?” Zade didn’t let me go, but his touch was comforting in a way so I settled into it. “I tried at first, but Jared covered for Crystal and I was labeled as a problem child. I didn't want to stress anyone else out so I just dealt with it,” I shrugged. In truth I have given up on a social life here, if fact the only thing keeping me here was my little brother. I wouldn’t do anything to risk seeing that child sad even if that meant dealing with assault and harassment . I just needed to focus on school work to get into college and take us away from this god-forsaken town.
“Well now you have us to protect you,” Zade said so assuredly in his reply I made me stop walking. “You don’t know me enough to make that statement,” I c****d my head, as he ushered me down the hallway.
We made it to the nurse's office and he turned me to face him, bringing his face inches from mine, “you belong to us now Bunny, we will protect you.”
“I don’t belong to anyone,” I snapped at him before rolling my eyes. Who does he think he is?
“Rolls those eyes again and I’ll make you beg to belong to us,” his voice grew huskier, his breath hot on my cold skin sending chills down my spine. I shuddered, his scent invading my nose, my whole body seemingly wanting to take Zade up on the offer to see exactly what he meant. “Now go get your hand checked out.” He opened the door to the office and hurried me in.
“Nurse Kelly?” I asked.
“Ah sorry she retired last year I’m Nurse Quinn,” a young man came out in scrubs and a white coat.
“Oh damn, she was a cool lady; I’m sad I didn’t get to say bye,” I sighed, but moved forward closing the door behind me.
“I’ll let her know, I’m her grandson,” he smirked softly. I looked at him and noticed Kelly’s hazel eyes. He had beautiful brown eyelashes that would make any girl jealous. His skin was a tawny color with sandy blonde hair. “What’s your name?”
“Lenora Stjernelys,” I answered, watching him on the computer.
“And what can I do for you?” He asked while finally looking up at me. I held my hand up and gave a half hearted smile. “I smashed my hand in my locker.”
I saw his face drain and quickly move around the desk, “Jeez.”
I sat at the end of the medical bed as he helped clean the wound, it wasn’t as bad as it had seemed at first really. It looked like a deep cut but it didn’t even need stitches. Quinn wrapped it carefully and then went and began writing notes about the wound.
There was a knock at the door. I could see a cluster of people from the frosted window. “Come in,” Quinn replied.
Minnie was the first one through the door. “Len!” She rushed over to where I was sitting followed by Theo and Vlad. “Hey! Why are y’all here? How are y’all here?” I was confused by them. “Zade called us,” Minnie explained. I was nervous that these strangers dropped everything and ended up here in this small office because of me. Would they get in trouble? I couldn’t stand that because of me. I’m not worth it.
“Don’t worry, I can already see your gears turning,” Theo smirked. “We have a deal with our teachers as long as our grades don’t slip below a 98 and we come for tests they don’t pay attention to our attendance.”
“You aren’t causing us any issues princess,” Vlad gave me a soft nod before going to Quinn. “How is she?"
Minnie gave me a soft hug, “Zade didn’t give us all the details about what happened, but I have a feeling you don’t want to speak to us either.”
I looked away, “just a disagreement.”
Minnie exhaled, shaking her head, but accepted my explanation though I had a feeling she would get Zade to tell her everything he saw later on. She gave my forehead a kiss. I could feel tears starting to pool in my eyes, Minnie was like a maternal figure that I craved.
I rested my head on her shoulder as she rubbed my back softly. “We got you Lenora, we aren’t letting you go.”
I wanted to trust those words so badly, but how could I? I’ve only met these people this morning. It didn't make sense that I wanted to just be with them. Theo patted my head softly and Vlad rested a hand on my thigh after coming back from speaking with Quinn. The warmth of these people was going to be hard to live without.