Chapter 5: Female issues

"Who are you?"

I didn't care that it sounded blunt and rude, especially since I've never met the woman standing next to my father, holding onto his forearm. She looked only a few years older than me. In fact, she could've been my older sister if she dressed differently. Her plaited blazer paired with a tight pencil skirt made her look older than what her skin complexion shows. I watched as she pressed her bright and perfectly lined red lips together for a thin smile before lifting the sunglasses that was too big for her face to the top of her head, pushing her newly treated blonde locks back in the process and revealing her blue eyes.

"Ashley, this is-" My father begun, taking a step towards me but he was cut off by the woman as she pulled him back by her grip on his forearm to stand next to her.

"Ah, you're Ashley," her words sounded almost as if she was dreading this meeting and wanted to get it over with as fast as possible. She wasn't the only one. Her wide smile that showed her bleached teeth doesn't reach her eyes. "I'm Sloan," she introduced as she held her hand out to me. Just as I was about to extend my hand, she added, "Sloan Brooks."

I could've sworn I heard my neck snap as I turned my head to look at my father. He opened his mouth to say something but closed it. He couldn't even explain himself. I wanted so badly to run off and lock myself in my rooms and never see my father again no matter how much I missed him but I knew I had to stand my ground. Show her that I wasn't weak. Show her that she can't just enter my life and try to ruin it.

Taking a deep breath to hold back any tears that was fighting to come out, I forced a smile, "You must be tired from the long flight and I have a tonne of things to do today," I lied. I cleared all my schedules, completed all my homework just so that I can spend as much time as I can with my father before he leaves for a long time again. "I'll leave you both to settle in," I stated, taking one last glance at my father, making sure he knew what his actions have done before turning away and practically sprinting up the stairs. I can hear someone following me but I wasn't about to risk anyone seeing me like this. Downstairs I could hear Sloan's excited voice as she spoke to my father.

I couldn't hold it in any longer. Tears streamed down my cheeks. I was only a few steps away from locking myself in my room for the rest of my father's stay when I felt someone grab my hand, forcing me to turn to face them.

"Ash..." Blake's voice was soft but I kept my eyes down, afraid that he would see how weak I looked and how easily affected I am by the littlest things. From the corner of my eyes I saw Blake lift a hand up but hesitated and let it drop to his side. He took a step back to try and look at my face, his hand still holding mine, "Ash, look at me."

I pulled my hand out of his hold and turned away from him before a sob escaped my lips. I took a shaky step towards my room but that was all I could do before I felt myself being pulled back once again as Blake's arms held me against his chest in an embrace. One of his hands was on my head, gently caressing it while I give up on pretending that I was strong and just cried in his arms. Wrapping my arms around his waist and gripping his shirt tightly in my fists, I muffled my cries against his chest as I let it all flow in the arms of the only person I trust.

"Brooks! Get your ass off the bench and start running!" The netball coach, Mr. Wilson yelled, snapping me out of my mind.

I stood up with a grumble and walked over to him. He was yelling at someone else for not wearing the right shoes to run, "Coach, I'm going to sit out," I started, his head snapped to me and he opened hi mouth to begin his infamous yelling sequence but I stopped him, "Female issues."

His mouth formed an 'o' before awkwardly nodding and waving me off. It always works.

I turned back and started heading in the direction of the changing rooms. After meeting my father coming home with another woman in his arm, I had avoided every situation that could lead me to seeing him and especially Sloan. I made Blake get us to school much earlier just so I could get out of the house. Blake had been trying to get me to talk about the situation yesterday but I wasn't ready. I didn't even want to think about it but my mind kept going back to it. Blake insisted that he stayed with me for netball practice but I told him that I needed the space to just think. It took him a lot but he didn't push any further.

Just then, a huge impact to my side made me fall to the grass. It felt like I was hit with a boulder.

"You," I looked up at the voice. He towered over my body on the ground, shielding the sun but it was still hard to make out his face with the sun shining brighting behind him. He must've been the one to bump into me. I expected him to apologise or even lend me a hand to get up but his next few words left my mouth hang open, "Watch where you're going next time."

I watched him jog away, joining the rest of his friends as they run around the track. I scoffed and stood up from the ground, dusting the grass from my clothes before continuing my walk towards the changing room.

I didn't even bother changing my clothes as I grabbed my things and walked over to the lockers to wait for Blake.

***

(Blake's point of view)

A guy entered the bathroom, with two other guys. His eyes landed on the guy peeing next to me, "I saw you and that girl, Ryan."

I turned my attention away from them and decided to focus on relieving myself. If everyone was crowding in the bathroom, school must be over. I had a free period at the end because I wasn't part of any of the sports. I didn't feel like it was necessary for me anyway.

I heard the guy next to me, Ryan, chuckled, "She's just some girl but she did look familiar. I can't remember from where though."

"Oh, come on, man. Tell me you're joking. Everyone knows Ashley Brooks," Another guy from the group said with a mischievous smile on his face, "Her virginity is on top of every guy's list in school."

I tensed as I heard Ashley's name. Keeping my head low so they didn't notice me standing there, I listened in on their conversation.

"Oh, no. I know what you're thinking and I'm not doing it," Ryan responded with a laugh as he zipped up his pants. He didn't even bother flushing after himself and walked over the other guys.

"Why? Because of that guy that's always around her?" One of them said to Ryan in a mocking tone. I knew they were talking about me so I tried to keep my face away from them to avoid them from realising that I was right there.

"Are you scared he might beat the crap out of you? Aw...you little baby," Another one of them said, cooing at Ryan.

"No, I'm not scared," Ryan answered, almost snapping at them. "You know what? I'll do it now. I'll invite her over tonight. It's a bet." Ryan challenged as he walked out the toilet with the rest of them.

My eyes widen as I hurriedly tried to zip my pants, cursing when it got stuck. I grunted and firmly tugged on the zip, causing it to finally zip up. With that, I ran out of the bathroom, scanning the hallway for any sight of the guys from before. Then, I heard a laugh. That's when I noticed the guys approaching her, nudging each other as Ryan led the rest of them. My eyes looked for Ashley who was leaning against the locker. She didn't see them because she was using her phone.

As the guy called Ryan started getting closer to her, I wasted no time and ran towards him. I pushed past the guys standing behind him, receiving a few shouts and insults from them but I didn't care. I sprinted the last few steps and moved to stand in front of Ashley, blocking all sight of her from Ryan.

"Blake?" I could hear her call me but my focus was on Ryan.

Ryan raised a brow and looked over my shoulder at Ashley and back at me before letting out a laugh, "You must be the guy that's always around her," the other guys from the bathroom had managed to recover from the shove and stand behind Ryan. Everyone else that was walking along the hallway had stopped to observe at the commotion, "What are you? Her bodyguard or something?" He questioned, mockingly.

I wanted to answer him that I am actually her bodyguard but that was supposed to be confidential. My jaw clenched as I maintained my glare on Ryan, not even moving a muscle when I felt Ashley's hand on my shoulder.

Ryan's smile disappeared, replaced by a blank expression, "Back off, Ryder."

"Blake..." Ashley's voice was quiet but I could still hear the fear in her voice.

I took a quick glance at her over my shoulder, plastering a reassuring smile before turning my gaze back to Ryan.

Ryan scoffed and took a step towards me. His hand gripped the collar of my shirt. I grabbed Ryan's wrist and twisted it behind his back, making him face away from me and put my other arm over his neck, applying just enough pressure to threaten him but not kill him.

The other guys start to take a step forward but I tightened my grip around Ryan's neck, causing him to wriggle, tugging at my arm around his neck. The guys start to back away. Just then, Ryan's leg moved between mine and tripped me, causing both of us to fall to the ground. Instantly, he was on top of me, pinning me to the ground.

A smirk formed on Ryan's lips, "I just can't wait to hear her scream my name when I-"

With a grunt, I flipped us over so I was on top of him and started punching his face, repeatedly.

"Stop!" I heard Ashley scream but nothing was going to be able to stop me.

No one dares to talk about Ashley like that and get away alive. My knuckles were starting to hurt but I couldn't stop. Ryan was dodging most of the punches but some still got through to him. Someone grabbed my hand again and I, by reflex, flicked my hand.

"Blake!" I heard her yell as I finally turned to look at her.

There she sat on the ground next to me, rubbing her bleeding elbow. I panicked and let go of Ryan. As I was about to walk towards Ashley, someone grabbed my ankle making me to stumble and fall face-flat on the ground. My cheekbone was throbbing from the impact but that was the least of my worries.

I looked back and saw Ryan, getting up. Pissed off, I got up too, clenching my hands into fists. Ryan threw a punch to my face but I dodged it and punched his stomach. He threw another punch to my stomach but I crouched down, tackling him, making him fall. I was about to pin him to the ground once again but a voice stopped me.

"Blake!"

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- S.R. Fizz