My Bully's Love

Over the last couple of weeks, things have been back to normal, well my normal anyway. Jace is back to shoving me against lockers as he walks by or trying to trip me when he passes me in the halls. His two friends shoulder bump me, but that's the extent to what they do to me; the rest is all Jace.

I'm standing at my locker with the door open, reading a text from my mom, when suddenly the door slams shut. It startles me, and I jump back. Kaylee is leaning against the locker next to mine with her arms crossed and a huge smirk on her face. I roll my eyes and go to reopen my locker, but she stops me by slamming her hand against my door.

I sigh heavily, "What do you want, Kaylee?"

"A little respect, for one!" she glares at me.

"I haven't done anything to you. Believe me, I try to avoid you like the plague." I say smugly.

"See! That right there.it's disrespectful!" She points her long, pointed fingernail at me.

"You have to earn respect, Kaylee. You lost my respect when you decided to start treating me like crap for no reason." I'm just so tired of being scared about who will do what to me. I need to start standing up for myself, "So, again, what do you want? I have a class to get to."

She huffs, and then gets right up in my face, "Talk to me like that again, and see where that gets you!"

I don't have time for this, so I put on the biggest fake smile for her, "Geesh, I'm so sorry, Kaylee. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

She gives me a squinty glare at my sarcasm, "I just wanted to make sure that you were aware of Jace throwing a party at his house tomorrow night, and that you are not invited."

"What makes you think that I would even want to go to one of his parties?"

"Well, I just know how both your parents are close friends and they will probably expect you to go." She copies my stance.

"Whatever, no worries. I definitely will not be there." I decide to walk away before I get even more annoyed with the barbie wanna be. I hear her snicker as I pass her, but she doesn't stop me. Why would she even think that I would expect to be invited?

"Hey, Ella.wait up!" My sister calls out as she jogs up to me, "What class do you have next?"

"History, why do you ask?"

"Oh, just wondering. Are you doing anything this afternoon?"

"Not as of right now, unless mom asks, why?"

"Well, I was wondering if you could take me to the mall and help me pick an outfit out."

"Of course, I will! I love shopping with you." I bring her in for a side hug as we walk down the hall.

"Thank you! I better get going, my class is all the way downstairs." She chuckles.

I shake my head in amusement as my sister bounces away.

"Your little sister is turning into a hottie." My body freezes at the sound of his voice. Spinning around, I come face to face with my bully.

"Please stay away from her." I plead.

His hand presses against the middle of his chest, and he gives a fake gasp, "You hurt my feelings, Ella. I would never do anything to hurt an innocent girl like Elise." He leans in, so the other students passing by don't hear what he's about to say, "She isn't you. I'd never do to her all the things I want to do to you. I wouldn't want to hurt her like I want to hurt you."

Even though his words are hurtful, they send a tingle through me, making my core throb. I suck in a breath and take a little step back. When I glance up at his face, there is a look that has replaced the hardness that is usually there. Almost like a look that promises me that he will be doing exactly what he just said. We are only a few inches away from each other, the smell of his cologne tickles my nose. I know the scent well, because it's still the same one that he started wearing when we were friends. It's the one that I bought him; he's never changed it after all this time.

I don't dare say anything or try to move away. I wait for him to depart first, and when he gives me a sneer and stomps away, I blow the breath out that I hadn't realized I was holding in.

~~~~~~~~~~

"Oh my God, that is so cute on you! I think you should definitely go with that one."

I've been sitting down, flipping through an out-of-date fashion magazine while my sister tries on outfit after outfit. I really don't mind, it's not like I have anything else going on in my life. Living vicariously through Elise at least helps me keep up on life outside of home and school.

"You think so?" She turns in front of the full-length mirror, trying to decide, "I still think I should go with the green dress."

My mouth drops open, "You mean the one wear your butt cheeks are peeking out of the bottom?"

"Don't exaggerate, Ella."

"Who are you going out on a date with anyway?" I slap her hand away as she tries to fold the already small crop top, up so it sits right under her breasts.

"Oh, I don't have a date."

I'm totally confused now, "So what was this important shopping trip for?"

Her eyes widen as she looks over at me, "Um, hello! It's Jace's very first party at his house! Aren't you going?"

She leaves me speechless to where I just stand here gawking at her until she shakes me a bit.

"Earth to Ella! Did you hear me?"

"Uh, yeah, um.but no, I'm not going." I tilt my head at her, "Why are you going? You never even talk to him."

She shrugs, "He personally invited me this morning." Cocking her hip and placing her hand upon it, she scrutinizes me, "You're seriously not going? I mean, you two used to be inseparable and now I never see you guys talk. Is there something going on that you haven't told men about?"

Elise has no idea of the hell that our next-door neighbor puts me through on a daily basis. He makes sure to be on his best behavior when she or any other family member is around. I don't want her knowing, but I also don't want her going to that party. Nothing good can come from him inviting my little sister; he's up to something.

Putting one of my famous fake smiles on, I rub her arm, "There is nothing to tell. Friends grow apart, and parties are not my thing." An idea comes to me, "Hey, why don't you ditch the party and we can go hit up the next town, maybe check out that new hangout that everybody seems to be crazy about?"

She scoffs at me, "Seriously? Mom and Dad finally give me permission to go to a high school party, and you think I will pass it up?" Her head shakes, "Uh huh, not doing it."

Feeling defeated, I go back to the chair I was sitting in, "In that case, wear this outfit. I don't want any of those buttholes from school trying to feel you up, and they will try."

"Fine. I will listen to my big sister's advice." She goes to enter the dressing room but then turns back to me, "I love you, Ella. If there is anything that you need to talk about, I'm here for you. All of your secrets are safe with me."

I smile, "Thank you, Elise. Right back at you."

She nods her head and sadly smiles back before closing the dressing room door. I need to talk to Jace before that party. I need to know what his plans are with my baby sister. Maybe if I tell her what he's been doing to me for the past two years, then she won't go. Biting my thumb nail, I contemplate on doing just that. In the end, though, I just can't do it. I can't tell her how much of a pussy her big sister is because she can't stand up to the boy next door.