An Imperfect Circle (11 page)

That word makes me want to vomit
.

I watch as some of the cockiness disappears from his face and he looks vulnerable for a split second but he quickly recovers and smirks again.

“We used to be friends, Ellie. We could be friends again. Good friends,” he grins.

“
I don’t want to be friends or anything else with you!” I shout. I’m aware that I’m drawing attention but I need out of this situation. Now.

“
Give me back my fudging Wagon Wheel and leave me alone!”

He pulls the
Wagon Wheel out of his pocket and waves it at me, just slightly out of my reach. “Fudging?” He raises one eyebrow at me and I can tell he’s laughing at me.

“
Swearing is for filthy numbnuts who don’t know any better,” I grind, making a grab for my Wagon Wheel and missing, much to my frustration.

“
I see,” he smirks. “I knew there was a reason dad liked you.”

I hear Ian laugh from the other side of the table but my attention is focussed solely on my round treat.

“I don’t get why you’re being like this, Ellie,” Karl frowns. “Doesn’t our history mean anything to you?”

“
It did.” Until you threw it all away.

“
What changed?” He frowns.

I don’t answer. Instead I aim for the nipple I can see thanks to his tight shirt and twist it brutally. I g
ave him several warnings; he had plenty of chances to make the right move but he didn’t.

He grunts in agony and brings
his hands up to rescue his man-nipple. I take the opportunity to snatch my Wagon Wheel away and I’m out of my chair in a matter of seconds.

I need air, peace and quiet, and a few minutes to regain my composure. Becky seemed fine chatting with Rob so I don’t feel bad about leaving her. I hope she’s not offended but I need to calm down before I do something stupid and get myself expelled again. It occurs to me that if Karl reports me, then that might just happen.

I lower myself down by the tree on the bottom field that Becky showed me. It’s not raining for once but
it’s not exactly warm so there are only a few kids out playing football and I’m relatively alone to take a breather.

I close my eyes
and calm myself down. Before Karl knew who I was, he tried to talk to me. He seemed curious about me and I rebuffed him. When he figured out who I was, I thought he’d back off but it’s gotten worse if anything. I don’t know what to do. Like I told him, there’s nothing we have to say to each other, no matter what Bear says.

I’ve moved on, I’m rebuilding my life, and I feel like I’m finally finding my footing. I’m the closest I’ve felt to the real me in a long time. I feel less and less like I need my armour as protection. I can protect myself.

“Your arse must be cold,” a voice disturbs my peaceful moment of self-contemplation.

I know it’s Ian by the sound of his voice so I don’t bother opening my eyes. It’s too peaceful in my head to let the chaos of the world disturb it.

“I like sitting on the grass.” I think it comes from too much time spent with Bear but I’m not complaining. People forget to appreciate the beauty of the Earth sometimes and I’m grateful that I’ve been taught to stop and take notice.

“
Like having a wet arse as well?”

I flip him off without looking and feel his body slump down against the tree
, right next to me.

I’m still trying to figure out how I didn’t hear him approaching.

“Wanna tell me why you just tried to de-nipple my brother?” Ian asks and I’d be worried if I couldn’t hear the humour in his voice.

“
He took my Wagon Wheel,” I grumble, letting my headrest against the sturdy trunk.

“
Seems fair,” he answers and I know he’s smirking.

I shrug. It was fair i
n my mind; nobody messes with my wheels.

“
He just wants to talk to you.”

“
We have nothing to talk about,” I repeat.

I hear Ian sigh next to me and I open one eye to see him rubbing his temples, deep in thought.

“None of us knew where you went, you know,” he says after a while.

I shrug. I actually thought they would have known but I guess it didn’t matter since Karl didn’t want to see me either way.

“Karl asked about you every day for at least a year. First thing he did when we got home from school every night was check the post.”

My eyebrows pinch together in confusion. Why would I have sent a letter to him when
I knew he didn’t want to see me?

“
We all missed you but I guess it hit him harder. I know you two were close.”

“
Why are you telling me this?” I scowl because it hurts to think about what I lost that day.

“
Just thought you’d want to know,” Ian shrugs, pushing up to standing so that he’s looking down at me. “Was it so easy to forget us, Elise?”

I open both eyes so I can glare at him because I never forgot any of them. Not that I didn’t try.

“That’s what I thought,” he nods to himself. “Why didn’t you just write? It’s not like you didn’t know where we lived.”

“
Ask your brother,” I retort bitterly. He’s acting like I did something wrong but I’m not the one who killed our friendship.

“
When mum died, he…. Well, he could have used a friend back then,” Ian sighs.

“
Yeah, well so could I,” I frown. It’s obvious he doesn’t know what he’s talking about.

He narrows his eyes at me and
starts walking away, shaking his head.

I don’t know what his problem is. I don’t know how much Karl told them but it doesn’t seem like it’s much. I don’t think anyone other than Karl knows the truth about what he saved me from and how he rejected me
straight after. Maybe he’s ashamed.

“
Ian,” I call out, prompting him to stop. This is the first time I’ve gotten him alone since I saw him fight with Karl earlier in the week.

He cocks his head and looks at me expectantly, like he’s doing me a favour by actually stopping to listen.

“I’m sorry that you two fought. I didn’t intend to come between you. I should have just told him.”

“
It’s cool,” he grins. “Dad kicked our arses for fighting though. Made us run drills for like two hours.”

I smirk.
“Your dad’s still the same then.”

His grin disappears and he straightens.
“No. Not really.” He frowns slightly before he catches himself and smirks again, winking at me before he turns to leave.

When I’ve centred myself again, and eaten my
Wagon Wheel, I head back towards the common room. I left my bag in there and I need to fetch it before afternoon registration.

The music is blaring loud enough that I’m sure a teacher will be in to tell us off at any moment. I’m pleased to see that the Carter boys have vacated the common room. I smirk to myself as I imagine Karl trying to ease the pain from his nipple.

Serves him right.

Rob is still sat with Becky and she’s talking animatedly, using her hands to express herself. I grin as I watch her come to life. R
ob’s hanging onto her every word and I’m pretty sure he’d bend over backwards for her if she asked him to.

I decide to hang back a bit and
let them talk. I may not have had chance to speak to Rob much but I appreciate the fact that he’s obviously infatuated with her and it’s not just her stunning looks. He really is paying full attention to what she says, as if every word out of her mouth is of vital importance to him.

“
You’re in the way, freak,” Annie sneers, shouldering past me as she moves towards the stereo.

“
Watch where you’re going,” I growl, gritting my teeth because I’m sick of their crap. They walk around like they own the place. They follow Shelly around like her drones, all wearing the least amount of clothes possible and throwing themselves at every guy with a hint of a six-pack (be it beer or muscle).

It’s no wonder Ms Stoner didn’t mind my clothing if she has these town bikes to contend with.

“Don’t touch her, Annie,” Shelly cackles. “You might catch something. She probably plays with corpses or something.”

“
Only because the living aren’t interested in her,” Stacy chimes in.

“
You should stop wasting your time with the Carters,” Shelly continues, zoning in on me. “They’re not interested in girls like you.”

“
Ugly girls,” Annie sneers happily. As if the explanation was necessary.

I’m lucky enough to know that I’m not ugly, but if they said something like that to anybody else, I’d probably end up getting expelled again. It’s girls like these that give other girls eating disorders and make them feel like they have to undergo all sorts of horrifying procedures to look like Barbie dolls.

They make me sick.

“
She seems to have a thing for Karl,” Stacy smirks.

“
He doesn’t do gingers,” Shelly replies happily.

“
Shame for you really because that boy has skills,” Stacy giggles.

“
Have you had Karl as well?” Annie gasps, obviously impressed.

“
Not yet,” she shakes her head with a pout. “But it’s only a matter of time. Might go for the full set, the twins are sixteen next year and I wouldn’t mind being sandwiched between those two.” She grins like the cat that got the cream and I have to work hard not to projectile vomit at her.

I’ll admit that they’re good looking boys but I can’t think of them like that. She’s talking about them like they’re pieces of meat at the butchers. The idea of sex makes me squirm anyway but this is just unpleasant to listen to.

“How’d it go with Ian anyway, Stacy?” I smirk, wanting to knock that smug smile of her face. “Did he call you in the end? I bet he didn’t. Let me guess, he didn’t even take you out on a date or buy you anything nice. I bet he didn’t even bother taking all your clothes off. Did he just bend you over? Did he even say thank you when he was done with you?”

She gapes at me and opens her mouth, probably ready to spew something back at me but I cut her off.

“On second thoughts, I don’t care. You must be so proud of yourself. You can keep the Carters. I’m not interested in being used like that. Good luck with it.”

I swiftly turn away and make a beeline for Becky Blossom, pretending that every eye in the room isn’t on me.

I’m saved by the bell signalling that lunch break is over and I wait patiently whilst Blossom and Rob say their adorably awkward goodbyes. I think he wants to kiss her but I’m glad he doesn’t try because it’s too soon and I’d have to hurt him. He settles for a hug and I swear Becky inhales him as she wraps her arms around his waist.

“
Ellie, I’m really sorry. I should have gone with you but you looked like you needed the space but then I thought, what if I was wrong, and Karl was upsetting you and I’m such a bad friend-”

I cut her off with a laugh because she’s rambling again.
“Becky, you were right. I needed some space, thank you. You’re an awesome friend.”

She visibly relaxes and grabs my hand as she leads
the way.

“
Looks like you were having fun with Rob,” I prompt.

She visibly blushes but it’s outshone by her glowing smile.
“He asked me if I wanted to go see a film with him tomorrow. He even said I could pick.”

“
That’s awesome! You want to go, right?” I ask, even though I’m fairly sure I know the answer.

She nods excitedly.
“Would you mind coming shopping with me tomorrow so I can find something to wear?”

“
I’d love to,” I nod with a matching smile.

Shopping with Becky is just as fun the second time round, but this time the focus is on finding something that will knock Rob’s socks off. Honestly, it isn’t all that hard
because, once Becky gets in the swing of things, she starts to relax and embrace her body.

“
What about this?” She grins, doing a little pirouette as she emerges from the changing rooms.

This is the outfit;
I know it as soon as I see it. She looks perfectly comfortable and a flawless mix of adorable, comfortable, and alluring.

“
That’s the one, Blossom,” I grin. “You look lovely.”

She squeals and I’m trapped in another hug, which I return happily. This girl is d
efinitely doing something to me; I think I might actually be starting to like hugs.

“
Right, now we get a cuppa. My treat!”

I try to protest because shopping with her hasn’t been a chore by any means but she does the whole puppy dog eye thing and I cave. Big style.

By the time we’re done with our hot drinks and people-watching, it’s almost time for Becky’s date so I walk with her to the cinema.

“
I’m so nervous,” she admits, nibbling on her bottom lip. “I’ve never been on a date before.”

“
Me neither,” I grin, trying to put her at ease. “You’ll be fine, Becky. Just be yourself. He likes you for who you are otherwise he wouldn’t have asked you.”

She takes a deep breath and nods. She keeps pulling at the hemline of her new skirt so I take her hands and ease them away, squeezin
g them reassuringly.

“
You look amazing, Blossom. He doesn’t look too bad either,” I grin, spotting Rob approaching us from behind Becky.

Her eyes widen as she turns around and I see her smile erupt full-force when she catches sight of him.

If I thought Becky looked nervous, she’s got nothing on Rob. For a big, fairly good-looking guy, he seems to lose his stuff around Becky. He’s clasping a bunch of flowers like his life depends on it and smiling bashfully as he approaches.

“
Hi, Becky,” he smiles. “You look lovely.”

“
Thanks,” Becky’s cheeks light up.

“
Um, these are for you, um, they’re roses. Well, you know their roses, but I thought-”

“
I’ll be off then,” I interrupt, battling with myself so I don’t laugh. They’re both ramblers, this will be brilliant. “Have fun guys.”

“
Bye, Ellie!” Becky grins, hugging me with her usual iron grip.

“
Bye, Rob,” I smirk as I walk past. I slow my pace slightly as I pass him and keep my voice low so only he can hear me. “If you hurt her, just remember I have access to power tools.”