Plans

Plans

Arabella

I'VE BEEN HIDING at school again when I'm not in class or the library. When I'm in the library, I remain in full view of the librarian as she typically remains behind the counter reading or looking up things on the computer. If I'm in front of her, no one can hurt me because she has an Eagle eye and doesn't let anything escape her notice. Karmen and her clit gang won't be able to touch me here if I don't go to the bathroom in there or anything else. If I'm in the study room with Brock or Danny, I can lock the door so no one can get inside. I don't really have to worry if I'm with Brock because he won't let the girls get close to me. When I'm with Danny, the same can't be said because he's not strong like Brock is and I'd never put him in the position to have to defend me for any reason. There's no reason I have to put Danny in a position to go against the bullies in school when he's been through some shit of his own. Yes, he's opened up and told me about things that have been done to him here at school. My heart breaks for him because no one should be treated like shit because they're not like everyone else.

Vinnie is doing so much better than he was. I believe he had one of those twenty-four hour flu things. There's no more fever, getting sick, or anything else. It's as if he was never sick to begin with. If anything, he wants to eat even more than before in order to make up for not eating or keeping anything down when he was sick. I've never been more upset about anything in my life as when Vinnie's sick, there's only so much I can do to help him. And it's not like he's old enough to tell me what's wrong with him so everything I have to do to take care of him is based on a guess on my part because I don't know where he hurts. It truly sucks!

Today I'm sitting behind the library again by the big tree because there's no way I'm about to leave myself open when here at school because everyone is so damn vicious here. Well, those that aren't simply going about their day and trying to get through their classes or are the popular kids who don't have to worry about being targeted by Karmen, Collette, Marianna, and everyone else. No one wants to be at the end of horrible things because they're different or whatever else they have going on in their lives. I don't know what the fuck I'm going to do because if I'm being honest, I'm sick and tired of hiding and having to remain with someone at all times because of the girls who want to make my life hell and bring everyone they can in to help them.

Sal sent me home with a ton of food last night. So, as I sit outside in the chilly air, I eat cold pizza, mozzarella sticks, and a garlic knot. It's definitely not good when it's cold, but the food is good regardless of if I eat it hot or cold. So, with a book in my lap, I eat my cold food from Slice of Heaven and don't worry about anyone finding me. Brock is the only one who typically knows where I'm hiding depending on what day it is and what time he's looking for me. I hate that he doesn't eat with everyone else in the dining hall because it means he's not solidifying connections that can help him in the future. No matter what happens, I want him to succeed and in order to do that, he needs to be around everyone else and form connections with them because they're the ones who will be able to help him move forward. I can't give him the help he needs because I'm no one in High Point and there is nothing I can do for him. Brock is wasting his future by hanging out with me. He just won't listen to me when I tell him that.

"Mind if I join you?" I hear from the side of me as I startle and get sucked out of the thoughts filling my head about everything with the exception of the one topic I can't put into words because there's nothing I can do about it for now.

Turning my head to the side, I see Kash standing there as he wrings his hands together in front of him. He's nervous and there's no reason I can think of that he'd be nervous about asking me if he can join me. I'm not the one that's avoided him for the last almost nine years. He's the one with the rest of the guys who have been avoiding me and cutting me out of their lives. There's no reason he can't join me because he essentially rules this campus with the rest of the guys.

"You can do anything you want, Kash. You know this as well as I do," I answer him, trying to keep my focus on the book in my lap as I take a bite of my pizza.

"I don't want to make you uncomfortable, Song Bird. If you want to be alone, I'll leave you alone. I don't ever want to force you to do anythin' you don't want to. So, if you tell me to go away, I'll leave," he states, not taking any steps to move closer to me or sit down. For the first time in a very long time, Kash is unsure of himself and it makes him appear to be more human than ever before.

"You can join me, Kash. I mean, I have to get used to spending time with you if we're supposed to be going through with everything," I tell him, closing the book I haven't read a single line in since opening it up after removing it from my bag.

Kash takes a seat on the ground next to me. He doesn't sit too close to me as he places his bag in front of him and pulls a piece of grass from the ground in front of him. I watch him as he twirls it between his hands and doesn't say anything right away. I'm unsure how to even begin with a conversation with her about what we have going on between us.

"So, um, I've been puttin' everythin' in place for the weddin'. I've got the judge booked and a day for us to get married. It's in a week. We'll meet with Mrs. Donovan before then because she's got the prenuptial agreement ready for us to sign. She can fit us in tomorrow if you're not workin' and can get there after your last class of the day. I can rearrange my schedule to make it work with what you have goin' on, Song Bird. I know you have classes, tutorin', work, and personal things goin' on. So, you tell me what works for you and we'll make everythin' work. The weddin' will be on Saturday mornin' if that works for you," Kash informs me as someone else joins us.

I look up to find Brock standing there looking between the two of us. He doesn't say anything for a long time and I move over a little closer to Kash so he can sit down and join us. Brock doesn't sit down though. He remains standing in front of me with a look of concern covering his face.

"I just want to let you know I'll be there on Saturday to make sure nothin' happens that you don't want to, Arabella. The guys don't want me there, but I don't give a fuck what they say or want. You're the one I care about and I'll make sure I'm there for you and only you. No one"s gonna keep me away from your big day," Brock states, keeping his eyes locked on Kash and only Kash to see what his reaction is going to be to him dropping that bombshell. "See, there's one thing you'll quickly learn about me, Kash. I'm never gonna leave Arabella's side for any reason. I will always protect her and have her back over everyone else here in this town. That's the difference between the two of us."

"I'm glad my Song Bird has you, Brock. I wasn't one of the guys who told you to stop hangin' around her. That's all Fallon and Dante. Maybe Braxtyn and Dash. If you want to be there for her, then show up. I'll make sure you have the details. I mean, as long as you're not gonna pull some shit and make sure the weddin' doesn't happen," Kash says as he keeps his gaze locked on Brock while tilting his head slightly to the side as he tries to figure out what Brock's doing.

I don't even know what the hell is going on right now. This is the first time I've heard of Brock attending the wedding at all. I wasn't expecting him to have anything to do with this because he knows how I feel about this entire situation. I'm not sure this is the best decision for me to make, but I'll do it as long as it helps me protect Vinnie and not let him remain in the hands of our mother who will do anything she can to hurt him because she doesn't give a fuck about anyone but herself.

Without another word, Brock walks away. I watch him go knowing he's not going to go too far away from me because he doesn't trust the guys not to hurt me. So, he'll hang around but stay far enough away so he doesn't overhear what we're talking about. It's the best I can expect from him after everything he knows I've been through so far.

"Thank you for letting him be there on Saturday. It means a lot to have someone there for me," I tell Kash, my voice barely above a whisper as emotions fill me.

"Maria will be there too. She just let me know this mornin'. Harlow is comin' with her because she doesn't want to put her in daycare for that time. Um, I know you told me to arrange everythin' else too. I chose Fallon to be there after the ceremony is over. He'll be the best one because he'll sit in back and not say a word about anythin' that takes place unless it's in front of our fathers to prove that we not only got married but also consummated the marriage after the ceremony," Kash informs me, his voice low as he looks around to ensure no one is listening in to our conversation while we talk about this stuff. School really isn't the best place to talk about this shit but we don't have a choice in the matter.

"Okay. Um, so I'm sure you're aware that I haven't done this before. I've never done anything with a guy so everything that happens with you that day will be my first. I think that's the part I'm most nervous about," I tell Kash, my face and neck heating with a blush as I try to process the fact that I just told Kash I'm a virgin and have absolutely no experience doing anything sexual.

Kash doesn't say anything for a minute. He just looks at me as his own face turns red. I wasn't expecting him to blush and go silent just because I told him I'm a virgin. When I finally get the nerve to look at Kash instead of the ground in front of me, Kash isn't looking at me. In fact, he looks even more nervous than before he sat down with me.

"Well, um, that's the thing. I'm also a virgin, Song Bird. I'm not gonna sit here and say I don't have any experience with girls because I do. But, I've only kissed one girl before and then I got a blowjob from a girl one time when I was drunk. I've never done anythin' with a girl myself. So, we're both goin' into this completely blind and having no clue what the hell we're doin'. I guess I can ask Fallon to give me some pointers or somethin' when it's happenin'," Kash says, his blush turning a deeper shade of red as it goes down his neck and covers his ears as well.

"Oh. Um, don't you think that will be a little awkward if he's sitting there telling us what to do?" I question Kash, not sure if I want Fallon to talk while we're having an intimate moment.

"I do. I just don't know how we'll get through this without it bein' awkward. Maybe it will just be awkward and we'll just go with what we feel. I mean if neither one of us knows what we like, it's not like we can give any kind of guidance or anythin'. So, I say we just go with what we want to do and make one another feel good. Isn't that the point of it after all?" Kash questions me, his voice almost a whisper because there's no way in hell I would even know what to do to make Kash feel good.

"We'll know when the time comes I guess. Just please tell Fallon not to say a word and to only pay attention enough to make sure he can tell your fathers that everything was done properly and there's nothing they can do to take away from what we've done," I tell Kash, internally debating on if I should tell him about what I overheard behind Slice of Heaven.

"Are you sure you're ready for all of this, Song Bird? I don't want to push you into somethin' you don't truly want to do. I can figure out a different way to get away from Marianna and stop my father from gettin' his hands on the trust funds for Luke and myself. If you want to take the money and run, then that's what I'll help you do. As long as you"re happy and safe, that's all I want to have happen movin' forward," Kash says, still trying to give me a way out of marrying him.

"I'm willing to go through with this to fulfill my grandparents' will and make sure Collette doesn't get her way and take the seat that belongs to me. Or you as my husband," I start, looking at the ground in front of me once again. "I mean, if you don't want to marry me, we don't have to go through with this, Kash. It seems as if you're looking for a way out of this. I'll do whatever I can to help you get away from Marianna. Or whoever I marry will. I'll make sure of it."

"I want to marry you, Song Bird. There will never be a doubt in my mind about marryin' you. There's so much you don't know and I want to tell you everythin'. Eventually, I will. We all will. For now, just know that I want you more than you'll ever know. And I understand that we'll be married in name only after the one and only time we have sex to consummate the marriage. For now, I just want to make sure that you're happy and that we can get you the fuck out of the poor section of town and into the mansion that Collette doesn't deserve to be in for any reason," Kash states, his voice full of determination to ensure I believe what he's saying to me and I don't have any reason to doubt his words.

"Okay. Um, can I talk to you about something, Kash? I'm in over my head here and I don't know what to do about a conversation I overheard a few days ago when I was closing Slice of Heaven. I don't know who else to turn to after you told me that judges and shit are in your fathers'pockets," I say, making a final decision about the situation that happened and I've been agonizing over.

"You can talk to me about anythin', Song Bird. Though, I'll admit I'm kind of worried about what you have to say knowin' it potentially involves our fathers. But, I'm here for you," he states simply as I pull my phone from the front pocket of my bag and place it on the ground before us.

"So, I was taking the garbage out to the dumpster the other night when I was closing up Slice of Heaven. I made one trip out with two bags, got rid of them, and then went back out with the other two. The second I tossed them in the dumpster, a car came into the alleyway. A second one followed it in seconds. I hid behind the dumpster when the cars kind of remained in the alley and didn't park behind the shops like normal people do. I don't want to get into a conversation about everything going on, but there's a recording on my phone of part of the conversation. So, I'm just gonna play it for you," I tell him, pulling up the recording and pressing play on it as I lean back against the tree and watch him as he listens to the words their fathers are saying.

During the entire time the recording is playing, Kash's face is getting redder and redder. I can feel his body vibrating with rage and how upset he is as he listens to how monstrous these men are. Shock is written on his face and I know that there's nothing I can do to stop him from feeling any way he wants to about what he's overhearing. By the time the recording is done playing, Kash is still completely silent. He doesn't say anything, look at me, or pay attention to our surroundings.

"Can I send this to myself so the other guys can hear what's goin' on with our fathers? I'm not sayin' they won't believe me if I just tell them about what happened, but it'd be better for them to hear it with their own ears," Kash questions me, his voice low and deadly as he continues to boil with rage.

"Of course. Do what you have to do. I don't know what to do because this situation is way over my head. I want someone to know what's going on so no one gets hurt. There are too many innocent people in the world they could hurt or worse because of these plans they're making and the list these buyers are sending for people. It breaks my heart to know this happens. I mean, I knew it happened, but this is hitting close to home with who's involved," I tell Kash, resting my hand on his arm for the first time in so damn long.

"I know, Song Bird. The guys and I will take care of this shit. Whatever I can't find, the other guys will. Arabella, we won't let this plan move forward if there's any way we can stop it," Kash assures me, resting his hand over mine as I blink in surprise as he touches me and a chill races through my body.

We spend a few more minutes talking about things before Kash leaves me in my hiding spot alone. Brock doesn't hesitate to come over and take Kash's spot as we finish our lunch and get ready to head to our next class. Brock stays close to me and laughs at a video he's watching on social media. He might act like he's not paying attention to our surroundings, but the man knows everything that's happening around him. So, we get to my next class in one piece and he leaves me at the door before he heads off to his own class. We'll meet again after I'm done and he"ll walk me to the gate so I can head home.