I'll Be Here For You novel Chapter 4

Everything seemed to flow in slow motion as I waited to be hit again. Cora's fist seemed to be in motion and I cowered away from her, too shocked to do anything less. Then I felt a hand push me back, stepping in front of me and separating me from Cora. I stumbled backwards, landing flat on my butt. The impact from Cora's punch never came, neither to me or the person who saved me from it. Instead, I heard the punch possibly being blocked and Cora squealed slightly, probably from the shock.

"Alex?" She said incredulously. Her footsteps retreated a step, then two, as she took off running in the opposite direction. The rest of the cheerleaders followed her, leaving me alone with the person who saved me from that punch, otherwise known as Alex. I knew that name sounded familiar to me from somewhere, but with everything that just happened, I was too shocked to place it.

Instead, he reached for my hand and I fumbled for his fingers, surprised at the sudden contact. I expected him to ask me if I was okay, or say something, but he just hefted me back up on my feet and led me away. I had no idea where we were going, but I didn't have the words to protest. I simply let him lead me through the school.

I ended up finding myself in front of the nurse's office, my only clue tipping me off was Nurse Owens's voice laced with concern, "What in the world happened to you?" She cried, taking me into her arms and leading me to the nearest bench. I sat there, shaking, too stunned to speak. My mind replayed everything that just happened, but somehow, I couldn't seem to put my thoughts into words.

I heard heavy footsteps retreating as Alex left me alone with the nurse. I would've said thank you for saving me, but he was too far gone and I was too much in shock to tell him. I felt a twinge of disappointment that he didn't stay with me, but I quickly shoved it aside as I tried to instead control my breathing.

Everything on my face hurt. My head was spinning so fast I hugged my knees to my chest and put my head down, trying to stop the dizziness. Both of my hands clutched the sides of my head as I tried to massage my temples to get rid of my massive headache. My hand was instantly replaced with a bag of ice covered in a cloth and I held it to my head, thankful for the brief relief it offered.

Finally ready to explain what happened, I took in a shaky breath, "I decided to stand up for myself today. But that only resulted in getting my face bashed in and to top it all off, my walking stick was broken. I don't know how I'm going to finish school today like this."

"Do you want me to call your mother?"

"No!" I replied a little too quickly and loudly. "No," I said softer, "She's already stressed as it is with work. I'll explain it to her when I get home."

I was lying through my teeth. There was no way I was going to tell my mom exactly what happened. My mom knew I was being bullied, but when I told her the last time what happened, she fainted. She was having a stressful day at work, my two younger twin brothers Dylan and Oliver weren't listening to her and were running around the house like lunatics, and coupled with the news of me being bullied like that...it was just too much. I didn't want to put her through that again.

Mae hesitated before speaking, sounding bothered when she spoke, "Yeah. I guess that's true." Mae looped her arm around mine without saying another word and we bounded down the hallway, leaving Nurse Owens in the dust. I guess it was implied that Mae would be the one taking me to fifth period.

"Mae?" I spoke, breaking the silence.

"What's up?"

"Who was that guy that stepped into the fight? I think he name was Alex?"

"Oh!" Mae's voice brightened up after I said his name, "Alexander Mirren, ex-boyfriend of Cora Burton, member of the crew team, six foot four, sandy brown hair and piercing blue eyes. And don't forget his incredibly toned chest." She and I both burst into laughter after that part, me trying to imagine the guy at the same time. "He's a part of our group. One of the nicest guys that I know, which is why I allow him to hang with us all the time." I smiled, thinking of the same guy that stepped in when no one else did.