Page 56 of Shamed
“Just a curious bystander.”
He scoffs. “Then go bystandsomewhere else.”
On closer inspection, I realize the bald guy does have some hair—just thin blond strings combed across his head.
When I don’t move, they start approaching me instead, looking pissed off but also amused, no doubt thinking I’m a fool for interfering when there are two of them.
“You deaf or something?” the one in the ballcap asks.
“Not particularly.” I glance over my shoulder to look for Jayne, but I don’t see her. “But I suggest you leave her alone.”
Baldy steps closer. “This is between me and the bitch, so why don’t you mind your fucking business, bystander.”
“Thisismy business.”
His lips curl up, making him look like a rabid dog. “You know her or something?”
“Doesn’t matter. Just stay away.”
“Or what? Hmm?” They both step closer, but I hold my ground, not moving an inch. “I asked you a question. Or. What?”
“I’m not sure you want to find out.”
The bald one, who’s been doing all the talking turns to his friend. “You believe this guy?”
He laughs right before bringing his fist back, trying to punch me in the face.
But I anticipate the move and snatch his wrist out of the air mid-swing, twisting his arm around painfully before swiping my leg out and knocking his feet out from under him.
He lands on the ground with a heavythudand a groan.
“That’s fucking what.”
I was in Jiu-jitsu and Taekwondo for several years, plus I’m a certified self-defense instructor. He didn’t stand a chance.
Blood pumping, I turn to the other guy, who holds his hands up in surrender before stepping back, then turning and running away like a pussy.
The guy on the ground rolls to his side with a grunt, but when he makes no effort to get up, I turn around and look for Jayne again.
At first, I still don’t see her anywhere, but then I catch sight of her running up the stairs on the outside of the cannabis store. There must be an apartment on top.
I wait until I see her disappear inside a door before turning my attention back to the piece of shit on the ground.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Jennifer
Idon’t remember much of Jacob or Mase from our high school years, but funnily enough, I do remember the first day I saw each of them.
Jacob’s locker was right next to mine, and I remember thinking he was kind of cute when I first said hello to him. But that’s as far as that thoughtwent.
I’d spotted Mase standing around the corner, leaning against the wall with his hands in his pockets, staring at the ground. He looked lonely, almost sad, and I was seconds away from talking to him.
But then he’d sucked in a breath, pushed off the wall, and walked past me to ruffle Jacob’s hair like he was trying to annoy him.
That afternoon, I was paired with Marni and Jersey for some class thing that I don’t remember, and after that, me, Mase, and Jacob belonged to very different friend groups.
I’ve often wondered over the past couple of years how things would have turned out if I was never paired up with the girls. What would have happened if I’d stayed and talked to Jacob and Mase and became friends with them. What would have happened if I was sick that day.
