Free Breath Of The Heart by Victoria June

was another person who taunted me and he beat me up because I got brave one day and told him to leave me alone.
    "He said the worst thing that ever happened to him was when you decided to go to Western. He knew he'd have to let you live with him, that his brother and your dad would make him. It's so strange that your dad and his brother are friends, but then Jake told me you were a mistake. That your horny parents had sex and out came you."
    "You better go," I warned.
    "Or what? Like I'm scared of you, you stupid bitch. No wonder your mom took off. I would too if you were my kid. You're so gross."
    Something came over me like some demon possessing my body. With one swing, my fist connected with her face. I could hear the crunch of something. Her teeth? She screamed and I took a step back as blood spurted from her nose.
    "Oh my God, oh my God," she kept screaming.
    It was all so surreal. Her friends came running from their booth, Jessica dropped her mop and rushed over. People were yelling, maybe at me, I couldn't tell. Bianca, clutching her nose and mouth as blood trickled down her hands, sobbed like I'd handed her a death sentence. My first instinct was to smile, but then I realized how depraved that would look. This wasn't me. I didn't do things like this.
    "I'm pressing charges," Bianca shrieked, spitting out blood at the same time. Tears were streaming down her face and I didn't feel a thing. Not an ounce of remorse. "My parents will sue."
    Jessica grabbed me by the arm. "Go to the stockroom and don't move," she commanded.
    I did as I was told and waited. I pulled out my phone, switched it on and sent Jake a text telling him what I'd done. I put my phone back in my pocket and waited.
     

 
    Chapter Ten
     
    Zach
    I was in a deep sleep and jarred by the ringing of my phone. I felt around for it and mumbled a hello.
    "Emma's been arrested. I'm not going down there to bail her out. If you don't go, I'll have to call her dad and I know that'd kill her. Not that I care about her right now."
    I rubbed sleep from my eyes. "Who is this?" I grumbled.
    "It's Jake," he spat.
    Like I was supposed to know it was that asswipe. "What's going on? What are you talking about?"
    "Emma attacked Bianca. I'm heading to the emergency room right now. She's going to be fine, but Emma was taken to the police station. I'm trying to talk Bianca out of pressing charges, but she won't listen to me. Look, someone has to go down there, at least to bail Emma out."
    "And that's supposed to be me?" When did I become her keeper?
    "It can't be me and right now I'm so pissed off, I don't care if I never see her again."
    I sat up in bed and tried to absorb everything. "Well, she lives with you."
    "No, not anymore. If you can go get her, bring her to a hotel or something, I'll pay for it for a few days, but she's going to have to find another place to live."
    "So you're throwing her out? Where do you expect her to go?"
    "I don't care where she goes. She can go back home! Are you going to bail her out or not? They took her downtown."
    "Why'd you call me?"
    "Aren't you her friend?"
    I thought of the last time I spoke to her. She was so naïve, but I wasn't about to argue with her any further. Eventually she would come around, or worse, she'd beat the shit out of a deserving Bianca. Everyone had their limits.
    "Fine, I'll go get her. She can stay at my place until she gets things sorted. You know, Jake, you're a real piece of shit."
    I hung up before he could say another word. I changed and sent Genie a quick text to let her know of the potential new living arrangements not that it would matter much to her. I got into my truck and drove the short distance to the precinct. I spoke to the officer on duty. He told me to sit and wait. I texted the asswipe to have Bianca phone me ASAP. She did a few minutes later.
    "How are you?" I asked.
    "How do you think I am?" she cried. "I've lost a tooth, I have a broken nose and two black eyes. I'm fucking fabulous."
    "I'm