Free Hickville Confessions: A Hickville High Novel by Mary Karlik

Bettis, the counselor, spoke to two girls who sat at the PC table. Whatever she said to them had them talking with their heads close together when she left. She spoke to a few other people whom Ryan had seen at the PC meetings, but weren’t hard-core enough to isolate themselves from the rest of the students.
    Mrs. Bettis made her way to their table and bent low next to Ryan. “We’re having a PC meeting after school to discuss the situation. It’s mandatory for all members, but if you’d rather not come, I’ll excuse you.”
    “Thank you.”
    Mrs. Bettis straightened and patted her shoulder as she walked away.
    Kelsey turned to Ryan. “Is she freaking crazy? Why would she think you’d want to come?”
    Ryan sat back. “I guess she figured I had to know, since I am a member.”
    When they left the cafeteria, Ryan tried not to look for Justin. She wanted to be relieved that he wasn’t there, but the truth was, she felt a little let down.
    Kelsey walked on one side of her and Austin on the other.
    “You don’t have to escort me.”
    “It’s no big deal.”
    Not that she didn’t appreciate the support, it was just that it was… smothering. “No, seriously. You don’t. I don’t need babysitting.
I
need to deal with this.”
    “You don’t have to deal with it alone.”
    Ryan stopped and faced her sister. “I appreciate the support. Really. Right now, I need some space.”
    Worry wrinkled Kelsey’s forehead. “Okay. You know I’m here if you need me.”
    “I know. Thanks.” Ryan peeled away, turned down the hall where her locker was located, and stopped. Her locker seemed to be the topic of discussion as people passed it. They would point and some even giggled.
    What now?
Two steps in, she figured out why.
Can’t this nightmare end?
    She took a deep breath, forced an
I don’t give a shit
look to her face, and marched past the gawkers to the door. Her hand trembled as she dialed the combination. She could smell the red lipstick that had formed the letters across her locker: slut. She pulled her Physics book from the shelf and closed it as if she hadn’t noticed the word.
    When she turned around the group was gone. Almost.
    Justin stepped up and had smeared part of the
T
before she caught his arm. “Don’t.” He withdrew his hand and gave her a
why the hell not
look. “It’s just a word.”
    She turned and wasn’t sure if she wanted him to follow her or not. He did.
    “That’s some sick shit. At least tell the office and let them clean it up.” He was behind her, so close she could almost feel his shirt.
    It would be so easy to let him protect her, but it wasn’t going to happen. She had to be strong. She stopped and faced him. “I can’t care—if I do, it gives them power over me.” Then he flashed that smile with those dimples that made her want to forget about being strong and fall into his arms.
    “You’re pretty amazing, Ryan Quinn.”
    She wasn’t sure how that made her amazing or even how to respond to the compliment. So she just gave an awkward shoulder shrug. “You’re obviously the only one in school with that opinion.”
    “I hope my opinion counts.” He looked at her with those dark eyes, as though she mattered to him. That made her more nervous than opening her locker in front of onlookers. “I know you can take care of yourself. I’m here if you need me.”
    She couldn’t respond. It was too much, too big.
    She pointed down the hall with her head. “Come on.” They walked side by side to her Physics class in comfortable silence.
    When they got to her class, he shifted his backpack and snuck a half-hug. “I have football practice after class. I won’t be able to meet you.”
    “It’s okay. I’m good.”
And I didn’t ask you to.
    “I know. I—I’m an idiot. You don’t need me watching over you.” He played with the straps of his pack. “So you still have my number.”
    She nodded. “Didn’t delete it.”
    He ducked his head. “Good.” He stood there