Free Teacher's Pet by C. E. Starkweather Page A

about you, and the look on his face was…scary. I was sure he knew something. I looked up his address and left school early so that I could sneak in and look around before he got home." He glanced at me. "But I didn't actually expect to find you. Jesus Christ, Jadia. I can't believe you're ok."
    I wasn't sure that I was ok. Or that I would ever be ok again. Alex reached for my hand and squeezed it. I closed my eyes and thanked God for him.
    "Jadia? What the hell is this?"
    I looked down. "Oh," I said, "That's my engagement ring." I started sobbing hysterically as the reality of what had happened to me came crashing at me like a ton of bricks.
    He squeezed my hand. "It's ok, sweetie. You're safe now. He won't ever hurt you again."
    Alex pulled into the emergency area of the hospital and turned his car off. "I have my football pants in the trunk. They're kind of gross, but it's better than nothing."
    Alex grabbed his pants and helped me put them on. All of a sudden he froze.
    "What? What's wrong?" I asked.
    He was staring at my ass. "Did he whip you?" He asked incredulously.
    My face burned with humiliation. "It doesn't matter."
    "Stop saying that. It does matter, Jadia. He WHIPPED you. Jesus Christ. What else did he do to you?"
    I looked out the window, tears spilling down my face.
    "Did he rape you?" Alex asked quietly.
    I tried to control my tears, but I started sobbing uncontrollably.
    Alex grabbed me and held me as I cried. "Don't cry. He won't hurt you anymore. The police will get him," he soothed me.
    I pulled away and wiped my eyes. "I'll feel better when he's in handcuffs," I whispered.
    He smoothed my hair. "They'll get him," he promised. "I'll keep you safe. I love you, Jay. I'll always protect you."
    Hearing him say that he loved me made me feel better. I knew that his love was only as a friend, but that's all that I needed right now. I smiled through my tears. "I love you too. Let's go inside and get this over with."
    He took my hand and helped me out of the car. "Ow!" I cried as my bare feet hit the coarse gravel. Alex scooped me up and carried me inside.
    "My girlfriend needs a doctor right now," he told the receptionist, setting me down. She gave Alex a clipboard. "Fill this out and have a seat."
    He shook his head. "We don't have time for that. Call the police. She's hurt."
    The receptionist looked at me. "What's your name?"
    "Jadia Galvin," I whispered.
    Her eyes widened slightly. I wondered what she knew about me.
    "Ok. Come with me. You can fill this out later."
    She led me to a small private room. I sat on the table. Alex sat next to me, holding my hand. What would Alex think of me when he found out everything that had happened? The thought made me start crying again. Alex held me and stroked my hair. "It's ok, baby. You're safe now. The police are on their way to his house. They'll catch him and lock him up forever."
    I sat silently, shaking with sobs. I tried to convince myself that I was safe. I didn't feel safe. Not while David was still out there.
    There was a knock on the door and two police officers came in. "Ms. Galvin?"
    I sniffed and nodded.
    The tall, exhausted looking man stepped forward, reaching out his hand. "I'm Officer Ferrell. This is Officer Martinez," he said, nodding to the short female officer. I shook his hand limply. Officer Martinez pulled out a tape recorder. "I know this is hard for you," she said sympathetically. "But I need you to tell me exactly what happened."
    "Ok," I whispered. Alex stood up to leave. "No!" I cried. He immediately sat back down and held my hand.
    "I need him here. Can he please stay?"
    The two officers looked at each other and nodded. Alex had become my hero. I needed his strength to get through this. Officer Martinez started the recorder.
    "What's your full name?"
    "Jadia Marie Galvin."
    "Who did this to you?"
    "David Hayes," I whispered.
    "I'm going to need you to talk louder."
    "David Hayes," I repeated.
    "I need you to start from the beginning. How did