The Bad Wolf Page 4

  “Doesn’t matter,” he grumbled, having forgotten about the ugly mark on his lower back.

  “You’ve been fighting?”

  He chose to ignore her and instead extended the shirt to Chloe. “Here, put this on.”

  He draped the soft cotton over her shoulders then buttoned the top button to keep it in place.

  Jenna got into the car after Chloe was tucked safely inside, but hesitated. “Aren’t you coming?”

  “No.” Already he was headed toward the other side of the parking lot. It, like most areas in town, was bordered by trees and mountains. “I feel like running.”

  He reached the other end of the parking lot when Jenna started the engine. Trees surrounded him by the time he dropped to his hands and knees.

  Chapter Four

  Today marked a full week in Hunde and it seemed like absolutely nothing had changed. Each morning Chloe’s alarm clock went off and she hit the snooze button until her mom forced her out of bed.

  Karen was prepared for the argument this morning. “Before you even ask, yes you have to go to school today.”

  “I hate it here!” Chloe rolled over then covered her head. “I want to go home.”

  “Just try to make some friends, honey.”

  “I have!” she wailed. “Everyone hates me.”

  “They don’t hate you,” Karen answered, clearly not understanding the enormity of the situation.

  She groaned at Karen’s inability to see or sympathize with her dilemma. Talking to people used to be easy for Chloe. It came so natural and people usually wanted to be her friend. Here in Hunde, it was awkward and painful. Aside from Jenna no one spoke to her unless they were being cruel. The pack, and even some who didn’t hang out with them, took immense joy in tripping her or making fun of her. Amy had shoved her against a locker yesterday and she still had the bruised hip to prove it. No one in Hunde was willing to give her a chance.

  “They poured glue over my head,” she reminded her mother. “Everyone’s mean to me.”

  “Boys do things like that when they want a girl’s attention.”

  “Yeah, maybe in kindergarten. What about when they’re rude and kind of scary?” A certain dark haired boy came to mind. “What does that mean, old wise one?”

  After a few seconds, she uncovered her head to see why her mom hadn’t answered. The room was empty.

  “Figures,” she muttered then struggled out of bed. Her movements were zombie-like as she dressed in her favorite dark wash jeans and a light grey peasant top. She might as well wear a burlap bag for a dress and tissue boxes for shoes. It wasn’t like anyone cared or noticed how she dressed anyway. No matter what she did to fit in, to be like them, it came back and bit her.

  She smirked at the mirror as she pulled her hair into a sloppy ponytail. Maybe if she found some younger kids to harass it would win their respect. She might as well kick a puppy or two while she was at it.

  When she turned to leave the room, she spied Ryan’s shirt lying across the back of the chair in the corner. She wondered if he was mad that she hadn’t returned it yet. Did he even care?

  Chloe plucked the soft fabric off the chair to inspect it. Amazingly, it was free of paste. She’d seen it done in countless movies so she lifted the soft material to her face and breathed in his scent. It was faint now, but somehow inviting and familiar. Her stomach flip-flopped and her cheeks grew warm.

  Ryan was such a mystery to her. He was unfriendly and constantly made her feel as though she was nothing more than a bother. Then he would do something sweet like last Friday when he’d offered to take her home and had given her the shirt right off his back. With one last glance in the mirror, she tossed the shirt across her bed.

  She came into the kitchen with only a few minutes to spare before the bus was due to arrive. “Will you let me practice driving tonight? Only losers get picked up by their moms.”

  Instead of answering Karen took a sip of coffee, sat it aside then picked up the newspaper lying on the table. It was dated two weeks before they had arrived.

  She and her mom had found a bundle of old newspapers in one of the cupboards when they’d cleaned the kitchen. Several were still stacked on the edge of the table. “Why do you still have all those old papers?”

  “I thought it might help me get to know the town a little better,” Karen said absently. “Besides, I can use them as kennel liners when I’m done.”

  A headline caught Chloe’s attention. It read: Local School Animal Slaughtered. Scanning further down, she learned the animal was found after a long holiday weekend. Its head and upper body had been forced through the fence. Part of its face had been chewed away, and its throat opened.

  Chloe stopped reading when she spied the grayscale photograph of the mangled animal. Gross! “You didn’t answer me. Can you take me driving?”

  “Maybe.” Karen folded the paper then sat it aside. She picked up the steaming coffee mug next to her left hand.

  “Maybe means no,” she huffed.

  “I have a lot to do, Chloe. I have to finish unpacking, get the clinic open, and find time to fix up this old house.” Karen said with a spark of annoyance. She gestured toward the front of the house. “I’d also like to get the living room and your bedroom painted.”

  Chloe propped her chin on her hand and nodded. Her mom hated anything domestic. She’d never baked a cake in her life and the idea of painting a wall probably killed her.

  “I can paint my own room.”

  “I also need an electrician to look at the breaker box because it pops every time I use the microwave and dishwasher at the same time.” Then, more to herself than Chloe, she said, “Sometimes I wonder if it was the right choice to move out here.”

  Karen would have continued had Chloe not interrupted her tirade. “You’re the one who decided to drag us to this hell hole.”

  “Chloe…”

  She held up her hands in mock surrender and decided to steer the conversation back to the original subject. After all, picking your battles prevented a lot of wars. Or so she’d heard countless times. She was still testing out the theory. “I’m sixteen now, Mom. I’m practically the only person at school who isn’t driving. When can I get my license?”

  Chloe stared at her untouched orange juice and soggy Cocoa Puffs. “I could drive myself to and from school. Then I wouldn’t have to take the bus every morning. You wouldn’t have to stop what you’re doing and come get me after practice either.”

  “You don’t have a car yet,” Karen pointed out. “And I need mine.”

  She rolled her eyes then sighed. “The clinic is just down the drive. You could walk?”

  “And what if I have to go deliver a calf? Should I make the rancher come get me?”

  Chloe groaned. “No, but I was hoping you’d let me borrow it sometimes. At least until I can get my own?”

  Her mom stared at her over the paper. “You haven’t had much driving time. You need more practice.”

  Biting back a curse, Chloe smiled sweetly. “I’d have more practice if you’d take me out and let me drive.”

  Karen said, “Soon, okay? Let me get the clinic set up first. Until then, I won’t have a lot of time.”

  “You mean you won’t make time.” Chloe pretended to read the back of the cereal box. “I wish Dad was here. He’d spend time with me.”

  Karen sat her coffee cup down with a clank. Hot liquid sloshed over her hand, but she didn’t seem to notice. The newspaper was tossed aside then drifted to the floor. “Well he’s not, is he? I think he’s made it clear that he’d rather spend time with someone else.”

  As soon as the words were spoken, Karen clapped a hand over her mouth. Her eyes widened with shock. “Oh honey, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”

  It was true though. David had totally skipped out on her birthday Saturday. However, he did call to say he was stuck in a meeting. Chloe figured it was another of his lies. Those were the same things he told Karen each time he was with his secreta
ry. He’d sent flowers, as if that was supposed to pardon him for missing her sixteenth birthday. She’d been so disappointed because she’d half expected him to get her a car for her sweet sixteen.

  Chloe pushed away from the table with an overdramatic groan. Sweet sixteen? What idiot came up with that saying? A girl’s sixteenth birthday was supposed to be special, magical, a new chapter in her life. Chloe’s was the furthest thing from it.

  Her three closest friends in Fort Collins didn’t even come. They couldn’t be bothered to see Chloe on her birthday. It wasn’t like they had to drive right back either. They were invited to stay overnight. Only one called with an excuse. She supposedly had to babysit her little brother. The kid was thirteen, for goodness sake, hardly an age that required constant supervision.

  Even though she was uninvited, Jenna had shown up. The sweet and thoughtful emo-goth, or whatever she was, had been her only guest. They’d made the best of it, eating cake and watching movies. Chloe pretended not to be disappointed. By the time the other girl had gone home, Chloe realized she kind of liked her. Karen had been wary at first, probably due to Jenna’s outward appearance, but had warmed up to her as well.

  Karen reached for Chloe’s hand, bringing her back to the here and now. “I shouldn’t have said that. It’s not true.”

  She shook her head and raised a hand to ward off her mother’s apology. “No, you’re right.”

  “Your father loves you. I’m sure he wouldn’t have missed your birthday if he could help it."

  “He can’t stand me either. Not since…”

  Karen wrapped her arms around Chloe in a suffocating hug. “You did the right thing. He was the one at fault and he knows it.”

  ***

  The rest of the day passed in a blur. Chloe kept her head down and avoided as much grief and ridicule as she could. She tried her best to stay positive. Life certainly wouldn’t get any better if she submerged herself in self-pity and the loathing of everyone who upset her. Of course, that was easier said than done.

  Travis and the others tried to rile her and Jenna when they’d walked by at lunch. When their name calling and taunts hadn’t worked, they’d turned their attention to another nearby table.

  After Chloe searched the lunchroom's faces for what seemed the hundredth time, Jenna said, “He wasn’t hungry. He’s listening to music in his car.”

  It was downright embarrassing that Jenna had figured it out so easily. Surely he and Jenna weren’t dating, because it was Amy who always hung all over him. If Jenna minded, she didn’t give any indication. Ryan drove Jenna to and from school everyday. They also sat together at lunch all last week. Chloe imagined their relationship must be very complicated.

  “I can’t picture him and Amy ever dating,” she blurted out when she remembered Jenna’s confession. “She’s so evil.”

  Jenna cocked an eyebrow then glanced over her shoulder. “I used to have a crush on Josh. He used to be a nice guy. We even played together as kids.”

  Chloe wrinkled her nose. Josh was okay, but his crude demeanor and willingness to do whatever Travis said made him ugly in her eyes. Jenna waited a moment for her to digest this information then said, “I went on a date with him last summer, but it didn’t go so well. Ryan broke his arm.”

  Chloe choked on her chocolate milk. “What happened?”

  Jenna lowered her voice in a solemn whisper. “He put his hand up my skirt. Oh, and he told his buddies that he slept with me.”

  Finally the bell rang and the cafeteria began to clear out. Chloe gathered her things and headed off for her last few classes.

  “See you later!” Jenna called as they left the building and went separate ways.

  Art class was probably the best part of the day. The class continued to study the history of Venetian masks and hers was almost done. It was a pretty thing with lots of red and gold seed beads. She was immensely protective of it, as she expected the others to destroy it. But that wasn’t the best part.

  Ms. Adams moved her to Ryan’s table! She’d given no explanation, just told Chloe to move over there. Physically she sat closer to Gary and Allan because Ryan occupied the entire opposite end of the table. He possessed a menacing presence that she couldn’t get around. It was kind of scary really and just in case he snapped, she didn’t want to be in the line of fire.

  Even though it meant sitting with Allen and Gary who giggled like third graders at their first boy/girl party, it was worth it. Not only did she get away from the mean kids, but she didn’t have to endure Travis’s hands on her. When she sat at that table, he constantly grabbed at her and tugged her hair. Yesterday he’d even pinched her butt. Amy and Kelly were absolutely evil with their catty remarks. They attacked everything from her hair to the clothes she wore. Nothing she did seemed to win a nod of approval. Maybe she was just trying too hard.

  Just sitting near Ryan counted for something. For whatever reason, no one messed with her. Even Travis and Amy, who were the meanest, tended to stay at their own table. Every now and then Travis would lean his chair back and flick beads at her.

  She cast another glance at Ryan and caught his eye. He scowled then dropped his gaze back to the mask in his hands.

  “I still have your shirt,” she whispered with a hesitant smile. “I’ll bring it tomorrow.”

  Josh waggled his eyebrows while Amy glared. Ryan’s jaw clenched. “Just give it to Jenna.”

  Chloe continued to watch Ryan out of the corner of her eye. He was bent over the mask he’d made, diligently going over the raised areas with a silver-leafing pen. She just couldn’t fathom why he was so angry with her. She’d done nothing to him.

  Ever since the glue incident, she’d learned that his one act of kindness didn’t mean he’d changed his mind about her. He was still snarly and rude in biology. He barely even looked at her. To be fair though, he treated everyone the same. Jenna seemed to be the one and only exception.

  Later at track practice, she spotted the pack lingering around the bleachers. Ryan was amongst them, a smile on his face. He and the pack must be on friendly terms this afternoon.

  Amy hung all over Ryan like some kind of nasty fungus. Chloe’s stomach did a little roll when she saw the blonde girl plant a kiss on Ryan’s cheek.

  As she approached, it sounded as if they were planning some kind of party. Amy seemed excited as she talked about who would be there. Hope blossomed within her, but withered just as quickly. There was no way they’d invite her.

  Chloe tried to slip past with the rest of the team, but Travis spotted her right away. Like wolves circling their prey, they were all around her. Only Ryan hung back, a smug look dominating his features.

  Amy laughed and pointed. “Wow, those shorts make your butt look huge, frog girl.”

  Her spirits sank when Ryan grinned for the briefest of moments.

  “I think they make her ass look pretty hot,” Travis said with a crooked grin. He slapped her on the left butt cheek and made her yelp. “Why don’t you turn around and model for us?”

  Chloe tugged at the bottom of the shorts, wishing the dark blue fabric was just a bit longer. She wasn’t exactly chunky girl, but she was softer and more rounded than some of the others. She’d probably never be willowy or model-thin and who would want to anyway?

  “Leave me alone,” Chloe said through gritted teeth. The other girls on the team ran by, they’d already started warm-ups.

  Kelly shoved her, forcing her to stumble backward against Travis. He leaned too close, his breath hot on the back of her neck. “What if we don’t want to?”

  Chloe opened her mouth to retort, but Ryan clapped a hand on Josh’s shoulder and said, “If Travis keeps bugging her, people are going to think he’s got the hots for her.”

  The pack laughed and their malicious attention swung to Travis now.

  “Is it puppy love?” Josh laughed. Kelly giggled like an idiot at her boyfriend’s lame joke.

  Travis let Chloe go with a rough shove. “Yeah right! I only like h
ot chicks!”

  “This is stupid,” Amy grumbled as she and Kelly headed for the parking lot. Josh and Travis ran to catch up with them. Before Ryan turned away, she thought she saw him wink.

  Chloe and the rest of the team did timed sprints down the track. She was dripping with sweat and panting now. A quick glance at the bleachers gave her solace. Ryan wasn’t there and thankfully, he wouldn’t see the disgusting mess she’d become.

  Coach waited for her to pass again before calling her over. “Your friend wants to talk to you for a minute. Make it fast, Chloe. This isn’t social hour.”

  Friend? What friend?

  Jenna moved from behind the coach. She looked so out of place in her long black skirt and matching lace shirt. Each time the breeze ruffled the fabric, she caught a glimpse of black and white tights beneath the skirt. Her shoes were probably the most mundane part of her outfit. They were cute velvet flats with a simple bow at the toe. Of course they were black too.

  Jenna bounced and waved with excitement. The older girl was actually pretty in an exotic sort of way. Chloe couldn’t help but wonder what she’d look like in normal clothes and less makeup. And when did she put that fuchsia streak in her hair?

  Chloe tugged on the hem of her shorts. “I thought Goths were morose and non-bouncy.”

  “Common misconception.” Jenna tucked her chin length hair behind her ears and grinned.

  “Okay,” Chloe nodded then cast a quick glance over her shoulder. Coach was staring right at them, arms crossed over his chest. He looked pretty aggravated. Taking time to be harassed or speak with friends during practice didn’t make a very good impression.

  “I need a ride home,” Jenna admitted with an embarrassed laugh. “I had to stay late and do some make up work and I guess Ryan already left. We’re practically neighbors so I figured your mom could just drop me off if it’s not a problem.”

  “It’s no problem,” Chloe called as she turned to rejoin the team.

  “Where’s your head, Chloe? You’re falling behind.” Coach Lewis called as one of the other girls sprinted past her. She ducked her head then pumped her limbs harder. No matter how much she tried, how fast she ran, she could never catch the two quickest girls on the team.