I Will Be Your Guardian

RAINEY

He freezes, and I’m left staring at him, his eyes boring into mine. His face softens as he takes in my features.

“You’re really pretty, Rain,” he murmurs.

A blush creeps up my cheeks, and I’m left speechless, my breath caught in my throat.

He continues to look at me, and I find myself hoping he’ll lean in and kiss me. But instead, he swallows hard and pulls back, settling into his chair.

I drop my gaze, disappointment washing over me. Why did he pull away? I didn’t want him to.

I ~really~ didn’t want him to.

The sudden glare of headlights on my porch shatters the silence, and I groan as I realize my mom and Jeff are home.

I reach for the ice cream tub’s lid with a sigh. “Guess that’s my cue to go hide.”

“Want me to walk you up?”

I shake my head, forcing a smile. The fact that he didn’t kiss me stings more than my mom being home. “I’ll be fine. It’s not that bad.”

The front door swings open as I slide off the stool and hobble to the fridge. Ansel rises from his seat as my mom’s voice fills the once quiet house.

“And that woman sitting in front of us! Her hair was a disaster. Did you see it, Jeff? I swear, I’d fire her hairdresser—”

She stops mid-sentence when she spots Ansel in the kitchen.

“Oh, you’re still here?” She gives him a fleeting smile, which disappears when she sees me putting the ice cream away.

“Rain, you can’t be serious. You know you shouldn’t eat ice cream this late. It’s not healthy.”

“Okay, okay, I get it. I’m putting it back, see?” I slam the fridge door, rolling my eyes. She never misses a chance to criticize me.

I limp over to Ansel, giving him a weary smile. “See you at school on Monday.”

He nods, his eyes filled with concern and…something else. Pity? I can’t handle that look right now.

“…Drive safe.” I start to move away, but he gently grabs my arm, his fingers pressing lightly into my skin.

“Let me help you upstairs, okay?”

“What’s wrong with your foot?” My mom asks, her voice devoid of sympathy.

“Nothing. Just a little sore from the heels,” I mutter.

“Oh, I forgot you’re used to those clunky boots. Jeff, help her upstairs,” she orders, tossing her purse onto the counter.

Jeff looks at me, and I frown.

“No,” I say firmly, avoiding his gaze. “I don’t want him touching me. I can handle it.”

Ansel catches Jeff’s eyes, which are fixed on my bare legs. Jeff, feeling his stare, quickly looks away.

Ansel’s eyes narrow, and Jeff returns the glare.

They’re locked in a silent standoff while my mom places her hand on her hip, tilting her head.

“I don’t understand you, Rainey. You’re in pain, yet you’re still being stubborn. I’m your mother, and you will do as I say.

“Jeff will help you upstairs, and that’s final. You don’t get to argue. I make the rules in this—”

“No, I’ll help her upstairs. I’m sure she’d prefer that,” Ansel interrupts. His voice is firm and angry as he turns to me, his gaze locked on Jeff.

“Put your arms around my neck, Rain.”

I do as he says, because I’d rather have Ansel help me than that creep. He slides one hand under my thighs, the other supporting my back as he lifts me into his arms.

I tighten my grip on him while Jeff clenches his jaw, looking away as a muscle twitches in his cheek.

Ansel holds me close as he leaves the kitchen. He carries me upstairs to my room and gently sets me on my bed. I sit up, noticing the anger on his face.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah.”

His voice says otherwise, so I look at him with concern, not believing him.

“Did I do something, Ansel?”

“No. No, you didn’t, Rain.” He shakes his head, sitting on the edge of my bed. “It’s not you. Get some sleep, okay?”

He forces a smile, and I return it, lying back down as I watch him. He looks upset, and it’s painfully obvious.

He pulls the blanket up to my chest. “I’ll see you at school on Monday. If anything happens, call me, okay?”

“Okay. Drive safe.”

He smiles, and this time it feels genuine. “Thanks. Get some rest.”

I nod as he turns to leave. I watch him walk away, his confident stride catching my eye.

Even his walk is attractive. I wonder if he knows that.

He pauses at the door, turning to give me one last smile. I return it tiredly as he closes the door behind him.

As his footsteps fade down the stairs, I get up and limp to my door. I lock it, knowing I won’t be able to sleep otherwise.

I crawl back into bed and drift off to sleep, thinking about how perfect it would have been if he’d just kissed me.

***

My ankle’s feeling better today, but I don’t want to risk a relapse of the pain, so I borrow one of my mom’s cars to drive to school. I glance at my watch as I head toward the school building.

Seven a.m.

I’ve got an hour before math class starts. I woke up early today, the exciting prospect of seeing Ansel being my only motivation.

The hallway is quiet, with just a few kids wandering around, and I head to the girls’ restroom to quickly check my reflection.

I didn’t spend a lot of time on my hair this morning. I just pulled it up into a messy bun and left the house.

I wanted to avoid running into my mom, who usually wakes up at six forty-five to have coffee at the kitchen island.

We had a big fight yesterday about my music being too loud, and I ended up shutting myself in my room all day, only coming out at night when I knew they were asleep.

I don’t think my mom and I will ever go back to how we used to be.

When she divorced my dad, saying she didn’t love him anymore, I didn’t just lose my family, I lost her love too. The hard truth is, I might never understand why.

My thoughts are interrupted when the restroom door swings open. I look over to see Jace sauntering in, followed by Olivia and Lisa.

“Can we talk, Rainey?” Jace leans against the wall next to the big mirror, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he crosses his arms.

Olivia shuts the restroom door while Lisa smirks at her. I don’t know what they’re up to, but I really don’t have the energy for any drama today.

I grit my teeth, giving Jace a suspicious look. “No, I need to get to class, if you don’t mind.”

I try to move past him, but he steps in my way. Lisa and Olivia giggle behind him, and I let out a sigh of frustration.

“No you don’t, babe. It’s only seven fifteen. And yes, I do mind.”

I press my lips together and cross my arms, glaring at the smug expression on his annoying face.

“Could you please buzz off?”

He snickers, and the girls mimic him, exchanging amused looks. I don’t know what they find so funny.

“You’ve got a sassy tongue. I have to admit, that’s hot. But I’d be careful if I were you. I tend to lose patience easily.”

I glare at him, his words neither intimidating nor scaring me.

“Anyway, since you blocked my number, making this unnecessarily difficult for both of us, how about you just give me your Instagram profile? Are you on Facebook?”

“Excuse me,” I snap, trying to push past him. But he grabs my arm, pushing me against the wall.

My back hits the wall hard, and Olivia giggles with Lisa as Jace places his hand above my head, leaning down to my level.

“You seem to like being treated badly. Is that what you’re used to?”

His brow furrows as he looks at me angrily. “I’m here talking to you politely like you’re a fucking goddess, and you dare to push me?”

Olivia pulls out her phone, and it looks like she’s recording the scene while Lisa moves closer to watch it on the phone screen.

“Now, all I’m asking is for you to go on a date with me. That shouldn’t be so hard, baby.”

He runs his knuckle along my cheek, and I slap his hand away, clenching my teeth. This guy must be hard of hearing.

“Are you not used to rejection? I will not go on a date with you. Not in this life or the next. Please, take a hint and leave me alone.”

He narrows his eyes, my words making a muscle in his face twitch. He swallows while I stare at him defiantly.

“Do you think you’re all that, Rainey Slate?” he starts, his voice low and mocking. “No, you’re not. Don’t ever think for a second that you’re worth chasing. You don’t cut it for me.

“You will never cut it for me. You’re just a slut. You’ve only been here for, what? A week? And you’re already fucking Ansel King. I must say, you sure have some self-respect.”

“What did you just say?” I squint my eyes, and Olivia covers her mouth to stifle her laughter, Lisa cackling next to her like a hyena.

“Should I repeat?” He leans in closer. “I said you’re fucking Ansel King like a little—”

My fist connects with his nose, and he cries out in pain, doubling over while Olivia and Lisa gasp in shock.

“Holy shit!” he swears, looking at his hand to see the evidence of his injury. The sight of thick, red blood pouring from his nose makes his eyes widen, and he looks back at me.

“D-did you just hit me?”

“Watch what you say. You know nothing about me,” I warn. “And be careful how you talk about Ansel. You’re no match for him.”

Olivia scoffs, and Lisa stares at the scene with her mouth hanging open. Jace lunges forward, grabbing my tie and pulling me toward him.

I bump into his chest, and I try to pull away, but he wraps the fabric around his fist, almost cutting off my air. Despite this, I glare at him fearlessly, and this seems to make him even angrier.

“You want to repeat that, Rainey Slate?”

“Fuck her face up,” Olivia urges. “Teach her a lesson, Jace.”

He clenches his fist at his side but doesn’t raise it. Olivia frowns at his hesitation. “Do it, Jace! Stop being a coward and do it!”

At the word ~coward~, he raises his fist to hit me, when the bathroom door flies open. My eyes widen when I see Ansel storming over to us, anger in every step.

Olivia gasps in surprise but grabs his arm as he passes her.

“Ansel, I—we can explain. This isn’t—”

He shoots her a look that could freeze lava, his eyebrows knitting together in a fierce scowl. “Get. Your. Hand. Off. Me.”

Olivia’s hand falls away from his arm as if it’s been burned, and she takes a step back. Ansel’s hand shoots out, grabbing Jace’s shoulder, and his fist connects with Jace’s cheekbone.

Olivia and Lisa let out twin screams, and I can only stand there, my mouth hanging open in shock.

Jace cradles his face, looking up at Ansel with wide, surprised eyes.

“Get up. You wanted a fight, didn’t you?” Ansel taunts. “Well, here I am. Man to man.”

Jace just stares at him, still reeling from the unexpected punch. It was quick and out of nowhere.

“What’s the matter? Am I not good enough for you? Why?” Ansel tilts his head to the side, a mocking smile on his face. “Is it because I’m a guy? Do you only pick fights with girls?”

Jace scrambles to his feet, fists raised. He lunges at Ansel, who lands a swift kick to his stomach, sending him flying into the wall.

Jace crumples to the ground, and Ansel is on him in an instant, yanking him up by the collar.

“You’re a coward. A pathetic, insecure coward for even thinking about laying a hand on a girl. Who the hell do you think you are?”

He lands another punch to Jace’s face, then another, and another.

Jace struggles to break free, but Ansel shoves his head down, grinding his face into the cold tile floor.

“You need to learn a lesson. This is what happens when you mess with her.”

He hauls Jace up again and starts to pummel him. His fists are a blur, moving so fast I can barely keep up. Jace’s eyes start to glaze over, rolling back in his head.

“Ansel, stop!” Olivia’s voice is a desperate plea, her hand clapped over her mouth. I’m frozen in place, unable to tear my eyes away from the horrifying scene.

Olivia turns her tear-streaked face to me, her teeth gritted in anger. “This is all your fault!” she screams. “You did this!”

I barely register her words as I move towards Ansel, grabbing his arm. “Ansel…stop.”

He shakes off my hand without even looking at me and continues to beat Jace. I press a hand to my forehead, the sound of Jace’s pained groans echoing off the walls.

I’ve never seen Ansel this angry before. It’s terrifying, and I don’t know what to do. I try to catch his eye, panic rising in my chest as I realize just how serious this is.

“Ansel? Ansel, please stop. Look at me.”

Blood is pouring from Jace’s nose, and I know this is going to end badly. Olivia is sobbing, and Lisa is screaming in terror.

Seeing that my words aren’t getting through to him, I drop to my knees, wrapping my arms around his waist and hugging him tightly from behind.

I hope this is enough to get his attention. He might do something he’ll regret, and it will be my fault.

“Ansel, please stop.” I press my face into the back of his neck, my voice pleading. “Please?”

I feel him freeze, his heavy breathing the only sound in the room. I can hear his heart pounding in my ear.

I let out a sigh of relief, my body going limp against his.

His anger seems to drain away, and I slowly let go of him. But he’s not done. He grabs Jace’s collar, pulling him up to look him in the eye. Jace’s eyes are glassy as he stares back at Ansel.

“Listen to me. If you ever touch her again, I promise you, I won’t stop next time.”

Jace smirks, blood staining his teeth. Ansel’s eyes narrow, fresh anger flashing across his face, but then the bathroom door swings open, and Principal Cameron steps in.

“All of you, in my office, now!”