Mine: A Love Story Read Free Page B

think I was too small for that. They were probably afraid I’d break or something.”
    The more we talk, the stronger it all comes back to me. Freshman year…
    I’m hurrying down the hallway, keeping close to the edge, my shoulder almost scraping the lockers. This way, if anyone bumps me, I won’t hit the lockers very hard. I’ve got my books clutched tight against my chest. If I can just make it to math class, I’ll be safe for another hour. I hate math, but any class is better than being in the halls.
    I keep my head and eyes down, avoiding any eye contact that might be seen as a threat or a challenge to anyone, looking out through my eyelashes and trying to stay out of everybody’s way. For a moment, I think I’m going to make it. But then I see my worst nightmare—Kristin, with her two pals, Brittany and Ashley. They’re only freshmen like me, but Kristin has already established herself as a big shot. And for some reason, she’s taken an especially strong dislike to me. She’s dark-haired and attractive, tall, but not as tall as me. Maybe she doesn’t like girls who are taller than her. Maybe she doesn’t like blondes. It doesn’t really matter why. I’ve been her target before. It’s never fun.
    The three girls swerve toward my side of the hallway, angling toward me like sharks heading for fresh meat. I can almost hear the score from that shark movie in my head—da-dum, da-dum, da-dum. They’re going to hit, and hit hard. I tense my muscles, awaiting the inevitable blow. Suddenly, Ashley trips, her arms flailing as she tries to maintain her balance. She sprawls into Kristin, who staggers sideways, away from me and into Brittany. Kristin just barely manages to remain on her feet, but Brittany is knocked to the floor. I catch a quick glimpse of a field hockey stick pulling back from between Ashley’s legs. I look up. The girl holding the stick is tall, maybe three inches shorter than me. Much thicker though. With a head of impossibly tangled black hair that makes mine look almost straight. She’s wearing baggy tan cargo pants and a brown sweatshirt with the sleeves cut off short. She grins and winks at me.
    Kristin takes a quick look back, sizing up her options, but with Brittany still on the floor, she decides not to confront this stick-wielding Amazon. She yanks Brittany to her feet and the three bullies continue down the hall. The hallway echoes with laughter, mostly from older kids who have witnessed the skirmish. A few freshmen girls clap silently, probably girls who have suffered Kristin’s bullying themselves. My savior ignores it all and walks up to me, holding out her hand.
    “Hi, I’m Gabrielle,” she says, “but you can call me Gaby.”
    I clasp her hand. “Hi Gaby, I’m Heather. Thanks for that.” I shake my head. “I can’t believe you did that.”
    “Speak softly, but carry a big stick,” she says, laughing. “You looked like you could use a little help. That Kristin is such an a-hole.”
    “Aren’t you worried she’ll try to get back at you?”
    “Naahh. Most bullies don’t mess with anyone who pushes back. Besides, I have this.” She grins and sweeps her stick across the floor. “The funny thing is, I don’t even play field hockey. I just figured it might come in handy.”
    I laugh. “Well, I’m glad you brought it. I wish I’d thought of it.”
    “Freshman year ain’t easy, if you’re not one of the cool kids.” Gaby fluffs her mass of dark curls with her hand. “And I’m definitely not one of the cool ones.”
    “Well, you’re cool enough for me,” I say.
    “Thanks.” She glances down the hallway, but there’s no sign of Kristin and her two pals. “They’ll probably leave you alone, now that they know you have a friend.” For the first time, I see a little uncertainty on her freckled face. “That is, if you want to be friends.”
    I smile at her. “I’d love to. I could really use a friend, as you just saw.”
    She smiles back. “Great. I’ll