Liam Rawley
“I am so sorry this happened to you, buddy.”My father said to me after we arrived home, “Starting tomorrow, I’ll make sure that I’ll get one of my deputies to pick you up from school.”
“Dad, “I cringe, “That would be really embarrassing, please don’t.”
After what Ryan did, I don’t blame my father for acting that way because I don’t know what was Ryan’s problem with me but he was suddenly out to get me.
“Can’t one of your new friends do it?”He asked.
“I don’t want to burden them.”I mumbled, “We haven’t gotten that close yet for me to ask.”
“I’ll just ask their parents.”He said casually, “Yeah, I’ll do that.”Before I could say anything else, he was already dialing the phone.
“This may be a bad time but can I go to the drive-in tonight?”I asked and regretted it shortly after I saw his face, “Never mind, I don’t have to.”
“No, it’ll be good for you to get to know the people in the neighborhood.”He said calmly, “Just make sure to stay near your friends.”
“I will, “I assured
&&&&&&
“My mom told me what happened.”Laurel said softly, “I’m sorry that those jerks are messing with you. Must be scary to have them gang up on you like that.”
We set up chairs in front of Dan’s car because Roy kept complaining that he couldn’t see anything from the backseat.
“What happened?”Roy asked worriedly, “Did Dan do something?”
“What?”Dan asked in a frustrated tone, “They were right when they said that you were a complete idiot.”
“That’s not nice.”Roy pouted, “Who’s they?”
“What happened, Liam?”Dan asked me, ignoring Roy all together.
“Some guys in this town have been messing with me, it’s not a big deal, “I explained.
“Ryan Finley is the one harassing him, “Laurel whispered to the group.
“What does harassing mean again?”Roy asked me.
“Oh, Roy, if it wasn’t for your good looks and the ability to play football, you might just end up getting your GED when you’re 30,” Laurel said.
“Why you are guys being so mean to me?”Roy asked frustratedly, “Let’s run away together, Logan, and get away from all these toxic people in our lives.”
“It’s Liam, you dumbass.”Dan corrected.
“No way, “He shook his head, “I may be dumb but I remember a name.”
“It is Liam.”I said with a soft chuckle, “But it’s fine, Roy.”
Roy said something else but I was distracted by Ryan, who was laying on top of someone’s mini truck with the same people as before.
“Do you want to leave?”Dan asked me after noticing me starring at Ryan.
“No, “I shook my head, “I shouldn’t let him ruin our time.”
“Can I go kick his ass?”Roy asked.
“No, don’t do that.”I let out a weak smile, “He probably doesn’t even see me.”
“Then why is he starring at you?”Laurel pointed out.
Ryan then started walking slowly to us but he was alone.
“Hello there, Liam,” Ryan said with a smirk, “May I offer you some snacks?”
He showed us a bowl of what looked like candy.
“Cool-“Roy said excitedly but shut up when everyone glared at him, “Sorry.”
“We don’t want any,” Laurel said bitterly.
“I wasn’t offering it to you, sweetheart,” Ryan said with a tone that made everyone stopped talking and looked down at the floor.
“Yeah, okay, thanks.”I grabbed the bowl with no plans of eating it.
“How bout’ a small bit?”He suggested.
“No, I just ate, “I said.
Just then, Roy tackled Ryan to the floor and all hell breaks loose as Dan was fighting off two other guys. I was surprised at Dan’s moves as he wasn’t the toughest looking one but he sure can throw a punch. Laurel didn’t really do anything but cheered for our guys.
I noticed Ryan still had a smug smile on his face as Roy punches him and that creeped me out.
A bunch of adults then came to get everyone off each other.
“Walk away or we’ll call the cops.”An adult said to Ryan’s boys.
“Awh,” Ryan said sarcastically, “We were just having some fun,”
“We’ll see the two of you later.”One of Ryan’s friends said and raised his fist up to scare Dan and that made him flinch while they laughed at him before leaving us alone.
&&&&&&
We ended up watching a movie at my place and I kinda loved the fact that all of them stayed despite what happened.
“Hey, Liam, “My father called, “Can I talk to you over here?”
I nodded and joined him outside. The deputy that seemed to always be around was also there and I just noticed his short blonde army-style hair and his green eyes that were sparkling under the light was not something people can miss.
“This is Deputy Brady Hutton, he’ll be following you everywhere you go except for school but he will be dropping you off and picking you up from it.”My father explained.
“Dad, “I said softly and brought him further away from Brady so that I don’t hurt his feelings for what I was about to say, “I don’t need a bodyguard.”
“He’s not one.”My father assured me, “Plus, I’m trying to get a restraining against Ryan but no luck so far because he hasn’t done anything crazy yet.”
Yet?
“It’s not permanent.”My father added, “He is one of my best deputies and I’m sure you’ll love him.”
I looked at Brady, who was still in his uniform, scrolling through his phone.
My father then left the both of us so that we could have a proper introduction.
“Hey, I’m sorry that my father is making you do this.”I said to Brady, “You probably have better things to do.”
“I don’t mind.”He shrugged, “At least I have a reason to kick Ryan Finley’s ass if he starts anything with you.”
By his tone, I was pretty sure that they knew each other.
“Old friends?”I asked.
“Schoolmates, “He corrected, “A real asshole too.”
“Yeah, I got that.”I chuckled and was met with his smile. It was a small one but his smile was very cute even though he had that stereotypical cop face. In other words, cops always had that serious face on, like my dad when he was on duty.
“Anyways, I’ll see you tomorrow.”He said.
“Yeah, “I waved him goodbye and got inside the house only to see Roy and Laurel looking through the window.
“What are you guys doing?”I asked.
“He was totally flirting with you, “Roy said excitedly.
“I tried to get them to stop being creepy like that,” Dan said frustratedly.
“Like seriously Liam, this guy is really cute. Who is he?”Laurel swooned.
“He’s just looking out for me until Ryan gets off my back,” I said awkwardly.
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