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Chapter 55: A Change
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Atticus Chapter 56: A Reprieve
Mrs. Stephens starts the first cup and the heavy smell of coffee hits the air. A couple minutes later, she walks back and places two cups on the table before pulling out a chair. "Thanks," I say, taking a sip. She laughs when I make a face. It's the crappiest cup of anything I've ever had. "Yeah, it's pretty bad," she admits, pushing her cup away. Then she cocks her head as if she's sensing my emotions. And she probably is. I'm getting used to it, I think, her reading me."Well, at this rate, the hospital should probably set you up a cot." She laughs, trying to lighten my mood.I'm sure she knows I feel like shit for putting her and Brad through hell. I take another sip, glad it tastes terrible. It's exactly what I deserve.Mrs. Stephens reaches for my hand across the table and I look up to see the kindness in her eyes. I try not to lose it and bawl my eyes out again, so I look away. She squeezes tighter. "You've got to stop beating yourself up about this, Candice.""I can'
Atticus Chapter 57: Guilt
Brad sucks in a breath when the nurse yanks his arm to strap on the blood pressure cuff. Several layers of white compression bandages are around his ribs and I'm having a hard time believing she didn't notice. I give her a concerned glare. She looks at me then back to Brad. Apparently she finally realized she's been a little aggressive and apologizes, releasing his arm. Clearly, Brad's unscathed because he immediately reaches for my hand. I'm about to get on my knees and beg his forgiveness for putting him here in the first place when there's a knock on the door and we both look up.Two people walk in and it only takes one second for me to realize they're Brad's parents. The concerned looks on their faces pull at my heart. His mother instantly rushes over to him, gliding her palm over his face. Brad's dad follows her, standing behind, as if allowing his wife to have the first moment with their son. "Baby," is the only thing Mrs. Davis gets out before she starts to cry. "I'm okay
Atticus Chapter 1: Prologue
They come uninvited and unwanted. The barriers meant to keep them out have been broken, allowing their unscrupulous thoughts and desires to stay hidden from the outside world. They are thieves, invading in the cloak of night, scavenging a hiding place for their foul intentions. I am sickened, yet I deeply desire what they have, wishing I could be cherished in the same way. They know not of my existence. Only rumors fuel their curiosity to investigate, ravaging what was once a grand house. Now it is merely a shell of what it was-full of life, fine art, and furniture. But all of that is no more and it pierces the same knife through my heart as jealousy of what I can never have begins to ravage my soul.*"C'mon, Nick, don't be such a pussy.""Screw you, Paul, you're the one who's scared of this place.""Jesus, keep your voices down.""Yeah, listen to your mother-I mean, Brad.""Just get in here, asshole.""Nick, did you bring a light?""Yeah, hang on.""Holy shit, get a l
Atticus Chapter 2
Lilburn, Georgia 1992** Candice **In a manner of minutes, I'll be walking into my fourth high school and everyone will be staring at the new girl. We've moved so many times in the past three years, I'm nauseated before I even leave this crappy apartment. This time, we've landed in the middle of small town Georgia because Mom ran out of money and needs a job. Again. Thank God this is my last year in high school. "Candice!" Mom screams from downstairs. "Where's my tip money?" The bite in her voice practically slaps me in the face. Mom's already pissed and it's only seven thirty in the morning. That might be a new record. She must have forgotten where she hid it again, but I can't tell her that or even admit that I can usually find it within minutes. I'm pretty sure I know why she's been more on edge than normal. Every penny she had saved was eaten up by having to pay our first and last month's rent and now we're living on her leftover tips.Clearly, I need to be more car
Atticus Chapter 3: New School
"Welcome to Parkview High! I'm Mrs. Stephens," the overly enthusiastic counselor says, gesturing me into her office. Her periwinkle blue jumpsuit is my first clue that a '70s hippie wardrobe is alive and well in her closet. I don't think I've ever seen so many bracelets, ear piercings, or necklaces on one person before. Eccentric doesn't even cover it. I smile back, even though I know it's not quite reaching my eyes, and take a seat anyway. I notice right away a large framed diploma from The University of Georgia hanging just above the credenza and what look like framed family photos neatly placed below. I close my eyes for a second and swallow. Family. Wouldn't that be nice?Opening the manila envelope I handed her when I walked in, Mrs. Stephens takes out my transcripts and places them on her desk. She begins to look over them as if double-checking the contents. The constant popping sound she's making with her gum is annoying the crap out of me. Seconds later, she glances u
Atticus Chapter 4: Finding My Way
After finding a seat in the back of the class, I can finally get a deep breath. I know the hardest part about being the new girl is the being new part, but my stomach still has some catching up to do. It's nothing new; I pretty much stay in a perpetual state of uneasiness thanks to the unpredictable world I live in. The first few weeks are always the worst though.I manage to clear my head long enough to take a few notes in between the occasional stare from a guy next to me and again from a girl on my left. I swear it'd be easier if I just wore a freaking nametag saying, "I'm new, not an alien." When the bell rings I bolt out of the room as quickly as I can. My only focus is to find my next class before I have to ask for help. I don't want favors and I don't want charity because nothing in my world is free. Everything is conditional. I thought by now I'd be used to the way we live but what I really do is fake it. Just like my mom. Most of the time I feel like I'm on autopilot, trudg
Atticus Chapter 5
** Brad **It was a stroke of sheer luck that the seat next to me was empty. And when Candice Crawford sat down, it was hard to keep my eyes off her. She caught me by surprise and I felt like shit watching her fall outside the restroom. I instantly began picking up items tossed from her backpack and was curious when she didn't take my hand when I stood up. I wasn't expecting that kind of response. We stayed frozen in an awkward silence for a split second before she jumped to her feet, unaware I was still watching her. I didn't like how her face contorted and I knew without question she was in pain. I immediately got rid of the assholes doing nothing but laughing, yet somehow my small gesture wasn't enough. I wanted to do more, but when she looked up at me I couldn't think.I offered my help when the bell rang because I was pretty sure she didn't know where her next class was either, but she turned me down. I couldn't help but laugh, even though she was a complete stranger to me;
Atticus Chapter 6
** Candice **All during chemistry, I felt Brad's eyes on me and it seemed like forever before class was over. I wish I were like other, normal girls, excited to have the attention of an attractive guy. But I simply can't have him right now-not when my life is shit. My head won't allow it even though my heart doesn't understand. I've never had roots and I sure as hell don't think we'll stick around here long enough for them to grow. I wait for most of the students to leave before I try to stand because I'm pretty sure I'll need a second. I have no doubt I'll look like I'm a hundred for the first few steps. The pain in my lower back isn't as bad as it was at the beginning of class, but the last thing I want is to draw attention to myself. I'll risk being tardy.As I leave the room I see Brad standing outside the door and I make the mistake of looking up at him. His lips curl up and for a split second, I can't remember why I told myself to stay away from him."Need some help fin
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