Chapter 15

 

Georgiana

 

I unhooked all of my clothes from the closet and folded them neatly, the same way Rebecca showed me how to conserve space the first time she saw how disorganized my stuff was. She stood in the corner watching me anxiously, but I was too disappointed to care.

I had called Darcy and told him I was home safely, but I refused to tell him why I was so upset when I found out about Spencer. I didn’t think he would’ve taken too kindly to the news, especially the fact that the guy who was supposed to protect me had sex with me instead.

“George, I really hope you’re not leaving because of me,” she said softly, and I sighed as I put the lid of my suitcase down.

“Although I’m disappointed you didn’t tell me you were hired by my parents as my bodyguard too,” I said, and she flinched. “I have to admit, you’re not the only reason I want to get out of here.”

“Look, I know it sucked that Spencer and I didn’t tell you, but you have to understand, we had our reasons to do so. We didn’t even know we were both hired by your parents, and I’m pretty sure Spencer still doesn’t even know. I was hired as a failsafe.” she trailed off, and my nostrils flared as I turned around and looked at Rebecca hard.

“Let me ask you one thing,” I said. “Would you have gotten close to me if you weren’t hired to be my bodyguards?” I asked.

She took a step towards me, and leveled me with a stern expression of her own.

“Would you have let us get close to you if you had found out we were?” she asked back.

My jaw vibrated as I held back my tears. That was a low blow, Rebecca.

“I have to finish packing my stuff,” I said, turning away from her.

“Are you transferring rooms now?” she asked.

“Not for a while, but I’d like to be ready when that happens,” I answered honestly. “But right now, I’m packing my stuff for the volunteer camp at the elementary school.”

“I have a bad feeling about that, George,” Rebecca said seriously.

“Well, tough. I’m still going, and there’s nothing you or your feelings can do about it.”

 

***

 

Volunteering at a small elementary school off campus was quite fulfilling, and it distracted me from thinking about Spencer.

I knew avoiding him was a coward’s way out, and wouldn’t ever solve the problem, but I didn’t know what else to do. I was conflicted about my feelings, and if I could ever trust Spencer again after what he did to me.

I was still pissed off at Rebecca a little too, and I snubbed her every attempt at conversation. It ruffled my feathers more when I found out she still went and signed up for this volunteer trip as well, but after a while, I got used to it. She didn’t bother me much, anyway.

“Big sister, look at this drawing I made for you.”

I wiped the single tear that escaped from my eye and greeted little Timothy with a big smile. The five year old loved to draw, and it warmed my heart every time he addressed me as his elder sister.

And it wasn’t just Timothy I had bonded with during my stay, but the other little kids, as well. Taking care of them helped me forget all about my worries, and Spencer, and everything else, even if just for a little while.

I oohed and aahed over Timothy’s drawing before checking in on the other children’s progress when a loud bang rang out and sent chills down my spine.

The children immediately stopped whatever they were doing, startled by the noise, when another bang rang out. This time I was certain what the sounds were.

Gunshots.

The children looked at each other in fear, and I quickly rushed to the door and pulled it shut, putting the lock in place. I put a finger at my lips to tell the kids to be quiet before ushering them behind the teacher’s desk. I let a few of them get under the table, and I hugged the rest, hoping the children didn’t notice how fast my heart was beating.

I saw my phone light up on the other side of the room, and I grimaced as I realized it must’ve fallen out of my pocket earlier. Rebecca was on the other side of the school in charge of another class, and I prayed the shooter didn’t come into either one of our rooms.

Please, God. Let us be safe!

 

***

 

Spencer

 

“What do you mean backup isn’t on the way?!” I exclaimed, as I glared at the computer screen, watching reports of a school shooting where Georgiana was. Elliot was typing rapidly on his keyboard using the other monitor, trying to find out what was happening inside.

“I’m sorry, Spencer, but the men I sent over won’t be there in time. The school is in a rural small town, and I believe they only have a couple sheriffs. There is no way they’re going in there guns blazing to stop the shooter that quickly. It may be too late,” Chase said.

“Then what about George? What about those children she’s with? Each second we waste is another victim to add to the body count!” I bellowed.

“You don’t think I know that?” he cried back. “I didn’t think anything like this would ever happen.”

I dropped the call and slammed my fist into a wall in anger, startling Elliot so much he jumped in his seat. What the fuck was I going to do?

My phone lit up again, and I had half a mind to tell Chase to shove it when I realized it was Tyler calling. Suddenly, I had an idea and answered the call.

“Hey, Tyler? Can you and your frat boys come over to my dorm?” I said desperately. “I need your help.”

As soon as Tyler, Carlos, and a few of their frat guys arrived, I immediately told them about the situation. I also came clean about my identity, and how I was hired by George’s parents to be her protector. The guys all looked at each other for a few seconds before nodding, and then Tyler looked at me, their faces filled with determination.

“So what’s the plan, brother?” Tyler asked, and I smiled. I looked over at Elliot next, and he adjusted his eyeglasses as he stared back at me.

“Surely you weren’t expecting me not to participate?” he asked.

“Shorty, no offense but--,” Carlos started, and Elliot narrowed his eyes at him. “What can you do?” he asked. Elliot smirked confidently and cracked his fingers.

“You Neanderthals listen to Downing’s plan while I use my hacking skills to open up a path for you,” he said.

“You can do that?” I asked in amazement.

“I don’t just play games on my computer, you know,” Elliot replied, rolling his eyes at me.

I smiled and discussed the plan, as Elliot would provide us with additional info regarding the school’s layout and fastest route to get there.

“I’ll hack into their security cameras, so I’ll update you on your phone once I get in,” Elliot said.

I couldn’t believe the luck I had. Here were these guys ready to help me at a moment’s notice, and without asking anything in return. I had some new friends I could count on.

I rode in Carlos’s car along with Mitchell and Evan, while Tyler and the rest followed in Nick’s SUV. The plan was pretty simple: Tyler and his guys were going to create a diversion and distract whatever cops might be there guarding the school, while I sneak in. I asked Carlos and the others to let me go by myself to reduce the risk of their lives, but they refused. Still, I told them not to get ahead of themselves, or take any action on their own, but to call me if they caught any sight of the shooter or Georgiana.

We arrived at the school and still no cops yet. What the hell? I told Tyler and the boys to hang back, while I went in quietly, closing the door behind me. I pulled the gun from behind my back and held it at the ready. I kept my steps light and quiet, peeking through the empty rooms for any sign of George.

My phone vibrated in my pocket, and I checked on Elliot’s text.

 

Got camera feed. Can’t locate shooter yet.

 

He sent me another text, and my heart skipped a beat.

 

Found her! Head down the hall, turn right, 6 doors down.

 

I put my phone back in my pocket and headed down the hall to turn right, when a flash of light caught my attention.

The footsteps quickened, and I placed my flashlight under the butt of my gun, pointing it directly to the noise when a figure emerged.

It was Rebecca. And Rebecca was pointing her gun at me, too.