Three Strikes: Chapter 18

By the next morning, my hickey was a deep shade of purple, and there were still red marks on both of my wrists.
I made sure to wear a long, cream colored cardigan to cover up the marks on my wrists.
I spotted Cole in the hallways, talking to his jock friends.
I held in my breath, as I nervously twirled my charm bracelet that my father had gotten me for my thirteenth birthday.
I had to at least thank Cole for giving Kyle what he deserved, but at the same time, it was the reason why I got harassed.
I shook away my thoughts from after school yesterday, as I approached Cole.
"Hi Cole." I waved.
His jock friends stopped talking, as their eyes traced to a certain spot on my chest.
I groaned, as I realized they were staring at my hickey.
Damn that cheap concealer that didn't cover up crap.
"Dude, Jesse so gave her that!" Mike exclaimed.
"Damn, Jesse got skill! That sh*ts huge." another jock commented.
I rolled my eyes, as I turned to Cole.
"Cole? Could we talk before classes start?" I asked.
Cole raised his eyeborw, clearly not impressed by the hickey that was noticable on my chest, but he nodded.
We escaped the group of noisy jocks, as we stopped by my locker, where no one ever stops at.
"So Cole, I-I just wanted to say thanks." I blushed.
Cole frowned. "For what?"
I laughed. "You don't have to pretend like you didn't do it, because I know you did."
Cole shook his head, geniunely confused. "What are you talking about?"
I bit my lip. "You punched Kyle for touching me."
Cole seemed surprised. "I did?"
I gulped, feeling nerous suddenly. "W-what... you didn't punch Kyle?"
"No. But, I could if you want me to." Cole grinned.
I stared at down at the floor, trying to solve my situation.
If Cole didn't punch Kyle for touching me... then who did?
I shook my head. "No, no, it's fine."
Cole lightly chuckled, but his face turned all serious within a few seconds.
"So... did Jesse really give you that hickey?" Cole asked.
I choked on my own saliva. What was I going to say?
If I denied it, then Cole would think I'm some w***e that is cheating on Jesse.
But, it wouldn't look so good either if I said Jesse gave me it.
I weighed my options, and decided that the second one wouldn't make me look that bad in front of Cole.
"Y-yeah, he did." I lied.
Cole's face dropped, as I felt a sudden pang of guilt overcome me.
"Oh." he sighed. "I guess I'll see you later." he mumbled.
I nodded, as Cole turned away.
***
"So... Cole wasn't the one who punched Kyle?" Scarlett frowned.
I nodded. "I even asked him."
Scarlett sighed, rubbing her hands on the hot cup of coffee that was in front of her.
"It was Jesse." she whispered.
My head snapped up, as I began laughing. "W-what?"
"Jesse. He punched that a*****e for groping you." Scarlett repeated.
"Yeah, right, Scar." I laughed once again.
Scarlett narrowed her eyes towards me, obviously annoyed.
"Ask him. He'll confirm it." she challenged.
"I doubt it." I smirked.
Scarlett slapped the back of my head, making me grunt.
"I'm telling you, Kendall. He did it."
I rolled my eyes dramatically at the blonde. "How would you know?"
Scarlett stirred her coffee. "Because he loves you."