All We Know Is Falling: Fall With Me: Volume One by Nicole Thorn Page A

second. Then she tried to bolt. I caught her by the neck and again, threw her into the wall. I grabbed her arm and started bending it at what had to be an agony-causing angle.
    “You should know better than to try and run,” I said.
    “Y-you are insane,” Kenna said through more tears.
    I shrugged. “Maybe a little. But unless you tell me what you know, I’m going to break your arm.”
    “Lamb,” I heard from behind me. Hale’s voice was gentle. “It’s okay. I can handle whatever these children can throw at me. I don’t care.”
    I didn’t look at him. “I do.” I was here to right a wrong. “Tell me,” I ordered the girl.
    She looked hesitant but she spilled. “His mom is the counselor. He took her key and we broke in after school.”
    “Well,” I bent her arm more and she whimpered. “That’s the how. I’m looking for a who.”
    “My boyfriend. Brooks. He did it. I told him about when Hale said that shit to me. And he wanted to get even.”
    I loosened my hold on her and she caught her breath. “The lies that I heard in the gym?”
    She looked at me in confusion. “How’d you hear that?”
    I rolled my eyes. “Not important. Where’s the file?”
    She shook her head. “He’s got it.”
    “Where?”
    “I don’t know. I think in his locker. Maybe his backpack.” I let go of her and she ran out the door like she was on fire.
    I had the information I needed. Now I could end this.
    Then I remembered that Hale saw everything I just did. He saw a flicker of what I was capable of. Now would be when he ran.
    I turned to look at him and his eyes were staring after Kenna in the direction she ran. “What a bitch,” he said.
    I was still frozen in place. “I guess I’ll see you around.” No way would he want to bring me home. Or be near me.
    When I started walking he ran after me and blocked my way out. I stopped just short of running into his chest. “Where are you going? I’m bringing you home.”
    I made a sound of shock. “What? You just saw me almost snap a girls arm and you still think I’m worth your time?”
    He grinned. “Yeah. It was kind of hot actually. And she was awful. Not undeserved at all.”
    The words didn’t comfort me in the least. “Did that not prove that I’m a bad person? That wasn’t anything new for me. I have anger issues and a tendency to get violent when provoked. If you were to take a peek into my file, you’d see that. I’ve been suspended more than a few times.”
    A shoulder went up in a lazy shrug. “But look at why you did what you did. You were provoked. And you were trying to help me.” He smiled. “Because you like me.”
    Damn it…he wasn’t wrong. “Maybe.”
    He took my hand. “Then let’s go to your house.”
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
Chapter Eight: Then And Now
     
     
     
    We pulled up to my house and he turned his car off while he stared. I knew what he must be thinking. It was a huge house. Ridiculous, really. More than four people needed. But Mom and Dad had the house since before they even got Hadley.
    “Why’d you turn the truck off?” I asked while I picked up my backpack and popped the door open.
    He remained staring at the mansion. “Because I’d like to meet your family.” He opened the door and stood while he waited for me.
    I ran around the car and got in front of him. “Wait!” I held my hands up and he stopped when his chest hit my hands. I let them linger a little too long and I shoved my hands in my pockets.
    “Ashamed of me?”
    “No. It’s just—”
    “Good,” he moved past me and waited at the door until I caught up to him. He gestured to the door so I’d know to open it. I did, and he walked right into the house.
    My mother was in the kitchen eating my cake. “Oh,” she covered her mouth. “Hello.”
    “Hi,” Hale beamed. “Nice to meet you in person,” he reached out to shake her hand.
    “You too, love.” She