I felt so helpless as I helped Karyn to stand up. She winced a little, but other than that, she insisted that she was alright.
“I’m so sorry,” I whined.
Karyn shrugged it off. “It’s not your fault, Jon. Athena overpowered you, and then she had those friends of hers gang up on me. Had it been just me and her, I probably could have taken her on.” I nodded, but maybe that was why Athena had brought her friends with her, because she knew that she would in a fight with Karyn.
We started walking. Karyn had her arm around me and was using me as a balance to help her steady herself. Poor Karyn... It must be humiliating for her being helped by a boy. I know that a girl’s ego is big.
“Are you sure that you don’t need to see a doctor?” I asked, concerned for her. Karyn shook her head. “Maybe you’ve broken a rib or something?”
“No, I’m fine. Just had the wind knocked out of me. That’s all.” I wasn’t so sure, but a girl can be so stubborn sometimes, so I let it go.
“Well, I think that we should get you home anyway. Maybe you can rest up for a bit.” Karyn nodded and we started making our way to her house.
“Jon! Karyn!?” a voice called out from across the street. I looked up and saw Jae running towards us. He had a look of horror on his face.
“Oh my God! What happened to you?”
I told him all about our encounter with Athena and he came to the same conclusion that we did.
“That bitch!” he spat. Jae moved around and propped Karyn up on the other side. Fortunately, the walk to Karyn’s wasn’t much further, and between the two of us, we were able to help Karyn into her house. Her parents were still at work, so the house was empty and she didn’t have to face an interrogation in front of us.
I got Karyn some ice and a glass of water while Jae helped her get comfortable on the sofa.
“Thanks, gals,” Karyn mumbled as I placed the ice pack over her chest. Meanwhile, Jae and I sat on the couch opposite her, Jae putting an arm around me.
“So Athena wanted you, huh?”
“Yeah…” I tugged a bit at the choker to show him. “She wants me to wear this, and well… Given that Athena’s friends include one of my sisters and I don’t wanna be beaten up at school again, I have no choice.”
“Oh Jonni,” Jae sighed. He must have finally realized my predicament after helping Karyn out.
“She told me that if she called, I had to answer. She considers me her bitch now.”
“Who was all with her? You said Zoe wasn’t, right?”
“No… Brooke McMillan, Sarah’s sister, and Sabrina Meadows.”
“Gosh…” Jae seemed like he was about to say something, but then the lock turned and someone entered the house. It was Karyn’s sister Becca, slightly older than her.
“Hey Becks,” I hesitantly volunteered.
“What happened?”
“Athena’s goons… Took me out so that she could get Jon…”
“Oh dear!” She frowned and set down her bag, looking at Karyn on the couch. “You OK?”
“I’m fine,” Karyn stressed. “Just a bit unsteady.” At that moment, I felt my phone vibrate.
“Hey Jae?”
“Yeah?”
“Daddy Rose just texted me. He’s wondering why I’m not home to do chores.”
“Oh shoot,” Jae replied. “Want me to go with you?”
“That’d be nice. Karyn, Becca, sorry I gotta leave you like this, but…”
“Do what you have to, Jonathyn. I’ll keep you updated.”
“Thanks, Jon and Jae,” Karyn weakly added.
“Alright.” I grabbed my bags and headed out with Jae. “Love you!”
