Darkness Within

By Cassandra Morphy

Jenny Hudson is the daughter of the mine foreman. With the mine being the old major business in the area, that makes her and her father rather important figures in the town of Jonsonville. But when the mine starts running dry, with the only vein practically unreachable, fewer and fewer of the miners are getting the shifts that they need to feed their families. It breaks Jenny's heart that she can't do more to help them.

But when Jenny's crush, the mysterious black haired girl that moved to town just a couple of years earlier, finally talks to her, thoughts of those miners and their concerns end up taking a back seat for this new love affair. However, when the mysteries surrounding the girl take a turn for the dark, Jenny is left to wonder just who she needs to be saving: the girl, the town, or herself.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cassandra Morphy
• Release date: Jul 10, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215403426

Cassandra Morphy

Cassandra Morphy is a Business Data Analyst, working with numbers by day, but words by night. She grew up escaping the world, into the other realities of books, TV shows, and movies, and now she writes about those same worlds. Her only hope in life is to reach one person with her work, the way so many others had reached her. As a TV addict and avid movie goer, her entire life is just one big research project, focused on generating innovative ideas for worlds that don’t exist anywhere other than in her sick, twisted mind.

Book preview

Chapter One

Eighth Period

Bobby turned around in his seat, jumping up onto his desk as he looked back at Jenny behind him. So, what are we doing this weekend? Bobby asked her.

Jenny eyed the teacher in the front of the class. Mrs. Henderson only just let the class go seconds before Bobby turned around, a few minutes before the bell. She watched the teacher, waiting for signs of her scolding him. Watching for a hint that she would be in trouble if she talked. When nothing came, she turned to him.

I imagine the same thing we do every weekend. Hang out, talk, generally do nothing for two glorious days.

Yeah, why do you always ask her, Grant asked, as he and Heather turned towards them. She never has ideas for things to do on the weekends.

Well, she's my girlfriend, Bobby said. I figured... well, I just thought...

He thought that maybe they'd do something together, Heather said. You know, alone? Like a date. Something you and I used to do.

Jenny looked around at her friends, all clustered in the back far corner of the room. They all talked quietly as the classroom around them dropped into the usual heavy chatter that happens at the end of the day. Everyone was eager to get out there, out of school for the week. People were talking all over each other as they discussed their own weekend plans. Jenny didn't hear anything from the crowd that was any better than her own ideas. Any better than what they always did on the weekends. There wasn't much in the way of options in that small town. Even the watering hole just out of town wasn't much better than hanging out at her house with her friends. The watering hole would be overcrowded with everyone else from school. The house would at least be quiet.

Isn't there a movie house opening up a few towns over? Bobby suggested. Maybe we can catch a movie there.

With what money? Grant asked. You're not going to have Jenny pay for everything. Not again.

I don't-- Jenny started. She hated being the only person in her group that had money, but the rest of them all had fathers that worked in the mine. Everyone worked for her father. She wasn't rich by any standards, and they certainly weren't the richest family in town. But compared to her friends, she was a class above them.

Jenny couldn't help but look down at her new dress, something her father had just picked up for her the other day. The dark blue material, a new blend of cotton and something else, matched her eyes perfectly. It was nicer than anything anyone else in school ever wore. She felt bad about wearing it, worrying that it was meant for church. But it wasn't the nicest thing in her closet, with several nicer dresses in there along with it.

Jenny shook her head, trying to forget about the differences between her and her friends. Her eyes drifted towards the windows next to her. Beyond the small field outside, her view was dominated by the forest that ran around the town. The tall trees blocked the hills in the distance. As she stared out there, the trees shifted in the breeze, dancing back and forth and throwing their shadows all over the place. But Jenny wasn't looking at those shadows. She stared out deep into the forest, where she thought she saw something playing across the darkness out there.

No, Grant said. You shouldn't have to pay for anything. You already do enough just hanging out with us.

Too right, Heather said. You're practically slumming it already.

Slumming it? Bobby asked.

It's a new word that I just made up, Heather said.

Don't listen to her, she heard it on the radio last week, Grant said.

Hey, Jenny, came a voice from outside of the group. Jenny looked around the area, searching for the source of the voice. Jay Tate was standing next to Bobby, looking down at his hands folded in front of him. A-a-any chance that your dad could--

Oh, no, Heather said. She got up, taking a step around Bobby to stand behind Jay. You can't just ask her to pull favors for you. We don't ask her for those.

I just meant... Jay said.

Look Jay, I'm sorry, Jenny said. My dad is doing his best. I can't do anything to change the work schedule.

Yeah, so don't ask, Heather said. Our dads are having just as much trouble getting enough shifts these days. You don't see us asking for favors, do you?

Not anymore, Grant muttered.

I just thought that... Jay said.

Yeah, we know what you thought, Heather said. Buh-bye.

Heather stood imposingly over Jay, waving him away from the group. Jay stood there a moment longer, just looking down at his hands, obviously uncomfortable standing there. But he didn't move from his spot.

Jenny felt sorry for the kid. For all the kids there. There really wasn't anything that her father could do to help them. The mine wasn't what it used to be. There just weren't enough shifts to go around to all the workers that had started there over the summer. She had hoped that things would get better. But as October wound down, it seemed like things were only getting worse. It seemed like it was going to be a very cold winter to come.

Heather, you're blocking the poor kid in, Grant said. He pointed over towards his girlfriend, showing that Jay didn't have enough space on the side of the room to get by Heather. She was standing in the aisle over there, between Bobby's desk and the windows.

Oh, sorry, Heather said. She looked around her for a moment, looking down at the aisle, before stepping aside. Jay just stood there for a moment longer, staring at his hands.

I... I just... he said.

I know, Jenny said. She nodded towards him, but he wouldn't have seen it. Jay slowly made his way away from the group, his eyes never leaving his hands.

As he left, Jenny looked around at the class again. All eyes were on the group. No, all eyes were on her. It seemed like everyone there had wanted to ask the same thing that Jay had, but none of them had been brave enough. None of them had dared breach the subject with her. They were all more scared than Jay was.

I do feel sorry for them, Jenny said, once the four of them were alone again. Sorry for all of them. For... Jenny trailed off as she looked around at her friends. She knew that they were in similar positions. Everyone in that town was. Those that didn't work in the mine itself somehow made their money out of the wealth coming from that one mine. Stores selling the supplies that kept the place running. Restaurants whose customers all worked in the mine. If that mine shut down, so too would the town.

But she didn't think it was that bad. At first, her father had said that it was just a slow week. Then a slow month. The miners dug up the veins in most of the tunnels. They just had to find where the rest of it was. They had to find more places to mine.

And mine safely.

Well, if he just opened up tunnel eight again, Grant muttered.

Oh, not this again, Heather said. Tunnel eight is dangerous. It's been, what, five cave-ins already? Three miners killed so far. Do you want your dad to be the next one to die in there? Or mine? They're doing the best they can.

Dad says that they're trying to find another path to that vein, Jenny said, nodding her agreement. Once tunnel six connects to the back of it, everything will be back up and running. But, yeah, Mr. Nelson wasn't going to sign off on reopening tunnel eight, even if Dad agreed to it.

Yeah, Heather yelled, turning around to the class at large. So, if you have a problem with how Jenny's dad is handling things, you'll need to take it up with Hank. Not with Jenny.

Oh, yeah, that will show them, Grant muttered. Just sit down. We were discussing our weekend, not our parents'.

Jenny smiled over at Grant, silently thanking him for the change in topic. While discussing their lack of options in that small town wasn't much better than discussing the mine, it was at least something they could do something about.

What about the fishing hole? Bobby asked. His eyes flared up as he thought about that option. Bobby always loved fishing, no matter how cold it was out. He was the only one in the group that did, though.

Naw, it's too cold to go swimming, Heather said. That was their usual activity at the fishing hole while Bobby focused on fishing. There wasn't much else to do at the smaller pond just up the creek from the watering hole. It's supposed to get down to around sixty this weekend.

Oh, like the weather forecast is any good at predicting the weather, Bobby said, waving off her words. Besides, if it's too cold to swim, you guys can--

We're not fishing, Heather interrupted. Ew. She shuddered at the very thought of it.

Well, there's the football game tonight, Grant said. That's at least something to do.

Something to do tonight, Bobby said. I thought that was a given anyway. I'm talking about this weekend. You know, two whole days with nothing to do but church?

There's always homework, Mrs. Henderson said, as she came up behind Bobby. Mind turning it down over here. I know you're all excited for the weekend, but there are other classes that aren't out just yet.

Seemingly to spite her words, the bell rang out, signaling the end of the day. The end of the week. Mrs. Henderson just raised her hands as she retreated to her desk at the front of the room.

Don't forget to read the next five chapters of Wuthering Heights, she said again, as she got out of the way of the stampede to come. Her words were drowned out by the slamming of books, desks being bumped into, and people rushing for the door.

Jenny just kept to her chair for a moment longer, watching as the room cleared out. With being in the far corner, away from the door, their group wasn't going to get through the mob rushing out of the room any quicker without pushing their way through. Meanwhile, Heather, Grant, and Bobby were all doing just that. With their books clutched against their chests, armor against the horde at the door, they all rushed into the breach.

As they left her back there, Jenny looked back out of the window, searching for the shadow she had seen earlier. The portion of the woods that was darker than she had seen previously. But when she looked out there, it was gone, leaving the forest its usual, mysterious form. While she looked out there, though, three men in camo came out into the field between the forest and the school. They were holding long guns in their hands, but they were too far off for Jenny to see who they were or what they were doing out there. However, hunters knew better than to come that close to the school. Just seconds after they emerged from the forest, they headed back inside. The swinging of the branches suggested that they were what she had seen before.

Coming? Bobby asked, looking over his shoulder back towards her.

Jenny jumped a little in her seat before looking back over to her boyfriend. She waited there until the crowd had thinned enough that she thought she could get through. As expected, her friends were still at the back of the group, making their way out. After collecting her own books, Jenny smiled over at Mrs. Henderson, who was busy collecting her own things, before getting into line behind everyone else.

Chapter Two

The Lockers

As Jenny left Mrs. Henderson's classroom, she caught a flash of black hair out of the corner of her eye. Automatically she looked to her left, to the girl crouched in front of the locker there. Jenny had seen the girl often enough, around school, around town. But she had never gotten the nerve to talk to her. The girl had started at that school just a few years ago, but had kept to herself through much of that time.

At least as far as Jenny could tell. It wasn't like Jenny was stalking the girl. But as she looked over at her, Jenny's heart still skipped that beat it always did, whenever she saw her. Jenny tried to rush past the girl, tried to avoid looking at her for too long. She could ill afford to be noticed staring at her. And with the attention that she was getting as of late, what with the issues at the mine, it was quite likely that she'd be noticed.

Jenny hurried up, trying to catch up with the rest of the group that had gone further up the hall as she had lingered there, staring at the black haired girl. When she noticed that they were halfway to their own lockers, she realized just how long she had been looking at her. She shook her head, trying to dislodge the thoughts there. The feelings that looking at that girl always stirred up in her.

She didn't get far up the hall before another group came thundering their way towards her. Jenny shrank into the wall of lockers next to her, trying to make way for the group. At the forefront was none other than Hank Nelson. As he came closer, he glanced over at Jenny with a knowing look. For one terrifying second, Jenny thought that he knew they had been talking about him. That he knew people had conjured his name in the previous class.

Then Hank kissed the air towards her, smiling over at her. As usual, the kid was oblivious, just thinking he was the center of attention because of who he was. Not because of his father.

Hey, weird girl, Hank said, coming up behind the black haired girl. He kicked his knee forward, bumping into the girl's back and knocking her into her locker. Still weird, I see.

The black hair girl pushed backwards off the locker, using it as leverage to stand up. She spun around, glaring over at Hank. Glaring over at the bully behind her.

Jenny was only a few lockers over from her, so she saw it as the girl got up. Saw the girl's eyes flash an angry black, sweeping out from the iris and filling the whites. Jenny blinked, shaking her head, trying to dislodge the odd vision. When she looked back, the girl's eyes had gone back to their usual green.

Go away, Hank, the girl said. Her voice was lower than Jenny had expected, not having heard it before. It was still nice, though, despite being tainted by the anger flaring through her. Pick on someone your own size.

Jenny looked between the two of them. The black haired girl was easily a foot shorter than the giant that was Hank. But from the tone of her voice, it seemed to indicate that she was warning him off. That there was something about her that made her the taller one. The one more likely to win if their confrontation ever came to blows.

Are you threatening my man here? asked Steve, Hank's best friend. The equally tall boy leaned onto Hank's shoulder, the two of them standing side by side as they loomed over the girl.

The two of them were always going around the school, throwing their weight around. While Hank largely got his standing in the school from his father, Steve was on the football team. The two of them were arguably the most popular kids in school, but for all the wrong reasons. It seemed like the black haired girl was a frequent target of their bullying, though she wasn't the only one.

He should just back off, the black haired girl said.

While she spoke in response to Steve, her eyes were still locked on Hank as she stared him down. Her hands were clenched at her sides in fists, her bare arms showing muscles there that Jenny hadn't noticed before. As Jenny stood there, watching the confrontation, she had an odd feeling of fear. It was like she was watching something terrifying, packed into that lithe girl standing there.

Ha, would you look at this girl? Hank asked. He took a step back, looking at the crowd that was forming around them. Hank pointed back at the black haired girl as he searched for his fans. Searched for people wanting a show. She thinks she can take me. Well, no one can take me.

Without any warning, Hank punched out, his fist moving forward faster than Jenny could notice it. The black haired girl didn't seem to move, glaring over at Hank like always. But when Hank's fist slammed home, it hit the metal locker next to her. Hank let out a low grunt of pain before he could stop himself, his fist hanging there in the air between them. The pain flashed through his eyes, but he kept it inside. Kept from sounding that pain.

You'd better watch your tone, little girl, or the next one is going in your face, Hank said, trying to play off the missed punch. But Jenny somehow knew that he hadn't meant to miss. He had gone for her stomach, had meant to cause pain, and ended up receiving it instead.

Hey, why don't you leave her alone, came a voice. Jenny looked around, trying to find the source. But when everyone looked towards her, she was surprised to realize that it had been her. That she had spoken out against Hank, without meaning to.

Stay out of this, Hudson, Hank said, pointing over at Jenny. The use of her last name was all the threat that Hank needed. A reminder that his father could easily fire hers. Hank always knew just who in that school had a parent that worked at the mine, using it to his advantage. Threatening those that he could, and avoiding those that he couldn't.

Or at least, avoiding most of them.

Jenny also knew all of the kids that had parents who worked at the mine, but for a very different reason. She had grown up in that town, had spent time with those kids at the mine family get-togethers. The annual picnic in the spring, and the festival in the fall. She actually knew most of those kids personally, and had made friends with several of them.

But she didn't know the black haired girl. She didn't know her name, who her parents were. Where she had come from before starting at that school, or why she had moved to town. Jenny knew almost nothing about her, besides the fact that no one knew anything about her. That she was a loner, keeping to herself most of the time and avoiding the usual cliques. She didn't seem to fit in anywhere at that school, which was part of what drew Jenny to her.

With the threat leveled, and Jenny seeming silenced by it, Hank turned back towards the black hair girl in front of him. The girl just stood there, still glaring over at Hank. With the bully looming over her, she had no way past him. No way to escape the fight to come. Not without laying him out. And from the looks that she was giving him, it seemed like she wanted nothing more.

What do you want, Hank, the black haired girl said, through clenched teeth, as she continued to glare at the infuriating kid.

Now, that's more like it, Hank said. He glared down at her, smiling a malicious smile, as he tried to think of what he had wanted. Jenny figured that he had meant to make the altercation nothing but a passing tease. That he had wanted to just push her into the locker and keep on going. But when the black haired girl had stood up to him, had dared to anger him, he couldn't just let it go. He couldn't just move on to the next target of his bullying. Except, he had nothing else. Nothing more to levy her way.

Just watch yourself, Steve said, pointing over at her. He seemed to sense that Hank had nothing else to say to her. You wouldn't want something happening to that pretty face of yours.

Yeah, Hank said, nodding his agreement. Wouldn't want that.

Oh, I'm not worried, the black haired girl said, smiling up at the two of them. I'd be more worried about your own face. There seems to be something there. Oh, wait. Sorry. That's just you trying to rub your two brain cells together. Trying to start a fire in there? But, wait, what does this one do when you're using them?

She pointed at Steve as she looked at Hank. The two bullies looked at each other in confusion, trying to understand how she had insulted them. They were only just smart enough to know that they were being insulted.

Jenny moved forward as the two of them stood there, too stunned and confused to turn on the girl again. She pushed her way past the onlookers, those waiting for the impending fight to begin, making her way towards the black haired girl. When she came up next to Steve's arm, leaning against the lockers and blocking the girl inside of it, she looked over at the two of them, desperately trying to find a way to get the girl out of there unharmed.

Hey, Steve, Jenny said, trying to draw the football player's attention away from the black haired girl. Looking forward to the game tonight?

Huh? Steve asked. He looked between Hank, the black haired girl, and Jenny three times before finally focusing on Jenny. Oh, yeah. He leaned away from Hank and the black haired girl, turning towards Jenny. It should be a good one, eh?

Aren't they all? But first, do you think I could borrow her for a moment? Jenny pointed over at the black haired girl behind Steve.

Like I said, stay out of this, Hudson, Hank said. I'd hate to tell my dad about all this. Maybe if a real leader stepped up at that mine, we wouldn't be where we are now. We'd have those miners working harder than ever. Not complaining about not having enough work to do. He laughed a little as he said that, but it was clear to Jenny that he knew nothing about what was happening in the mine. Not that he needed to, given that his father owned several mines in the area. Several other mining towns stretching all over the county. This was just the one that he had decided to live in.

I just need her to help me study for the chemistry test next week, Jenny said, pointing over at the black haired girl again. The girl wasn't in her chemistry class, but neither were the bullies. She hoped they wouldn't know that. I'd hate to miss the game tonight, but homework is more important, right?

Steve again looked between the three of them, a pained expression forming on his face as he struggled to think about what to do. The girl's earlier comment about him rubbing together a borrowed brain cell flashed through Jenny's mind, and she let out a little laugh. The black haired girl looked towards her, smiling at her. Jenny's heart skipped another beat at that look, at the girl actually smiling at her. That wasn't something that had happened before. The black haired girl had never looked at her, not in all the times that Jenny had seen her around the school.

Fine, Hank said. He looked between Jenny and the black haired girl for a moment before pushing back against the locker in front of him. He took a step away, giving the black haired girl her freedom. But before she could move, Hank punched both fists into the lockers on either side of her. This time, it was obvious that he meant to miss. But don't mouth off at me next time, Hank said, pointing a threatening finger at her. I won't be so generous.

The black haired girl just stood there, glaring up at the bully as they both slowly walked away. Hank's glare remained in place, constantly locked on her, until he was over into the next block of lockers. Only then did he start walking at his usual pace, his usual swagger back in place.

Sorry about that, Jenny said, for some reason apologizing for Hank. The guy really is an idiot.

No problem, the black haired girl said, shrugging. And thanks for that. I didn't want to get kicked out of another school for beating the crap out of an idiot. But with some people... Any chance I can do something to get him off my back for good?

Probably not, Jenny said. Not unless your dad starts working at the mine. Or buys it from his dad.

My dad is dead, she said, almost matter-of-factly, as if it had happened ages ago.

Oh, sorry, Jenny said.

The black haired girl just gave her a shrug before turning back to her locker. She barely glanced inside before closing the door, heading off down the hall without another word.

Jenny stood there, watching her go, wondering if she should follow her. But she had already done more than she should have. Had already shown more interest than she should have. She could already hear the teasing words that those bullies would send her way, those bullies and far more, far worse, if any of them knew that she was gay.

Chapter Three

Walking Home

As the crowd cleared out of the hall, the people disappointed that the fight hadn't happened, Jenny reluctantly turned away from the fading form of the black haired girl. Jenny didn't pay much attention to her friends as she went to her locker, putting in the combination with her right hand while her left still clutched her books to her chest. It took her three times to put in the combination, her mind still wandering to the black haired girl, and her nerves still rattled from Hank.

What was that about? Bobby asked.

Jenny looked over at him, surprised that he was standing there, staring at her in wonder. In awe. She wasn't sure what that was coming from, what part of that incident was so surprising to him. When she thought about it, though, the whole thing made her knees knock together. She turned around, leaning heavily against the locker behind her.

I... I don't know, Jenny said.

It's about time someone stood up to the guy, Heather said. But seriously? Why did it have to be you?

I don't know, Jenny said, again. I... I don't know what came over me.

Are-are you okay? Bobby asked. He reached out, placing a hand on Jenny's shoulder, trying to lend her comfort. Strength. I wanted to step up and protect you, but... I mean, he's Hank.

Yeah, we kept him from doing something stupid, Grant said, nodding his head towards Bobby. It was too late for you. He shook his head, like he was mourning her death rather than apologizing for not protecting her. Not allowing Bobby to protect her.

I'm fine, Jenny said. She closed her eyes, taking several steadying breaths, as she tried to get control of herself again. Tried to make her words true. I just need a moment.

Think he'll make trouble for your dad? Heather asked. She was looking off into the distance, down the hallway in the direction that Hank had disappeared. But it wasn't clear if she could see anything of him down there.

I doubt it, Jenny said, once she got control of herself. With one last deep breath, she turned back towards the locker, turning the dial to the last number and pulling it open. He'll probably have forgotten about the whole thing before he gets home anyway.

I don't know, Grant said, pensively. Do you remember Bob Morrison? He went up against Hank at one point, and his dad got fired the next day. That's why everyone knows that Hank means those threats.

Would you have to move when your dad gets fired? Bobby asked. I like having you next door.

No one is getting fired, you guys, Jenny said. As she didn't have much homework for the weekend, having done most of it during class, she just had her copy of Wuthering Heights and her math book. Still, Bobby scooped both of them up, almost automatically, stacking them with his own three books. Certainly, not my dad. Mr. Nelson knows nothing about running that mine. Just about what costs him the most money, and what earns him the most money. That's all that he cares about. What that whole family cares about.

Can we not talk about the Nelsons? Heather asked, as she led the way down the hall towards the main entrance to the school. Fortunately, that was in the opposite direction from where Hank disappeared to.

Jenny barely glanced back into her locker before grabbing her jacket and slamming it shut. The jacket was a pink suede that clashed with her dress, but it was the only jacket that she owned. The town didn't get many cold days in the fall, but that year's was already turning into a cold one.

Instead of putting it on properly, Jenny just threw her jacket over her shoulders, letting it hang there like a cloak. Her arms were tucked away inside, giving her the warmth and protection that the jacket was meant to provide, without needing to put her arms into the sleeves. It was a habit that she had gotten from when the winds would come up, bringing the colder temperatures, only to stop suddenly and let the usual warmer weather win out. The town was at the bottom of a valley, surrounded by mountains, with only one pass on either side letting easy travel through. That was enough to keep the winds heading through there to a minimum.

As they emerged into the afternoon sun, Jenny could see the eastern pass out of town in the distance. Main Street ran right past the school, heading between the two entrances to the town. The street was wide open and clear, letting her see all the way towards the sign marking the town border. The game wasn't for another few hours, and the other team was coming from three towns to the west of them. But there would be enough traffic coming down that pass as people came from all over for the game.

Well, what do you want to talk about? Grant asked, as the group came down the stairs in front of the school. The four of them stopped there for a moment, with Heather and Grant looking towards the road to the north of the school.

How about where we're meeting up before the game? Heather asked. Are we doing Dotty's like always?

Can't, Grant said. He shook his head, not giving any explanation at first. But as Heather stared at him, silently prompting him, he eventually gave in. I... Well, I can't afford it. Dad stopped paying my allowance.

Oh, Grant, I'm so sorry, Jenny said. Has it gotten that bad?

It-it's fine, he said. I'll be fine. Don't worry about it, Jenny. It's not your fault, and it's not your problem. We'll manage. Anyway, we're having a family dinner before the game. We can meet up out here if you guys like.

Sure, Heather said, nodding. That would be nice. Anyway, see you two then? She looked over at Jenny and Bobby for a moment, not waiting for their nods of agreement before heading off. Grant was quick to follow behind her, sparing them just a brief wave.

Alone at last, Bobby said, smiling over at Jenny. His arm reached out, wrapping around Jenny's shoulders and pulling her closely to his side. Heading home? Or do you really have to study chemistry? I could help out with that, you know. He waggled his eyebrows at her, obviously trying to make it into a flirt. Jenny couldn't help but laugh at the comment.

I'm fine with chemistry as it is, Jenny said, as the two of them started heading down Main Street. No need for help there.

So, seriously, what was that about? Bobby asked. I've never seen you stand up against... well, anyone. That's so not like you.

Is that really so bad? Jenny asked, shrugging. Maybe it's about time that I stand up for myself, and for people that need it. Isn't that what they teach us in church?

Is it? I don't usually pay much attention in there.

Yeah, I noticed, Jenny said, giving him a laugh as they continued down the road.

They walked in silence for a while. The buses were still loading up at the school, picking up the students that opted for that. Bobby's and Jenny's houses were just over a mile away from school, too close to be shackled to the humiliation of having to ride them. But most of the students at that school lived closer to the mine, several miles away from the school. None of them could afford their own car.

None besides Hank, of course. As his shiny black pickup zoomed up the street, Jenny could hear him cheering out of the window. She shied away from him, away from the street, as he went past. Bobby pulled her closer to his side, working to hide her from the passing truck, just in case Hank bothered to look out at her.

Yup, looks like he's already forgotten about it, Bobby said, as the truck faded into the distance. You're probably in the clear. But I still don't like you standing up to him like that. You should be more careful in the future. I really did want to help you out there. To stand up to him with you. But...

I know, Jenny said. She placed her hand against his chest for a moment, feeling his muscles there. He puffed out his chest against that hand, taking the strength from it that she meant to lend him. I know you did. I wouldn't ask you to put your father's job at risk like that. Honestly, I... Well, I don't know what came over me. I didn't realize what I was doing until I was doing it. I just... I don't... Well, I don't want anyone to get hurt because of that creep.

What she wanted to say, what she couldn't say, was that she didn't want the black haired girl to get hurt. She didn't want the girl that she cared about to get hurt. She didn't even know her name, but she felt like she needed to come to her defense. Even against bigger threats than the school bully.

I can understand that, Bobby said, nodding his agreement. I just don't want you getting hurt either. Okay? Promise me that you won't try to fight Hank.

Bobby, this is me we're talking about, Jenny said. She reached out her hand, gesturing to herself. As she did so, her jacket fell away from her, sliding off of her shoulders. It was only Bobby's arm there that kept it in place, pressed against her back. I'm not much of a threat to anyone. I don't think there's much that I could do if it ever comes to a fight. But talking I can do.

Sure, sure, he said, nodding. As long as it's just talk.

Promise, Jenny said.

She couldn't help but smile over at him as they walked along the road. Bobby had always been a protector for her, even before they started dating. Even as far back as kindergarten, when Jenny Kingsly would make fun of her. Kingsly had always insisted that there should only be one Jenny in their class, always calling her Jennifer instead. Bobby had started calling Kingsly Jennifer, which made it all the more confusing for the poor girl. Her family moved out of town not too long after that, though Jenny didn't think that was the reason for it.

Still, Bobby was the perfect boyfriend for her, something that her father wholeheartedly agreed with. There were times, especially when Bobby looked at Jenny with those loving eyes, that Jenny wished that she could return that affection. When she wished that she could want to be with Bobby as much as he obviously wanted to be with her. But she couldn't feel it. She couldn't feel it for any guy. So, as long as she couldn't be herself, as long as she couldn't date a girl, she figured that she might as well stick with what worked. And what worked was Bobby.

Except, it didn't work. Not really. Not when they were alone, with all subjects discussed fully. With nothing to talk about. As they walked down the road,