SS: Some Nights are Blue DISCONTINUED - Page 4

There wasn't enough concealer in her purse to cover the overarching black and blue of her bruises. She covered what she could of her pasty legs and dug into the school trash for a lucky pair of pantyhose some rich and privileged girl may have thrown away too soon. Tears flowed down her cheeks like a stream, reddening the soil as they tread.

"Just what do you think you're doing?" A heavy voice and an equally heavy hand halted her over the shoulder. The class president was staring her back in the eye, anger apparent on his flared nostrils.

"None of your business", she shrugged him off with all her might and went back to searching through the garbage pile in front of her.

"Did they bully you again? I told you to bring the complaints to me. The school has a system for a reason. Now get up, I'll take you to the nurse". He rolled his eyes at the monotony of it all. This girl was ostracized by her classmates since freshman year but she refused to file a report with him. He wasn't much of a humanitarian unless it was to beef up his college applications, which is precisely the reason why he took the position of the class president. If the girl didn't want to take advantage of his title then it was her loss. He wouldn't go out of his way to help her. In his mind, the people who did nothing to change their situation didn't deserve to get out of it. She could be miserable for he cared.

"Just tell them about your family. It's not like you're dirt poor or else wouldn't be coming to this school. However messed up your family is, get it over with. Don't you care what they think of you?"

He tried one last time asking what he thought was a rhetorical question.

"No. I have bigger things to worry about".

Seeing a teacher approaching, he planned a quick escape for the both of them.

"Alright, what is it that you want? I'll buy it for you".

"Leggings. There they are!" she replied looking at a half torn pair of fishnets.

"Let's go", he all but dragged her out before the teacher raided the dump.

Flinching to get out of reach just a minute ago, she was now holding on to his tight ironed blazer for dear life.

"Loosen your grip. You're going to wrinkle my uniform", he delivered a threat in the most calm of tones.

She didn't respond, instead she hid her head behind his shoulders until they were safely inside his car.

"Where do you buy leggings?" he asked to disperse the awkward silence.

"Anywhere close to here. I have to back before class starts".

"Me too. Trust me, you don't want to be the bitch who makes me tardy".

"I am not your bitch", the driver swore the thud that echoed the vehicle after her angered scream was strong enough to cause an earthquake.

"Alright", the class president looked at her wide eyed.

"I am sorry", was all she said unconsciously massaging her wounds.

His gaze fell on her swollen legs and the abuse was all too visible.

"Is this why you wanted leggings? Did the bullies do this to you cause I swear I will f**k them up. I will make sure none of them can get into a decent college in this lifetime. I mean I turned away at the verbal teasing but this shit is worthy of a police report. You just say the word!"

It only took a minute to turn this self absorbed, stuck up richie rich into a raging avenger. He was staring at her with questions in his head. But she only found pity looking back.

"Don't ask questions you don't want to know the answer to. Just buy me the leggings and I will pay you back. Or, drop me off here and I'll find some".

"How? Do you have money? Or will you dig through shit on the street again?"

"You know what? Stop the car. I think I have had enough charity bestowed upon me for the day".

He signaled the driver to stop and the nervous employee struggled to get his voice out. "S...s.s.s.sir this...street is..."

"Did you not hear what she said? STOP THE DAMN CAR!"

"Sir..s.s."

As the vehicle pulled up to the street, she jumped out without waiting for it to come to a stop.

"This street is way...way too close...to the red light...red light district...it's dangerous for her...sir"

Rishabh quickly realized the urgency of the situation. It was his responsibility to ensure her safety lest there be consequences. His future in ivy league hung by a thread because of this stupid girl's anger. His fault for being generous.

She had already walked half a block ahead of them when he started pursuing her. As he came closer, he could see a group of men encircling her, calling her by her full name and added vulgar phrases. One pulled her by the hair, another lifted up her legs and flung her in the air. Others still were looking up her skirt and she was frozen still. His eyes met hers and he turned away. Away and back into his car.

"Drive", he barked at his driver. "Turn around and get out of here".

He closed his eyes, trying best to forget what was right before him. But within a split second, she was running toward him, banging on the windows, begging to be let in. He kept his eyes closed until the driver sped up. But when he peeked for just a moment he noticed a man approach her with an open knife.

He opened the door and pulled her inside just in time.

"Please don't tell anyone", was all she could muster up for the rest of their trip.

Her bare legs now in his lap, he couldn't look away from the injuries hugging her skin. There were burns, whip lashes, marks everywhere. And on the back of her thigh was a brand reading "Madhubala: property of Jenka".

"Who is Jenka?"

"..."

"Your tattoo?"

"..."

He inspected her eyes looking for a response but she lay flat on the side. "Ay, she is unconscious".

"Don't you get it sir? That's her pimp. She's a...how do you say it? Red light girl. I assume you didn't know but be careful now. You shouldn't be seen with people like her".

"I think you are mistaken. She's a student in our school Bittuji".

The driver pondered over the curious revelation for a minute before coming to a decisive conclusion. "Ah! So she's the thing they're training for high end. I saw it the news the other day. Jenka's men are expanding, training their girls for..."

It seemed she heard them as she responded in a frustrated yet pitiful tone. "He pays for my school, okay? Just let it go. Pretend we never crossed paths. Don't mention it to anyone. I beg of you. Let's go back to being strangers".

Rishabh slipped her a hundred under the arm. "For the leggings. Don't worry about school today. I'll take care of it. From tomorrow on, you don't know me".

They both nodded in agreement and parted ways.