The Elites

by Ruby Vincent

  “Pretty much.”

  “My mom keeps dropping hints that she’s coming with us,” Jordan put in. “I’m starting to think she’s not kidding.”

  “Why would I be kidding?”

  Aunt Bev materialized in the doorway. She gave me a tender look. “How are you doing, favorite niece?”

  “Much better now.”

  “You have more visitors. They say they’re your boyfriends.”

  Adam untangled himself from me. “That’s our cue to give you privacy.”

  Cole, Landon, Michael, and Derek came in. They drove in one car and showered me in their love and attention all at once. Chocolates, flowers, kisses, and promises they’d find the person who almost hit me themselves.

  I don’t believe they felt better about what happened at the end of the day, but having all of them with me chased away the thick sludge of fear that pinned me to the spot, and replaced it with love and contentment.

  The next day, Mom got me to school minutes before the automatic gates closed for the school week. Melody hugged me tight when I got to our dorm.

  “Adam told me what happened,” she said into my hair. “I hope the police finds that idiot.”

  “Me too.” I peered over her shoulder. “What’s all of this?”

  “I was going to surprise you.”

  Melody’s bed was covered with little brown packages. She ripped one open and showed me the contents.

  “I had these made for us, Tanner, and the lowerclassmen,” she explained. “What do you think?”

  I pulled out one of the button pins. The face boasted a simple design. The school colors covered the face in diagonal stripes. Smack in the middle was one bold, golden letter: R.

  “It stands for refuse. We’re all going to wear them and make it clear to the administration that we’re not playing along anymore.” Melody’s voice rose with excitement. After years of trying to get people to care, students were finally taking action. “I’ve checked and rechecked the student handbook. Buttons pins aren’t against the school rules unless they depict something obscene, offensive, or gang-related. Whittaker couldn’t argue these fit the description no matter how he twists the definition. We can’t get in trouble for wearing them.”

  “Doesn’t mean we won’t be punished anyway.” I said that, but I took a pin and stuck it through my lapel. “Teachers are going to have a lot to say about it. Whittaker and Argyle will have a lot to say about it. And Everly Mackenzie will have the most to say about it.”

  She scoffed. “Leave Everly to me.”

  “These are great, Melody.”

  “Thanks. Want to help me give them out at breakfast?”

  “Hand me a box.”

  We went down with our boxes and skipped past the food line. Melody veered toward the girls’ tables while I headed for the boys.

  I started with the senior Fs since they knew me. I explained what the pins stood for and pretty much exactly what For All outlined—refusing to challenge others in battles or accept challenges. Ignoring time slots, passes, and tickets and using every campus resource despite the letters on our patch.

  One of the boys, Lucas Neil, shook his head. “Seriously? It’s all good for you because you’re Elite. You don’t have anything to refuse. We’re the ones who’ll get in trouble.”

  “Yes, you will.”

  He blinked at me. He wasn’t accepting that response.

  “It’s true,” I went on. “I can go where I want. Do what I want. And I don’t have to battle if I don’t want to. I have everything you should have and I’m guessing you don’t think that’s fair.”

  The boys shared a look.

  “Of course it’s not fair,” said Neil.

  I held up the pin. “Then do something about it. I’ll support you. I’ll back you up. But there’s only so much I can do. I truly believe we can change the system. We just have to do it together.”

  Neil studied me for a long time. He seemed to be looking for a trace of insincerity, and the other guys were waiting for him to find it.

  “Fuck it.” Neil plucked the button out of my hand. “Our dorms are shit. Our classrooms are shit. And Coach wouldn’t let me try out for the track team because I’m not Elite. This system is bullshit and I didn’t want to be a part of it anyway. I’m cool with not playing along.”

  He put his pin on and then reached for the box. “Give me those. No offense, you gave a good speech, but it’s hard to hear over the E on your chest. The guys will listen if comes from me.”

  “I get it.” I handed them over without a fight. “Go to Melody if you need more.”

  I returned to our table to find Melody had already blown through her box. Everyone sported a button on their chest.

  Michael stood when he saw me.

  “I got our breakfast, Zee. You ready?”

  I kissed him. “I’m ready.”

  “Can I lodge a complaint?”

  Breaking away from Michael, I glanced down at Landon. “A complaint?”

  “Yes. Why does Michael get to have you all to himself for breakfast? This is when you and I make out and cause everyone to get uncomfortable. It’s our thing.”

  I bent and gave him a peck. “We can make people uncomfortable at dinner.”

  “Count on it.”

  Michael and I strolled out to the track bleachers to have our breakfast.

  He spread his long, slender body the length of the seat and relaxed with his head on my lap.

  Michael parted his lips for a grape. “I feel like I should be feeding you. You had a rough weekend.”

  “This is perfect. You’re doing everything you need to do to take care of me, Michael.”

  He caught me as I reached for another grape. “Not everything.”

  My heart picked up speed. Michael’s gaze held me spellbound as he kissed my wrist. My vein pulsed beneath his lips.

  “Why are we waiting until Thursday?” I gently traced his mouth. “If we can sneak into your room, let’s go now.”

  “Sondheim has a weekly staff meeting on Thursdays. It overlaps with both of our lunch periods. I was going to sneak you a boys’ uniform. If anyone passed us in the hall, they wouldn’t look twice if we kept our heads down. This is the only way I could see to get you to myself. I’m willing to risk it if you are.”

  “I’m willing”—I bent and kissed him—“to risk it right now.”

  “Thursday,” he whispered.

  I nodded. “Thursday.”

  MELODY AND I MET AT the base of the stairs. Not by chance. She texted me as I finishing up my breakfast/make out session with Michael and asked me to walk in with her as a united front.

  “Why does this feel like we’re walking into a battlefield?”

  She cracked a smile. “Because the Elite girls put down coups with extreme prejudice.”

  “You’re the most popular girl on campus. You can get people to listen this time.”

  Her gaze drifted up the stairs. “We’ll see.”

  We walked into Mrs. Munoz’s class and the girls were up to their usual—chatting about the weekend, taking out their homework, or setting up their desks. Shannon was the first one to notice us.

  She took one look at our buttons and rolled her eyes.

  “Of course you’re a part of this shit.” Shannon waved her phone at us. “Zach told me all about it. Your little protest isn’t going to work.”

  Everly poked her head out from behind her computer. “Protest? What protest?”

  “Yes, ladies.” Munoz’s tone held a distinct note of warning. “What protest?”

  “The lowerclassmen aren’t participating in the system anymore,” Melody said. “Neither are we.”

  “Is that so?”

  “Yes.” She tapped her pin. “For All was right about that at least. It’s not fair the way they’re treated.”

  “This is a discussion for after class and you can trust we’ll have it then. Sit down.”

  I went to my desk without argument. Everly glared daggers at me
as I passed by. I believe this fell under not staying in my lane.

  THURSDAY COULDN’T COME fast enough. Life at Breakbattle was heating up. Lowerclassmen strode through the halls proudly displaying the pins on their lapels. Every day the number of students wearing them multiplied. From freshmen to seniors, Cs, Ds, and Fs announced their right to refuse.

  Whittaker and Argyle had yet to address the situation although Mrs. Munoz made it clear she’d be speaking to them. So far, the upperclassmen limited themselves to glares and hissed comments, but I sensed the tension brewing.

  Maybe it was my recent brush with death that but their attitude stoked my ire. Why were these assholes so intent on maintaining the status quo? The lowerclassmen didn’t want to take anything from them, they just wanted to enjoy the same privileges they do. The privileges they would get if they went to a regular school.

  Their attitude was really pissing me off, and an afternoon with Michael was the perfect way to unwind and remember what was important.

  My eyes flicked to the clock all morning, waiting for the bell to free me. At 11:59, I threw my books in my backpack and hopped out of my seat.

  “Enjoy your lunch, ladies.”

  I intend to.

  I hurried out of the Elite Wing and into the dorm building. Michael slipped me the boys’ uniform that morning. He had no choice but to sneak them out of the laundry. Whittaker confiscated my Zeke uniforms last year. I guess he was worried I’d pull my boy act again.

  He was right.

  I put the uniform in my backpack and then left for lunch. The boys ate first and then girls. The guys would file out and head to class where Michael would be expected if he hadn’t feigned sick this morning. The nurse told him to return to class when he felt better.

  I scarfed down my chicken burrito and fruit cup in record time. Melody gave me a knowing look.

  “Good luck,” she whispered. “Hope you guys pull it off.”

  “Thanks. See you in class.”

  Casually, I stood and made for the exit. Welsh glanced at me for a second, then her eyes slid away and she went back to patrolling the lunchroom. Students could leave the dining room as they pleased. She had no reason to look at me twice.

  Ducking into a bathroom, I changed quickly and then leaned against the door to wait. Michael would come for me when the coast was clear. We didn’t have to stay in the lunchroom, but most people did. The hallways would empty out and we’d be together.

  My heart rattled around in my ribcage, reminding me of a caged bird. Waiting for Michael to be ready was beautiful torture. It was excruciating not be able to show him how I felt physically, but the anticipation tingled beneath my skin.

  “Zela?” Michael knocked twice. “Are you there?”

  I came out and threw myself in his arms. “Let’s hurry. I want us to have plenty of time for all the things you’re going to do to me.”

  Peals of laughter filled the hall. Michael pulled me close and rubbed my nose with his. “Wow. It’s insane how much I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  People would have thought we were up to something if they saw us speed walking to the dorm. Thankfully, no one did.

  We didn’t slow down until we reached the Elite floor. I closed my hand on the knob and Michael moved in front of me.

  “So, uh... I did some stuff.” He ducked his head. “I wanted it to be special.”

  I pressed against his chest. “It will be.” Reaching around him, I gently pushed it open.

  Michael held my hand as we walked inside. I clapped my hand over my mouth, holding in a gasp.

  “Did some stuff” hardly did justice to Michael’s efforts. Pink rose petals covered the floor, leading a trail to his bed where he scattered them on the sheets. My gaze drifted up to the ceiling and the fairy lights overhead.

  “I thought it’d remind you of our first date,” said Michael. “The fireflies.”

  “It’s perfect,” I whispered.

  “Not yet.”

  Michael grasped my waist. Walking backward, he guided me over to the bed. I held my breath, knowing what was coming next. Michael undressed with slow, sure movements. Now that we were here, he didn’t seem nervous. The same couldn’t be said for me.

  I rubbed my suddenly slick palms against my pants. It felt like the first time just like it did with Cole and it would with Derek.

  He pushed down black silk boxers and kicked them away. I let out a shuddering breath.

  I’d watch him run and think this brown Adonis couldn’t possibly be sexier. My eyes raked his bodily greedily. I was wrong.

  Michael reached for me. My borrowed blazer slipped off my shoulders and pooled around my ankles. My pants followed. Michael sat on the bed, drawing me with him. He brushed his fingers along my thigh and slipped beneath the hem of my shirt. The clock was ticking on our time together, but I didn’t rush him. He pressed his lips to my stomach and dropped little kisses around my belly button as he removed my top.

  “You’re so incredibly beautiful, Zela.” His breath ghosted over my heated flesh. “How did I get this lucky?”

  “You—”

  He drew my panties down in one smooth move. My tongue glued to the roof of my mouth and stayed there. I didn’t want to speak and break the spell. Instead, I reached behind me and undid my bra.

  “Beautiful,” he breathed.

  I bit my lip to hold in my smile. I certainly felt beautiful when he looked at me like that.

  Michael guided me down onto his lap. He cupped the back of my head and kissed me. Not the sweet, gentle Michael kisses I treasured, but a fierce, almost hungry kiss that revealed just how hard waiting had been for him too. His tongue swirled in my mouth and I moaned as I melted into him.

  I gripped his shoulders and pushed him back. I climbed over him and crawled to the head of the bed, feeling his eyes on me as I went. I slipped under the sheets and then patted his side for him to join me. He did just that.

  We roamed each other’s bodies beneath the covers. Michael was everywhere. His lips on my chest. His legs tangled with mine. His fingers teased my nipples to hardened points.

  Michael moved on his back and drew me on top of him. Our lips didn’t break contact as he continued his exploration of my body. One hand tweaked my nipple, drawing breathy moans, and the other began a slow decent down my stomach.

  It wasn’t fair him putting me on top. My body trembled under his attention. I couldn’t barely stay upright.

  I propped myself up on a hand that shook and reached between us. I grasped his length at the same time he slid inside of me. Breaking our kiss, I nuzzled his stubbly cheek and pressed my mouth to his ear. I wanted him hearing my cries—experiencing what he did to me.

  His length was warm and smooth in my palm. I matched his pace, starting slow and tugging pleasured groans free from his lips. Our hands moved faster and faster and the room filled with our cries.

  I collapsed against his chest. My arm gave out as my orgasm crested. Michael propped up my waist with his free hand, keeping me where he wanted me.

  “Yes, Michael,” I breathed. “Just like t-that. I love you so much.”

  I pumped him harder and heard his sharp intake of breath. His nails dug into my side and then next I knew I was on my back. I blinked blearily at him as he slipped out of me and moved his hands to the back of my thighs.

  “Baby, please,” I whispered. “Don’t stop.”

  “I’ll make it up to you.” Michael gave me one sweet kiss. “The first time you cum for me,” he spoke against my lips, “I want to taste it.”

  I almost came right there. His head disappeared under the covers and he took my legs and draped them over his shoulder. His mouth found me in the perfect world we created for ourselves. The lights shimmered above me. Through my haze, they truly look like flitting fireflies.

  Michael stole between my lips. My orgasm came roaring back, building as his tongue darted in and out. I came so violently my back arched off the bed and I almost knocked him
off. He held me fast, his mouth on me as I rode the crashing wave down.

  “Fucking hell,” I gasped. “I can’t believe we waited this long to do that.”

  His chuckles reached me from under the sheets. Michael stretched out next to me and pulled on top. “No more waiting. Never again.”

  He folded his hands behind his head and smiled. It suddenly hit me what he wanted me to do.

  My cheeks warmed. “Wait. You want me to...”

  He gripped my ass and guided me back. “If you want to.”

  I’d never been on top before. Derek and I were still working our way to sex while Cole and Landon liked me on my back, on my knees, a few times against the wall, and once upside down. But never had I been on top.

  “This is a first for me,” I admitted. “I love that I have one saved for you.”

  “There are many firsts in our future, Zela.”

  My heart fluttered with so much love for him. That was the sexist thing he said to me all day. Our future.

  Michael reached between positioned himself at my entrance. I took him inside and hissed. Michael was far from small.

  He gripped my waist, murmuring sweet nothings to me as I adjusted. I began to move, rising all the way up and then rocking down. The brief flash of pain disappeared beneath pure, euphoric pleasure. The pressure in my lower belly built fast. I wouldn’t last long and I knew my Michael was close.

  I moved faster. The mattress squeaked to the tune of my bouncing and joined the music of our moans. Moving his hands to my breasts, I lowered myself just a little so I hit at just the right angle. My cries were near screams.

  We were in perfect rhythm—moving as one.

  “Yes, Zela. Fuck, I’m almost there.”

  “S-same time,” I rasped.

  Closer and closer I got to the edge, moving faster than before, and then Michael reared up, driving deeper inside of me, and sunbursts exploded in my mind. He held me upright as my orgasm wracked and ravaged me.

  “Wow,” I breathed. I collapsed on top of him, snuggling into his. “Why haven’t I tried that position before? I’m a big fan. We’re doing that again.”

  I felt his laugh against my cheek. “We can do anything you want as many times as you want.” He kissed my damp temple.