Outsider: Upper East Side (Greisbach Academy #1)

by Trinity Towers

  I sprang into action, jogging as best I could in my new heels. I never wore heels and walking in them was an experience I wasn’t sure I’d be able to get used to. A part of me wanted to gouge her eyes out, I had never been a confrontational girl, but I wasn’t a pushover either. But the problem was I only knew her side of what went on here. So, I sided with the more reasonable part of myself, the one that said keep your friends close and enemies closer—at least until I knew the score—for real.

  Once I’d caught up to her, I had no idea what to say. It was difficult to make conversation with someone who had just threatened to destroy you.

  “Don’t sulk, for crying out loud,” she said as we rounded the corner and she opened one of two large doors. Stepping inside she waved at the large theater room. “This is where we all gather at first bell. Mrs. Witherspoon loves to hear herself talk and feels if we all gather together each morning it’ll make for a better, more friendly community here at Greisbach Academy.” She rolled her eyes as she said the word community. “After she’s done hearing herself talk we all head to homeroom for attendance. Then our first class.”

  I had a suspicion that Mrs. Witherspoon wasn’t the only one who liked to hear herself talk, but I kept that observation to myself.

  “Enough of this room. Let’s carry on.” She walked past me, her shoulder slamming into me as she walked past.

  “Hey!” I rubbed my shoulder as I followed behind.

  She half-turned and looked at me. “Oh, sorry. I can be clumsy sometimes.”

  Gritting my teeth, I forced a smile to my face. “Not a problem. Not everyone can be naturally graceful.”

  She spun to glare at me, and my breath caught in my throat. I expected her to come at me, but to my surprise she didn’t. Back home that comment would have started something. I was being much more aggressive than I normally would be, I could only guess it was because she’d come at me hot without even knowing me! Who does that?

  “Well, let’s keep going. We don’t have all day.”

  “You have a spa appointment.”

  “Exactly.”

  As she took me through the tour, I couldn’t help but wonder if maybe we could come to some sort of truce. That would be wonderful. The last thing I needed was a war with the queen of Greisbach Academy. I was going to look her up on social media when I got home. Know thy enemy and all that.

  Chapter 4

  One Week Later

  I was both exhausted and elated. We’d finally bought a house and were already moved in and it was fully furnished. It just so happened that we decided on the first house we’d seen and my mother wrangled a pretty good price—all things considered. It had been several grueling days of shopping and organizing, but it was done. It was amazing how quickly things got done when you had enough money. We spent more money than anticipated on the house and furnishings, but it was done. All major purchases were done and over with. As agreed upon, my mother and I split the remainder of the money with my promise that I wouldn’t blow through it all on frivolous purchases. She was trusting me to be responsible, and the last thing I wanted to do was disappoint her.

  “I’m heading out to the park. Wanna come, Mom?” I asked, pulling my hair into a ponytail high up on my head.

  My mother, who was lounging on the maroon leather sofa in the main living area, perked her head up from the Kindle she was reading to catch my gaze. “What was that?”

  “The park. Wanna go for a run?” I had to stay in shape if I wanted to make the Greisbach volleyball team. No doubt all the girls trying out had trainers; I only had myself. Maybe next year I’d hire a trainer, but I figured it was more a matter of keeping in shape and practicing. If you learned good technique then it was just a matter of keeping up with it, I didn’t really need someone to tell me what I’ve learned already.

  “No thanks. I have a job interview later today. I’m just vegging until then.”

  I crinkled my nose up at her. I would have thought she’d want some time off to herself to have fun before looking for work. Or maybe go back and get a degree. “A job interview.... Why? Where?”

  “At the diner down the street. It’s a cute little place. Fifties style. Has lots of personality.”

  “When did you even have time to apply? Why?”

  She grinned. “Life isn’t nearly as hectic as it used to be. While you’ve been fussing around trying turn this place into a museum, I was scouting the area for a job.”

  Crossing my arms over my chest, I rolled my eyes at her. “Take time for yourself, Mom. Jesus! It’s not like we’re poor anymore. Go to college or something.”

  She laughed. “The way you’re blowing through money we will be poor—in record speed.”

  “I think you’re being dramatic.”

  “If you say so. Besides, I’m not going to be working full-time. Just a few shifts a week. Not a big deal. It’ll give me something to do. Maybe I’ll go to college next year.” She shrugged. “Just don’t know what I want yet.”

  I simply shook my head in response, not wanting to waste my energy arguing. If she wanted to work, then let her have at it. “Later, Mom.”

  “Later honey. Make good choices.”

  I groaned out loud, securing my earphones over my ears and pressing play on my phone before shoving it into my armband phone holder. Leaving the house, I stood at the top of the marble stairs for a minute and smiled. The New York hustle and bustle was going on all around me as people hurried to where they had to be, mixed with tourists who were casually making their way down the street taking pictures on their phones.

  Leaping from the top stair to the sidewalk, I began jogging down the street and across the road and to the park. Once in the park my jog became a full out run. I ran for several minutes, the music blasting in my ears as my heart thudded in my chest.

  The day was beautiful. Not too hot and not too cold. It was the perfect temperature, with just enough of a breeze to keep me cooled down. Just down the path a water fountain came into view; wiping the sweat from my brow I made a beeline for it. In my excitement to get out and running, I’d forgotten to bring a water bottle with me.

  At the fountain, I pressed the button at the front of the basin and bent down, doing my best to lap down the water without my lips touching any part of the spout. Once I felt refreshed, I straightened and spun around, starting to sprint.

  Before I could stop myself, I ran smack dap into what felt like a wall. I grunted, the wind being knocked out of me as I stumbled backward and onto my ass.

  “What the—?”

  Looking up, I discovered that it wasn’t a pop-up wall after all, but instead was a guy who I’d guess to be about my age and close to a foot taller than my 5′4. Damn.

  He didn’t offer to help me up, instead stood there staring at me, his expression unreadable and eyes concealed by a pair of mirrored aviator sunglasses. I couldn’t help but take a second to admire him standing before me. He was wearing a pair of gray track pants and a matching t-shirt that hugged his muscular chest and abs. His arms contained sleeves of black and gray tattooed artwork, though my gaze didn’t linger long enough to examine the images. His dark hair was of medium length, shaved at the sides and styled to perfection. He looked like he’d just walked out of the pages of some fashion magazine.

  “You gonna spend all day on your ass staring at me?” he finally said, breaking the trance I seemed to be in.

  I growled as I pushed myself up and to my feet and began brushing myself off. “Chivalry isn’t dead, after all.” Looking down at myself, I ensured I wasn’t cut or bruised anywhere.

  “You’re the one who literally ran into me. Besides,”—he flashed me a cocky grin—“I wouldn’t want to offend you by offering to help you up, women’s lib and all that bullshit.”

  Looking up at him, my eyes narrowed. “Just because a woman wants equal rights and respect doesn’t mean a little courtesy can’t be in order.”

  “I’ll remember that next time you don’t bother to look where yo
u’re going and run into me.”

  “It’s a big borough. I doubt I’ll be seeing you again.” With that, I started to sprint off, when a strong hand shot out and grabbed onto my upper arm, stopping me in my tracks and nearly sending me off my feet for a second time.

  You gotta be effing kidding me!

  With a sigh, I turned to face him. “What?”

  “Where do you go to school?”

  “What do you care?” Dammit he was hot. He seemed very arrogant, but hot nonetheless, making my entire body tingle, feeling his hand on me. “And if you could release me that would be appreciated.”

  “Call me curious.” He released my arm and crossed his arms over his chest. It was quite apparent he wasn’t going to let me go until I satisfied his curiosity.

  I sighed. “If you must know I just moved here and I’ll be attending Greisbach Academy.”

  A smile broke through his stony expression. “You don’t say.”

  “Yes. Is that a problem for you?”

  “Do you live around here?”

  I eyed him with more scrutiny now. I didn’t even know this guy and he wanted to know where I lived? Little creepy if you asked me. Probably shouldn’t have even told him where I went to school. What if he was some sort of crazy stalker? “Not too far.” I jerked my thumb toward the park. “I’m going to go now. I don’t have time for your inquisition.” Without another word I bolted, halfway expecting him to follow me, but he didn’t. I was both relieved and disappointed.

  “See you around, newbs,” I heard him call after me with a chuckle in his voice.

  Manhattan was a big place the chances of seeing him around anytime soon were pretty slim. Not really sure why that disappointed me. He seemed like an arrogant dick—it sure as hell shouldn’t have bothered me.

  ~*~ TT ~*~

  “Mom! You home?” I called out as I entered the foyer of our house. I’d spent several hours at Central Park and then stopped for a snack at one of the food carts along the perimeter of the park.

  “I’m in here. Just got home myself.” I heard her call back, and eventually found her in the living room, on the same sofa she’d been lounging on before, with her Kindle in her hands.

  Upon entering the living room my eyes immediately spotted the waitress uniform wrapped in a clear plastic bag. “I see you got the job.”

  “I did.” She smiled. “Three shifts a week. It’s a fun little place. The servers even put on a little dance periodically for the customers.”

  Oh God, I groaned inwardly, as I pasted a smile on my face. “You know you don’t have to work.”

  “I want to work. What else am I going to do with my time? Go to galas and be one of those prissy bitches that are on the covers of the society pages being all phony while they pretend to care about this or that cause. I bet half of them don’t know what cause they’re even supporting; they just want their face in the media and on social pages.”

  She had me there. There was a lot I needed to learn about this new life we were beginning to live. “You’ve worked so hard. I just would like to see you enjoy life for a change.”

  “I will. Because now I’m working because I want to, not because I have to. There’s a big difference there.”

  “Okay. I get that. I guess.” Catching my lower lip between my teeth, I battled with whether or not I should tell her about my confrontation with Trina at the school the previous week or the boy I met in the park.

  She cocked her head to the side, then leaned forward and placed the Kindle onto the coffee table next to the sofa. “What’s going on? You look like there’s something on your mind. Are you scared about going to school tomorrow?”

  I hesitated a moment, before entering the living room and taking a seat on the love seat across from my mother. “I’m just not sure how to deal with the girls there. Trina wasn’t very nice when she showed me around.”

  My mother nodded. “I see.”

  “It was strange; she didn’t even know me, and automatically acted like she hated me. I’m not sure how tomorrow will pan out.”

  “We come from a trailer park in Florida, sweetheart. Nothing some self-entitled brats can do to you can be worse than what you’ve already dealt with. Most of the time those people are all a bunch of hot air. Don’t even pay her any mind. And if you don’t like it then there’s public school. You’re not obligated to Greisbach Academy.”

  With a sigh, I slumped back into the chair. “I suppose you’re right.”

  “The thing with rich kids and socialites is that they have something to lose. They have a persona and reputation to uphold. You don’t, because you’re a Rigby and we don’t give a fuck what people think of us. Remember that whenever you feel like you’re being bullied.”

  Laughing, I felt like a weight had been lifted. She was right. I didn’t have a damned thing to lose. I hadn’t grown up with a silver spoon in my mouth. I fought for everything and did it while having next to nothing. I had nothing to lose and everything to gain so they could bring it on.

  Chapter 5

  After basking in one of the most incredible aromatherapy baths of my life in my large two-person en-suite Jacuzzi I was just in the process of getting dressed when a knock came at my door.

  “Yes, Mom?”

  “You have a visitor downstairs,” my mother answered, “And he’s really cute.”

  “A visitor?” I stared at the back of the white door a moment, in a state of confusion. “Are you sure it’s for me? I don’t know anyone.”

  “He asked for you by name. Why didn’t you tell me you met a boy already?” I could hear the hurt in her voice. We shared everything with one another, and my mother loved to know about the boys in my life—when there was one, that is. To be honest, my boyfriends had always been few and far between. Even though Kevin and I were never a couple, everyone in the park and surrounding areas knew he had an interest in me and so that was like putting a scarlet letter around my neck. No boy would dare try to go out with me since he’d laid claim on me.

  Pulling my shirt over my head, I gave myself a quick look in the mirror and nodded. I looked nice and fresh.

  Crossing the bedroom, which was nearly the size of our entire trailer, I opened the door to confront my mother. “I didn’t tell you because I haven’t met anyone. This has to be a mistake.” Brushing past her I quickly made my way down the hallway to the spiral staircase. We had an elevator, but I preferred the stairs so I could get some exercise in—every little bit counted.

  Just as I was reaching the bottom of the stairwell, I spotted him. The hot guy from the park.

  “What in the hell…” I muttered under my breath. I stood still, staring at the guy from the park for a minute. “What are you doing here?” I finished descending the staircase to come to stand in front of him, planting my hands on my hips and gazing up at him.

  “I told you I’d see you soon.”

  “How did you find me?” I hissed though clenched teeth. “This is some hardcore stalker behavior. How do you know my name?”

  He pushed his sunglasses to the top of his head and gave me a wink. “I have my ways.”

  Before I could tear him a new one my mother came down the stairs, grinning from ear to ear to stand beside me. “Who’s your friend, Trina?”

  To hell if I knew!

  He stepped forward, extending his hand to my mother. “Jaxson Weiss, ma’am.” He graced her with a dimpled grin. His dark eyes, like onyx orbs, gleaming as he looked at my mom.

  “Well, pleasure to meet you, I’m Keira’s mother, Felicia.” She took his hand and they shook briefly. “Where are you kids headed?”

  His grin widened. “I can’t say or I’d ruin the surprise, but I promise to have her home early. Tomorrow is a big day, first day at a new school and all.”

  “Yes, exactly. So maybe we should do this another time,” I said.

  “Nonsense, go on.” My mother literally pushed me toward the door, barely giving me time to put on my sneakers.

  I looked at
her and then him. I’d stay close to home and in a public place. There was a part of me that was curious to find out how in the hell he found out where I lived. And who he was. Damned weird. Sexy weirdo, but a weirdo non-the-less. Opening the closet, I grabbed a pair of black and white Chuck Taylors and pulled them on, tying them up. They were so much more comfortable than those heels I’d been trying to get used to wearing.

  Exiting the house, the door had barely closed when I spun to face him. Crossing my arms over my chest, I hit him with a glare. “Who in the hell do you think you are?”

  He jerked his thumb toward the door behind us. “Thought we’d established I’m Jaxson Weiss already.”

  I snorted. “You know damned well what I mean! How in the hell did you find out where I lived and who I was? That’s crazy stalker stuff! Did you follow me home?”

  His damned sexy grin appeared again. “Didn’t have to.”

  “Then how did you find out?”

  “That’s for me to know and you to find out.” Taking my hand, he pulled me down the front steps and toward the park. It was at that moment that I realized he was much stronger than me. If he chose to kidnap me, I wouldn’t be able to get away unless I screamed and someone heard me and came to my rescue. Did people come to others’ rescue in New York? Who knew?

  Jerking my hand out of his grip, I took a step back from him. “You’re crazy if you think I’m going anywhere with you until I get some answers.”

  He sighed, rolling his eyes. “Why are you so difficult?”

  “Why are you acting like Mr. Creepy McCreeperson!”

  “I’ll tell you this much, we’re neighbors.” He pointed to the house across the street from ours. “I live there.”

  “Okay. Sooo you saw me at home?”

  “Nope. But I will give you this tidbit of information.” He leaned down and hooked his index finger under my chin. “I know who you really are. I know that you’re the lottery winner and if you aren’t nice to me then the information may just get out. It wouldn’t be good for your social life if your classmates knew, believe that.”