“Let’s get moving or we’ll be late.” Jaxson moved us forward and the weirdest thing happened, the students parted the halls for the four of us to pass through.
“What in the hell?” I whispered to Jaxson.
Jaxon grinned as he looked down at me meeting my questioning stare. “It’s called being Greisbach Academy royalty, babes. We’re untouchable.”
“We…. As in me as well?”
He grimaced. “From most.”
A feeling of dread washed over me. “Except for Trina.”
“And her followers, yes. But don’t worry. You’ll be fine.”
I wish I had as much confidence in myself as he seemed to have in me. We reached the theater and I followed the guys into the massive room. Finding four empty seats at the back we sat down. Jaxson reclined back in the chair, crossing one leg over the other and placing his arm around my shoulders. I sank back into him, realizing that I could really get used to being Jaxson’s girl. Correction—fake girl.
A couple minutes past and then she appeared, along with an entourage of three other girls. All the girls were tall, thin and beautiful. They all could grace the cover of a magazine. She stopped at the back row and her eyes scanned the row until they landed on the four of us.
“Hey Trina and tribe!” Gabriel called out with a wave.
“She hates when you call her group the tribe, Gabe,” Preston said.
Gabriel laughed. “I know.”
Trina’s stare wasn’t on Gabriel though; it went to Jaxson who pretended he didn’t even notice her as he scrolled through pictures on his phone. A moment later her blue eyes landed on me. If looks could kill I’d have dropped dead then and there.
As much as I wanted to look away, I knew I had to stand strong. If I didn’t, I’d be prey for the entire year. Holding her gaze, I got a bout of brazenness and called out, “Is there something you need, Trina?”
I heard a few gasps from the students around us as dozens of sets of eyes watched us.
Trina smiled, but her smile didn’t carry through to her eyes. “Not at all, hon. We’ll chat later. I promise.” Her voice was just loud enough for the four of us to hear.
“Look forward to it,” I yelled back, giving her a little salute.
She nodded, the smile never faltering as she carried in with her followers, finding seats at the front row.
“Way to poke the dragon on your first day, Keira.” Preston said with a chuckle.
“Yeah. That’s how I roll.” I groaned inwardly. My fate was sealed. I was royally fucked.
Chapter 7
“Girl. I gotta say. I’ve never seen anyone stand up to Trina before. It was epic.” A male voice to my left said.
I was in my second class of the day—chemistry. So far, I had two classes down with no Trina in either of them. I looked over to see an African-American guy, with his hair nearly buzzed staring at me with blatant respect.
“Your eyes are blue,” I blurted out, surprised to see a black man with blue eyes.
He laughed. “Can’t get nothing over on you, honey. Must be why you were able to land Greisbach Academy royalty, huh?”
My cheeks grew warm. “Sorry. It’s been a stressful day so far and I’m not thinking clearly.” I groaned out loud. “It’s been a lot.”
“No doubt. I’m Damien and you are?”
I smiled. “Keira.”
“Now that we’re friends you must tell me how did you land Jaxson? What’s the deets?”
My grin widened and I shook my head. “There’s not much to tell. I ran into him in the park and we hit it off and,” I shrugged, “Next thing you know he’s calling me his girl.”
“Baby, you better brace yourself for a shitstorm. Trina thinks she’s still got a shot with your man and she won’t stop until she gets him back.”
“But he doesn’t want her back. Why would she even want someone who doesn’t want her?” The whole thing baffled me. I never could understand the entire concept of unrequited love. I’d never want a man who didn’t want me. That equated to masochism in my book.
“Girl, you’re not from around here—are you?”
“No. I’m not.” That was the best he was going to get from me. “Just moved here a week ago.”
“You have a lot to learn then.” He leaned into me, lowering his voice. “People here are quite fanatical.”
Confused, I leaned into him and whispered back. “About what?”
“Good morning class and welcome to chemistry,” a male voice boomed from the front of the classroom. “I’m Mr. Morzetti.”
“About what?” I repeated.
“In the back of the class. You two.” I froze. Was he talking to me? Turning my head, I groaned inwardly upon discovering that it was indeed me that was being singled out. “When I’m talking you don’t. If you want to socialize,” he motioned to the door, “then there’s the door.”
I cringed. “I’m really sorry.”
“Don’t let it happen again.” His focused shifted from me and to the entire classroom again. “Now let’s get right into it.”
I glanced over at Damien sitting next to me, wishing we had more time to talk. He’d been the first friendly person I’d come across and I could certainly use a friend. He smiled at me and shrugged.
Releasing a sigh, I attempted to focus on what Mr. Morzetti was saying, but I had too many questions swimming in my head that demanded answers. Back home there were the popular kids, the regular kids and then the losers. From what I could read so far with this school there were the royals—who weren’t actually royalty—and those who worshipped them.
Why wouldn’t Trina just move on? Dammit. It made no sense. I wish I knew.
~*~ TT ~*~
I’d met Jaxson at our lockers after chemistry and we went to lunch together. It was a fun lunch getting to know his two best friends. A pretty red-headed girl wearing black rimmed glasses joined our table, invited to eat with us by Preston. She didn’t say much and I’m ashamed to admit that I was so wrapped in solving the mystery of Jaxson that I didn’t even find out her name.
Throughout lunch I could feel eyes burrowing into me and I knew exactly who those eyes belonged to. As much as I wanted to turn in my seat to seek her out, I didn’t. I just couldn’t give her the satisfaction.
Jaxson walked me to the gymnasium and gave me a hug and kiss on the top of the head before sending me off on my own into the girl’s changing room.
So far, so good.
Entering the locker room, I saw that there were a number of girls in the room, getting ready for class. Quickly, I changed out of my uniform and was putting my bag into a locker when I got the all-too-familiar feeling of being watched.
Fuck. Closing my eyes, I released a breath of air, then opened my eyes and locked the locker. Turning around I came face to face with Trina with two of her followers behind her.
She stood staring at me a moment before speaking. “It seems to me that we had a conversation last week about maintaining the status quo. I thought that we were on the same page, but considering you’ve been running around the school with my boyfriend, I guess you need a little reminder.”
“He’s not your boyfriend.”
“Sweetie…. He is if I say he is. When I say someone is off-limits, them he’s off-limits. That being said, I’m telling you now that Jaxson is off-limits to you or anyone for that matter. Are we clear?”
My breath caught in my throat, as I looked up at her. Even though she was taller than me she wasn’t nearly as muscular. If it came down to a physical altercation, I was sure I could take her. But I couldn’t take three of them, there was no way. The last thing I needed on my first day of school was a beat down.
I said the only thing I could say under the circumstances. “We’re clear.”
“Crystal?” She pressed.
“Crystal.” I confirmed, my jaw clenching as I stared at her.
She smiled. “Good then. Because if we meet here again and I’m still unhappy with you this conversati
on will get much more heated.” Without another word, she spun around and walked out of the changing room and into the gym. I gave myself a couple of minutes to clear my head and gather my nerves before following behind them.
Maybe people finding out that I was a lottery winner wasn’t such a big deal. I just didn’t know.
~*~ TT ~*~
“Over here, babes. Saved you a seat,” Jaxson waved me over to sit next to him at the back of the class.
Walking down the aisle, I plunked myself down in the chair beside him and groaned.
His brow furrowed as he looked at me. “What’s the problem? Did you have a run in with her?”
“What do you think?” I snapped.
“What happened?” If I didn’t know better I’d have thought he was concerned about me—but I knew better. I was just a pawn in some sort of game he was playing.
“Her and a couple of her minions cornered me in the locker room and reminded me of the rules and status quo of the school.” I looked over at him and rolled my eyes. “And that I’m forbidden to be with you.”
He threw his head back and laughed, which only made me angry with him. “I’m glad you find this funny.”
“It’s not. It’s just typical Trina.”
Turning in my seat I stared at him, meeting his gaze. Ensuring my voice was low enough so that no one else in the room could hear, I said, “Well, if I’m going to keep up with this charade then you and me are going to have a nice long talk after school and you’re going to tell me why she won’t let you go.”
“Fine.”
“And it had better not be some lame-assed excuse like she’s crazy or something, ’cause I’ll call bullshit on that. And you’re also going to explain to me why you just can’t tell her to piss off and leave me alone. If you have as much clout in this school as she does then I shouldn’t have to be worried about getting my ass kicked in the locker room.”
“She wouldn’t physically hurt you.”
“Mental and emotional mind-games are so much better,” I replied, my tone dripping with sarcasm.
“I know it’s not. But you’re right.” He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “You deserve to know exactly what you’re getting into.”
“And really, if you can find out about me, then so can she. The promise of making me a somebody in this school is only worth so much.”
“Yes,” he reached out and played with a lock of my hair that was dangling from my pigtail. “Did I mention this looks really sexy on you?”
The anger that was in me began to fade as we stared into each other’s eyes. The gentle tug of his fingers playing with my hair felt delicious.
Don’t get wrapped up in him. Don’t get wrapped up in him. I told myself over and over as if the words were on a loop running through my mind.
“Isn’t this just a cozy sight.”
Closing my eyes, I groaned out loud, before reopening them and looked over at the two girls who’d just entered the classroom. It was Trina and one of her friends.
Fuck my life.
I didn’t have to respond. Jaxson immediately spoke up yelling to her from across the classroom. “Trina, just so we’re on the same page. We’re not together anymore and we’re never going to be together again. If I hear of you harassing my girlfriend again, I’ll hand your ass to you on a platter.”
Straightening up in my chair, I glared at the other girl. Even though it was partially Jaxson’s fault I was in this mess, it still felt good to have him defend me. I’d never had a boy defend me before.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Jaxson.” She came into the room, coming to a stop halfway down the aisle.
“That’s funny because I was told you ganged up on her in the locker room.”
Trina looked down at me. “She must have misunderstood what I was trying to tell her. Right Keira? It was just one big misunderstanding.” The look in her eyes challenged me to go against her.
Having Jaxson at my side gave me a bravery I hadn’t felt in the locker room when I was outnumbered. I didn’t allow myself to think about the fact that tomorrow I’d be alone again. “I’m pretty sure, I understood perfectly. Your words were crystal clear. You think you own Jaxson.”
“It’s over Trina,” Jaxson repeated.
Trina didn’t look at Jaxon, her raging stare was fixated on me. “It’s never over, Jaxson.”
Chapter 8
“How was your first day at school?” My mother was on me the moment I stepped into the front door, anxious to hear all about it.
“It was good.” The day had been so up and down, it was hard for me to drum up excitement and my mother caught onto my lack of enthusiasm straight away. We were way too close for our own good.
Crossing her arms over her chest, her eyes narrowed as she started at me. “What happened?”
Smiling, I took in the sight of her in a pair of new jeans and form-fitting Gucci t-shirt. “You look really good today, Mom. Rested. It’s good to see you like this.” My compliment was genuine and not just a statement in the hopes to keep her from continuing to question me. Though if distracting her was a byproduct of my compliment all the better. Stepping up to her I gave her a hug.
Returning my smile, she said thank you and then got back down to business. I should have known she couldn’t get distracted that easily. “Something happened. How about I make us a cup of hot chocolate and we can discuss it.” She turned and began making her way down the hallway. She was at the entrance of the kitchen before she stopped and turned to look at me. “Well, come on.”
“It’s okay, Mom. The day was great. I’m just exhausted. It was so much and so different then what I’m used to. I just feel overwhelmed.”
She frowned. I could see the hurt in her eyes, and it made me feel like an asshole. “You don’t want to talk about it?”
“I just want to get out of this skirt first and then we can talk, you know how I don’t like wearing skirts. Is that okay? We’ll talk. Promise.” I chewed at my lower lip, hoping she’d give me enough time to come up with a feasible story. She totally wouldn’t be on board with the deal I had with Jaxson. Not in a million years.
“Okay. I’ll get us a pre-dinner snack. Maybe some cut up fruit? How’s that?”
My smile was genuine this time. “That sounds wonderful, Mom. Thank you.” Not wasting a second, I began the journey up five floors. By the time I was done I was panting. Volleyball tryouts were tomorrow after school, and I was quite confident that I’d make the team.
Entering my room, I closed the door and began to shed my uniform and threw it into the clothes hamper. The school gave us five sets—though when I say gave us, it was more a fact that they required us to buy five so that we had a fresh one for each day of the week.
Opening my drawers, I found a pair of jeans. Brand new. It was an awesome feeling to have a pair of jeans that had never been worn by anyone else before me. Pulling on the jeans, I turned and examined my butt in the mirror. No lie, these jeans were a miracle. My butt had never looked better.
Jaxson would love me in them.
Whoa…. Where did that come from?
Well, he is my boyfriend…
Fake boyfriend, the voice of reason chimed in.
Fake…
Yes, I’d be best to remember our real status.
Pulling a t-shirt over my head that fit snug to my breasts, I gave myself a nod of approval. Examining my make-up status in the mirror I re-applied my lipstick; it was a nice neutral shade that gave my lips a pleasant shine.
Jaxson wasn’t going to stop in until after supper, but I didn’t figure it would hurt to look good anyhow. It was going to take me some time to get used to fussing with my appearance. I’d always been a ponytail kind of girl. On occasion I’d put on some mascara and lip gloss and that was about it. It seemed like a full face of make-up was the norm here. It was freaking time consuming!
Satisfied I looked as good as I was going to ever, I made my way downstairs. Heading to the kitchen, I
could hear voices. Immediately, I recognized the voices—my mother and Jaxson.
You’ve got to be kidding me. The man knew no boundaries! We’d agreed to meet after supper. Couldn’t he ever go along with a plan?
Walking into the kitchen, I saw my mother and Jaxson sitting across from each other at the white marble breakfast bar deep in conversation while munching on an assortment of fruit and drinking my mother’s made-from-scratch lemonade. Jaxson had changed out of his uniform and into destroyed jeans and t-shirt that showed off his muscles and tattoos—just how I liked to see him.
“Keira! Finally!” My mother said, catching sight of me and smiling. “I didn’t think you’d ever get back down here.” She motioned toward Jaxson. “You didn’t tell me you were expecting a visitor.”
“I wasn’t expecting a visitor,” I turned to look directly at Jaxson and cocked a brow at him, “At least not until after supper, like we’d agreed.”
He lowered his gaze and bowed his head. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to impose.”
My mother reached across the island and gave his arm a pat. “Oh don’t be silly. You’re not an imposition. It’s nice to see that Keira is making friends so quickly. It makes me feel good about this move.”
I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. You’ve got to be kidding me. Pity? The king of Greisbach Academy was looking for pity from my mother! If only she knew.
You’re pathetic, I mouthed to him when he looked up and caught my gaze. That only made him grin. Damn him and those dimples.
“I can leave and come back later,” he offered. “Like I said, I’d hate to impose.”
“No.” I entered the kitchen and sat down on a stool next to him. “Since you’re here, how about we make supper tonight. Treat my mom.” I figured he’d make a hasty retreat, but he didn’t. There was a slight hint of disdain in his expression, but he hid it well.
“That sounds like a lot of fun,” he replied with a grin.
“If that’s the plan then I’m going to retire to the living room. I’m reading an amazing novel that I can’t put down. Call me when it’s ready.” My mother stood and exited the kitchen area leaving us alone.
Outsider: Upper East Side (Greisbach Academy #1) Page 6