I swiveled on the stool to face him dead on. “You have a serious problem following directions, you do know that, right?”
“Busted.” He threw his hands out to the sides. “I’ve never been one to do as told.”
“Well, you’re going to tonight because we’re cooking supper.”
“Would it surprise you to know I’ve never cooked before?”
I laughed. “I’d be more surprised if you said you had.” Jumping off the stool, I motioned for him to follow me into the cooking area. The problem was that I hadn’t had much of an opportunity to cook in this kitchen. It was a state-of-the-art kitchen with all the bells and whistles. The kind of kitchen that chefs dream of having. And it was as intimidating as hell.
Opening the refrigerator, I peered in, trying to figure out what I’d make when my eyes spotted the hamburger. With hamburger the idea of spaghetti and meatballs came to the forefront of my mind. It was simple but at the same time, I could make a delicious sauce that was sure to impress Jaxson.
“What are you thinking?”
I yelped, my heart rate accelerating as I jumped back and into the chest of Jaxon. Spinning around, I found myself looking up, my lips mere inches from his. All he had to do was lean down and our lips would be united. I wanted to feel his sweet lips more than anything, but at the same time I knew I couldn’t.
Fake girlfriend, my common sense screamed at me.
His lips lowered down onto mine before I could make up my mind on whether it was a good idea or not. My entire body froze as his lips brushed across mine. The contact was light that I second guessed that it even happened and then just as quickly it was gone.
“Why?” I gasped.
“Because I wanted to.” He gave me a wink. “Now what are we making?”
I stood shell-shocked for a moment. Jaxson was dangerous in so many different ways I wouldn’t even know where to begin to start listing them.
“Cat got your tongue?”
Giving my head a shake, I emerged from the fog and laughed. It was best to pretend that he had no effect on me. “Cat got my tongue? What are you, my grandma?”
That wicked grin that made my knees knock appeared on his lips again. “Does your grandma make you feel like you felt a moment ago?”
“I don’t have grandparents.” I cringed at the words. Me and my stupid big mouth. I seriously needed to think before I spoke.
He cocked his head to the side and eyed me. “What do you mean you don’t have grandparents?”
“Just what I said.” Turning away from him, I began to gather everything I needed from the fridge.
“They’re dead?”
“I mean, it’s none of your business. And as a matter of fact, tonight was about you answering questions—not me. Besides, since you already know everything about me you should know all about my grandparent situation.”
Jaxson sighed. “All right. Let’s get this over with then so we can get to the fun stuff.”
Depositing the food on the countertop I snorted and looked over my shoulder at him. “We’re fake going out. There won’t be any fun stuff.”
“Never say never.” Leaning against the counter, one ankle crossed over the other, he stared at me—like I was prey or something.
“Don’t look at me like that, and how about you get to work chopping onions.” When he hesitated, I scoffed, “Or does the great king of Greisbach Academy not know how to chop some onions?”
“Of course I do!” Pushing himself off the counter, he came to stand beside me and began to awkwardly chop the onions. It was quite humorous to watch him struggle, but I had to give him kudos—he tried and did a passable job.
“When did you and Trina break up?”
“A few days ago.”
I stopped rolling the meatballs to stare at him. “A few days ago! Are you fucking serious? No wonder she’s so pissed. Why didn’t you give her time to cool down before flaunting a new girlfriend?”
“’Cause you don’t know Trina. When she wants something she doesn’t let it go. She’s like a fucking pit bull. She needed to be hit with a sledgehammer to be shown we’d never get back together.”
“You rule the damned school. If you’re so high and mighty then there shouldn’t be a problem.”
“If it was some random nobody chick then that wouldn’t be a problem.”
“Like me.”
“Yes…”
Planting a hand on my hip, I glared at him. “Excuse me.”
“No. I mean…” He sighed running a hand through his hair. “That’s not what I meant to say. What I meant was that with her and her family being such big deals it would be a long, drawn-out off-and-on thing. This way the tie is cut once and for all, otherwise she’ll hound the living fuck out of me all year. Not to mention my mother has been riding my ass about her.”
My eyes narrowed at him. “This isn’t the first time you’ve been with her and broke up is it? That’s why you’re so certain how this will play out.”
“It’s complicated. That’s why I’m going to uncomplicate it.” Reaching out, he gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze. “Newbs. We’re going to change the pattern so I can move on from her once and for all.”
My jaw clenched, but I said nothing.
“Listen, you already have a target on your back.”
“Thanks to you,” I spat out.
“Regardless. You already have a target and so you might as well roll with it. When this is over you’ll rule the school with me. You won’t be some outsider, you’ll be untouchable.”
“That was if we were a real couple, which we aren’t. I’m just your key to freedom. Don’t feed me bullshit. Once you fake dump me, I’ll go back to being a nobody.”
“No, you won’t. I promise you that. Besides, you keep forgetting I have an ace up my sleeve. I know things about you.”
A little growl rumbled in my throat. How could I allow him to manipulate me? But I didn’t think I had any choice other than to play things out and see how the chips fell in the end.
“Fine. I’ll play your game. But if we’re going to make this work, I want to know everything about you that a girlfriend should know. Make it seem as legit as possible so once this charade is over, I’ll still have some street value.”
His head fell back and a roar of laughter erupted from him.
“What’s so funny?”
“Street value? Are you talking about date-ability or hooking?”
I felt a blush begin to creep into my cheeks. “You know exactly what I meant. I won’t be some outcast, but someone of interest.”
“Sure. Sure.”
I motioned toward the knife. “Get to work. I want to eat before midnight.”
Chapter 9
The morning of day two was relatively uneventful. The classwork seemed easy enough—at least for now—and I didn’t have a single run in with Trina and her band of merry sluts. I was supposed to meet Jaxson and his friends in the cafeteria and had decided that I was going to make the best of this situation that I was in. In fact, if he wanted a new girlfriend who was believable and all in, by God I was going to give it to him whether he liked it or not!
Entering the cafeteria, I spotted Jaxson already seated with his friends at his table. As if sensing my eyes on him, he looked up and gave me a wave.
Smiling, I waved back and pointed to the cafeteria line. He nodded and went back to chatting with the people hanging with him. I’d been an idiot the previous day and brown bagged my lunch. Apparently, that was a big no-no even if said lunch was in a Louis Vuitton monogram lunch bag. I still had a lot to learn.
Grabbing a tray, I went to the end of the cafeteria line and waited. The food looked delicious, not the average cafeteria food but something you’d see at a fine-dining establishment. I didn’t know what do choose.
After some seriously hard choices, I had my lunch on the tray and was making my way across the cafeteria toward Jaxson’s table. I’d only gotten a few feet from the cafeteria line when my foot caught o
nto something. Unable to balance myself, I screamed as I went toppling forward.
The entire cafeteria fell quiet as I faceplanted. Groaning, I pushed myself up and to my knees. The entire front of me was covered in New England clam chowder and fruit juice.
“Oh geez, that’s quite a mess you have there. Hope you didn’t hurt yourself on the way down?” Looking over, my eyes narrowed as I stared into the blue eyes of Trina with a large shit-eating grin on her face, sitting at the end of the table next to me with her horde. “Not everyone is blessed enough to be naturally graceful.”
“You tripped me, you bitch!” I growled standing.
Mouths dropped all around us as Trina slid from her chair and came to stand before me. I wasn’t about to me intimidated, the anger within me was too great.
“You had better mind your tongue and remember who you’re talking to,” Trina hissed.
“Oh I know who I’m talking to. I’m talking to a washed-up slut who can’t get it into her thick head that Jaxson is mine now and he’s never, ever getting back together with you. In fact, all your threats do is make you look weak and needy.”
Her hand drew back and her open palm came in contact with my cheek.
Gasps could be heard throughout the cafeteria.
Bitch…. My mind went blank and all I could think about was taking her down once and for all. Bending down, I charged her, tackling her around the waist and pushing her down and onto the floor. Her body landed on the mess I’d left on the floor as she made an “Ooomph” sound when she landed.
The cafeteria erupted. Students screaming. Giving shouts of encouragement and all eager to see what was going on.
I jumped onto her, my fist drawing back and coming into contact with her jaw. I drew back a second time, but was unable to land the blow as a strong arm wrapped around my waist and pulled me up and off my opponent.
I was in a blind rage. All I could think about was giving that whore the beatdown that she deserved. And it was going to be sweet. “Let me go,” I snarled.
“No. Calm down.” Jaxson’s arm tightened around me. As Jaxson held onto me, one of the school security had Trina in his grasp and wasn’t about to let go.
“I’m going to ruin you, you bitch!” Trina screamed attempting to squirm out of security’s grip.
“What is going on here! Everyone quiet!” The cafeteria fell quiet again as Headmistress Witherspoon appeared. “Take them to my office.”
All anger evaporated as I came to realize what had just happened. I’d assaulted another student. But she had slapped me first. It was self-defense. Seeing the headmistress seemed to deflate her as well.
The crowd dissipated as we were led by two security guards to the office. Within a couple of minutes we were seated across the desk from the headmistress and the door was closed behind us.
I looked over at Trina. She was starting to get a nasty bump at her temple. I had to force myself not to grin. She got what she deserved. She would have to really load on the make-up to cover that black and blue goose egg in the morning.
“What happened?”
“She punched me for no reason,” Trina said fingering her bruised temple and grimacing.
I scoffed. “After you tripped me and slapped me.”
“It was an accident. I can’t help that you weren’t watching what you were doing and clumsy.”
“I fell into the hand across my face as well, huh?” God, did I ever want to punch her in her stupid face again. Take her down trailer-park style.
“She’s so aggressive and my head hurts so much! I think I need to see the nurse. Something is seriously wrong with her mentally!” Tears sprang into Trina’s eyes as she began to weep. “This isn’t the type of people that go to this school.” Leaning forward she grabbed a tissue from the box. “I’m fearful for my safety.”
Oh, for crying out loud! Rolling my eyes, I shook my head at her. Surely Headmistress Witherspoon could see how phony she was.
“Fine. Please go see the nurse, Trina. You’re excused. I will be speaking with your parents about this.”
“Of course, Headmistress.”
I straightened in my chair, not quite believing what I was hearing. She was getting off free and clear?
“Thank you, Headmistress.” Trina sniffed as she stood and turned her back to the headmistress. Glancing down at me, a hint of a grin tugged at the corners of her lips as she mouthed, bitch, and then exited the office, closing the door firmly behind her.
What in the hell had just happened?
My brow furrowed as I looked back at the obviously senile head of the school.
“I realize that you’re new to this school and that it may seem overwhelming, but physically assaulting another student is unacceptable.”
“But headmistress, it wasn’t my fault. She assaulted me first.”
“Regardless of who started it, Trina is on her way to the nurse and you’re fine, with the exception of some spilt food. Normally this type of behavior would warrant expulsion, but since I’m in a particularly good mood today and you’ve had an excellent record at your previous school and so long as Trina agrees not to press charges, then you’ll be getting a week’s suspension. You’ll be expected to keep up with all classwork and will not be given a chance to take any tests you may have missed. Let this be a warning to you. Regardless of your academic record if you’re going to disrupt the serenity of this school then you may want to consider the public school system.”
“But, ask anyone. I didn’t start it!”
“That’ll be all Miss Rigby. I’ll have one of the security guards escort you to your locker to get whatever you may need for the week. We’ll see you back here next Wednesday and I will be informing your mother of this incident.”
This was such bullshit! I had to hold myself back from ranting at Mrs. Witherspoon. I was the victim, yet I was the one being punished? Complete and utter bullshit! And Trina got what? A trip to see the nurse to be fussed over.
Oh boy…. This was not over. Not by a long shot, though looking at the stern expression on Headmistress Witherspoon’s face I knew there was no point in arguing.
She escorted me through the office and as promised assigned a security guard to me who showed me to my locker, not taking his eyes off me for a second. It was effing creepy if you asked me. What in the hell did she think I was going to do anyhow?
My phone dinged. After opening my locked I pulled the phone from the back pocket of my uniform pants and looked down at the screen.
Where R U?
I groaned. Freakin’ Jaxson. He was the reason I was in the mess. Freakin’ Jaxson.
My locker. I got suspended because of you!
Shoving the phone back into my back pocket I grabbed my backpack and shoved all of my textbooks into it. I had no idea how much material they’d go though in a week.
My phone vibrated in my pocket again, but I ignored it. Screw him and this drama. I was about to close my locker when I thought twice about it. Who knows what those bitches would do while I was gone? I doubted raiding my locker was off-limits so I removed the couple pictures I had taped up and grabbed anything that may be of value before shutting and locking it.
The corridors were empty as we walked down them. My phone buzzed again. I didn’t bother to even look. No doubt it was Jaxson. That boy was nothing but trouble. I was out of my mind to agree to his nonsense. If they didn’t like me because I was former trailer trash then screw them all.
“Whoa! Slugger, wait up.”
“Are you kidding me?” I grumbled more to myself than to the extra-diligent guard. I was almost to the front doors. Turning, I folded my arms and watched Jaxson as he jogged up to us. “What do you want, Jaxson?”
“If you’d read your texts you’d know.”
Throwing a dismissive hand up in the air at him, I spun on my heel and walked out the front doors. “Don’t want to know. You got me in enough shit already thanks.”
While the security guard stopped following me at the door
s, I wasn’t so lucky with Jaxson. “Wait up. Dammit.” He fell into step beside me. “Listen, I’m sorry about the cafeteria, but you must admit it must have felt pretty good punching her.”
I stopped again and turned to face him. “I don’t know her! Maybe I could have been her friend. Who knows? Except what I am right now is Greisbach Academy pubic enemy number one.”
“Get over yourself.” He slung an arm over my shoulder and began walking me down the street toward home. “You’re perhaps public enemy three or four, but definitely not one.”
“Oh yeah, look at the funny guy.” I attempted to squirm out of his grasp, but he was too strong, keeping me tight to his side.
“Shouldn’t you be in class?”
“And have my bad-ass girlfriend roaming the city on her own beating people up? No way.”
“Fake girlfriend.”
“Oh that’s right.” He looked down, catching my gaze and winked. “Almost forgot.”
“Well I didn’t forget. And you had damned well better make this up to me! My mom is going to be so disappointed in me. And it’s certainly going to tarnish the way she looks at you.”
“Me.” He inhaled sharply as if I’d just told him a big secret. “I did nothing wrong. I was minding my own business having my lunch when you were attempting to beat the snot out of my ex-girlfriend in a jealous rage.”
I didn’t know what I wanted to do more: punch him or laugh. He was just so… so… freaking infuriating. But at the moment even though he was the root of my problems he was also the only friend I had. I didn’t even have enough time to make any friends of my own yet.
“Where’s the car anyhow? Are you telling me the great Jaxson Weiss is actually going to walk somewhere?”
“As a matter of fact, we are. It’s a beautiful fall day and so we’re going to make the best of it. We’re going to drop our bags off and then I’m going to take you on an adventure.”
A smile formed on my lips. “Like a real date? As if we were a real couple?”
Outsider: Upper East Side (Greisbach Academy #1) Page 7