Outsider: Upper East Side (Greisbach Academy #1)

by Trinity Towers

  There were several cars lined up waiting to be greeted. I watched people as they walked up the marble stairs to the main door. Everyone was dressed like they were going to some elegant affair and not a house party, all wearing masks, but despite the masks I was able to recognize a couple of people from school. Two men at the front door were wearing ear pieces and holding clipboards, checking off names as people entered.

  Geez, security much? I opened my purse and sighed with relief that I’d brought my wallet and ID. It’s not like I ever left it behind, but between Jaxson’s kisses and getting ready, I wouldn’t have been too shocked if I had forgotten it on this occasion.

  It quickly became our turn to unload, and someone came to the side of the car to open the doors for us, one valet on each side of the car. The four of us slipped on our masks before exiting the vehicle. Olivia and Damien exited from one side while Jaxson and I exited from the other.

  Stepping out into the cool evening air I felt a rush of excitement. This was my first party since moving here with some of the most important and influential young adults of Manhattan and I had Jaxson Weiss at my side. It seemed like a dream come true…. Hell, it was a dream come true.

  “Ready for your ritzy-rich bash?” Jaxson asked, offering me his arm.

  Linking my arm into his, I allowed him to guide me up the stairs. We showed our ID to the doormen and proceeded into the house. “Have you been here before?”

  “Oh yeah, plenty of times. Most people summer in the Hamptons. Ryan loves to party and invitation to his parties are a guarantee of your social status.”

  My eyes were drinking everything in from the dresses to the extravagant décor of the home, which was very posh and modern in tones of red and gold. Some of the masks were simple like mine and the black one Jaxson was wearing, while some were over the top with feathers and beads. Maybe I should have gone with something more extravagant?

  Looking over my shoulder, I smiled, seeing Olivia and Damien. They looked as pleased as I was to be here. And I didn’t miss how many of the guys looked at Olivia. She got more than her fair share of stares.

  Jaxson pulled his phone from his pocket and looked down at the display. “Preston, Gabriel, and Selena are in the gardens if you want to meet up with them?”

  I looked back at Olivia and grinned. Just hearing Gabriel’s name had perked her attention. I looked back at Jaxon. “I think if we don’t go meet up with them Olivia is going to die from anticipation.”

  Jaxson looked over his shoulder and winked at Olivia. “Let’s go find your man, huh?”

  “I umm. I just—” Olivia stammered.

  “Girl, if he isn’t into you the moment, he sees you then maybe Damien will be more his speed,” I teased.

  Damien grinned. “Can’t say I’d say no to Gabriel Perez. I love me some Latin flavor, chica.” Damien accented his point giving me a little show of grinding his hips.

  I nearly doubled over in laughter, stopping us all in our tracks. “Ohmygod, Damien, that’s so bad on so many levels.”

  “Just stating the facts, but Olivia’s had a dry spell so I’ll let her have him.”

  I looked up at Jaxson who shrugged. “They’re your friends, babes.”

  “They’re yours too now. Mine is yours and yours is mine. That sort of thing,” I countered.

  We began walking again toward the gardens. “We’re there already are we? Because if that’s the case, you might want to pull out that checkbook of yours Miss Richy Rich.”

  I rolled my eyes at him as we proceeded through the threshold and into the gardens. Sure enough, Preston, Gabriel, and Selena were lounging with a few others that I recognized, but didn’t know the name of, around a small fire pit that was in the center of a table.

  “Ready to meet your new boyfriend, Olivia?” I whispered and got a dirty glare in response, but a smile broke out onto her lips despite it all.

  ~*~ TT ~*~

  The next couple of hours flew by and we were all having a great time. I was especially pleased that Olivia and Gabriel seemed to be hitting it off. I didn’t miss the little touches shared between them; it may have been just a pat on the knee or playful swat on the shoulder, but you could see the chemistry flowing between them. That was my one good deed for the day. Damien had taken off a while ago someplace and still hadn’t returned, but he seemed to be happy. I hadn’t seen Trina or her two main consorts—Alyssa and Camila—all night, which I found insanely odd. It had been a confirmed rumor that they would be here, Trina’s new nose job and all.

  After a couple of hours of Trina not showing up and several wine coolers into the night, I was feeling really good. How could I not? I had an incredibly sexy man that any girl in the school would kill for as my boyfriend. I had some wonderful friends and I was at my first masquerade party. Life couldn’t get much better than this.

  Just when the night was kicking into high gear the phones of everyone at the party seemed to go off in unison. We all pulled out our phones to see the text message.

  Everyone meet in the grand room on the main floor. You have five minutes.

  I didn’t have to ask anyone if they also got the message because everyone started to stand and make their way to the designated meeting spot. “Does he usually do that at his parties?” I asked Jaxson.

  “Most times, yeah.” Jaxson confirmed. “He likes to get up in front of everyone and parade around.” Jaxson made a face. “He can be a bit of a show-off.”

  “Former Greisbach Academy royalty a show-off? No way!” I teased, giving him a little bump with my shoulder.

  We entered the grand room to find close to a hundred people gathered there already. I hadn’t met Ryan yet, but I assumed the man on stage with the microphone was him. When the crowd coming in seemed to come to a trickling, Ryan began.

  “Welcome everyone to my final Hamptons party of the year. As you all know I’m no longer at Greisbach Academy and am now attending Yale. Many of my new friends and associates you may have already met tonight.”

  He rambled on, but admittedly, I started to lose interest until I heard Jaxson’s name being called.

  My eyes jumped back to the stage as Jaxson dropped my hand and gave me a nod before walking through the crowd to a round of applause and cheers from the people around me. Placing one hand on the stage, Jaxson propelled himself up and onto the stage to a round of whoops and whistles.

  Pride welled up in me. He was as sexy as hell and he was all mine!

  “In case you were living under a rock, everyone here will know my friend and the man to take my spot as your new king for those attending Greisbach Academy, Jaxson Weiss.”

  More cheers and clapping. I heard a few girls make remarks on his looks. It didn’t annoy me, not in the least. It made me even more proud than anything else, because I knew he had eyes only for me so they could eat their little hearts out.

  “I do hope he’s keeping all of you in line,” Ryan joked.

  More whoops and hollers as the crowd roared.

  “Now simmer down.” He motioned for everyone to quiet. “And what would a king be without a queen? Come on up here Miss Trina Kayne!”

  Trina?

  Out of what felt like nowhere Trina appeared from the back of the room and made her way to the front of the room. There was a noticeable difference in the volume of applause that she got, compared to the much-more-popular Jaxson. With each step her hips swayed seductively. My eyes narrowed as I studied her. She was wearing a stunning floor-length red sequinned dress and obscenely high silver heels that she walked in with expert ease. Her nose looked perfect. Guess that nose job paid off. You’re welcome, Trina.

  Fuck…. Well, there goes the neighborhood.

  The moment Trina got on stage she took the mic from Ryan.

  “This oughta be good,” Damien said to me as he came to stand next to me.

  “Yeah,” I huffed. “I can’t even imagine.”

  “Thank you everyone. I just want to say that I’m glad to see everyone here tonight and wel
come the newcomers into the fold. There’s one newcomer in the crowd that I’d like to make mention of.”

  I looked at Jaxson and saw his jaw clench as he caught my stare then looked away to fix his stare onto Trina.

  What was she up to?

  “But before I call this one special newcomer up to the stage, I would like to introduce my date, who came all the way from Florida to be here tonight.”

  “Did she just say Florida? That’s where you’re from isn’t it?” Damien asked, but I couldn’t answer him. My entire body felt like it was paralyzed as I heard her call out the name, I was dreading to hear the most: Kevin Sullivan.

  “Ohmygod! She’s going to out me here in front of everyone,” I gasped.

  Chapter 21

  Jaxson

  What in the fuck is that bitch up to? And who the fuck is Kevin Sullivan?

  I looked back into the crowd to see that Keira’s face had gone completely white as she stared at the guy heading for the stage.

  Was it an ex-boyfriend?

  Trina was hell-bent on exposing Keira and this was bound to happen. There was no way I could have stopped it. As much power as I had in the school, I could only have protected her from the truth getting out for so long. It was only a matter of time before it all came to light, if not by Trina then by someone else. At first, I didn’t give a shit about Keira, I just wanted Trina off my fucking back. Trina was like a pit bull with a damned bone when she wanted something, and Keira seemed like she could take care of herself; it didn’t hurt that she didn’t have a clue what she was getting into.

  And hey, it didn’t hurt that Keira had a rockin’ body and was feisty enough to keep me entertained. But something had happened along the way and I had started to feel something for the girl from the trailer park. And it killed me that I couldn’t stop the truth from getting out. All I could do now was take her under my arm and destroy any piece of shit that dared hurt her and right now those pieces of shit were Trina and whoever this fucker was that was coming up the stairs to join us.

  “What in the fuck is going on here, Ryan?” I asked in a hushed tone leaning into him.

  “Dunno dude. She just asked to make an announcement. Figured you knew.”

  My eyes narrowed as I looked at the guy in a black suit, wearing a black plague doctor type of mask, which cut off at the mouth, leaving his jaw visible. The guy was several inches shorter than me and not nearly as built.

  My body braced for whatever was coming. If either one of them said the wrong thing they’d be sorrier than they have ever been in their lives. Whoever that prick was in the plague doctor’s mask would be getting a one-way trip to the fucking ER.

  Trina looked over at me, catching my gaze, and grinned. The red mask she wore was flamboyant, with long red and white feathers sticking up a foot or so into the air.

  Turning her attention back to the douche beside her, she leaned in and gave him a peck on the cheek.

  “Everyone, this is Kevin Sullivan. Kevin has a very special connection to our new student Keira Rigby: he’s her boyfriend from back in Florida.”

  A rumble of chatter erupted in the crowd.

  Keira’s boyfriend? I frowned looking back down into the crowd at Keira. Had Keira been lying all along to me? Was that prick her boyfriend? I didn’t get any confirmation yes or no from her, her eyes were glued onto the douche.

  Trina continued, “And Kevin here has told me something fascinating about Keira and I feel she is owed a congratulations for this…. Apparently, Keira and her mother were dirt-poor nobodies until just last month when they won the lottery. Isn’t that great! Just a couple of hicks living in a trailer living off hot dogs and sandwiches. But look at her now!”

  Prickboy leaned into the microphone. “Hey baby, told you I’d be seeing you. I’ve missed you.” The rumble in the crowd grew intense, with people looking from me to Keira and then back to Trina and Kevin. This was some prime-time gossip and there were dozens of people with their phones up and recording.

  Enough was a fucking nuff. Crossing the stage, I snatched the microphone from Trina’s hand. “What in the fuck is going on here!” I roared not giving a damned who heard.

  Trina blinked and she tilted her head at me. “I’m sorry you didn’t know. Kevin here has tasted every inch of your little bitch and has proof to back it up. She was with him before she left and she’s been cheating on you. Sorry.”

  Kevin stepped up to me. Who in the hell did this punk think he was, daring to step up to me? “Sorry dude. I had her screaming my name well before you came into the picture. All she is is my leftovers.”

  I’m not sure what pushed me over the edge more: his words or that snug smile he gave me as if I was some piece of shit under his shoe. No one talked to me that way. No one. And recording or not, there was no way I’d be spoken to in this manner now. All I saw was red as I drew back my fist and slammed it into his face. The mask went flying off his face as he stumbled backward.

  “Is that all you have, bitch?” he spat, glaring at me, attempting to gain his footing while he wiped a tickle of blood from his cut lip.

  I was past my breaking point and I was in full on combat mode, the only thing that mattered to me was seeing that prick passed out on the floor. He had no idea who he was fucking with, but he sure as hell was about to find out.

  ~*~ TT ~*~

  Keira

  “Ohmygod! This is all a set-up!” I groaned out loud while watching Jaxson charge Kevin.

  I sprang into action, kicking off my heels and running barefoot across the room and up the stairs and onto the stage. “Jaxson. No!” Jaxson already had Kevin on his back. Kevin was attempting to fight back, but Jaxson easily outpowered him and was pummeling him with his fists, fueled by rage.

  Not even thinking, I ran to Jaxson and grabbed his arm as he pulled it back, intent on finishing his opponent off. “Jaxson! No!” It took everything I had in me to hold his arm back. “This is what they want!”

  “Get off me Keira,” Jaxson growled looking at me, the rage in his eyes more intense than I’ve ever seen any anyone’s eyes before.

  “No! Stop this.” Putting all my strength into it, I pulled him backward. With the help of Preston and Gabriel we were able to get Jaxson off his opponent who had rolled over to his side and was coughing and spitting up blood onto the varnished wooden stage.

  “And you!” Jaxson glared at Trina who was standing off to the side, grinning like the Cheshire cat. “You’ll regret this. I told you to stay away!”

  She didn’t respond, merely grinned. She had accomplished what she set out to do. No doubt she’d paid Kevin to say and do what he did.

  Jaxson’s chest was heaving, but I could see the rage slowly disappear from his gaze as he looked down at me. “Who was that? Did you date that clown?”

  I looked over my shoulder at Kevin and then shook my head. “No. He’s from home. They’re lying. I never dated him.”

  Kevin managed to get himself into a seated position. “I hope you have a good lawyer buddy,” Kevin yelled at Jaxson.

  Jaxson’s body tensed as he glared at Kevin, his jaw clenching.

  Standing in front of Jaxson, I placed a hand on his chest hoping to stop him from finishing Kevin off. “Jaxson no. He’s looking for money. That’s all.”

  “Hey Jaxson,” Trina called out. We both looked over at her. “Have you told your girl what you do in your spare time?”

  His eyes narrowed at her. “I swear to God Trina.”

  “What is she talking about?” I asked turning back to Jaxson. “What’s going on?”

  “Guess you two have a lot to talk about,” I heard her say behind me, but refused to grace her with a look.

  “Hey Jaxson,” Ryan said, coming over to us. “Someone called the cops. The guards just let them in. Someone reported the fight and they’re here to investigate.”

  “Shit,” he said, looking out into the crowd of people, I could only imagine how many people had video of everything that went down. The whole
thing was planned out. In the span of ten minutes, Trina had turned me back into an outsider and Jaxson…. I didn’t know what this meant for him.

  “Don’t worry, babes. It’ll be fine.”

  “In here!” someone yelled out, seconds before six police officers along with paramedics with a stretcher came into the grand room. While the paramedics made their way to Kevin, who was playing his injury up better than any trained actor that I’d ever seen, the cops came to us.

  “We’re under the understanding that a Jaxson Weiss is responsible for what happened to the young man over there,” one of the officers stated.

  Jaxson pulled himself up to his full 6′4, taller than any of the officers who had arrived by a couple of inches. “I would be Jaxson Weiss and yes I’m the one you’re looking for.”

  The officer who asked for him pulled out his handcuffs.

  “Wait, this wasn’t his fault.” I jumped between Jaxson and the officer approaching him, who was apparently intent on cuffing him and hauling him away. “He was just protecting me.” I looked from the officer to Jaxson and back again.

  “Keira, babes, please. It’ll be fine.” Grabbing my shoulder, Jaxson gently pushed me to the side and turned around, offering his hands to be cuffed.

  “I’m going with you.” I was being irrational, but I couldn’t stop myself as I flung my arms around him and held tight to him. This was all my fault. I had to fix it, I just didn’t know how.

  “No, you won’t. It’ll be fine. There’s nothing you can do. I’ll have my driver take you and the others home.”

  “Someone is going to need to bail you out.”

  He grinned. “I got this handled. If you want to help me then go home. Please.”

  “Get him in the car.”

  I stood there numb as they pulled him from me and took him away. Once he was out of sight I looked over at Trina. Her mask was off and she was grinning. It took everything out of me not to go over there and claw her eyes out. She’d won.