by Ruby Vincent
“Is everything okay, Zela?”
I shook myself. “Yes, I’m fine. Just tired. See you in the morning.”
My bed welcomed me with warm downy arms. I let out a soft sigh of relief.
Nothing sounded better than a hot bath and a snuggle beneath these sheets. I was sore in all the right places and a few of the wrong ones. No regrets, but that trunk bed was hard.
Thinking of us together, I pulled out my phone to shoot Landon a gooey and incredibly explicit text.
My cell buzzed with an alert. I opened it on dozens of messages—all from Jordan.
Oh no. She must have spoken to Lucia and it can’t have been good.
I wiped the smile off my face and called Jordan. This was going to be a long night.
Chapter Six
“He’s so great, Derek.”
“Uh-huh.”
“We like a lot of the same movies and music.”
“Cool.”
“He said I had integrity.”
“Yup.”
Derek was beside me on his bed, his face stuck between the pages as usual. I leaned over and smacked the book out of his hands. He looked at it on the floor, shaking his head.
“Sometimes, I don’t know if you’re my gift or my curse,” he muttered.
“Definitely gift,” I said cheekily.
It was the Sunday night before the start of school. I got in later than usual since I spent the rest of the weekend with Jordan, fulfilling my mission to cheer her up. I kept my good mood to myself until I entered the academy and knocked on Derek’s door.
Derek went to grab his book and I tackled him in a hug.
“Ah!”
“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” I squealed. “Getting to have a real conversation with him meant a lot to me. Did you think he was serious when he said we should pick it up where we left off?”
“Yes.” Derek was slightly muffled from being pushed into the sheets.
“How do you know?”
“Dad said I could invite you over anytime.”
“Really? But I thought they don’t like you having friends over?”
“They don’t. You’ll have security on your ass everywhere you go.”
Derek got me around the waist and threw me off. I bounced on the mattress laughing.
He straightened up and settled on the pillows. “But I figured you would see that as worth it,” he finished.
“I do. Can I come over this weekend?”
“I’ll ask, but they should be cool with it.”
“Great.” I motioned at his book. “I finished that one last week. What do you think so far?”
“I think you like this book because the main character is into math.”
I laughed. “So what if I do?”
A knock interrupted his reply. Derek heaved himself off the bed.
“What do you want?” he asked in typical Derek charm.
“Is Zee in there?”
I twisted around. “Landon?”
A raven-haired head appeared under Derek’s arm. “Zee is here, guys.”
“Guys?”
Landon came inside and on his tail was Michael and Cole. He folded his arms.
“See? Whenever I can’t find my girlfriend, I assume she’s in Derek’s room.”
“So what if she is?” Derek asked. He jumped on the bed and landed ankles crossed and hands laced behind his head. “She’s in my room all the time. She likes to sleep with me too.”
I frowned. “Don’t say it like that and wipe that smirk off your face. You’re making it sound weird.”
Cole scoffed. “It is weird that you can stand being around this asshole for more than two minutes.”
“You stop too,” I said to Cole. “Derek isn’t an asshole. He’s really sweet underneath.”
“You hear that?” Derek asked with a smirk. “I’m sweet.”
“Who gives a shit.” Landon pierced me with a look. “I’ve been waiting for you to get here, babe. I believe my orders were to put the goofy smile back on your face.”
Heat surged to my cheeks as Cole, Michael, and Derek looked at us, trying to puzzle that out.
I cleared my throat. “True. Very true. We should take care of that right now.”
Landon swept over his hand. “After you.”
I crawled up the bed and encircled Derek in a hug. He didn’t lift his arms to return it. On the contrary, he picked up his phone and messed with it while I held him to my chest.
Goodness. I swear this guy has the soul of a wet cat. He only gives affection when he feels like it.
“We’ll talk books in the morning,” I promised, “and we’ll figure out this weekend later.”
“What’s happening this weekend?” Michael spoke up.
“I’m going to Derek’s place,” I said as I gathered my stuff and climbed off the bed.
“Good.” Michael hooked his arm around my neck and kissed my cheek. “Then you’ll be in Evergreen. We can go out to dinner. Italian.”
“I’d love that.”
Michael’s shirt rode up where he held me. I gave into the urge to slip under his shirt and caress the smooth, hard muscle hiding beneath.
“What about dessert?” I whispered.
“I’m sure we’ll think of something.”
Landon tugged me out of his arms, bringing our flirting to an abrupt end. The world spun as he swept me off my feet and threw me over his shoulder.
“Good night, guys.” Landon punctuated his goodbye with a smack to my bottom.
I really need to talk to him about that.
Landon carried me to his room and tossed me on the bed. The look in his eyes held the promise of a long, sleepless night.
But we can talk later.
“YOU SHOULD READ SUE Grafton too.”
“I’m not a straight mystery person,” replied Derek. “I always end up guessing who it is.”
I cut my chocolate chip muffin in half and gave it to him without prompting. Derek was back at our table. I was back to giving him half of my good stuff. We fell into our routine like nothing broke us apart.
“Does that mean you don’t like Agatha Christie?”
“No, I like her, but she’s written every kind of mystery story there can be. Once you’ve read all of her books, you’ve pretty much read them all.”
I goggled at him. “That’s not true. Read Sue Grafton,” I ordered. “You’ll like it. Have I steered you wrong yet?”
“Guys,” Tanner said. “Please end this incredibly boring conversation and look up. Something’s going on.”
That’s when I noticed the room had gone quiet. Derek and I broke out of our little world found we had been graced with a visit.
“Good morning, students.”
Principal Whittaker stood behind his seat at the head table while his entourage of teachers, coaches, two therapists, and a vice principal fanned out around him.
The man wasn’t out of his office without a pack. My friends liked to toss around the rumor that Whittaker and Argyle were one mind because they crushed on each other as hard as they did policy.
I’d say that wasn’t likely since she was a “Mrs.” but I had learned to dread seeing them together. Whatever was coming would be backed up twice as hard and enforced even harder.
“As I’m sure you know,” he began, “the board of education is considering adopting our program within the public school system. They will make their determination this year and to aid in the final decision, members of the board have asked to return and hold interviews among the students.
“I want to be clear.” Whittaker’s gaze swept over us—hard and unflinching. “There will not be a repeat of last year. The flyers plastered in the F Wing and the lies it leveled at the school were bordering on an expulsion-worthy offense. Unfortunately, we haven’t found the person or people responsible, but do not think you’ve gotten away with what you’ve done or the path is clear to try again.
“If anything like that should take place during their
time here, the whole school will be punished with a suspension of privileges for an entire month.”
“What?!”
The first shout set off a torrent. Students shot to their feet, shouting over each other at once.
“But that’s not fair!”
“If you’d put some cameras up, we could catch the bastard who had been harassing us and end this!” This came from Heath. “For All must have done it and they’ve done nothing but come after the Elites!”
“Yeah!” a group of As shouted.
“Settle down,” Whittaker said.
“It’s got to be some bitter ass F! Why should we be punished because of them?!”
“Don’t bring us into it!” Tanner shot back. “You fucking blame us when you splash piss on your golden toilet seats! We have better things to do!”
“That’s enough!” bellowed Whittaker. “Sit down!”
Silence descended as quickly as it took the students to drop their ass in their seats.
Argyle grasped Whittaker’s shoulder as she stood. “Believe us when we say we have no desire to result to these actions,” she said calmly. “Our hope is to have a smooth year and an end to the attacks and slander against the school. If this can’t be achieved, we’ll be forced to take stronger measures until this For All is found. Is that understood?”
“Yes, ma’am,” a few people muttered.
“She said is that understood?” Whittaker repeated.
“Yes, Principal Whittaker!”
He inclined his head. “In regards to the interviews, they will begin next semester. Your vice principal and I will choose the students who will speak to the board. Are there any questions?”
Nico raised his hand.
“Yes, Mr. Kazan?”
“Are you going to choose students from all classes?”
He nodded. “Two students from each class. One from each campus. Juniors and seniors only. Any more questions?”
I lowered my head a fraction, peering down at my phone as I typed out a text.
Me: We have until next semester.
A faint buzz sounded to my right.
Adam: What do you want to do?
Whittaker and Argyle spent ten more minutes answering questions. Afterward, they sat down to eat with us. We dutifully ate our meals and remained quiet for the rest of breakfast. Until the door slammed shut behind Whittaker.
“Can you believe that?” Melody burst out.
She wasn’t the only one. The cafeteria erupted into a riot of arguments, accusations, and unleased frustration.
“He’s going to make sure the only people who get near the board are in love with the battle system,” Melody said.
Nico shook his head. “He’ll have a hard time finding them in the F Class. If he really picks students from every class, one of the Cs, Ds, or Fs is bound to tell them how much it sucks being denied everything.”
“I guess that’s true,” Hunter said. “I know I’m Elite, but that should mean I’m smart enough to see this isn’t the right way to teach students. Keeping kids out of the library and SAT prep? At some point, it feels like they want to keep people down.”
Tanner, Nico, Justin, and Owen nodded their heads.
“What can any of us do about it?” Cole asked. “Whittaker isn’t the only one determined to make this expansion happen and it’ll come down on all of us if we make trouble.”
Six pairs of eyes flew to Melody. She straightened under our attention. “It will be difficult. Especially if Whittaker takes to Heath’s idea and puts up cameras. Even worse, no one will thank us if we get the whole school punished.”
“Does that mean Stand Up is sitting this one out?” I asked.
She pinned me with a look that snapped my mouth shut. “Of course not. Nothing has changed. I’ll think of something that can’t be traced to us. If nothing else, I’ll find a way to speak to one of the board members and tell them the truth. Whittaker can’t be on them every second of their visit.”
We bobbed our heads.
“It won’t just be you,” I said. “If Whittaker picks one of us to represent the Elite Class, we’ll tell them the truth.” I met the eyes of Cole, Michael, Landon, and Derek. “Right, guys?”
I knew what I was asking them, and for some, it was a high price.
I lingered on Derek. “It’ll be hard but... we have to do the right thing.”
A smile curled his lips. “I’m nothing if not honest, Manning. You don’t have to worry about me.”
I wasn’t sure what to make of that reply. But I have a Plan A if your version of the truth isn’t mine.
But that makes me think. I narrowed my eyes. What is Derek’s version of the truth? I don’t think I’ve asked him if he wants the expansion. He’s framed it as his father’s orders, but why go along if this isn’t what he wants?
“Something you want to say, Manning?”
A knowing grin hung on his lips like he could hear my thoughts.
“Yes,” I stated. “I have something to ask you and I will. We’re going to talk.”
He put fingers to his head in a mock salute. “Whatever you say.”
“Thanks, guys.” Melody’s voice broke in. “It means a lot having all of you back me up.”
“It’s easy when we want the same things,” Tanner said. “My little brother starts high school in three years. I’m not letting him put up with the bullshit I have.”
I broke my strange eye lock with Derek and looked at Adam. I motioned with my head toward the door.
“We have to go,” I said as Adam and I got to our feet. “I left something in Adam’s room.”
The two of us didn’t speak until we got into the hallway.
Adam skipped the preamble. “Do we have enough time?”
“We do, but we might have to step it up.” I bumped his shoulder. “I don’t want you to take on more than you can handle, so tell me now if it’s too much.”
“It’s not too much, but Coach is talking about stepping up practices as it gets closer to the swim meet. Can you handle being the Battle Doctor, your boyfriends, school, and your clubs?”
“I won’t let it get as bad as I did last year. I have a system. It’s working. The real trick is getting around the coaches. I’m sunk if they all ban me from helping.”
“We’ll think of another way if that happens.”
Adam veered off course and bumped me back. I’m not sure when that became our thing but it was another in a million ways we were cute. I told him as much.
Chuckling, he replied, “We are cute, aren’t we? No wonder your boyfriends think there’s something up with us.”
“We’d be a great couple,” I mused. “And we’d make the most adorable Moon babies. With pudgy cheeks and curly hair and bright green eyes—”
“Please stop fantasizing about our babies.”
I busted up and bumped into him again. This time I snuggled up to his arm and he pulled me close.
“But you have eyes for another Manning woman,” I teased.
“Speaking of Jordan...”
My smile dimmed. I knew this was coming. I was surprised it took Adam this long.
“Yeah?”
“Is she okay? She canceled our date the other night and refused to say why. Did I... do something?”
We reached the staircase. I grabbed him out of the line of kids going up and stepped off to the side.
“You didn’t do anything wrong. Jordan is going to talk to you herself, but you should get that out of your head right now. She really likes you and wanted nothing more than to be with you. Her messed up ex saw to it that didn’t happen.”
“Her ex? You talking about Malcolm?” Anger stole the sweet, affable expression off of his face in a blink. “What did that fucker do now?”
I squeezed his hand. “Jordan will talk to you. You’ll get it all out, forgive each other, and get back on course to planning the future where I get those curly-haired, green-eyed chubby babies in the family. Got it?”
Adam roll
ed his eyes, but I didn’t miss the smile. “I got it.”
We continued up to class. Adam’s mind was most likely on Jordan. Mine quickly returned to my main problem. This expansion had to be stopped and I had little time to do it. Worse, I had no clue if my plan would work.
It has to work. It’s all I’ve got.
“WHY DO YOU DO THIS?”
I pressed against Michael, enjoying the warmth on my back. He rubbed his stubbly cheek against mine. Slowly. Up and down. And it was having a magic effect deep in my lower belly. He must have heard I had a thing for facial hair and he wasn’t using his power for good.
I sighed soft and contentedly. “What do you mean?”
He gestured at the boys grappling on the mat. “You take time out every day to help the lower classes with their battles. Do you feel like you owe them something now that you’re Elite?”
His question was a sharp reminder that I was supposed to be watching, not cuddling. To be fair, I planned on doing this alone, but Michael caught up with me after tutoring and asked to join. I thought about saying no in the brief moments before he kissed me until my heart stopped. After that, no was no longer a part of my vocabulary.
I blinked out of my haze just as Daxton lunged at Marco.
“Dax!” I shouted. “You know grabbing clothes will lose you points. Don’t do it now or during the battle.”
Dax let him go immediately. “Sorry, Zeke. Won’t happen again. But can you tell me what to do for the takedown one more time?”
“Bend your knees, lower your head, put your shoulder in his belly, and then grab both legs to take him down. Practice a few times before you do it.”
“Okay.”
The boys squared off and set to do as I ordered. I went back to Michael.
“I’m not helping them because I feel like I have to,” I replied. “I do it because I want to. I had to fight for every little scrap as an F. My teachers and our coaches are great and I’m not saying they didn’t teach us to the best of their ability, but we didn’t get what we deserved because of the patch on our chest.
“If I can help people snag a little more time in the computer lab or a night at the dance with their girlfriend, then I’m happy to spend an hour of my afternoon passing on some tips.” I twisted around and kissed him. “I’ve learned most of it from you guys.”