The Judgement: A Reverse Harem High School Bully Romance (Breakbattle Academy Book 4)
Page 20
We cracked up until a sharp whistle silenced us.
“Alright,” Nelson began. “You know this works, gentlemen. You’ll swim to the other side of the pool. Whoever touches the pad first wins. Step up.”
Mitch took his place and tossed us another thumbs up.
“Ready?”
Fweet!
The boys launched off the platform and dove into the water. Carter pulled ahead almost immediately. Adam wasn’t lying about him being good, but Mitch wasn’t far behind. The persistent C sliced through the water, pushing hard to keep pace.
Carter smacked the touch board and burst out of the water milliseconds before Mitch. Mitch glanced at the scoreboard and whooped. The winner was clearly not him, but that didn’t stop his celebration.
He hefted out of the pool and ran at us. “I did it!” he cried. “I know I did! I aced the math test and Carter only beat me by a few seconds! I won!”
Adam chuckled. “Calm down, man. Your prize is a few extra hours in the library.”
“I beat an A! I—”
“—Whittaker right now!”
My smile faded as I looked past Mitch to the commotion on the other side of the pool. Carter stood before Nelson and the teachers, shouting and pointing at us.
“What’s going on?” asked Adam.
Carter stomped over to us with Nelson right behind him. “I saw him! Mitch gave them a thumbs up before the race. I bet they coached him for the battle.”
Nelson looked from us to an irate Carter, his brows drawn together. “Adam, is that true?”
“Yes, Coach,” Mitch spoke up. “Adam and Zeke helped me train. What’s the problem?”
“What’s the problem?” Carter snapped. “Adam is captain of my fucking team! He knows my strengths and weaknesses and he told you so you could win! How is that not cheating, Coach?!”
Adam lurched to his feet. “No, I didn’t!”
“The fuck you—”
“That’s enough!” Coach barked. “Carter, I will handle this!”
Carter shut his mouth but that didn’t stop him from glaring at Mitch hard enough to make the boy step back.
“Adam,” Nelson said in a calmer tone. “Did you train Mitch for this battle?”
“He asked me for help to improve his time. I gave him advice and didn’t bring up Carter’s name once. I’m not that kind of guy.”
“I see.” Nelson’s gaze flicked to me. “And what was your part in this? Am I right in assuming Coach Fineman’s lunchtime topic of students becoming coaches included you as well?”
“I tutored him in math, sir,” I replied. “Mitch wanted more time in the library with finals coming up. I said I would help.”
“See, Coach,” Carter burst out. “I told you they’ve been helping kids cheat.”
“I didn’t cheat!” Mitch argued.
Nelson held up a hand. “Technically, tutoring and tips cannot be considered cheating, but”—he looked hard at Adam—“I will be very disappointed to discover you’ve used your position as captain to give others an advantage over your teammates.”
“I haven’t, sir,” Adam said firmly. “I swear. I only gave him some advice on swimming faster.”
“Yes? And how long and how often have you and Manning been doing this?”
“All year,” Carter threw in. He leveled a finger at us. “Coach Fineman even told them to stop but they won’t. They’ve been telling lower classmen to challenge us and then teaching them how to beat us.”
“He’s making it sound more sinister than it is,” I protested. “Elites, As, and Bs practice together all the time.”
“They practice with each other,” Nelson corrected. “People they don’t battle against so they have nothing to win or lose.” He grasped Mitch’s shoulder. “Mr. Klein, on the other hand, has a lot to win by having two Elite students as his personal trainer. Keeping things equal among the classes prevents the very situation that we are in now.”
I swallowed hard. I knew this was a possibility but I wasn’t expecting it to happen over a simple thumbs up. It was too soon to shut us down. Way too soon.
“Does that mean we’re in trouble, sir?” I asked.
“I’ll let Principal Whittaker be the judge of that.” He jerked his head at Carter and Mitch. “Get dressed. We’re going to the office.”
Mitch trudged off, smile nowhere to be found. Carter followed him looking triumphant.
Adam and I shared a look. I could practically hear the thought go through his mind, asking what we were going to do now.
The boys returned and Nelson led us out. None of us spoke on the trek to the administration building. My mind spun with arguments to convince Whittaker there was nothing wrong with Elite students helping other classes. Each one was unlikelier to work than the last. Whittaker wasn’t one to be swayed when he made up his mind.
Whittaker’s secretary, Dimas, looked up when we came inside.
“Can I help you?”
“We need to speak with the principal,” said Nelson.
“You messed with the wrong one, F.”
The hiss made my teeth clench. I didn’t give Carter the satisfaction of acknowledging him.
“You’re done helping them challenge us.”
“We’ll see,” I said simply.
Nelson opened the door and motioned us inside. Whittaker did not rise from his desk when we came in, but why would he? This was his domain and he observed us from his high-backed leather chair like he knew it and we did too.
“Gentlemen, take a seat,” he said. “What can I do for you?”
“It’s come to my attention that Adam and Zeke have been coaching other students in preparation for battles,” said Nelson. “What action should be taken, Principal?”
Whittaker looked from me, to Nelson, to me, to Nelson again. “Action?”
He nodded. “What they’re doing isn’t cheating and normally I’d applaud them taking their time out to help their fellow classmates, but it could be seen as giving certain students an edge not available to everyone.”
I sighed. This is it. Stopped before we truly started.
“I don’t see how, Coach Nelson.”
I blinked. What did he just say?
“Every student is free to practice and study with who they wish. There are no rules that state students can’t go to others to prepare for a battle. If anything, it’s there only recourse since coaches and teachers can’t give any more help at that point.”
Whittaker turned to me. “As it happens, I’m aware of how Mr. Manning spends his time. He told me and Mrs. Jeong weeks ago and we were both impressed. He couldn’t have known that moments before he arrived, Mrs. Jeong and I were discussing the possible downside of our system and that it encourages students to see those outside of their class as nothing more than opponents.
“She was then delighted when Mr. Manning shared with her all he was doing to help his lower classmen.” I think he was making an effort to keep his expression neutral. It wasn’t working. A tiny grin of victory tugged at his lips. “She said if the battle system results in more students like Mr. Manning, then it’s worth adopting.
“Frankly, I can hardly punish Zeke or Adam after receiving such praise.”
Silence filled the room as Nelson stood before his boss, expressionless.
“You’re right, sir.”
My eyes flared. How is that happening? And when did Mrs. Jeong say all of this? I walked in here thinking I would be spending the night scrounging up a Plan B.
“What they are doing is kind and I would hate to see them punished for it,” Nelson continued, “but I’d say there are still grounds for concerns. They may be Elite students, but it doesn’t make them qualified to coach. They could give advice that results in a student making a wrong move and being injured. Not only that, but the accusation has been leveled that Mr. Moon is using his position to help others beat his teammates. True or not, I can’t have disharmony on the team.”
Whittaker inclined his head. “You
r concerns are valid, Nelson. How about this?” He pointed at Adam. “You don’t offer help on swimming to anyone outside of scheduled swim practices. You can practice other sports and subjects, but as captain, you can’t have your own team thinking you’re working against them.”
“Yes, sir,” Adam replied without argument.
“Good. As for them passing on bad tips, let’s agree that practices between any students should be supervised. In truth, I’ve been considering proposing this after the brawl in the wrestling gym. We’ve trusted the students to use the fields and gyms on their own, but maybe that trust was misplaced. From now on, they can’t practice alone.”
Whittaker must have seen something on Nelson’s face because he added, “Of course, the coaches have a lot on their plates and I do not expect you to take on more than you already do. I will find volunteers to handle this.”
Nelson inclined his head. “Thank you, sir.”
“I believe these measures will put your fears to rest.”
Whittaker didn’t wait for a reply. “Excellent. If that’s all, I must get back to work, but commendations to you once again, Mr. Manning. You are a credit to this school.”
Beaming, I shot up and shook his hand. “Thanks, sir. I do my best to give back what Breakbattle has given me.”
I tried to turn down my grin in the face of Carter’s poisonous glare. He knocked me aside stomping out the door and Mitch skipped after him, shooting me one more thumbs up on the way.
“Wow,” said Adam. “I was not expecting that.”
“Tell me about it.”
“Will his changes get in the way of your plan?”
“It won’t make it easier, but it shouldn’t stop us. We will be fine.”
Adam ran out in front of me, jogging backward. “As always, it’s a pleasure planning total and complete annihilation with you, Zee Manning. I can’t wait to see it all unfold next semester.”
I laughed. “Neither can I.”
THWACK! THWACK! THWACK!
“JoJo? Did the beef come back to life and is now attacking you?”
Jordan turned on me, knife aloft. “What?”
“Why are you going at that thing so hard? Take it easy.”
The two of us were in her kitchen while our moms argued in some other part of the house. Christmas Eve had visited the Manning women and we spent it the way we always did—together.
“Why should I take it easy, Zee?” Jordan demanded. “My ex is a sociopath. My best friend cheated with him. All of my other friends knew about it and have been looking at me with pity behind my back for months. And my boyfriend is never here!”
Jordan dropped the knife down on the steak with a vicious thwack that made me jump.
“Okay.” I grabbed her elbows and pulled her away. “I think I’ll take over that while you finish the salad.”
She huffed. “I can’t believe she would do that to me, Zela. Fuck Malcom. Lucia and I have been friends since sixth grade.”
“I’m really sorry, Jordan. I wish there was something I could do.”
I felt next to useless throughout this whole situation. It had only gotten worse in the weeks since Malcolm’s confession. Lucia admitted what she did with a heavy dose of excuses saying it was Malcolm’s fault for pursuing her relentlessly. Then it all came out that her other friends were in on the secret. The cherry on top was finding out the last day of the semester that Malcolm and Lucia were talking about getting together.
Jordan was going through hell at school and it didn’t help that I could only see her on the weekends and Adam less than that. Adam asked her out every weekend, but sometimes Aunt Bev said no to her driving an hour away and Miss Val often claimed Adam for babysitting. She was fraying at the seams and I hated that she was going through it alone.
Arms encircled my waist. “You’re already doing it, Zee.” Jordan rested her cheek on my back. “You’ve listened to me bitch nonstop without complaining and you’ve brought me ice cream on demand. I’m sorry I’ve been such a Grinch. I just hate that I won’t see Adam for Christmas.”
“They’re visiting Ezra’s brother’s family and supposedly, it’s going to be a huge family reunion thing. He couldn’t get out of it or he would absolutely be here with you.”
“I know,” she said softly. “I just miss him. Sexual frustration might be adding to my grouchiness.”
“Preach,” I mumbled.
“You too? Michael still not giving it up.”
“Nope.” I sighed. “I respect that he wants to wait and I would never push him, but his reasons kill me. Whatever he needs me to do to prove my feelings for him are real, I’ll happily do it.”
“What feelings would those be?” Jordan thumped me with her forehead. “Do you love him?”
A goofy grin broke out on my lips. “More and more every day.”
“Maybe he needs to hear that.”
“Telling a guy I love him to get sex?” I teased. “How the tables have turned.”
We giggled.
“Only tell him if your motives are pure, Zela Rae,” she said. “What about you and Cole?”
“I’m going to see him the day after Christmas. Things are even more complicated. We had that great talk and he was really honest with me, but it’s the same thing where I feel like I don’t have any control in my relationship. He wants to wait until he’s sure his friendship with Michael can handle them both dating me, but who knows when that will be? In the meantime, we’re hooking up but we’re not having sex.” I sighed. “Either way, I’m happy I’ll get to see him over break.”
I finished chopping the beef and tossed it in the stockpot. The pot roast with cider gravy and sweet potatoes would taste heavenly when it was finished. Everything was going to be great for our Christmas celebration. The chocolate gingerbread cake. The spicy roasted carrots, roast chicken, and cranberry cheesecake. The Christmas tree Jordan and I stayed up late decorating—listening to Christmas music and belting out tunes while we danced around with ornaments.
Jordan tapped my back. “I’m good now, so let me do it. I’m a better cook than you anyway.”
“You are not,” I protested.
“Last year you dropped the cheesecake on the floor.”
I sniffed. “That makes me clumsy, not a bad cook.”
Jordan chuckled. “Fair enough, but I want to do it. Cooking is giving me an outlet for my stress. I’m about to smash the hell out of those potatoes.”
“Stress?”
Mom and Aunt Bev entered the kitchen. “What stress, Jordan?”
Jordan hid her face as she took my place. “Nothing, Mom,” she said. “Junior year is just intense with college and stuff.”
“You don’t need to be stressed, JoJo.” Aunt Bev took hold of her chin and made her look up. She kissed her forehead. “There’s no way you don’t get into Somerset.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“How’s it going in here, girls?” asked Mom. “Need help with anything?”
“No, no, no.” I took hold of Mom and guided her out of the kitchen. “This year, we’re doing everything and our beautiful, smart, radiant mothers will relax on the couch drinking eggnog and watching Christmas movies.”
“Okay. If you’re sure.” Mom sounded amused but partly pleased.
I was laying it on thick but I couldn’t help it. Cole was not the only person I was visiting in Evergreen. I was also dropping by the Grayson Mansion.
I had been to Derek’s house twice since the fundraiser. His father was a busy man despite him being between movies, so it wasn’t like I got much facetime with him. Nevertheless, he obeyed Naomi’s orders to have meals together as a family and I would get my chance to talk to him then.
So far, I’d learned that he didn’t have much of a sweet tooth except for a weakness for fried banana sandwiches. He loved Switzerland and not just because his parents lived there. He snuck into his first R-rated movie when he was eleven and that he taught himself to play basketball so he could do it with Derek.
Or at least, that’s what I’ll keep telling myself.
I sat Mom down and kissed her cheek. “I love you, Mom.”
She squeezed my hand. “I love you too, only one.”
I spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day trying to show her how much I loved her. Jordan and I pulled off dinner without a hitch and our Moms praised us and said we had the job from now on. Afterward, we opened presents and I gave Mom a pair of pajamas covered in the titles of all the books she had written. She gasped when she pulled it out.
“How did you do this?” she asked.
“I found someone online who makes them. Do you like it?”
“Oh, Zela. It’s wonderful.”
After presents, we stayed up late watching a Christmas movie together and then went to bed. We woke on Christmas Day to more food, music, and movies. Christmases were hard for me, but that motivated us to celebrate harder. Mom and Aunt Bev tried not to fight. Jordan and I didn’t stop moving for a second.
On December twenty-sixth, I felt the tiny thread of relief I always did that the holiday has passed, but also, I was happy at making another memory with my family. And if at some point I wished Derek, Jonathan, and Naomi were with us too, I didn’t let it bring me down. One day that could be our future.
Cole’s car pulled into the driveway. I darted away from the window and got my stuff.
“Bye, Mom,” I shouted into the living room on the way out.
“Goodbye, Zela. Back by eleven.”
“Yes, Mom.”
Cole hopped out of the car and went around to open the backseat. Someone was already sitting next to him.
“Zeke!” Christina squealed. “How cute is your house? You have to give me a tour sometime.”
“She forced her way in the car,” Cole said under his breath. “She wanted to see your town and Christina has never taken no for an answer in her life. I’m very sorry about her.”
I giggled. “It’s okay. I like your sister, Chubs.”
Cole snaked an arm around my waist and crushed me to his chest. “Call me that again and you’re in trouble.”