by Lacey Heart
How soon is soon enough? “I guess it looks like I’ll have to take your word for it.” I mutter out loud and she gives me a reassuring smile which I didn’t expect.
“Stick with me and you won’t go wrong. And what do you know? I’m heading to the same math class as you.”
“You are?” Damn, so much for getting out of math.
“Come on. I’ll lead the way.” Emily links her arm in mine and pulls me down the corridor just as the bell sounds and kids start to storm around us in all different directions eager to get to their next class. And I don’t think I’ll ever be able to express how thankful I am to have someone like Emily to keep a firm hold on me so I don’t get lost amongst the crowds.
The rest of the day passed by like a breeze. Emily was more than happy to guide me to the remainder of my classes—even the ones she wasn’t in. And when the heated stares would get too much she’d magically appear out of thin air like my very own guardian angel and pull me out of the masses and into the right direction.
Surprisingly for me, the more time I spent with her, the more I found I liked her. Nothing seemed too much, and she happily took me under her wing like she knew exactly how it felt to feel all alone, surrounded by nothing but complete strangers—and there was no judgement whatsoever.
“Oh my God. What the hell happened to you?”
Jessica squeals at me and almost perforates my eardrum while she’s at it. “Please don’t tell me you got into a fight on your first day? Why didn’t you call me? Shit, your mom’s gonna have a bitch fit and you know who she’ll blame don’t you? She’ll blame me because I was the one who said I’ll look after you.” I decide against answering her as she leans over and pushes the door open for me., and I know she won’t move until I jump inside her truck. “Well, it certainly looks like you can hold your own whatever happened. And believe me when I tell you that you’ll need that kind of trait while you’re here.”
“So, there hasn’t been any gossip floating around the corridors?” I have no idea why I’m asking because I really don’t care all that much what people say about me but I thought there might have been some talk about me walking into a chest which is built like a wall, but seeing as though Jessica seems totally oblivious to my disaster, I think I’ll take it to the grave instead.
“Nothing different than any other day, but it sounds to me like you might know something that I don’t and that can’t be happening. I need to know everything.” Jessica waggles her perfectly threaded brows at me but I’m not moving on mu decision. Instead, I keep my lips closed and pull my seatbelt around me.
I’m quite surprised when she doesn’t press it further. She looks in the rearview mirror and then starts up the rickety engine and drives straight out of the parking lot, and a huge weight consumes me when I realize today may be finally over, but I still have to do it all again tomorrow.
“Aren’t you coming in?”
Jessica shakes her head at me, her hands playing with her long brown locks. “I would but there’s something happening at Monty’s tonight.”
“Monty’s?” I ask and my voice is laced with curiosity. I know it’s none of my business and I wouldn’t usually give a damn about what Jessica is doing, but the thought of spending the rest of my day with mu mom fills me with so much dread—I’d do absolutely anything to get out of it.
“Monty’s?” she asks, her eyes wide with surprise like I’m missing out on the best thing in Riverstone. “Well, it’s only the best diner in Riverstone, and it’s where all the cook kids hang out after school. There’s so much for you to learn my young sapling.” She leans forward and her eyes dance with amusement as she says, “I would have invited you to come along but I didn’t think it would be your thing, what with you being such a social recluse and all.”
I can’t deny she has a valid point. It totally isn’t my thing, but her words still sting. Jessica doesn’t know me at all. She doesn’t really know the first thing about me. No one knows the Avery before I was forced to leave my home. I was never a recluse in anything. I was always out and about keeping myself busy, hanging out with my friends. I was living my best life, only I had no choice but to pack up and leave it all behind—for now anyway.
“Good call.” I tell her. The thought of spending my free time in an unfamiliar enclosed space with a bunch of people I don’t know doesn’t exactly fill me with joy. No, it looks like staying at the farmhouse is the only thing on the cards for me tonight, and all I can do now is hope and pray my mom’s had an emergency call out at work.
CHAPTER EIGHT
COLE
“Why are you being such a jerk?”
My eyes burn into Mia’s big blue ones and as she watches me, a suspicious look plastered all over her heavily made-up face. I’m not stupid. I know what she’s doing. Life doesn’t seem to be going her way so she’s trying to cause a scene in front of everyone so she can get a little extra attention.
Because that’s what she likes to do, and no matter how many times she does this, she always gets away with it. Mia has to make everything about her. She’s always been a spoilt brat—a hot one—but a brat all the same, and she’s always been one to speak her mind too.
I guess that’s one of the reasons why she’s the most popular girl in Riverstone, as well as being the hottest.
But I don’t know what’s happened to her recently. She used to be fun to be around, but now she’s acting more bitchy than usual—to everyone and anything in her way, and she’s even going as far as she can to try and switch up the roles between us.
“I’m not discussing your bullshit issues here, Mia.” I finally say in warning while quickly scanning the activity around Monty’s. This place is my playground, it always has been. It’s not Mia’s and there’s no way I’m about to sit back and allow her to cause some petty little scene just because she’s decided to have a little bitch fit.
Fortunately, everyone seems pretty occupied with their own activities and doing their own thing to notice mine and Mia’s stand off over in the corner booth at the back of the diner.
I look around and see Jake too busy sucking face with Annabelle—Mia’s main bitch, and they don’t seem too bothered about who sees them either. Jake wouldn’t be bothered though because Annabelle is practically dry fucking him, her legs wrapped tight around his waist as she grinds against him and I bet he feels like all of his Christmases have come at once.
Tommy and Josh are over by the ball pool table and the rest of the cheer squad—Mia’s other bitches—are crowded around them both like a bunch of desperate whores.
“You know, I won’t always be around, Cole.” Mia states this like it’s been weighing heavy on her mind and I tear my eyes away from the guys and focus my attention on her. After all, that’s what she wants, isn’t it? My attention—all the goddamn time. “One day you might just wake up and realize just how much of a good thing you had.”
I narrow my eyes at her, totally not following where she’s trying to go with this meaningless conversation. I mean, what is it she’s trying to gain from this little pity party? I continue to watch her silently as she reaches out for her shake and she refuses to break eye contact with me.
If she’s trying to be smart by playing games with me then Mia is messing with the wrong person. I thought she’d know me well enough to even try to mess with me.
But then Mia doesn’t care about anyone but herself and I guess I have to give credit where credit is due—I think Mia is possibly the only girl in Riverstone brave enough to ever try to threaten me or deliver me an ultimatum.
Her brown curls bounce around her face as she leans back in her seat and she folds her arms over her chest, pushing up her overly enhanced chest, as though her titties are going to deter me. Maybe they would if I could remember what they looked like.
“All right.” I slam my bottle down on the table as the frustration continues to build deep within me and I lean over the table to get closer to her. If Mia wants a reaction from me then I can guarantee
that’s what she’ll get. But I don’t think she’ll appreciate what I’m about to say all too much. “You win.” I say, as clear as I possibly can, and I know she hears them perfectly too. A smile of victory spreads across her face, her eyes wide with delight thinking that she now holds the upper hand, only she couldn’t be any further from the truth.
“I like it so much better when you decide to play nice.” She cackles and looks at me through her lashes, trying her best to be all seductive, but her look of victory will be non-existent in a matter of minutes when I finally wipe that smug look from her face.
“Mia, I’ve always wanted what you wanted. We’ve always been a dynamic team and I wouldn’t want to be the one to hold you back.” I narrow my eyes some more and lean even closer. “That wouldn’t be fair of me so I’m gonna help you out a little.” A look of confusion spreads across her face and I smile knowing that I will have the upper hand. I’ll always have the upper hand no matter what. “We’re done.”
I stand and look on as her world shatters around her and you can almost hear her gasp as her crown falls and smashes to the ground. We both know that without me she’s nothing but a desperate wannabe, and I’m so done with being nothing but a thing to her. All I’ve ever been is a trophy to her—a meal ticket to fame and a better life—someone to make her stand out from the crowd.
Mia has just been delivered the mother of all blows, one she definitely didn’t see coming, but she isn’t my problem anymore. She may have held the crown, basked in the glow that comes with being Queen of Riverstone and shared my throne, but that was only because of me—because I allowed her to take that role.
Everyone knows without the King she’s no one and the stupid bitch only has herself for her downfall.
“Cole,” she hisses at me once she’s finally processed what’s happening. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
“I’m doing what I should have done a hell of a long time ago.” And it’s nothing but the truth even though I’ve never wanted to admit it out loud.
“You can’t walk away from me. You wouldn’t dare.” Her voice is shaky, rattled with nerves and even she doesn’t believe what she’s saying. Her watery eyes are wide and filled with panic, and a part of me wishes I cared enough about her to stay, but I don’t. Plus, life doesn’t start and end with Mia Campbell. There’s plenty more chicks where she came from and maybe it’s high time I stopped putting all my eggs in the same basket.
It’s no secret that all the girls in Riverstone would love nothing more than to be seen on mine, the legend that is Cole Ashford’s arm and that’s a privilege Mia took for granted—and now she needs to pay the price for her actions.
“No?” I bite back. “Just you fucking watch me.”
Mia flinches at my words, but I don’t give a shit. At least I’ve finally witnessed some form of human emotion from her, but it doesn’t matter because it’s all a little too late. She’s been acting weird for weeks, trying to call all the shots and then suddenly out of the blue deciding she’s not putting out anymore. Suddenly everything’s on her terms and there’s no way I’m going to sit back and relax. There is no way in hell that I’m going to put up with that kind of bullshit.
I’m Cole Ashford for fuck’s sake. I’m king of Riverstone High whether I want to be or not, and that’s just how it goes. Everyone knows that this town is mine and I’ll never become someone’s door mat. And that seems to be something Mia was quick to forget.
It’s not like I’ll be short of offers without her. I can have any chick I want, and that’s not me being arrogant—that’s just me stating the cold, hard facts. Every single girl in Riverstone would love a shot at being seen on my arm, and they’d be wise enough to be seen and not heard. They wouldn’t be stupid enough to start moaning and bitching and throwing out their demands.
I’m a hot-blooded male with needs and a reputation to keep. I’m not a goddamn shrink, out to help people. I wasn’t put on this earth to worry about other people and their happiness.
No, I was put here to succeed.
CHAPTER NINE
AVERY
Dear Diary,
Wild, dangerous black eyes filled my dreams last night and no matter how many times I woke, how many times I tried to think of anything but him, visions of him still penetrated my mind once again, consuming my thoughts as soon as I fell back to sleep.
I have no idea who he is, or why he’s suddenly invading my mind, but I definitely know he can’t be trusted.
He’s nothing more than a disaster just waiting to happen. I can feel it in the deepest depths of my soul and I pity any girl who falls onto his path and falls victim to his sins, because if they do then there’s only going to be one way out and that’s a direct decent to hell.
I’ve seen guys like him before and I’ve watched the destruction they so carelessly leave behind. People like dark and dangerous don’t care about others. They only care for themselves and I’ll make sure I stay out of his way—no matter the cost.
There’s no way I’ll ever fall victim to someone like him.
Jessica’s horn sounds outside, alerting me to the sad fact it’s time to get my ass in gear and head back to the grindstone. Here’s hoping today will be a much better day than yesterday.
On my last inspection while getting dressed and brushing my teeth earlier it looks like my nose fortunately doesn’t seem to be broken. The only thing broken around here is my ego and that’s ridiculous. The swelling looks like it’s subsided too and there isn’t a bruise in sight, leaving any evidence of yesterday hidden deep in the back of my mind—hidden away, never to see the light of day again.
I check the time and jump up off the bed when I realize Jessica must have been running late. I had plenty of time when I last checked too. I guess I must have gotten too carried away with my inner thoughts. I grab my backpack and toss in my textbooks, and my journal before rushing to my bedroom door. I’m just about to reach out and turn the handle when I hear my mom’s voice on the other side, and I freeze.
“There’s not much I can do about it right now.” She hisses down the line. I don’t know who she’s talking to, but she sounds pissed. I’ve never heard her speak like that before. “Listen, I can’t talk now. I need to go but we can discuss this later, okay?”
My mom goes quiet for some time and then I hear her say, her voice as cold as ice whipping through the air. “And when I decide to do it, it will be on my terms.”
Unable to hold back any longer and to avoid being super late, I pull the door open only to see my mom stood with her back to me as she leans against the wooden balcony out in the hall. She must sense me as she spins around and when her eyes fall on mine, she looks like she’s seen a ghost. Her olive skin is all white and ashen, and her eyes grow wide with fear and she quickly ends the call. Obviously, she didn’t know I’d still be here. Again, this goes to show just how much attention she actually pays to me.
“I didn’t know you were home.” She says sounding out my thoughts and her voice is unsteady, which tells me I totally overheard something I shouldn’t have. “Is everything okay?”
“I’m not sure.” I shrug my shoulders and watch her, trying to gauge some kind of vibe from her, but that’s pretty hard to do when you don’t really know the person. “Is everything okay?” I know it’s none of my business who my mom was talking to on the phone, but she sure looks guilty as hell and that’s never a good sign. Especially for someone who wants to be trusted.
My mom finally breaks eye contact with me, and her eyes drop to her cell in her hand. “Yes, everything’s fine. That was just work stuff is all. Nothing for you to worry yourself with. It’s a busy time right now, but how about we forget about it.” She slowly steps toward me and a faint, uneasy smile appears on her lips. “There was something I’ve been meaning to ask you.”
Well, that’s a lie if ever I heard one. I know she’s trying to think of a way to distract me, but I’m her daughter after all and I’m a hell of a lot smarter than
she thinks, which only proves what I’ve been saying all along—this woman—the one who birthed me and brought me into the world doesn’t know the first thing about me.
“Shoot.” I reply with zero emotion in my voice and I wish she’d let me pass already.
“Maya’s not here tonight and all being well I should be back from work early, so how about we do something together—just the two of us?”
I puff out my cheeks as my mom waits for a reply. I’m sure it’s a bit too late in my life to start playing besties and trying to arrange sleepovers, isn’t it? But then I don’t really have anything else to do with my time, and if I want to get close to her, try to figure her out, find out what makes her tick, only to go and pull it all away and leave her with nothing—I suppose I need to put in a little effort in too along the way. And even though I really don’t want to, I know it’s nothing but an evil necessity—a vital part of my plan, so I decide to think on it instead of downright refusing.
“Like what?” I finally ask after a few moments of awkward silences passes between us.
“It’s totally up to you. We could stay home, or we could go out for a bite to eat. My cooking has never been my strong point, and your dad used to hate it.”
And just like that I feel like I’ve just been hammer-fisted in the chest as all the air is knocked from my lungs. A multitude of emotions ripple through my body like a goddamn tidal wave and I don’t know how to deal with them all at once. Instead, I clench the strap of my backpack, digging my nails deeper into my flesh until my eyes water from the pain.
I hear the sound of Jessica’s horn tooting again, more urgently this time and I silently thank her for saving my ass and preventing me from saying or doing something I won’t be able to take back.
“I have to go,” I mutter, and I struggle to look at her. I’m so mad right now. How dare she stand there and talk about my dad like he meant something to her. She didn’t care about either of us for the last ten years so it’s pretty pointless trying to start now.