"Any of your friends charge us, and I break your arm." Robert checked if anyone moved closer. "Now that you're all calmer, we can talk. I can't fight you here. You'll get your wrist slapped." He pointed at his chest. "I'll get expelled. Durin' school hours, on school property, I won't fight. After school, across the street in the park - you and me. If ya don't show...." Robert exerted more force to the elbow, released it, glanced over at Stephan's teammates then left.
Julie entered the school and walked in the direction of her calculus classroom. Robert leaned over a drinking fountain. He sipped some water, rinsed his mouth then spit it back into the bowl. The water was tinted red. She stopped next to him. "You're bleeding."
"Yea, he got in a good one. Split my lip on my tooth. Guess no kissin' for a bit." He started to grin, but winced instead.
Julie squeezed her books against her chest - academic protection. "You had no intentions of fighting, did you? You were going to talk your way out until his bullheaded friends joined in."
Robert didn't reply. He was too lost in the light glistening off her hair, and the soft scent of her perfume.
Julie hesitated. "I didn't expect you to do that."
He rubbed his chin. Do what? "Oh, ya expected me to fight, 'cause I'm Shore?"
"Yes. You people are always fighting and causing trouble. You're supposed to be tough, macho studs."
"The stud part's right." He grinned.
A shiver scurried up her spine. "You know, there are two sides of you."
"As far as I know, I'm an original."
To keep from giggling, Julie took a deep breath. "After calculus, can we go somewhere? Have lunch and talk."
"Why?" That wasn't what he wanted to say. In reality, he wanted to run down the hall shouting, "YES!", but he so knew that wouldn't look cool.
"Because I asked?" Because the words just came out of my mouth.
"Guess so. Where?"
He said yes. "Not here. I don't want to be—"
"Seen with me?"
"No, that's not it." She stepped back a pace, relieving the tension his presence caused in her. "I find you an enigma. I'd like to chat."
"Well, you're arousin' my curiosity. What do Westland girls, with a body like yours, eat for lunch? Ya don't look like the cheeseburger and fries type."
"Lunch Box isn't far. It has a great salad bar." She looked away, knowing her cheeks flushed bright pink.
"Ya ever been on a bike?"
Julie shook her head.
"There's only one in the parkin' lot. Meet ya after class."
Chapter Two
When the end of calculus bell rang, Julie and Robert exited without a glance in the other's direction. Julie wanted to keep their lunch date secret, and she hoped Robert understood. She chewed her lip as she looked around the parking lot. What was she doing riding off on a motorcycle with a guy from North Shore? What was it about this man that attracted her so? Was that it? She thought of him as a man, not another of the immature boys she went to school with?
He stepped beside her and handed her a black helmet. "Here, ya wear it. I only got one. You're gonna have to show me the way." He adjusted her chinstrap then steadied his bike as she climbed on.
She gave him directions to the restaurant then paused. Not ever having been on a motorcycle before Julie guessed she had two choices: keep steady by wrapping her arms around him, but that seemed too forward, or fall off which was stupid.
With a roar, the bike surged ahead. Julie decided being bold was better than dead. She squeezed his waist and buried her face into his back. Please don't let me die. I want to go back to school this afternoon.
Robert glanced at Julie's arms, gripping tightly around his waist. He chuckled. "Don't worry. I won't let anythin' happen to ya."
She peeked out twice. Once at a stoplight and the second time as the vibration of the engine ceased. The restaurant's sign was a welcome sight.
Lunch Box was an upscale restaurant with skylights and green plants scattered throughout. "Menus or salad bar?" A hostess escorted them to a booth.
"Where I eat, the menu's on the wall." He hunched his shoulders. "A cheeseburger and fries is fine." He slid into a seat on the opposite side from Julie.
She leaned across the table. "This is a vegetarian restaurant."
"I don't eat vegetables. I eat meat. Didn't fight my way to the top of the food chain to eat vegetables."
"Try a salad. It's good for you. A burger and fries are so full of fat." She rolled her eyes. "You can eat and eat until you're full." Sliding out of her seat, Julie led him to the salad bar and handed him a plate.
Robert examined the ingredients. "I ain't sure what half of this is."
"Experiment."
He placed a pile of lettuce, carrots and radishes on his plate.
Julie shook her head. "That's experimenting?" She dropped a couple of strange looking brown things beside his radishes.
When they returned to their booth, their waitress was waiting. "What can I get for drinks?"
"Lemonade, please." Julie settled into her seat.
Robert put his plate on the table and sat. Do places like this even have a liquor licence? "I'll have the same." He stared at his meal. "If I die eatin' this I'm comin' back to haunt ya."
Julie chuckled. "Get caught up on all your homework?"
"Gawd, I hope so. Between school, homework and work, I've got about six hours sleep this past week." He rubbed his face.
"Did you hear the rumours about you and Mr. Parks?"
Robert scrunched his brow as he eyed something hanging off the end of his fork. "What's this?"
"An oriental mushroom."
"Ain't that brave." He pushed the mushrooms aside. "Yea, I supposedly swore at Parks and threatened him."
She waved her drink at him. "And you pulled a knife on him."
"I must really be tired 'cause I don't remember none of that." Taking a bite of a carrot, Robert looked down at his meal. You've got the prettiest eyes, like chocolate ice cream. Stop talkin' about bio. I'd rather talk about you.
Julie scooped up a forkful of salad. Your eyes. They're so intense. They don't look at me. They look inside me. "What happened after school yesterday?"
"I said sorry for losin' my temper, and he apologised for judgin' me too quickly. When my assignment wasn't done, he figured I was bein' belligerent or somethin'." Robert finished his first plate of salad and went back for seconds. "It could take a person a long time to get full eatin' this stuff." He gulped the last of his drink. "I think ya called me a name. An enigma."
"You're pretending to be dumb, but I know you know what the word means." She dipped a slice of cucumber in dressing. "That's what fascinated me. You suddenly pop up in class, don't speak for days and then blow up at a teacher. You go out and play the tough guy on Stephan's challenge and try to negotiate a settlement. I presumed you'd...."
"Ya presumed wrong."
"But you're...?"
Robert tossed his fork onto his plate and slouched low in his seat. "I'm Shore. Therefore, I'm stupid, uneducated, a tough punk, into drugs and stuff."
Ashamed of herself, Julie stared down at her half-eaten meal.
"I knew I was in trouble when I had to register at Westland Prep. There are so many different kinds of racism." He ran his fingers through his hair. "We're the same colour and nationality. Religion isn't a factor here, so that leaves social or economic standin'. Ya live in rich Westland. I'm from North Shore. I expected you'se guys to hate me. I was hopin' maybe somebody'd get to know me before they found out what I am."
"Trish tried. She said you were staring at her in English."
"I wasn't lookin' at her. I was lookin' at you."
Julie felt a blush rush to her cheeks.
"Trish is usin' me. She wants to make Super Jock jealous and pay more attention to her."
"But you're doing what she wants by fighting Stephan." Julie rested against the back of the booth.
"I'm gonna scare Stephan." Robert met her gaze.
"What's it to ya?"
"My curiosity's piqued. I thought I understood people. You've surprised me. There's something behind those eyes. Some sort of a secret."
"I've got a past. I ain't proud of it. Didn't wanna cause any trouble. Just wanted to get through this term and disappear."
Julie swallowed the last of her lemonade. "I'm really angry with myself. I'm having a difficult time letting you be you. I want you to fit the stereotype."
"Why?"
"Separate cheques?" The waitress broke into their conversation.
It was a brief debate, but Julie put her foot down. "I invited you to lunch. You drove. I pay. Got it." She looked at the cheque and handed the waitress some bills. "Keep the change."
"Are all Westland women so bossy?" He picked up his helmet and led her to the exit.
Julie paused as she passed him. A musky scent tickled her nose, making her sigh. It made her feel warm and safe.
He held the door.
"Sorry." She stepped through.
He followed her. "What? No snappy comeback to my question?"
Julie crinkled her brow. "What question?"
Robert chuckled. "Nothin'. Get on." With a kick, he started the engine and drove out of the parking lot.
***
On returning to school, Robert dropped Julie off at the front door and parked his bike. She hurried to English. It was several minutes before Robert entered. He handed Mrs. Wolmsley an admit slip and went to his desk.
"Thought you'd been kicked out." A student in the third row growled in a low voice.
"Huh?"
"You heard me."
"Sorry to disappoint."
"What's the chatter over there?" Mrs. Wolmsley's brow wrinkled as she glanced across the room.
"Whoever this is." Robert jerked his thumb towards the student. "Was worried I'd been expelled."
"We were hoping you'd been kicked out," Derek shouted across the room.
Mrs. Wolmsley glanced at her student. "Why do you want Robert expelled?"
"'Cause of what he did in biology yesterday."
The teacher waited for an explanation.
"I'll tell you what he did." Derek stood. "A friend of mine said Robert didn't hand in his assignment. When Mr. Parks questioned why, he blew a fuse. He was yelling and swearing that he didn't have to do some stupid assignment. When Mr. Parks tried to reason with him, he swore at the teacher."
Derek dug into his story. "Then Robert pulled a knife and threatened Mr. Parks with it. Right there in class. I heard Kristal had to leave. She couldn't deal."
"That'd be one version." Robert scratched his chin.
"You calling me a liar?" Derek lunged towards Robert.
With a bored expression on his face, Robert didn't move.
"Derek, get back in your seat." The Principal's voice boomed across the room. Two police officers stood near him.
Robert snorted in disgust. "I don't believe this."
"Would you come with me, please?" Although Mr. Morris made it sound like a question, Robert understood it was an order. He shook his head and crossed the room. An officer grabbed his arm and escorted him out.
"You know, Mrs. Wolmsley, Robert's right." Julie controlled her nerves. "Derek's mistaken. I'm in Mr. Parks' class, and unless I'm suffering from total lack of recall there were no four-letter words or any hint of a threat or a knife or anything. Robert's not one of us and no one will give him a chance. He's North Shore. That's all they need to know." Aware of her classmates' stares, Julie scooted from the room.
As Julie searched for Robert's locker, she turned a corner and stumbled to a stop. Robert was spread-eagled against the wall being frisked by one officer as the other inspected his belongings.
"Go back to class." Mr. Morris pointed down the hallway.
"No, sir." Having never disobeyed a Principal before, she forced her voice to stay calm. "I can't believe this. I was in bio, nothing happened."
"Julie's right." The teacher rounded the corner. He directed his statements to both the police officers and Mr. Morris. "Absolutely nothing happened. Sir, don't you think I would've called you if he had a knife, or if he'd threatened me?"
Robert still leaned on the wall. "Can I move?"
The officer grunted.
Assuming that was a yes, Robert turned to face Julie. "Don't worry about this. I've been frisked before. At least this time I wasn't slammed against the wall first."
"He agreed to a search. To prove there's no knife," said Mr. Morris.
Robert started to speak, but Julie interrupted him with a flick of her hand. "No I've got to say this. Do you know what he's gone through? Just because he lost his temper." Her cheeks flushed as she could feel the heat of her nerves and indignation rising. She clenched and unclenched her hands, trying to calm herself. "He's been humiliated twice. At least. One, he was hauled out of class by police officers and two, forced to agree to a search. All for nothing. There's no knife, is there?"
She glared at both officers. "He has rights, and I'd say every one of them's been violated. Does anyone care? No. And why not? Because he's North Shore. Well, who died and made us Westlanders God?"
Mr. Parks put a hand on Julie's arm. "She's right, you know."
Mr. Morris looked at Robert who shrugged. "I expected it. I didn't wanna come here. I got sent. This school has the worst reputation for friendliness. If ya ain't Westland, you're nothin'."
Released from the search, Robert and Julie walked back to class. With one hand on the door, he glanced at her and smiled. "Thanks." His eyes sparkled with gratitude.
A couplet from a poem shot through Julie's mind.
Thine eyes fill me with wanton lust.
Thine arms doth cause me to surrender.
He held the door open for her. There was a gasp of disbelief as he entered. "Ta da. The innocent has returned." He snapped his fingers and bounced to his personal beat.
Mrs. Wolmsley placed her book on the desk. "The bell's about to ring. I want to remind everyone to read the next two chapters for tomorrow."
Derek stood. "Don't forget the meeting in the park."
The class exited. As Robert walked down the hall, several students bumped into him, but he ignored their feeble attempts to start a fight.
Julie's friends waited by her locker. "Where were you at lunch?" Heather asked.
"Forget that. Francine tell her the news," Tricia urged.
"Daddy arranged a horseback riding party for me for my birthday. At the Murran Estate. Two o'clock Sunday. So no excuses, Julie, you don't dance on Sundays."
"Isn't it great?" Jennifer giggled. "Maybe we'll meet Mrs. Murran."
The owner of Murran Estate and Riding Stables, Mrs. Emily Murran, was a reclusive woman. She rarely attended social functions, but her generosity was legendary around the city. An invitation to the Estate would be a step up in their social climb.
Jennifer's fingers flew over the keys as she texted three friends.
Francine checked her manicure. "Are we going to watch Stephan trounce that punk?"
Julie shook her head. Heather and Jennifer grabbed her and pulled her along. They worked their way to the front of the crowd and stood close to where Stephan and a pack of football players had clustered.
"You know, Tricia," Julie turned to face her. "This is all your fault."
"I know. Isn't it great having two men fight over you?" She shimmied.
Stephan straightened his shoulders, trying to look menacing. Julie bit her lip as Robert walked towards the group. He'll get killed. He can't possibly fight the whole team.
Robert positioned himself in front of Stephan. Both men glared, visually challenging the other person. With a rustle of leaves, several black leather jacketed figures dropped from the surrounding trees and formed a group behind Robert. "Hey, guys, I was wonderin' when ya all was gonna drop in."
One of Robert's friends handed him a black leather jacket. On the back was a large insignia of a coiled cobra, fangs bared and dripping blood. "Now ya got
your supporters and I got mine." An evil grin crossed Robert's face. "Suddenly got real even, didn't it? We can do this nice and fight fists, or...." Robert pulled a knife from his jacket pocket. He flicked it open, examined it, closed it and returned it to his pocket.
Stephan paled.
Robert stepped closer. "Ya get one shot. Make it good. 'Cause then I'm gonna break your fuckin' face."
Stephan swung. Robert caught the punch and turned his fist. His knuckles were close to Stephan's face. "Continue or concede?"
"Concede." Stephan's voice cracked. Robert released him.
"What're you doing?" Derek jumped forward. "Hit him!" A friend restrained him from charging at Robert.
"He's Shoresmen." Stephan's voice filled with contempt. "He's not worth it."
Derek knocked off his friend and charged towards Robert's retreating back. Robert spun and drilled his foot into Derek's stomach, stopping him in his tracks. Interlocking his hands behind Derek's head, Robert lifted his knee and smashed Derek's face onto his thigh.
"Ow! Fuck you." Derek wiped blood off his face. "You broke my nose."
"Anythin' else ya'd like me to break?"
Blood dripped onto the pavement. Derek moved, but someone clasped a hand on his shoulder, pulling him back. "Don't Derek. He's Shoresmen. They never lose a fight."
Robert faced the crowd. He stood tall and held eye contact with everyone who met his gaze. "I haven't taken my knife into your school, and until now, I ain't never worn my colours in your town. But, if I'm challenged, I will defend myself." He pointed at the onlookers. "Ya all live comfortable lives. Ya don't know how to fight. I do." He pressed his finger onto his chest. "And I will."
His gaze rested on Julie's friend. "This all started 'cause Trish wanted to make Stephan jealous. I didn't start nothin'. Ya ignore me and I'll ignore you, and at term's end, I'm outta here." He turned to his friends. "Beer's on me, guys." Not glancing back, Robert and his fellow gang members walked away.
Derek wiped the blood off his face and glared at Robert.
Julie's gaze followed while the insignia of the coiled snake faded as Robert and his compatriots left the park. She reviewed what she'd witnessed. A group of people jumped out of the trees and handed Robert a black leather biker jacket. Suddenly he went from classmate Robert to Shoresmen Robert. A gang member fully equipped with an insignia-emblazoned jacket and a knife, but somehow Robert was different from the others. Soon the roar of a group of motorcycles signified Robert and his colleagues' departure from Westland.
Dancing in Circles (Circles Trilogy) Page 2