“I guess I just don’t think of him that way.”
“Really? Do you think anyone in our school is hot?”
Chase’s face filled my head. “I guess I haven’t really thought about it.”
Kara started talking about some guy in her Graphic Arts class. “I think he has a girlfriend but I don’t know. He’s so cute.”
“Is he an A-squader?”
“No. Simon is too smart to fit into their clan. I mean, you might even think he’s geeky if you saw him, but I think he’s adorable.”
“Do you think he’ll be at that party this weekend?”
“I don’t know.”
“You should ask him.”
She smiled. “I might.”
We stopped at Starbucks for frappes and then she brought me home.
“Send me a text after your interview.”
“I will. Thanks for the ride,” I replied, grabbing my backpack and coffee.
“No problem. Good luck.”
“Thanks.”
After doing my homework, I made myself a grilled cheese sandwich and then took a shower. Afterward, I pulled out a pair of black slacks and a dressy blue blouse that my grandmother had given me last Christmas. I dried my hair, did my makeup, and then practiced answering possible questions they might throw at me in interview. Although I was nervous, I was also excited about getting a job and really wanted the one at Herschel’s. It seemed like a fun place to work and I really needed the money.
My interview was at seven and I was on pins and needles by the time my grandmother arrived home.
“You look very nice,” she said, nodding in approval. “And I love that shirt. Someone with very good taste must have picked it out for you.”
I laughed. “I know, right?”
She pulled her car keys out of her purse and handed them to me. “Good luck, dear.”
“Thanks.”
“Just remember to breathe and be yourself. If you do that, you’ll get the job for sure.”
I leaned forward and kissed her cheek. “Thanks, Grandma.”
“Drive safely,” she said as I headed to the door.
“I will.”
Twenty minutes later, I found myself seated across from one of the managers at Herschel’s, a heavy-set woman with brown hair and pencil-thin eyebrows named Margie. It was so busy and hectic in the diner, I could see why they needed help.
“It’s crazy here until about eight thirty,” she said when I commented on it. “In the summer, it’s busy here until after nine, with all of the tourists.”
“I can imagine.”
“So,” she looked at my application. “Tell me about your previous job experience.”
I explained how I’d been working at my grandmother’s bait store. “I mostly cashier but have helped out with some of the bookkeeping.’
“Oh, you’re Rae’s granddaughter,” she said, smiling. “I don’t know why I didn’t figure that out from the address on your application.”
“You know her?”
“Oh, yes of course. Everyone knows her. My mother went to high school with her.”
“Oh, wow.”
“Not only that, but she’s done so much for the community. She’s always volunteering for events and has made a lot of donations to local charities. Does she still do taxidermy too?”
“Yeah.”
We talked about her for a while and then, after a few more questions about my job experience, Margie hired me on the spot.
“I’ll get you a uniform from the back. Do you have roller-skates or roller-blades?” she asked, sliding out of the booth.
“No, but I can get some.”
“Can you skate?”
“Yeah. It’s been awhile but I used to when I was in elementary school. All the time.”
“Okay. Well, they sell them over at the sporting goods store up the road. Sports Mania. We’ll reimburse you, so keep the receipt.”
“Oh, okay.”
“Also, we’ll need you to sign a waiver, since you’ll be serving food on roller-skates.” She lowered her voice again. “The owners don’t want to be sued, you know.”
“I understand.”
“When can you start?”
“As soon as I can get some roller-skates, I guess.”
“How about tomorrow?”
“That sounds good.”
“Are there any days you won’t be available in the following week. I’ll add you to the schedule.”
“I can’t work this Saturday. I have a dance to go to.”
She grinned. “Oh, how fun. No problem. You’ll work tomorrow and then…” she tapped her pen against her thigh, “how about Sunday afternoon?”
“I’m available.”
“Good. I’ll pencil you in and then be right back with your uniform.”
“Okay.”
Margie left the table and I pulled out my phone and texted Kara.
Me: I got the job!
Kara: Congrats! I knew you would. When do you start?
Me: Tomorrow.
Kara: You don’t work Friday do you?
Me: No.
I’d forgotten all about the party.
Kara: Cool.
Margie returned to the table, a few minutes later, with some paperwork for me and a fifties-style uniform.
“You can fill that out and bring it in when you start, tomorrow,” she said, handing me the forms.
“Okay. Thank you for hiring me.”
She smiled. “You’re welcome. Oh, don’t forget to bring in your social security card and state ID.”
“I won’t.”
“So, we’ll see you at four?”
Crap.
Four p.m.?
I didn’t know how I’d get there. My grandmother’s shop closed at six. There was always Uber.
I smiled. “Yeah, for sure.”
“Great. See you tomorrow.”
After leaving the diner, I called my grandmother.
“I got the job,” I told her.
“Congratulations! I knew you would.”
I told her about Margie.
“Yes, I know her very well. She’s a sweet gal. So, when do you start?”
I told her.
“I’ll find you a ride tomorrow. Don’t worry.”
I sighed in relief. “Okay. Oh, I can’t bring the car to you yet. I have to go and buy some roller-skates. They’re going to reimburse me for payment.”
“That’s nice.”
“I’m going to check out Sports Mania. I’ll be home afterward.”
“Sounds good. Drive safely.”
“I will.”
Fortunately, I was able to find a pair of skates that fit fairly comfortably. As I headed toward the checkout counter, I noticed a familiar face over by the fitness gear.
Chase.
He was looking at some metal hand weights and talking with a store employee. When I noticed who the employee was, I groaned inwardly.
Bruce.
Not wanting either of them to see me, I kept my head low and hurried to one of the checkout lanes. As I was waiting to pay for my skates, I saw Bruce and Chase walking to another register with a full cart. Bruce turned and saw me. Our eyes met and he smirked.
“Well, well. If it isn’t the new girl?” he said.
Chase looked over at me.
Ignoring them, I turned away.
I heard Bruce laugh.
“What’s so funny?” Chase asked.
He murmured something and then both of them laughed.
Gritting my teeth I waited anxiously for the cashier to ring up my skates. When she was finished I hurried out of the store.
“Mackenzie, hold up.”
I stopped and turned to see Chase heading in my direction with a cart full of weights.
“What?” I muttered, still angry that the two had been laughing at me.
He stopped the cart and frowned. “I was just going to ask if we were supposed to have that assignment turned in tomorrow or Thursday.”
/>
“Tomorrow,” I replied stiffly.
He swore.
“Guess you’ll have to find another night to get SWOL.” I turned and continued toward the Volkswagen.
Chase caught up to me as I was about to get into the car. “What’s your problem?”
I turned around and glared at him. “My problem? Are you serious right now?”
He looked genuinely surprised. “What in the hell did I do to you?”
“It’s not what you’ve done. It’s how you’ve acted.”
“Okay, I admit that I was short with you the other night. That was my bad. But, you’re being a little dramatic about everything.”
I laughed harshly. “Dramatic? God. You know you and your friends are really something else. Especially Bruce. And, of course, there’s bat-shit-crazy Mattzilla who has made it a point to make my life hell at Diamond Lake.”
“Hey, I’m not responsible for whatever it is they’ve done to you. But, you shouldn’t be pointing fingers. I heard that you’ve been gossiping and spreading rumors about her. About me.”
“Oh, now I’m spreading rumors about you now too, huh? I haven’t heard that one yet,” I said angrily. “Funny thing is I don’t even know what I’ve supposedly said about her.”
He frowned. “So, you’re denying it?”
I snorted. “Of course I’m denying it. I mean, who has time for that bullshit? Not me.”
Chase’s frowned deepened.
“I literally just want to be left alone. You and your crazy, entitled, holier-than-though, good-for-nothing friends don’t seem to get that.” I raised my index finger. “And you tell Bruce that if he ever threatens with me again, he’s going to wish he’d never met me.”
He cleared his throat. “He threatened you? What did he say?”
“Ask him. I’m sure he’ll love bragging about it.” I got into the car and slammed the door.
25
Mattie
I watched as Mackenzie left Chase in the parking lot, standing there with his mouth wide open.
What in the fuck was that all about?
He watched her car drive away and then went to his Mustang, unloaded his cart, and walked back into the store. Now I knew why he’d been avoiding me. Ignoring my texts. Not returning my calls. There really was something going on between him and the new girl.
I was such a fool.
I thought his strange behavior had been because of the problems at home. I’d called Sonny earlier and had learned that Chase had moved out of his dad’s. Excited about his new place, I decided to surprise him with a bottle of champagne and borrowed my sister’s car to run it over to him. As I drove toward the address Sonny had given me, I noticed Chase’s Mustang heading in the opposite direction and followed him to Sports Mania. Not wanting to look like a stalker, I’d stayed in the car and waited. Twenty minutes later, I saw him follow Mackenzie out of the store and watched them have a heated discussion in the parking lot.
Now I was livid.
What in the hell did he see in her?
I had to do something. He was my man. I wasn’t about to let him go that easily. I didn’t know what it was they were fighting about, but I intended to make sure that they never made up.
As thoughts of revenge raced through my brain, a noise caught my attention. I looked over by the other end of Sport’s Mania’s parking lot and noticed Audra’s younger brother, Jack, skateboarding with one of his friends. I knew he had a crush on me. I also knew that he would do anything for a carton of cigarettes. It was time to see just how far Jack was willing to go for both.
26
Chase
I didn’t know why Mackenzie was so pissed off and was curious as to what happened between her and Bruce. After going back into the store, I found him restocking some of the weights I’d purchased.
“What’s up?” he asked with a smile. “Need more?”
“No. I was just wondering what you did to get Mackenzie so riled up?”
His eyebrows shot up. “You spoke to her?”
“I tried to. She bawled me out and then said you threatened her.”
Bruce snorted. “I just told her to quit spreading rumors.”
I had a feeling there was more. Bruce could be a real asshole when he wanted to. “That’s it?”
“Well, I also told her that if she was going to be at our school, she needed to support us and not fucking Lancaster.”
“Or what?”
He looked angry. “Look, I didn’t actually threaten her. She’s a lying cunt if she’s told you otherwise.”
I sighed.
He moved closer to me and lowered his voice. “Hey, I know. She’s hot. I get that. But, she’s trouble and trying to make waves. If I were you, I’d stay the fuck away from her.”
“I’m renting the studio from her grandmother. I can’t afford to be kicked out,” I replied. “Just… do me a favor and don’t give her anymore shit, okay?”
There was a long pause and then Bruce shrugged. “Fine. Whatever. I was just trying to have your back,” he muttered.
“Bro, I appreciate it. I really do. It’s just that things are fucked up at home for me and I don’t want to have to go back.”
“I get it. I’ll stay away from her.” He then added. “As long as she doesn’t start any trouble with me.”
Bruce could be a hothead and a loose cannon. I knew it was all I could really ask for from him.
“Thanks. I appreciate it.”
I left the store and drove home. On the way, I noticed a few people staring at my car and chuckling. It was a little weird, but I brushed it off.
After arriving home, I got out of my Mustang, and was carrying some of the barbells out of my trunk when something caught my eye - the words “Mattie’s Bitch” had been keyed onto the passenger door.
Enraged, I growled angrily and dropped the weights I’d been holding.
Someone was going to fucking pay.
27
Mackenzie
Kara gave me a ride to school the next morning. On the way, we stopped at Mc Donald’s for breakfast sandwiches and coffee. As we were waiting in the drive-thru, we noticed Chase’s Mustang parked nearby.
“Wow, what happened there?” Kara said, as we stared at the passenger-side door. It looked like some of the paint had been sanded off.
I squinted. “I don’t know. That’s really strange. I saw his car last night. I don’t remember it looking like that.””
“Hmm… I’ll have to ask him about it in class later.” Kara pulled up to the window and the attendant handed us a bag of food and two iced-coffees.
When we arrived at school, we ate our food in the parking lot, and then headed inside.
“See you during lunch?” Kara said, as we were parting ways.
“Yeah. Good luck with your Physics test.”
“Thanks.”
When I reached my locker, I noticed that Mattie was back. Our eyes met briefly and she smiled like a Cheshire cat. It made me wonder what in the hell she was up to now.
I turned away, determined not to let her or her shenanigans affect my day. I was excited about starting a new job and about the party on Friday. Kara told me that Jason’s parties were epic and that if someone started shit, they were banned from future parties. So, everyone usually got along even if they didn’t want to.
As I was digging in my locker, I noticed several people staring at me as they walked by. Something in the way they were looking at me, made my stomach knot up.
What now?
I glanced over toward Mattie’s locker again, half expecting her to be gloating about something else she’d contrived to make my life hell. But, she wasn’t there.
Sighing, I grabbed what I needed and shut my locker door. I turned to leave and that’s when I found Chase standing in my way with a murderous expression.
Realizing his anger was directed toward me, I took a step back. “What?”
“I’m sending you a bill to repair the damages to my car. You’re
just lucky I don’t press charges.”
I stared up at him in shock. “What are you talking about?”
“Don’t play games. You know what this is about.”
“No, I don’t. What’s going on?”
Chase looked like he was trying not to explode. “You fucking keyed my car.”
I stared at him in disbelief. “Excuse me?”
“Last night, when I went back into Sports Mania.”
“Bullshit. I didn’t touch your damn car,” I snapped.
He snorted. “There’s a witness who saw you do it, so don’t even try to deny it.”
“A witness? Let me guess, Mattie?” I asked dryly.
“No.”
This was infuriating. He was accusing me of something I would have never done. Even if he deserved it. “Look, I don’t know what in the hell is going on, or why this person is lying, but I didn’t touch your precious car. I went home right after talking to you.”
He laughed harshly. “Mattie was right about you all along, you really are a lying, evil bitch.”
I was so mad and upset I started shaking. Someone was obviously setting me up. It had to be Mattie. From the look on her face earlier, I knew she was behind it.
“Who in the hell is this witness anyway? An A-squader?”
He stared at me in confusion. “A what?”
“One of your little group’s friends?”
“His name is Jack Freemont. He’s a tenth grader.”
The name didn’t ring a bell. “Sorry, but I have no idea who he is.”
“Jack’s a reliable source. Someone I trust a hell of a lot more than you.”
Why was I continually being targeted by everyone? All I wanted was to be left alone. “I don’t know what he saw, but it wasn’t me.”
“Right. I’ll be sending you the bill for the new paint job.”
“You do whatever the hell you want,” I snapped. “But, I won’t be paying for shit.”
His jaw tightened and he clenched his fists by his sides. From the murderous look in his eyes, I almost thought he was going to hit me. Instead, Chase slammed one of them against a locker. The sound echoed loudly, startling everyone around us. Those who hadn’t already been watching our exchange, stopped to gape.
After Burn (High School Bully Romance) (Diamond Lake High School Book 1) Page 12