by Amy Brown
“He had photos of me, remember? He was going to proceed with humiliating me. You told me so yourself. He did that to Lucia and he was going to do it to me too.”
She sighs. “God. What a mess.”
I clench my fists, frustration searing through me. “The Elites deserve to be torn down. They’ve lorded it over everyone long enough.”
A funny smile hovers on her lips. “This attitude is why everyone is looking to you, Charity. You say you don’t want a revolution, but you keep stoking the fires of rebellion.”
She’s right. Of course, she’s absolutely right. The injustice of how The Elites have behaved eats at me. It irks me and makes me want to tear them down. But the other side of me wants nothing to do with any of this. My other half simply wants to go to school and keep my head down.
“I have no idea what to do,” I say softly.
“Maybe tomorrow everyone will have calmed down.”
“That would be nice.”
She opens the door, and pauses. “Let me ask you this, when you get to school tomorrow, would you prefer that The Elites are back in control, or would you rather they be on the run?”
I scowl. “I’d rather The Elites be on the run.”
“Even if that means the other kids will look to you to keep them running?”
Uneasiness ripples through me, and I don’t respond.
She presses her lips together, and then says, “Because the sad truth is, Charity, unless you step up, The Elites will regain control. It’s just how it is. Those kids had years to fight back, but they never did. Not until you came along. I think, whether you like it or not, if you want them free, you have to lead the charge.”
“But… I just want to graduate high school with a good GPA. I don’t want to be a hero.”
“I know. Unfortunately, I think you’re now Longhorn Academy’s Joan of Arc.” Lily laughs gruffly.
I wince. “God, as I recall, things didn’t turn out very well for old Joan.”
Lily grins, and leaves the room, and I go back to studying. Although, truth be told, now all I can think about is being burned at the stake by The Elites.
****
The next morning, when Mason walks into class, my heart does a little flip flop. He looks calmer than yesterday. The kids jeer him, and try to trip him, but he nonchalantly strides to his seat, as if he doesn’t even notice them. I have to respect his self-confidence, even as it irks me.
He ignores me as he sits, and his cologne brings back so many intimate memories. He’s wearing a shirt that makes his eyes a beautiful jade green, and it fits his muscled body like a glove. Some of the girls scowl at him, but I also notice attraction simmering in their angry stares. Maybe they’d love to beat him up, but I suspect they’d love to fuck him first.
I struggle with that myself.
He may be a cold hearted bastard, but he is one of the sexiest assholes I’ve ever met. He lied to me for weeks, and planned on humiliating me, yet even now, I’d love to run my hands through his silky dark hair. It bugs me that he doesn’t look at me. He should be apologizing to me. Begging me to forgive him for taking my virginity and using me, but instead he acts like he’s the victim. He no doubt truly sees himself as the victim.
“Everybody settle down,” Mrs. Dunbar says, eyeing the classroom. She has to know something weird is going on. I have no idea how tuned in the teachers or administration are to the happenings of the student body, but even a deaf and blind person would be able to pick up on the fact that people are treating Mason differently.
Unfortunately, today Mrs. Dunbar makes us break into groups. My stomach churns as people splinter off into the usual pairing. Since I’m usually teamed up with Mason, we’re the only two left without partners. The kids watch to see what we’re going to do. I can feel the eyes of the entire class watching. Mason ignores me, and I ignore him.
Mrs. Dunbar frowns at us. “Are your chairs nailed to the floor?”
My face is hot as I hold her gaze. “I’d rather pair with someone else.”
“Same,” mutters Mason. “Anyone else.”
Confusion flickers through Mrs. Dunbar’s gaze. Apparently she isn’t aware of the issue between Mason and me. She knows something is up, but if she knew the actual issue, she’d never try to make us pair up.
Sighing, she waves her hand dismissively. “Class, does anyone want to switch partners and pair up with Mason?”
You could hear a pin drop after her question. A few kids giggle, but not one person volunteers to be Mason’s partner.
Mrs. Dunbar looks astonished. Usually Mason is one of the most popular kids in class. Today, it’s like he has B.O. “Okay, how about Charity. Anyone want to be her partner?”
Everyone’s hands go up, and my face warms. I’m flattered, but it’s also very odd to suddenly be so popular. Mason gives me a surly glare, and I just stare back blankly.
“I’ll happily pair up with Charity,” a blond guy says, smiling at me.
His partner scowls, and she says, “Wait. Not if that means I have to be with… Mason.”
That happens three more times with different couples. Eventually, Mrs. Dunbar gives in to her exasperation. “Class, what is going on?”
No one speaks.
Mrs. Dunbar walks over to Mason and me. Her gaze is confused and filled with irritation. “Pull your desks together now, or you’re both going to the administration office.”
I grit my teeth, feeling uneasy. Mason’s fingers grip his desk so tight his knuckles are white.
“Now,” hisses Mrs. Dunbar. “If you think I’m kidding, just try me.”
Mason exhales roughly, and stands. “Send me to the administration office.”
Mrs. Dunbar takes a step back, looking astonished. “What?”
“Send me to the office. I’m fine with that.”
I freeze as her angry stare shifts to me. “What about you? Are you also refusing my order?”
I swallow. “I don’t want to be his partner.”
“That’s it,” she snaps, pointing toward the door. “Out. Both of you. Go to the office now.”
I have to wonder about her logic. She’s ordering two people who have obvious animosity with each other to go to the administration office together? I’ll be lucky if he doesn’t strangle me and hide my body in the bushes.
“But—” I begin.
“I don’t want to hear it. Get your little obnoxious selves to the office. They can deal with your childish behavior. I don’t have time. I have a class to teach.” She turns and heads back to the head of the class.
The students are whispering furiously, and my face is on fire. Without waiting for Mason, I grab my backpack and hurry out of the classroom. My strides are long as I rush down the hallway, heart pounding. I can’t believe Mrs. Dunbar is so clueless she’d send us to the office together. Does she actually want us to murder each other?
My shoes click hollowly on the cement in time to my pounding heart. I have no idea if Mason left her classroom yet or not. I also don’t want to wait around and find out the hard way. The hallways are deserted, and I have to stop myself from breaking into a full on run. Sweat gathers on my forehead as I continue on my way, praying Mason won’t bother with me. He’s in enough trouble. Actually assaulting me would be a huge mistake.
When I finally reach the administration office, I’m covered with perspiration, and out of breath. I go into the restroom nearest the door, and slump against the wall. I made it. I was so scared Mason might try and hurt me, but I made it to the administration office unscathed. Once I’ve caught my breath, I splash my cheeks with cool water, and dry my face with a paper towel. My reflection shows lines of stress under my eyes. This entire issue with The Elites is getting to me.
I’m over reacting. No one tried to hurt me. Calm down.
I leave the bathroom, and when I reach Principal Warren’s office, Mason is already seated in the chairs across from her secretary, Mrs. Perth. Mason looks relaxed and doesn’t look up when I appear. He’s reading a book, an
d his legs are crossed, as if he hasn’t a care in the world.
Mrs. Perth gives me a polite smile. “Can I help you?”
“Yeah.” I shift uneasily, giving Mason a cool glance. “Mrs. Dunbar sent me to speak to Principal Warren.”
Mrs. Perth’s astute gaze flicks to Mason. “Ahhh. I see. You’re the other half of the equation.”
My cheeks warm at her knowing tone. “Yes.”
“Take a seat. Principal Warren will see you both in a moment.”
There are three folding chairs in a row against the wall, near Principal Warren’s office door. Mason chose to sit in the middle, which means no matter where I sit, he’ll be next to me. I give him a surly look, and perch on the end seat. He makes no effort to sit up straighter to give me more room. He continues to lounge with his legs crossed, acting as if I don’t even exist.
His shoulders are so broad, they bump mine. I want to hate him, but it’s hard to do when he affects me so strong physically. The knee of his crossed leg brushes my thigh every now and then, and my pulse beats faster.
We sit like that for a while. Eventually, the strain of sitting stiffly upright takes a toll, and my back begins to spasm. I have no choice but to sit back against the seat, which makes our arms press together. The hard muscle of his arms fits perfectly against mine. His body heat warms me, even as I struggle to ignore him. Why won’t he sit in the other chair? Why is he insisting on touching me, when he could just sit near the wall?
I hate Mason Johnson. I hate Mason Johnson. I hate Mason Johnson.
It’s important I remember that because he doesn’t exist for me anymore. The relationship I thought we shared was orchestrated from the beginning. He never cared about me. He was using me; playing a game. A game he’s played with lots of other girls. I wasn’t special to him. He doesn’t even know what that means. He’s a user. A fake. A cad.
When the Principal’s door opens, I jump. I was so deep in thought I almost forgot where I was. Mason smirks at me, and stands. I rise too, and hitch my backpack higher on my shoulder.
Principal Warren is probably in her fifties, with blonde hair and dark eyes. This is the first time I’ve had to meet her face to face. I’m hoping it’s the last. I know she caters to the rich parents of Longhorn Academy, but other than that, I don’t know much about her.
“Come in.” She smiles at Mason, which doesn’t comfort me. It’s obvious she knows him. Her dark eyes meet mine. “Both of you, come in.”
I’d hoped we could speak to her one on one. I’m not sure how to say that though. I don’t want to look weak in front of Mason. I hold my tongue, and follow Mason into her office.
The room is much bigger than I’d expected. There are plaques on the wall showing where she went to college, and awards of excellence from the school district. Book cases take up one long wall, and there’s a large window on the other side of the room that looks out over the quad.
Two chairs are positioned in front of her wide, walnut desk. She sits, and gestures for us to do the same. “I understand Mrs. Dunbar sent you to speak to me?” Her hands are clasped on the desk, and her expression polite.
I decide to speak first, since Mason isn’t saying anything. “Mrs. Dunbar wanted us to break into study groups, and I didn’t want Mason as my partner.”
“I didn’t want her either,” he snaps.
“I didn’t say you did,” I mutter.
“You’re implying you rejected me, and I’m simply pointing out that it was mutual.”
“You think I’m implying that because you have an ego the size of Jupiter,” I say through gritted teeth.
His laugh is hard. “Yeah. Right. I have an ego.”
Principal Warren puts her hands together in a time out gesture. “How about we discuss why you two don’t want to be partners?”
This is tricky. We can’t very well just come clean. If I tell her about Mason trying to seduce me and humiliate me, then I’ll have to admit all the shit I did to him instead. For his part, Mason won’t want to admit what he did either because then he’ll just get in trouble.
“Our personalities don’t mesh,” I blurt. “It’s that simple. I don’t know why Mrs. Dunbar won’t let us study on our own.”
“Couldn’t you just choose other partners?” Principal Warren frowns, looking puzzled.
“Everyone was already partnered,” Mason says.
“Okay.” Principal Warren laughs. “But couldn’t they switch?”
I grimace. “They didn’t want to pair up with us.”
Mason shoots me a funny look. Maybe because we both know that I had lots of takers, he’s the one no one wanted. I’m not trying to protect his ego. It’s simply that if I tell her the truth, she’ll want to know why Mason is an outcast.
Sighing, Principal Warren studies us. “I understand if you two don’t like each other, it’s awkward to be study partners. But sometimes in life you have to work with people you don’t like. I have plenty of people I work with who I don’t enjoy, but I don’t show it. I focus on doing my job well.”
Mason gives a charismatic smile. “Maybe because you get paid to do it, it’s easier.”
She laughs, and nods. “Maybe.”
Jesus, he really does seem able to charm anyone he wants. Male or female, old or young, people fall for Mason’s act.
Hell, I fell for it.
I clear my throat, trying to break the spell Mason is casting over Principal Warren. “There’s no reason we can’t study apart. We’ll still learn. I don’t need to share a book with Mason to learn.”
Principal Warren twists her lips. “The problem is you ignored a direct order from Mrs. Dunbar.”
“But, it’s a silly order. What does it hurt if we don’t team up?” I ask, feeling frustrated.
Principal Warren narrows her eyes. “You don’t get to decide which orders you’ll obey, and which ones you won’t.” She doesn’t seem nearly as charmed by me as she is Mason. “We can’t have students challenging the teachers, Charity.”
My cheeks warm. “I know.”
“You say you know, and yet you refused her directions.”
Why am I the only one getting lectured? “Mason did too.”
He scowls. “Duh. That’s why I’m here.”
“It just seems like Principal Warren is only addressing me.”
He gives a sickening sweet smile. “Perhaps if you’d stop saying stupid things, Principal Warren wouldn’t have to respond to you.”
Watching us, Principal Warren wrinkles her brow. “You do seem like oil and vinegar.”
“More like a metal fork and an electrical outlet,” Mason mumbles.
Her lips twitching, Principal Warren gives Mason an indulgent look. “I know it’s hard to get along with people you don’t like.”
Is she the head of The Mason Johnson Fan Club or something? How come he can do no wrong, but I can barely get a kind word out of her? “If you’ll just tell Mrs. Dunbar it’s okay if we study on our own, the problem will be solved,” I say in a coaxing voice.
“I can’t undermine Mrs. Dunbar by taking your side.” She sniffs.
I’ll bet if Mason asked you would.
I sigh, avoiding Mason’s gaze. “Well, I refuse to be his study partner.”
“There you go again,” Mason growls. “Acting like you’re rejecting me. I’d rather stick my eye with a hot poker than be your partner.”
“By all means, go for it.” I hiss.
“We can’t have this type of discord during class.” Principal Warren shuffles papers on her desk, and slips on a pair of reading glasses. “Perhaps we need to move one of you to Mrs. Gregory’s English Literature and Composition class.” She peers at the schedule in her hand. “Which one of you wants to switch teachers?”
Mason widens his eyes. “Not me.”
I’ve heard horrible things about Mrs. Gregory. Apparently she’s a really tough grader, while Mrs. Dunbar gives A’s easily. “I don’t want to switch classes.”
Giving us an exasp
erated glance, Principal Warren says, “Well, one of you has to move classes.”
“I like Mrs. Dunbar,” I say, wilting. She’s going to throw me under the bus. I’m sure of it. She’ll protect her little darling Mason, and make me switch classes.
“I like Mrs. Dunbar too.” Mason grimaces.
Pulling off her reading glasses, Principal Warren scowls. “Well, it seems to me you two have a choice, either study together, or I’ll randomly pick one of you to go to Mrs. Gregory’s class.”
Radom my ass.
I know it will be me she picks, so through clenched teeth, I say, “Fine. I’ll be Mason’s study partner.”
His fingers dig into the arm of his chair, and he’s quiet for a few moments. Then he says is a stiff cold voice, “Since I don’t want to transfer into Mrs. Gregory’s class, I guess I have no other choice other than to put up with Charity.”
Looking smug, Principal Warren sets the papers aside. “Now that wasn’t so hard, was it?”
I force a smile, but inside I’m thinking that hot poker in the eye thing doesn’t sound that bad after all.
Chapter Five
Mason
As we leave the administration office, I want to punch something. Ahead of me, Charity walks with her back straight, and her head held high. That stupid bitch is an endless source of anger for me. I can’t say a nice word to her, but somehow we’re supposed to study together in class. I’m not going to hear a fucking word the teacher says with her next to me.
Even as I think about how much I hate her, my eyes roam her firm ass, and slender thighs. The memory of her naked beneath me is as clear as day. I still remember her taste, and the soft needy whimpers she’d make when I fucked her. I’m in a horrible situation of loathing her, but craving her body.
I’m the stupidest fuck that ever lived.
Command central truly does seem to reside in my dick. Even now, as much as I hate Charity, I want her. I need her. She singlehandedly destroyed my social status, and all I want to do is pull her into the bushes and take her.
She beat me to the administration office earlier. She practically bolted out of the classroom. It was obvious she was afraid I’d do something to her once we were alone. She has good instincts. She needs to be punished for what she’s done to me. I will have my revenge. On our way to the office, I could have caught up to her, but I knew we were expected at the administration office. If we hadn’t shown up, we’d have both been in hot water. But now? Mrs. Dunbar won’t expect us back in class. There’s only twenty minutes left for first period.