by Amy Brown
The teacher begins to talk and I try to focus on the lecture. I find it almost impossible to concentrate on what the teacher is saying though, as thoughts of The Elites fill my mind. Yesterday, the school had an out of control vibe. Today, the unruly undercurrent is there, but less obvious. The kids are still giving The Elites dirty looks, and Mason is definitely a target. But people seem calmer. I’m hoping all that talk about me leading some stupid revolution will remain just talk.
Once art history is over, Paula and I meet the others at the cafeteria. Waiting in line for my food, I notice kids cutting in line in front of Mason. That’s not something they’d have dared to do before yesterday. Mason for his part looks bored with the attempts to annoy him. When a kid walks by and tosses his coke on Mason, he grimaces, pulls a tissue from his back pocket, and wipes his dripping face. Maybe he deserves the bullying, but it still bothers me watching how the kids treat him.
After he gets his food, Mason sits alone, scrolling through his phone, and ignoring the jeering kids. I’m surprised that most of the kids don’t do anything to him. Maybe it’s because, even dripping with soda, he has an air of confidence that’s intimidating. Plus, we all know in twenty-nine days or so, he’ll be back in with The Elites. Maybe he’s taking names.
I glance toward The Elite’s lunch table. They’re definitely somber these days. In the past, they held court, laughing and mocking other students. At the moment, they’re unusually quiet and reserved. Sophia shoots resentful looks toward Mason now and then, and Travis looks bored. I’m sure he’d rather go sit with Mason, but doesn’t dare.
A group of kids I don’t recognize come over to our table. One of them is a tall blond guy, with intense brown eyes. He clears his throat, and we look up. “Hi, I’m Ethan,” he says addressing me.
“Hello,” I respond. His gaze is so piercing, it makes me squirm a bit.
“I was thinking, perhaps we should talk strategy.”
I frown. “Strategy?”
Scott scowls. “Dude, we’re eating lunch.”
One of the other kids in Ethan’s gang says, “So?”
“So leave Charity alone.” Scott laughs gruffly. “This isn’t the War Room; this is the cafeteria. Let her eat in peace.”
When the other kid starts to argue with Scott, Ethan waves him into silence. Then he meets my gaze again, shifting uneasily. “I apologize for my timing.” He grimaces. “It’s just that time is of the essence.”
Lisa frowns at Ethan. “What strategy do you think needs discussing?”
Ethan brightens. “I’m glad you asked.” He perches next to me, and we all scoot down to make room for him. “The Elites aren’t going to fall, unless we cut them off at the knees.”
I raise my brows. “Yikes.”
Ethan gives a nervous laugh. “I mean it metaphorically.”
“Good to know.” Gregory grimaces.
“The way I see it…” Ethan rubs his chin. “The Elites will quietly reassert their control, if we don’t keep the other kids pumped.”
“Pumped?” I frown.
A smile flickers over Ethan’s sharp features. “Enthusiastic.”
“Okay.” I glance toward The Elites who are sitting in silence. “They seem pretty tame.”
“Don’t be fooled. They’re playing it cool, waiting for complacency to set in again.” He sighs. “They’re clever. They will regain control if you don’t do something, Charity.”
“Me?” I raise my brows. “What am I supposed to do?” I’d been hopeful perhaps this would all just blow over, and we could all just ignore each other.
“Well, you toppled one of their own, and that created instability in their group. You gave the rest of us hope. You reminded us that we don’t have to take their shit.”
“So then, don’t take their shit,” Scott mutters. “Why is this Charity’s problem?”
Ethan’s cheeks tint pink. “Well, because the idea of freeing ourselves from The Elites’ choke hold is new. It’s almost easier to fall back into complacency, which is how The Elites took control to begin with.”
“I didn’t intend to start a revolution,” I say softly. “I was just protecting myself from Mason.”
Ethan nods, his eyes glittering. “But you did start a revolution, regardless.”
Ethan’s group stare at me intently, and I feel compelled to say, “I’m not a leader. It’s not my personality.”
“You do realize backing away isn’t an option, right?” Ethan squints at me. “It’s too late.”
“I don’t know that’s true. Mason tried to hurt me, but I got him first. We’re even. It should be over.” Even as I say the words, I remember Mason’s warning that he’ll show me no mercy.
One girl from Ethan’s group speaks. “I’m Mia.” She swallows hard. “You don’t know me, but I know you.”
The other kids in Ethan’s group nod.
Mia sighs. “I know that you don’t want trouble, but The Elites are coming for you even as we speak.”
“What?” Uneasiness ripples through me.
“Sophia tried to break into your locker today.” Mia’s voice wobbles. “We… we stopped her.”
I widen my eyes. “She what?” I practically screech.
Wincing, Mia looks around. “She had a bag of meth, and she was trying to plant it in your locker.”
The blood drains from my face. “Why?”
Ethan gives me a sympathetic glance. “To get you expelled.”
I shoot Sophia an angry look. “That bitch.”
Mia’s laugh is nervous. “She’s not happy with me.” Her smile fades. “But we stopped her, and that’s the important thing.”
“Thank you,” I say softly.
Paula puts a protective hand on my arm. “So, what you’re saying is, The Elites are already coming after Charity? So she can’t just pretend it’s not happening?”
“Exactly.” Ethan nods. “We need to take them out first.”
I swallow. “Take them out?” What exactly is he suggesting?
Ethan gives another nervous laugh. “I simply mean we need to keep them cowed. Sorry, I tend to get a bit dramatic when my blood is stirred.”
“Like Ethan said, it’s too late to back away now.” Mia’s gaze is concerned.
“What is it you want from me?” I ask.
“The kids listen to you. That’s why The Elites want you gone.” Ethan glances around. “If you could just talk to them, and rouse their fighting spirit, they’ll help keep The Elites cowed. But if you don’t, they’ll forget how bad it was, and The Elites will slowly take over again.”
I grimace. “So… you want me to make a speech?” My heart pounds at the idea of that. When I said things before, it was because I was angry. I’m not angry right now, I’m more horrified at the idea of public speaking.
Mia sighs. “Sophia can’t be allowed to regain power. She’s horrible. She’s made my life a living hell.” Her face flinches. “Every single day in P.E. she bullies me and my friends.”
I think about how she surrounded me at Travis’s party, threatening to beat me up for daring to show up to the party with Jeremy. “She truly is a bitch.”
“Yesterday, when you said they should cower before us, you were right. There are so many more of us than them. They should be scared, not us.” Ethan’s eyes flash with resentment. “The very idea they’d try to frame you with drugs, simply because we don’t want to be under their thumb any longer… well… it makes me sick.”
“They need to be stopped,” mutters Mia.
It’s unsettling to think I might have been kicked out of school, simply because Sophia hates me. I’d have had a drug charge on my record because that bitch doesn’t like me? Who does shit like that to other people? I don’t want to address the other kids, but if Ethan is right, and The Elites are regrouping and coming after me, then maybe giving rousing speeches every few days is the least I can do.
I stand, my stomach churning. “Fine. I’ll say something to the students. I don’t know that
it will do any good, but I’ll speak to them.”
Ethan looks pleased. “Every revolution needs a face. A voice.”
I’m not sure I’m the best choice. I meet Paula’s gaze. “What do I say?” I whisper.
She shrugs. “What do you feel?”
“Right now? Like I’m about to puke.”
Gregory moves all of our food to one end of the table, and he holds out his hand to me. “Get up on the table. That way all the kids can hear you.”
My face is hot as I hold his gaze. “Oh, is that really necessary?”
“Yes.” Gregory nods.
Paula leans in. “Charity, just tap into your anger. The other kids need to remember what jerks The Elites are. They can’t treat us like dirt, and have no consequences.”
I blink at her, feeling sick with nerves.
She sighs. “Sophia broke into your locker. Are you going to let her get away with that?”
I turn to look at The Elite’s table. Sophia is preening, and laughing at something Jules said. Travis looks miserable, and Jeremy half asleep. Sophia is acting like nothing has changed. Like she’s the queen and has every right to bully us, and break into our lockers. It’s obvious Ethan is correct; The Elites are just biding their time until they’re in power again.
I grit my teeth, and take Gregory’s hand. Then I climb up onto the top of the table, feeling like an idiot. Ethan cups his hands to his mouth and whistles loudly. The chatter in the large area falls away, and all eyes turn toward us. Sweat breaks out on my face, and my mind is blank. A few kids laugh nervously, and I seriously consider climbing down and skulking away.
But then Sophia makes a sound of disgust.
The sound of her dismissive snort makes me see red. I straighten my spine, and meet the eyes of the kids nearest me. They look expectant and it helps me focus. I don’t have to be the most eloquent speaker in the world. I simply need to tap into the truth: that The Elites are bullies, and we need to never let them push us around again.
I clear my throat, and say, “I don’t know about you guys, but I’m sick and tired of being bullied by The Elites.”
There’s a surprised silence, but then someone yells, “Yeah. Me too!”
The other kids nod, and people start murmuring.
I swallow, and continue, “Why do we allow a handful of people to lord it over us? Why did we put up with that for years? Are we sheep? Are we victims?”
Kids shake their heads, scowling.
“So then, why do we behave like victims?” The crowd watches me, and the silence thickens. “I say we stop being so goddamned weak.”
People nod and raise their fists, mumbling agreement.
“Did you know that Sophia tried to break into my locker today?” The kids gasp, and when I glance at Sophia, her face is red but she looks furious. “Nice try, bitch. But my friends stopped you.”
“There’s always another day,” she hisses.
I point at her. “Did you hear that? She’s not going to stop. None of them are ever going to stop. You know why? They don’t see anything wrong with how they behave.” I laugh harshly. “They actually believe they’re better than us.”
The crowd is definitely angry now, and shooting resentful glances toward The Elites.
“The Elites are spoiled, entitled brats, but Sophia is one of the worst.” I give an exaggerated sigh. “She’s picked on so many of us, hasn’t she?”
Growling, the students nod.
“I think she should apologize.” I smile at the muttering crowd. “Don’t you?”
They start cheering and clapping.
I snap my gaze to Sophia’s. “What do you say, Sophia? Would you like to apologize to all of us for the awful things you’ve done?”
Her face is beet red. “What?” She looks like she can’t believe her ears.
“That’s right. I think you owe the students of Longhorn Academy a heartfelt apology, Sophia.” I finish speaking and the kids go crazy, laughing and jumping around. I kind of like the power I have right now. It feels amazing to be able to say whatever I want to that bitch Sophia.
Mason watches me with a weird expression. He sits very still, as if afraid to move in case he draws attention. I don’t really blame him because there’s a weird energy in the room.
Sophia stands, a murderous look on her face. “Go to hell,” she snaps.
The kids don’t like that. Not at all. They crowd toward her screaming obscenities, and for one horrible second, I’m afraid they’re going to attack her. But when Jeremy stands, they stop a few feet from The Elites’ table. He’s only one guy, but he has a commanding presence. Unlike Sophia, kids actually like Jeremy because he can be charming if he chooses to be. Sophia is the opposite of charming.
“Calm down,” Jeremy says quietly to the crowd, holding out his hand toward the angry mob. He glances toward Sophia. “Sophia, how about you say you’re sorry?”
“Are you fucking serious?” She screeches.
“It’s the right thing to do, Sophia,” I goad her.
“Go fuck yourself,” she shouts.
I laugh. “Now that’s not nice.”
“Sophia, come the fuck on.” Jeremy sounds nervous. I’m sure it’s scary trying to hold back an angry mob all by himself.
“We’re waiting,” I say softly, holding Sophia’s furious gaze.
Her mouth is pressed tight, and she’s visibly shaking with anger. She clenches her fists, eyeing all the kids glaring at her. She must know the best thing for her is to apologize. But she’s a prideful bitch, and obviously doesn’t think she should have to.
“Do it,” Jeremy says under his breath. “Apologize.”
Her face quivers with rage and she flicks her gaze to him. She wants to tell him to fuck off, no doubt. But he’s the only thing keeping the kids at bay, and that must sink in finally. “Sorry,” she spits out.
No. I don’t think so.
I smirk, my hatred of her bubbling in my gut. “That didn’t seem sincere.” I address the kids. “What do you guys think? Do you feel like that was a sincere apology?”
“No!” they scream as a group.
It’s a little unsettling how the mob mentality spreads so easily. Years of hatred and resentment bond all of the students, which makes for a dangerous environment. It’s not that I want her ripped limb from limb, although the thought of that doesn’t bother me like it probably should, it’s more that I want her to at least pretend to be humble.
“How about you try that again, Sophia?” I ask quietly. “And this time, with feeling.”
I swear Mason smirks, and my stomach warms at his subtle reaction.
“Are you serious?” Sophia practically stomps her foot.
“I’m very serious.” My stare is cold. “I’m not sure we can let you stay at Longhorn Academy if you don’t behave.”
If she had a gun, she’d shoot me. I’ve never been so certain of anything in my life. Her eyes are almost black with hatred, and I have the most bizarre urge to laugh. Am I going mad with power? The way the kids have treated me the last few days is intoxicating. Making Sophia bend to my will makes me giddy. She’s the vilest bitch in the state, and having the opportunity to crush her is amazing.
“Do it,” Jeremy hisses. I’m sure he understands that if she falls, they all fall. We’ll pick them off one by one. What he doesn’t know is we’ll do that anyway.
Looking like she’s swallowed poison, Sophia suppresses her rage and a brittle smile appears. “I’m… I’m very sorry if I’ve hurt any of you. It was never my intention.”
That last part is a flat out lie. She’s been very calculating in her cruelness. But at least she capitulated, so it’s a win.
“That’s better.” I allow a frosty smile and her face twitches.
The kids laugh, and shake their heads, looking pleased with the outcome.
I meet Jeremy’s stony gaze. In the future we’ll have to take him on too. But for now, Sophia is enough. I address the students, “Let’s be diligent, guys.
The Elites are no doubt plotting our demise as we speak. We must be wary.”
One guy yells, “They can try. We’ve had enough.”
Other students cheer, and when Gregory holds out his hand, I take it and get down off the table. I feel flushed and triumphant that Sophia apologized. The kids actually did listen to me, and I can sense the victorious energy in the room.
Ethan smiles at me, obviously pleased with my performance. “That should keep the kids on their toes.”
Mia meets my gaze, hers is admiring. “You really know how to rouse their emotions.”
I grimace. “They’re angry. It’s easy to lead them.”
Scott smile seems forced. “Just remember we’re on your side, Charity.”
I laugh. “What?”
He shrugs. “You’re kind of scary sometimes.”
My face heats. “I am?”
“You manipulated them so skillfully.” Scott gives another shrug.
“I get what Scott means.” Lisa gives a funny laugh. “The way the kids listen to you, it’s a bit unnerving.”
“I’m just trying to help.” I frown.
“We know that,” Paula says, smiling at me. While her smile is warm, there’s something about her expression I can’t quite put my finger on.
Ever since my friends found out the extent of my relationship with Mason, something has felt off. There seems to be a wedge between us now. I don’t think they can comprehend me having feelings for a guy like Mason. I kind of understand their point of view. It does seem strange that I could be close to them, but also care about one of The Elites. It’s as if I’m straddling two different worlds.
But, to be honest, I don’t really feel like I belong in either one.
Chapter Seven
Mason
The way things are going, The Elites may not be around by the time my punishment is over. I watch Charity sitting with her friends. The way she addressed the crowd just now was unsettling. Each time she speaks to them, she’s becoming more confident. They really do respond to her too. She’s such an odd mixture of demure and tough. She looks like a fierce fairy princess.
I blow out a shaky breath, glad the negative attention is focused on Sophia at the moment. She looked like she’d love to kill Charity. Charity better not wander the school halls alone or she might get her ass kicked. I’m hoping to be the one who brings Charity down, but Sophia might beat me to it.