by Amy Brown
“Just keep telling yourself that.”
I’m talking tough, but inside I really am afraid that I’m the only one who’s permanently messed up. She does seem to be fine most of the time. When she flirted with that blond guy last night at the party, she looked happy. She seemed into him. But then she told me she was thinking of me the whole time. I have no idea what to believe. Maybe secretly she loves having me so twisted up in knots for her, I can’t even look at any other girl. Maybe she likes torturing me.
Maybe she really just doesn’t give a shit about me.
She puts her hand on the knob, and hesitates. Shooting a look over her shoulder, she studies me. “You… you really will be okay alone, right?”
I stare at her, confused all over again by her. If she hates my guts, why the fuck does she care if I’m alright? Maybe she truly does she get some perverse pleasure out of toying with me.
“I’ll be fine.”
She leaves without another word, and I slide down lower on the pillows. I feel nauseous, and weak. My head and body ache, but most of all my heart feels like it’s been ripped out of my body, and tossed in a commercial grade chipper.
****
Monday morning, I wake up way before my alarm. I shut it off so it doesn’t go off, and I get in the shower. Once I’m out I wipe steam from the mirror, and study my face. The swelling is gone, but the bruising remains. It’s faded, but there is no disguising that I look like I got in a brawl.
I sneak into my mom’s bedroom, and I try using some of her cover stick to hide the worst bruising under my eyes. I feel like it almost makes it worse. What I don’t want is my teachers thinking I’m the victim of abuse. My dad would blow a gasket if rumors like that get started. I have my story ready about being jumped at the gas station, but obviously if anyone pushed it, there’s no footage of me at any local gas station being attacked. The key here is to squash any concern for me. I’m hoping if I act like it’s no big deal, everyone else will too. My mom bought my gas station story, but that doesn’t mean everyone will.
It sucks that when I get to school, I have no one to hang out with. All I can do is endure the curious glances of other students all by myself. Across the quad I see Charity with her friends. I’m annoyed by how my heart pounds at the sight of her. Seeing her is like a jolt of caffeine.
When the time comes, I head to class, trying to ignore how my pulse spikes at the idea of being near Charity. She comes in after me, and since we’re having a test today, there’s no breaking into groups today. I’m ready for my test since I have nothing else to do these days but study. This shunning thing has been great for my grades.
I’m so aware of Charity it’s torture. I swear I hear the rustle of her hair, clothing, and even her heartbeat. Her perfume reminds me of better times, and her occasional sigh tugs at my heart. Once she’s gone from this school, I pray I can get back to normal. I definitely have a better chance of that if she’s not around.
Mrs. Dunbar allows us to leave class when we’ve finished our test. I finish quickly, and stand to leave. As I grab my backpack, my gaze meets Charity’s. She looks annoyed that I’ve already finished. I give her a cocky smirk, and turn to hand Mrs. Dunbar my test.
Mrs. Dunbar takes my test, her gaze settles on my face. “Everything alright at home, Mason?”
My face warms. I need to nip this in the bud. “Great. I had a run-in with some thugs at a gas station Thursday night. That’s why I missed school Friday.”
Relief rolls over her features. “Oh, I see. Did you report it to the police?”
“Yeah.” I give her what I hope is a reassuring smile. “I’m feeling fine now. Just a little bruised.”
“I’m glad you’re okay.”
“Me too. Thanks for sending the homework to me. I hope your son is doing better?
“He is. Thank you.”
I leave the room, hoping I’ve convinced her all is well with me. I don’t feel like going to the library, so I find a shady spot on the quad. I’m eating an apple, and going over some statistics homework, when Jeremy sits down next to me.
I frown, shocked he’d sit with me. ““Don’t you have class?”
“Travis and I had a test. Mr. Brock said we could leave once we finished.”
“Oh. I had a test too. Same thing with my teacher.” I set my book down, still trying to figure out why he’s sitting with me. He’s the fucker who sent me into exile. Why is he talking to me?
Jeremy smirks. “Travis is still stuck in class. He’s always so fucking slow.”
“Yeah, I think he has a phobia of tests.”
“I told him to meet me at the quad.” He studies me. “I didn’t know you’d be here.”
“Or you’d have gone somewhere else?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“I won’t lie, it’s surprising you’re speaking to me. To what do I owe this honor?”
His blue eyes are assessing. “I’m considering lifting your punishment.”
Shock rolls through me, but I try to control my expression. “Seriously?”
He nods. “Yes.”
I narrow my eyes. “Why?”
His mouth thins. “Because this shit is out of control.” His gaze runs over my bruised face. “I heard from a little bird you came to Gregory’s party, and got attacked.”
My face heats. “What little bird?”
“Don’t worry about it. I have eyes everywhere.” He sniffs. “My point is, that’s fucking outrageous. It’s one thing to pick on you at school, maybe shoot a few spit wads your way. But violently assaulting an Elite? I call bullshit.”
I’m relieved he’s not asking me why I showed up at the party, and what I did while there. This conversation is awkward enough as it is. “The kids who attacked me weren’t the least bit worried. I told them I wouldn’t always be shunned, and they laughed. They’re not afraid anymore.”
“I noticed.”
“One of them said Charity woke them up to the fact that The Elites aren’t untouchable.”
A muscle works in his cheek. “That bitch has got to go. She’s started a full blown revolution.”
“I’m working on it.”
Lifting one perfect brow, he looks intrigued. “Oh, yeah?”
I’m not ready to tell Jeremy my plan with Luke, not when I still have no idea if he’ll let me back in The Elites early. “Yep.”
“Travis said she said she might be transferring out. But when I mentioned that to her at Gregory’s party, she denied it.”
“She’s stubborn.”
“That’s the truth.”
Travis walks toward us, grinning. “Two of my favorite people.” We bump fists, and he sits on the other side of Jeremy.
“We were just talking about what a pain in the ass that bitch Charity is,” Jeremy says.
“Yeah, she’s dangerous.” Travis nods.
“I think we need all hands on deck,” Jeremy says softly, looking at me.
My heart speeds up, and I hope he’s saying what I think he’s saying. “Meaning what?”
Travis grins. “Tell him, Jeremy. I can’t take the suspense.”
I don’t speak, I just sit up straighter.
“I think it’s best if I lift the punishment off of you, Mason. You’ve been out long enough. We need everybody we can get on our side.”
Relief rolls through me, and even though I want to look cool, I rasp, “Thank fucking Jesus.”
They both laugh.
I blow out a shaky breath. “It’s cold out here on your own.”
“That’s kind of the point,” Jeremy says. “It’s not supposed to be fun.”
“It’s not.” I look up to the sky, feeling liberated.
Travis sighs. “Just for the record, Sophia still wants your balls hung on her rearview mirror. But she was outvoted. Even Jules wanted you back in the fold. I think she’s scared.”
“Sophia is too crazy and vindictive to realize we need numbers right now.” Jeremy shakes his head. “She’ll come around
though.”
I’m so happy I’m no longer alone. I never really appreciated how much having friends meant to me. I took it for granted I’d always have a group to shield me.
Jeremy holds out his hand. “No hard feelings?”
There might be a few, but I’m happy to let them go. I shake his hand. “All is forgiven.”
“Remember, don’t lie to us again.” Jeremy’s squeezes my fingers painfully. “I’m not always going to be so lenient.”
I wince, and pull my hand away. “Owe. Fuck. You almost broke my fingers.”
“Hey,” Travis grumbles. “Don’t hurt him.”
Jeremy laughs, and stands. “I just want him to know that he’s only getting a break because we’re in dire straits.”
“I get it.” I blow on my still throbbing fingers.
“So, we need to figure out our next steps.” Jeremy shoves his hands in his pockets. “You said you have a plan?”
I meet his gaze. “I do. Not sure yet if it will work out. Charity is crafty.”
“Yeah.” Jeremy bites his lower lip. “When will you know?”
Travis shifts uneasily, but I appreciate he doesn’t voice his disapproval for my idea.
“She needs to tell me her decision by tomorrow at the latest,” I say. “It should have been today, but I’m feeling lenient.”
“I’d love to know what you have over her.” Jeremy’s eyes glitter with malice.
“I’d rather not say.” I could tell him, but I’m not hugely proud of myself, and the less people who know the better. A part of me wishes I’d never told Travis.
“Well, whatever it is, I hope it works. I’m sick of the surly glances I’ve been putting up with for days. As soon as she’s gone, we need to restore order.” Jeremy glances around.
“How do you suppose we do that?” Travis asks.
“By bribing the students, of course.” Jeremy’s gaze is cunning. “Charity has been telling all the kids what monsters we are. I think it’s time we spread a little love to the plebeians.”
“Okay, but how?” Travis frowns.
“We need to bribe them.” Jeremy sighs.
Travis nods. “We used to do raffles and give away shit. They loved that.”
I smile. “Yeah, they ate it up.”
“Once Charity is gone, the first thing we should do is duly reward our followers for sticking by us.” Jeremy rubs his chin. “We need to get them something extravagant. They deserve that for their loyalty during this trying last week.”
“Like what?” Travis smirks. “Friendship bracelets?”
Jeremy gives a hard laugh. “God no. Maybe Apple AirPods, or Bluetooth speakers. Something expensive to show how much we appreciate them.”
“Shit, after what I just went through, I do appreciate them,” I mutter. “Nothing like being exiled to make you value those who don’t spit on you.”
Travis chuckles. “I’ll bet. What about the regular kids who turned on us?”
Jeremy scowls. “While I’d love to put all of their heads in the toilet, and flush repeatedly, I think it would behoove us to indulge them too. Prove we’re not the monsters Charity tried to paint us out to be.”
“Aren’t we?” Travis grins.
Jeremy twists his lips. “Of course. But we need to pretend we’re the good guys for a while.”
“How do we do that?” I lift one brow.
“By showering them with gift cards from Sonic, Starbucks, and free movie tickets.” Jeremy scrunches his face. “As much as it pains me to say this, we should talk to them more, maybe joke around with them. It wouldn’t hurt to try to connect on a more personal level. Like Charity did.”
Travis grimaces. “She actually likes them. It’s easy for her to connect with them because she’s one of them. Or she was one of them before her rich step-daddy arrived on the scene.”
“Yeah. They obviously crave that accessible type of leader.” Jeremy sounds mystified by why that would be.
Across the campus, I see Charity heading toward the library. “First though, I need to make sure Charity leaves this school.”
“Uh, huh. Gotta cut the head off the snake,” Travis says, following my gaze.
“If she hasn’t already put in for a transfer, I’ll have to take the next step.” My stomach churns at the idea I’ll need to follow through with my threat. I pray she’s smart and doesn’t challenge me. But the fact she’s still here, wandering around the campus as if she doesn’t have a care in the world, does not fill me with reassurance. She should have been gone by now.
“Let me know by tonight.” Jeremy’s gaze is assessing. “If she decides not to leave, it’s going to be a lot harder to get the kids in line again.”
“I know.” Even as I answer him, the idea she’d sacrifice Luke just so she could stay here seems unfathomable. But, why is she still here? Why doesn’t she look scared?
I need to hunt her down today, and figure out why she seems so unconcerned. By all rights, she shouldn’t have shown up to school today. She should have transferred by now. Yet, there she is, striding across campus like she owns the place.
I have her by the short hairs, and there’s no way she can stop me from getting to Luke. But Charity Ballard has a way of turning things on their head.
Chapter Fourteen
Charity
I’m in the library, struggling with my conscience. I finished my test, and handed it in to Mrs. Dunbar, but frankly, I don’t remember anything about the quiz. I pray I answered the questions correctly because I was on auto pilot for sure.
I have a weapon in my arsenal that will make Mason back off, but I’m not sure I want to go there. I’m not sure I have it in me to even threaten him with this new found missile. It fell in my lap on my way home from his house Friday night, and I’m conflicted about whether or not I should use it. I’ve wrestled with the moral implications of what kind of person I am, the entire weekend.
I need to use this information, so I can protect Luke.
Mason is the kind of person who will hurt others to get his way, but I’m not. Right? I’m not like Mason. I have standards. There are lines I won’t cross. At least, I like to think that’s true.
I pull out my phone, and scroll through the photos I took of Olivia Johnson’s BMW in a ditch. When Mom picked me up from Mason’s on Friday, we came across his mom crashed on the side of the road, near their house. She was unhurt, but drunk. Very, very drunk. Thank God she didn’t hit another car. She’d slid off the road, and was sitting in her car, unconscious, when we arrived.
Maybe I am as despicable as Mason because I pulled out my phone and I took pictures, and a video. My first thought, once I knew she was okay, was that I could use this to protect Luke. That makes me as horrible as Mason probably. Why else would it occur to me to take a video of an obviously inebriated woman? I fear Mason’s slimy side is rubbing off on me.
I watch the video of Olivia slurring her words, looking confused. She asked Mom to call her housekeeper Amanda to come get her, and that’s what we did. She was panicked we’d call the police. Maybe we should have. It’s obvious she has a drinking problem. She fell down the stairs drunk, and now she’s crashed her car. She needs professional help.
Yet, here I sit, considering using her darkest hour against her.
It’s Mason’s fault if I need to stoop so low. He’s pushed me into a corner, and I have no other recourse other than to use his mom’s drinking problem as a shield. I’m certain he will just back off from Luke. He loves his mom, and he’ll want to protect her. I’d been searching for his weak spot, and there it was all along; his mom.
My stomach hurts when I think about approaching Mason with this threat. He’s going to be enraged. I’ll be lucky if he doesn’t try to strangle me. But he did start this. He went after Luke first. I’m playing defense.
I have a break before my next class, as does Mason. Maybe now is the best time to have our little chat. I’m sure he’s wondering why I’m still here, instead of transferred out alre
ady. It’s important I talk to him before he does something stupid like send his goons after my brother.
With trembling hands, I text him. We need to talk immediately.
Almost instantly, I see the bouncing dots indicating he’s texting me back.
What the fuck are you still around for? Are you stupid or something? How many times do I have to tell you I’m not changing my mind?
Scowling at my phone, I respond. You’ll change your mind when you hear what I have to say.
You’re unreal, bitch.
Anger rises, and a warm flush goes through me. If you love your mom, you’ll meet me behind the gym in five minutes.
He doesn’t respond, and I can just picture him staring at his phone, wanting to murder me. A shiver of fear goes through me, and for one moment I hesitate. Maybe meeting him alone isn’t such a good idea. But what I have to say to him is for his ears only. I don’t want to hurt his mom by spreading gossip about her, unless he forces my hand.
My legs shake as I rise, and leave the library. Earlier, Mason was at the quad with Jeremy and Travis. Nobody is over there now. I hope he doesn’t meet me behind the gym with the two of them. That would be terrifying. Mason alone is scary enough when he’s mad.
The gym is across campus from the library. I walk quickly, anxiety bubbling in my gut. I don’t want to hurt his mom, and hopefully, once he calms down, he’ll realize that he’s the one who pushed me to this. You can’t threaten my family without me striking back. Did he really just expect me to roll over? Has he learned nothing about me in the weeks since we met?
When I reach the gym, I stay close to the building, so none of the coaches notice me. There are kids playing basketball across the way, and some unfortunate students running laps. I round the corner, and find Mason standing against a tether ball pole. The chain clangs against the metal in the breeze, jarring my already frayed nerves.
His eyes are dark and angry, and my pulse speeds up with fear. I approach him, stopping a few feet away. “What the hell do you think you’re doing threatening my mom?” His voice is harsh, and while he doesn’t move from his spot, I feel intimidated.