Pariah: A High School Bully Romance - Bridal Creek High Book 1

by K. Walker

  “Where the hell were you?” Kyla asked as soon as I got back. “And where are the drinks?”

  “Shit! I forgot!” I said and slapped my hand to my face, both for forgetting and to hide my shame. “I can go back.”

  “No, it’s cool,” Lila said. “We already went.”

  They were looking suspiciously at me, which meant I had to tell them something. Anything that didn’t have Tyson, Liam, or Jonathan in it, and how close I had come to fucking them all.

  Chapter 19

  The aftermath of that psychedelic trip with Liam and Jonathan stayed with me for the next couple of days.

  And if I didn’t think it was weird enough, Tyson avoided me even more. I knew better than to expect Liam or Jonathan to rush into me when they saw me at school. But god, did I want them to corner me in a supply closet, or under the bleachers, or anywhere.

  I saw their other side, and I was addicted and wanted more.

  “Okay, something is going on, and I want to know what it is,” Kyla said during lunch mid-week.

  “What do you mean?” I asked and slurped my milkshake.

  “You? Liv’s being nice to you. Tyson doesn’t bug you anymore. Actually, no one does. Did I miss something?”

  “Nope. I’m just ignoring them like I was advised. They got tired of hassling me, I guess,” I grinned and looked over at their table where two girls were hanging around. My insides burned when I saw the redhead sit on Jonathan’s lap and how his hand flattened against her ass.

  I turned quickly to my drink again, careful to avoid the girls’ eyes. They were on to me, but I couldn’t let them see how much.

  “So, who’s up for the party on Friday?” I asked excitedly. Usually, I wouldn’t be so into a party, but this time, it was being hosted by the Pierces, which made it sort of my party, too.

  “Oh, you don’t have to ask,” Simone shrieked and rubbed her palms together.

  “Maybe we can do a sleepover that night, too,” Kyla grinned as the idea came to her.

  “Are you crazy?” Annette asked. “Do you realize we’ll have to be the ones to help to clean the house?”

  I knitted my brows. “Why?” I asked and looked at them. “They have maids and cleaning staff.”

  They looked around at each other and bawked like chickens. “You really think they’ll do that after the place gets trashed?”

  I thought about poor Mae and the rest of the staff – it really would be unfair, even if they were getting paid obscene amounts of money to keep the place looking pristine. Also, it would be another way to get back at me. I was starting to feel less good about the party.

  “You’re right, but maybe he’ll find another way to get me to be the one to clean the house as payment for living there,” I said and rolled my eyes.

  Lila laughed. “Don’t think like that. He’s an ass, but I doubt he’d go so low, especially since he’s gotten sweet on you.”

  “Sweet on me?” I asked and twisted my body to look at their table again. The redhead was still sitting on Jonathan’s lap, but Tyson was leaning over and toying with the frill on her top. “Doesn’t look like it to me.”

  Just the idea alone was ludicrous, and I wouldn’t allow myself to even begin entertaining romantic ideas about him. Not when he’d taken me so high and let me fall just as easily. No, it was all just a game for them.

  But screw it! It felt good, and if it were to happen again, I couldn’t say that I wouldn’t do it again.

  “I don’t see it either,” Lila said. “But when has Tyson ever been really interested in anyone? He just fucks with whoever he wants, and they’ll gladly give it up. It’s like refusing to sleep with Prince Charles.”

  “Yep,” Annette agreed and bobbed her head.

  “Y’all are…” Simone started and waved them off. “I won’t even start.”

  I laughed. “I know what you mean.”

  “But back to the party…is it a legal party? Like, does Mr. and Mrs. Pierce know about it?”

  “No, they won’t be there, or they know and don’t care because they won’t be there. I’m not sure, and I can’t ask my aunt so…” I explained. But I could bet they didn’t know. They had a function out of town for the weekend – boring IT stuff that my aunt was attending with her husband.

  “Got it,” Kyla said.

  “Anyway, that’s lunch. Bell’s about to ring,” I said and started to get up, just as it did.

  “Yep! Time’s up for all of us,” Lila agreed as we all stood and walked out of the cafeteria.

  It turned out Tyson was leaving at the same time as me. Our eyes locked, and for some strange reason, I thought he didn’t look so cold. It must be a breakthrough. But then his eyes glossed over as he barreled past me like I wasn’t even there. And we were back at square one.

  Or maybe a notch above. Maybe Liv said something to him. Either way, it made me feel good that I was finally fitting in.

  By the time Friday rolled around, I had every reason to believe he and I could even have a civil conversation. It was just a vibe I got from him and the other guys. It could be my imagination, but I would run with that.

  But I was excited as I saw the cars starting to come up the drive. Kyla was already there, helping me with my makeup. She insisted I dress the part, like a hostess, which had me in a cocktail dress that was more than flattering. My boobs pushed up, showing ample cleavage and ended mid-thigh – it didn’t need an overactive imagination to witness what was underneath.

  I was shaking in my boots – gold-strapped slippers, that is. My hair fell down my back in large waves, and the only accessory I wore was a pair of gold earrings, courtesy of Aunt Celine.

  When the girls arrived, butterflies were flitting around my stomach, and I couldn’t contain my excitement. I was surprised! We squealed as we held hands and danced around my room, while the other party guests arrived.

  Annette was wearing a mustard shorts romper that showed all her curves. Her gold accessories perfectly complemented her attire, and I wasn’t sure I had ever seen her that beautiful.

  Simone wore a flirty dress, and her long hair was pinned in a high bun, revealing her high cheekbones and flawless skin. Meanwhile, Kyla wore black shorts, a white chiffon top that fell off one shoulder, revealing the diamond strap of her bra underneath.

  And Lila…she was fab in her sweeping emerald-green dress like she was going to the prom.

  I felt like I was among divas and on cloud nine. Or higher if there was such a thing. “Ready ladies?” I asked nervously and clutched my chest.

  “Oh, yeah!” Annette said excitedly. “Let’s go rock this party!”

  I knew they were ecstatic about being in the Pierce home above the ground floor. They kept looking around at everything, much like I had done on my first couple of days.

  We emerged at the top of the stairs, like an extended version of Charlie’s Angels, and several pairs of eyes looked up. Some even began clapping as we made a grand entrance. Not the way I would have chosen to be seen – if at all, but I loved that at least there wasn’t any trash thrown at me, and no catcalling.

  “You look so nice,” one girl said to me when I hit the common area at the bottom of the steps.

  “Thank you,” I said to her and clasped her hand. “You do, too.”

  She beamed and turned back to her friends like she’d needed validation from me, or an almost-Pierce since the actual ones weren’t that great.

  I took my girls to the best spots in the house and showed them what to avoid like I knew Tyson would be – by the pool, or in the garage. Those were his spots when he wasn’t in his room. Liv would probably be lounging in the sunroom, or be by the pool, too.

  I was sure there would be some hard-core action in the pool house, so I avoided that area altogether, even though the girls protested. Not that Lila was even dressed to be anywhere near the pool.

  It was insane the number of teens who had never spoken to me at school – just given me evil eyes and demeaning looks – and were all so
friendly and cheerful now that they were in my home.

  My home. Yeah, I said it. It was my home, and finally feeling like it. I was gliding, a cup of wine in my hand, when someone walked right into me, knocking my elbow and spilling the drink on my dress.

  “What the hell?” I shrieked and wheeled around.

  “What?” Tyson asked.

  I was livid. “What was that for?”

  “You were in the way,” he snickered and walked off.

  I stood staring at my dress, ruined, and wanting to fling the cup at him. “Are we back to that?” I yelled at him, and it attracted the attention of several of the guests.

  And the eyeballing started again, just like that.

  “You want to go change?” Kyla asked as she came up beside me.

  “No!” I said angrily and brushed at the wine droplets still clinging to my dress and trailing down my leg. I sucked in a deep breath and drew strength from the conversation with Liv. Maybe it was time Tyson and I had a real conversation. “I’m okay,” I said and feigned a smile. “I’ll go clean up and come back. He’s not winning tonight!”

  “That a girl!” Simone said and rubbed my shoulder.

  I retreated to the bathroom upstairs. Luckily, it hadn’t been that bad, so I was done in under ten minutes. I was heading back, still on the stairs, when I saw Tyson below with Liam. My heart raced when I remembered Jonathan’s cottage, and I gulped and walked between them.

  “Do you have a minute?”

  “Do I look like I have a minute?” he snapped.

  Why the hell was he so angry?

  “Why are you acting like such a fucking asshole? I thought we were past this,” I said and looked to Liam for support. I didn’t get it. He was firmly in Tyson’s corner.

  His eyes narrowed, and all hope of a decent conversation was lost. It had been a mistake, so I turned and walked off.

  “Listen up, everyone!” I heard him say. I immediately cringed and paused, turning slowly back around to face him. So did everyone else.

  “Tyson? What are you doing?” I asked nervously. This was going to end badly for me. I just knew it.

  “See, little miss trailer park over here,” he began and sauntered over to me, waving his cup as he spoke, “she thinks that she’s one of us now, because she lives in our house, drives a nice car my dad’s money bought and eats the same food.”

  There was a hush in the room. I wasn’t sure if they had turned down the music, or if it had dimmed in my head. Either way, his voice was as clear as a bell, ringing around the house. I kept my eyes trained to him as the anger swelled inside me like a tsunami.

  “She thinks she’s somebody now,” he chuckled and circled me. “But the nice clothes don’t change the trash she truly is,” he continued. He sounded drunk, and I fought hard to ignore him. But even if I could, he was acting out in a mansion full of people. It wouldn’t end there.

  “Tyson, what the fuck are you doing?” Liv asked as she forced her way into the ring that had formed around us.

  He pushed her back. “Stay the fuck out of this, Liv. You know it’s true – what she is. She’s been like a stain in this house since she came here. But I guess she can’t help herself, with her background and all.”

  I felt my fists tightening against my sides. “Tyson, that’s enough!” Liv said again and glanced over at me. And I was sure she could see the horror etched on my face.

  “Not nearly! Even that scar. Where did you get that? Did some other loser back you up on a trailer and fuck you until the aluminum rip into your flesh?”

  “Ooh!” the voices crooned.

  My eyes burned and I saw the fright in Liv’s eyes when he mentioned the scar.

  “Ty!” Liam finally said, too. “Come on, man!”

  He shrugged him off. “Why? She’s nothing but the daughter of fucking junkies! She’s scum, and doesn’t even belong under the same roof as my shit, our shit!” He swirled around with his arms wide open and his face looked haunted and fierce.

  That did it and when he finally stopped to look at me, my hands moved of their own volition, and I socked him square in the jaw. All I could hear were sounds of more oohs and gasps in the room. “You know what, Tyson,” I spat as the tears rolled down my cheeks. “You don’t know shit about me, my mom or my fucking life you entitled piss of shit!” He gripped his face where my knuckles had connected and with one fluid motion stepped closer to me like he was going to do something. His eyes were rivers of fire, annihilating me, trying to drag me under his spell but I didn’t care anymore.

  Liam and Liv grabbed him and yanked him back, but I walked up into his face, my lips trembling and snot slowly seeping from my nose as the tears started running faster.

  “I might not have been born in a mansion or have so many materialistic things to take for granted. But you know what? As the daughter of junkies, I have a hell of a lot more fucking class than you’ll ever have in your damn pinkie finger! You’re nothing but a little prick who hides behind his money. You’re a pig, and you make me sick! I don’t know what I ever saw in you!”

  I brushed angrily past him and hurried up the steps. I heard Liv chastising him, asking him if he was drunk after I ran off, but the tears blinded me, and I tripped on the top step. I bumped into the wall as I wiped my face frantically and ran to my room – the room. It was no longer mine.

  I didn’t have to stay at that house and suffer at his hands any longer. I was done. I locked the door behind me and kept focus amidst the banging and the girls’ shouting outside my room.

  I grabbed my carryon and stuffed my original things in it. Then I took off the dress and slid into my jeans, tee, and tennis shoes and opened the door.

  The girls jumped back when they saw me exit the room. “Where are you going?” Kyla asked as she quickly looked at the rest of the girls.

  I choked when I answered. “Can you take me to the Air B&B that’s closest to here? I’ll figure my way back to Miami.”

  “What? No!” Kyla said in horror. “You can’t leave.”

  “I can, and I am,” I said and walked past them. “I’m done with this shit.”

  They followed after me, pleading with me. “How about you stay with me until the morning?” Kyla offered. “Then, we can figure it out.”

  “Don’t you get it?” I snapped and turned. We were all in the hallway, just at the top of the stairs. “This is never going to stop! He has it in for me, and he doesn’t even know me. I’m done,” I said through the tears.

  The eyes found me when I got to the stairs and followed me as the crowd parted like the Red Sea as I walked. Liv saw me and grabbed my hand.

  “Quinn, what are you doing? You can’t leave? Celine is going to go crazy!”

  “Then I guess you can explain to her why I had to,” I said firmly and wiped my eyes of the last of the tears. “I don’t have to take any of this.”

  “It won’t happen again,” she pleaded.

  “I know,” I said and looked behind her to see Tyson emerging from the group, his faceless angry than before. But it was still him. “He’s right. I can’t be under the same roof as him.”

  And I walked off with Kyla by my side. She drove me to the B&B and promised not to tell anyone, her eyes teary as I got out of the car, pulling all the possessions I had in the world behind me.

  I honestly didn’t think my life could have gotten so fucked up after my mother died, but I guess Tyson just proved me wrong.

  Chapter 20

  I had never cried so much in my entire life. The pillowcases were drenched with my liquid frustration and my black mascara.

  I was mad as hell at the world again. How did I ever think I would ever be happy there? One look at the neighborhood and I should have known.

  My phone kept blowing up, but I didn’t want to talk to anyone. I needed my mother, the one person who always knew what to say, and she wasn’t there. I didn’t even want to talk to Olivia. It was just too embarrassing to share with anyone.

  Saturday found m
e the same way, only leaving the bed to use the bathroom and to shower. I ate the breakfast the room rental came with and ate snacks from the vending machine in the lobby.

  In a strange way, the B&B was the closest I felt to my real self since my mom died. Life changed entirely for me that day, and I thought that moving in with Aunt Celine, and going to a Prep School that things would have been different.

  They were but in a hellish frightening way.

  Someone must have told Aunt Celine that I had left. Probably Liv. The only person who knew where I was staying was Kyla, and I had made her promise not to tell Liv anything. I knew she would keep her word, or Liv would have been here already.

  Aunt Celine: Quinn, where are you, sweetheart? I heard you left the house? What happened?

  I hated that her function had to be interrupted because Tyson couldn’t keep his shit in check. I ignored her message, even though I knew she would be so worried, but I had to start looking out for me again.

  And talking to her would only lead to more tears and her forcing me to go back. I didn’t want to go back. She had enough money – she could send me back to Miami and wire transfer funds to me as needed. I would be good with that.

  But my eyes watered when I remembered the bookies my dad owed, which ultimately killed my mother. They’d no doubt been looking for me. If I go back – I was dead!

  Or not! Maybe Aunt Celine could just give me the money to pay them, and everybody would be happy.

  All kinds of thoughts plagued me into Sunday morning. When the sunlight streamed through the windows, my eyes burned because I had barely gotten any sleep. My heart also raced when I realized Aunt Celine would be back that day. She would find me for sure. The Pierce’s had too much pull.

  So, I showered, ate a measly breakfast of pancakes and orange juice, and sat on the bed waiting for my executioner to arrive. If she brought me back, she would be killing a part of me. She had to see being there was not the best thing for me.

  The phone chimed some time after eight, and I turned robotically to look at it resting next to me on the bed. It was Aunt Celine.