by L. J. Woods
Lea’s beside him, the blonde and another one with a shorter cut standing next to her. “Shit,” I mutter, my eyes landing on Cindy Huang. Forgetting the relation to Lea, I didn’t expect to see my new boss on school property. She has on a black and white pantsuit, looking like Cruella Deville.
Cindy doesn’t hug Lea back when she reaches for one and Damien seems to be facing off with the man from the train station. His suit is stiff, a plaid jacket over dark pants. Damien’s got some height on him but I notice a resemblance. He reaches out a hand to Damien but Damien doesn’t flinch. The car inches forward and it’s as if Damien knows I’m watching. He looks right this way.
Once Cindy disappears inside with the man in plaid, Isaac lights something that looks bigger than your average cigarette. He passes it to Damien.
“Have a good day girls.” Henry tips his hat in the rearview before getting out of the driver’s seat.
I look at my sister who’s wearing a headband like Lea. It doesn't look too bad. Makes her look like the cute ninth-grader she is. “Ready? It’ll be like it always is okay? You and me.”
She nods, a smile on her face, “Ready.”
I know she’s eager. She’s been watching The O.C. and Gossip Girl waiting for this day. While it’s her first day of high school, I’m a junior. Willow is a naive freshman but I’ve been through this before. I know the first day at a new high school is far from easy but I’m going to protect us at all costs.
Henry opens the door and I scoot out before Willow. Staring up at the front entrance, Damien’s eyes lock on mine as my sister stands next to me. “Think they’ll remember you?”
“Doubt it.” I shrug but I'm wondering the same thing. Lea follows his gaze and I can see her push up her nose from here. She looks a little pale and I’m guessing my Hazelnut Laxative Macchiato did its job. “This is high school. Wouldn't be surprising if they're onto the next big thing.”
“Welcome to ERA!” A small voice pulls my gaze away from the steps. I look down, following the sound. “Cupcake?”
A couple of younger girls in uniform smile in front of us. One has brown eyes, one has blue but they’re both bright and welcoming. They're in uniform, each with a golden tray of green frosted cupcakes. This place might not be as bad as I thought.
Smiling, I reach for a cupcake in the middle, the one stacked high with frosting. “Don’t mind if I do!”
“Oops!” Before I can grab it she tilts her tray upwards, smooshing the cupcakes against my chest.
Moving my arms out to the side, I look down at my outfit as both girls walk away, giggling. Green frosting covers the middle of my blouse and when I turn to look at Willow, she has the same. Watching her try to pick the remnants of chocolate cake off of her now green and white shirt, heat rises to my face.
She looks mortified, glancing up at the group of students who start crowding around. They're all laughing. All pointing. Some start to whisper.
"She tried to poison Lea and the Kings."
"Girls from The Grove are so sketchy."
"Who let the trash in here?"
"Damien already blacklisted her."
A cackle of laughter comes from the steps before Lea calls out, “It might not be poison but it’s just as effective!”
My eyes flick to Damien and he shakes his head. Lea links her arm around his, joint hanging off his lip. My jaw tightens and I can already feel my nails sinking into my palm as my hands turn to fists.
My sister notices because she pulls on my arm. “Jo, it’s okay. Please don’t do anything. You’ll only make it worse.”
Too late. Her voice becomes distant, my feet storming towards them. My pace quickens, toes pushing against the front of these excuses for shoes.
There’s no way I’m becoming prey in this school, neither is my sister. I’m dealing with this bullshit, and I’m dealing with it now.
Five
I’m halfway up the steps and I’m not slowing down.
Watch your back.
Is this what he meant?
Lea’s Trust Fund Trolls all eye me with smug smiles on their faces as I approach. Whispers get louder, the crowd growing as we come face to face. Lea straightens her posture in her pointy green shoes, pursing her red lips when I get in front of her.
I glance at Damien before looking down at Lea. She looks up at me, her brown eyes saying, “Try me”.
The urge to yank that green headband off her head and shove it down her throat is strong. But I’m not about to be the girl from The Grove brawling on the front steps on the first day of school.
“The Glendale Dump is that way.” Lea points a sharp red nail at the gates. As she eyes my outfit, the little assholes with the trays join her. “You’re not fit for this school. With or without that uniform.”
A puff of air blows through my nose. “I’m surprised you have any bullshit left in you after a night on the shitter.” I look at her friends behind her. “And I’m surprised you’re all here after a night of wiping Princess Lea’s ass.”
“Excuse me?” Lea tries to stand tall but the way her cheeks redden tells me I’ve already hit a nerve.
“Damn, she’s coming in hot!” Isaac takes the joint from Damien, but he says nothing. He leans his head back on the brick like he’s watching a show. One he most likely orchestrated. Isaac rests his chin on the top of his stick, his eyes dropping to my blouse. “Looks like you’ll have to take that shirt off.”
I look Isaac in his eyes. “Why? Are you that desperate for a pair of tits?” Christian bursts into a laugh and I turn to him next. “Don’t think you’re any better because you act nice. You’re still a rich prick with idiots for friends. And as for you…” I turn to Damien.
Taking his time pulling the joint from his lips, he steps forward with a raised brow. “Careful.”
“I’m not threatened by you.” I don’t back down. “And I’m not about to be a pawn in your games because daddy doesn’t give you enough attention.”
“Well, shit,” Christian laughs again, whispers and murmurs becoming louder around us.
Damien takes a step closer but there’s already little space between us.
“You shouldn’t have said that,” Lea’s voice comes from beside me but with Damien in my face, she sounds miles away.
He’s in my space and I’m in his. Our eyes locked on each other and for the first time I’m realizing his eyes aren’t grey or blue. The sunlight catches them and I see that they’re both. One of each. His breath is a mix of peppermint and weed and when his chest touches mine, he looks down at me.
More whispers come from around us and I’m too stubborn to even check if Willow’s still there. I’m keeping my eyes on the wannabe King. I’m not budging. I know this game and I’m not playing it.
“You don’t belong here,” his voice sounds tired as if I’m not even worth his effort. Much different than the tone he gave me last night when he stopped Zane. “Leave, or wish you did.”
My eyes fall on his dewy lips, the exhaustion in his eyes before it hits me. “Did you just threaten me?”
“If you don’t get out of my face, it won’t be a threat, Joelle.”
The way he says my name, so effortlessly, his tongue landing between his teeth makes my heart patter. But he’s not getting away with that. “It’s Jo.”
His eyes roam my face like he’s searching for something before his gaze lands on the top of my head. My hair. I didn’t do much with it this morning. Some conditioner, oil and gel. I usually let it do its thing, coils and curls making my head look bigger than it is. My mom used to call it my lion’s mane. Brown with golden highlights in the sun.
He scoffs as if reading my mind. “More like Medusa.”
Lea cackles again, “You mean after Athena made her an ugly troll.”
I move my head to see her stupid smug face and I’m about to let a fist fly before there's an arm around my shoulder.
“Yes, Lea. We all know you like being a troll.” The smell of vanilla takes over, a girl in a
blue hoodie appearing to my left. Purple highlights break up wavy dark strands, matching cat-eye glasses on her honey nose. “Now, are you done? Has she paid the toll enough for you to feel better about your sad, neglected life?”
Lea puts her palm in front of her mouth as if she’s yawning. “Oh look, it’s Alejandra already preying on the new girl.”
Damien glances at Christian before he takes a step back. “Allie,” he says, gesturing towards the door. This gives her enough space to pull me around them.
“Make way for ERA’s losers!” Lea’s voice rings as I’m pulled through the door. If it wasn’t for this girl dragging me into what looks like a small indoor garden, Lea wouldn't get away with that.
“Assholes,” I mutter.
“Accurate. But why waste your time with them when you could be getting to know me?” She pulls me to the corner of the large entryway before she unleashes me. Taking a step back, her brown eyes do a once over of my outfit before she shakes her head. “Lucky for you, you can have my shirt. I’m Allie.”
Allie gives me what looks like the first genuine smile I’ve seen in this school. She's a bit shorter than I am, but we look about the same size. Wider chest and bottom, boxy waist. Her eyes are smokey, matched with deep purple on her lips. She’s super pretty, oval face tying her look together. While her outfit looks as expensive as Lea’s, her hoodie and knee-high boots set her apart from the rest of the ERA crowd
“Thanks.” I return her smile, although mine is faint. "She should be happy you came along.”
Exhaling, my eyes wander our surroundings. It’s like this place gets bigger the longer I’m here. A golden eagle eyes us from where it hangs off a brick wall with vines. Above it are two balconies from the upper floors, students passing by, some waving down.
“Shit…” I turn around, fingers looped around the straps of my backpack as I scan the hallway for Willow.
Everything looks polished and expensive. A tall, fluffy tree stands in the middle behind a circular ledge, students sitting around it. Trophy cases and framed alumni plaques decorate the walls next to wooden lockers.
When I don’t see Willow I turn to face Allie, “Have you seen— ”
“A shorter version of you with straighter hair and cute dimples?” she interrupts, leaning against a large window, dropping a beige tote to the floor.
“Yeah, how did you— ”
“I figured you’re related to the only other girl with green frosting on her shirt.” She smiles again. “Don’t worry she’s fine. She’s in good hands in Bass Hall. That’s the Freshman Building if you need to find her. Now, where’s your schedule?”
“Who’s the newbie?” A boy with a clean fade and nutmeg skin approaches us, coils curled to perfection on top. He saunters our way, coffee cup in his hand, leather messenger bag slung over his shoulder. The school uniform looks better on him than it did on Damien the way it fits his body. Even his pants look tailored.
“Speaking of good hands, this is Nate,” Allie says. “Your sister is with his sister, Bella Quinfrey.”
They can’t be serious. “You mean like...Elizabeth Quinfrey? The multi-millionaire talk show host?”
“Mhm, that’s our adopted mom. So if she's with my sister she’s already ahead of the game.” Nate leans against the window next to Allie, eyeing me up. “I’m not sure about those shoes but I love the hair.”
“I’m Jo.” I hold out a hand, the other buried in my backpack.
He takes it as Allie’s brows lower. “I thought it was Joelle.”
“Oh-kayyy.” I cock my head to the side, handing her my schedule. “Why does it seem like everyone here already knows me?”
“It’s because they kinda do,” she says this as if it’s obvious.
Damien and his crew walk by, their eyes all glaring at us. More boys with hockey sticks have joined them, along with more girls in headbands.
Damien's eyes lock with mine and it makes my body tense, my stomach tighten. I try to rack my brain for all the information they could know about me already. Did he read the information in the envelope?
“A new girl from The Grove? It's not surprising they did their research.” Nate glares back. “It’s not every day this happens.”
"When you say research, how much are we talking about?" I ask.
He shrugs, stroking his smooth chin. “Enough to get under your skin. But you seem tough.”
“She is.” Allie adjusts her glasses on her pierced nose. “You should’ve seen her square up with King.”
She starts telling Nate about what happened but I’m zoning out.
Enough to get under my skin? What could they possibly care to know? They already know I’m from The Grove.
My chest tightens.
Wait. They don’t know about that night, do they?
No. They can’t.
Can they?
The space blurs as my jaw clenches, my yells and screams replaying in my head.
What I did was unforgivable. A stamp I’ll have to wear as long as my tattoos but I didn’t think a secret like that would get this far. I’ve buried it so deep because if it’s dug up, it could ruin my life.
“Jo’s already blacklisted.” My name breaks me out of my panic, Allie shrugging.
“Blacklisted?” I’ve heard that before, from one of the students outside.
“Yeah. When you piss off the Supreme Squad they make it their job to make you a social outcast.” Allie rolls her eyes.
“Supreme Squad?” I'm starting to sound like an echo as I watch Isaac push a shorter boy into the brick wall as he walks by.
“More like a squad of sheepy shitheads,” Nate mumbles. “Sebastien King funded most of this place. The minute his devil child set foot into ERA he felt like it was his castle to claim. So he did. Kind of like the rest of this godforsaken town.”
“It's bullshit," Allie waves Nate off with chipped purple nails, her eyes on my schedule. "You're not really blacklisted because you’ve got us! So, enough about them. Ready for the tour?”
Nate stands up straight, Allie pushing an arm into her beige tote bag, “Save the Planet” stamped on it in black. She hands me another blouse and leads the way, Damien's crew disappearing around a brick wall.
I thought this place couldn’t get more mind-blowing but it does. Elite Royal Academy is more than the large main building, it’s a collection of them. Each looking as grandiose and spotless as the next. Behind the campus is Eden Lake where Nate tells me the school’s rowing team has regular practices. He winks as I follow them out into a large open space, a fountain right in the middle.
Stone benches sit scattered between chess tables in a garden. A variety of flowers surrounding the space. Some I recognize from the grocery store, others I’ve never seen in my life. Students sit and laze on the lush green field around it, their eyes on me when they notice I’m there.
“There she is.”
“Wonder how long she’ll last?”
“Is she dating Allie?”
“Trash.”
Ignoring them, I tune into Allie’s tour. “The freshmen and sophomores have most of their classes on the west wing of the campus.” Allie points to the left side of the garden. “Us juniors and the seniors are on the east. Top floors are seniors only.”
Next is one of the bazillion bathrooms where I stop to change my shirt. Even that seems more glamorous than a school bathroom needs to be. The walls are some sort of dark stone, a large clean mirror in front of brass taps. Each stall has a literal door in front, black with brass handles, not those cheap metal partitions I’m used to. Once inside, I’m quick to swap shirts and fluff my hair, Allie leaning on the door outside.
“Ew, freak,” a girl’s voice comes from outside the stall.
Allie doesn’t seem bothered, rattling something off in Spanish.
Is Allie on the blacklist too? If that’s the case, I have no problem hanging with the school’s social rejects. They seem a hell of a lot nicer than the rest of these idiots.
; Once I’m done, Allie and Nate start pointing out rooms and locations as we move down hallways that all look the same. Shiny floors. More cases of trophies and medals. More giant wooden plaques.
They point out one of two pools. A Performance Centre with an auditorium bigger than the Glendale theatre. Science labs that look like they’re from the future. Cooking classes with kitchens fit for high-end dining. They even have nurse training courses with real equipment. No wonder the rich get ahead so easily.
My head is a blur by the time Allie points down a long hallway. Instead of more brick, these walls are forest green, the same colour as the blazers and kilts.
“Locker rooms are down there.” There's a window next to it and she points to a large building. “And that’s the sports complex. We have outdoor fields for volleyball and football. But basketball, tennis, and ERA’s claim to fame, hockey, are all inside.”
I blink in the direction of her finger as the bell chimes. This place is like a fucking city.
“Ugh, the torture begins,” Nate groans. “I’ll catch you lovely ladies at lunch?”
We wave good-bye to Nate, Allie glancing at my schedule. “I’ll take you to your locker. Your homeroom is nearby.”
She leads me down another couple of hallways before we’re in front of my own wooden locker. The inside is as glossy as the outside with ample space.
“I’ve got to go.” Allie glances at the black smartwatch on her wrist. “But we have Algebra together next period so I’ll see you there. Your homeroom is English, down this hallway.” She points to my right before handing my schedule back to me. “First door on the left.”
Without a minute to take it all in, I move in the direction Allie directs me, waving good-bye. I’m super grateful for her and Nate. They seem like they hold their own in this school, despite the “Supreme Squad” and their flying monkeys.