by L. J. Woods
Lea looks back at Allie and I see her stare waiver when Allie looks back. That’s when her eyes narrow before she scowls, “And where were you, Alejandra? Busy figuring out which side you really play for?” She glances at my desk, “Looks like girls this year. Watch out ladies, she’ll munch your pie and steal your boyfriend.”
I’m not sure about the history of these two girls. But I’m not going to sit back and let her shame the sexuality of one of the only people nice to me in this frigid place. So I pipe up, “Lea, from the sounds of it, it seems like you can’t keep a partner.”
Lea jerks her head back, face turning red before she yells, “And it looks like you can’t keep parents!”
Having heard way too many remarks about my parents, I’m up from my seat before I can think. Allie calls my name but I hardly hear it. My fists clench and they’re headed for Lea. She smirks and it only makes me wish I could move faster.
When I reach her desk I tower over her. “Get the fuck up.”
Her expression doesn’t change. “No.”
“Let’s deal with this.” I’m looking down at her from my nose.
She chortles, “What? You’re going to fight me?”
“Clearly you want one.” I reach for her shirt.
Pulling on the fabric, a man’s voice calls my name. “Miss Rowland?”
My heart sinks and the room becomes quiet again, my fists unclenching.
Shit. I know exactly who’s behind me and my shot at a good first impression is that. Shot.
I turn around and the teacher who I haven’t even gotten the chance to meet has his eyebrows lowered my way. He looks younger than Mr. Hill, standing in a denim jacket over a plaid shirt. He points a thumb towards the door. “We’ll have to save the greetings for later. You’re on the way to the Headmaster’s office.”
“Mr. Trout, it wasn’t Jo,” Allie pipes up from the back of the class. “She was being bullied from what I saw.”
“Whatever the matter, ladies don’t resolve quarrels with their fists.” He scratches lazily at his beard, a patch of grey to the side. “Now, if you will, I have a class to teach.”
I’m grateful for Allie’s help but to save whatever’s left of this first impression, I leave, apologizing to Mr. Trout as I exit the door. When I glance back, Lea’s smiling, waving with a wiggle of her fingers as Mr. Trout closes the door.
Since we’re attempting to save first impressions I’m not going to the Headmaster.
After being in as many schools as I’ve been in, there’s a good chance he won’t check in with the office. He just wanted order in her class and it’s no surprise I took the blame.
God, Lea’s insufferable. Almost as insufferable as Damien, but at least he’s good to look at, as fucked up as that is. I’d be lying if I said he didn’t give me the shivers, even with his hand around my throat.
Fuck. Am I so fucked up I actually liked that feeling? When Eric had me by the neck it felt hostile. Aggressive. And when Zane had me against the dumpster I just wanted to get out. With Damien, my feelings are much harder to decipher.
Finding my locker I look around the hallway. A couple is making out and there's a nerdy-looking boy on his expensive-looking laptop. I hang my backpack on the hook and pull my phone out. All this crazy energy today has got me missing the most important thing. My sister. Tapping my fingers against the screen, I shoot her a text, asking if she's okay.
“And why aren’t you in class?”
Looking up from my phone, there's an older woman with a brooch in her greying hair. She has a sweater vest tucked into her brown skirt and she’s looking at me with stern eyes. I smile, playing it cool. I’m about to give her the standard answer, I’m on a spare, when I hear a voice from Hades.
“She’s on her way to the office, Mrs. Dent.” Georgina skips by in her too-short kilt. She blows me a kiss, a wooden hall pass hanging off her fingers.
Mrs. Dent looks at me with pursed lips. “Well, looks like you’ve won yourself an escort.”
With a groan, I close my locker and swing my backpack over my shoulder before following behind Mrs. Dent. Protesting will only make this worse.
The walk to the Headmaster’s office is short. Mrs. Dent doesn’t leave without ensuring the secretary keeps an eye on me. When she leaves I sulk into the big leather chair in front of the large oak counter. The secretary looks over her screen, curly red hair pushed behind her ear and I attempt to avoid her eye contact.
The clock on the wall ticks like a dripping sink. I’m counting down the seconds until I get a lecture on ERA’s code of conduct and I already want to gag. I sigh, shifting in my seat. Of all the schools I’ve been to, this first day stands out as one of the worst.
Most schools have girls like Lea albeit less annoying, but Damien is another story. Sure he's got a sexy bad boy thing going for him but it’s like he can’t let the dust settle. His poor ego can’t take one person not bowing down to whatever entitled throne he thinks he’s on.
I won't let him break me. No matter how hot he is. I'm stronger than that.
At least I like to think so.
“What are you still doing here?”
Damien’s voice shakes me out of my gaze on the clock's hands. I look around but he’s not inside which means for once, he’s not saying that to me. Even then, my heart starts to race, hands clammy.
“I thought you left.” I hear his voice again which reassures me that I’m not imagining things.
Sitting up in my chair gives me a better view of the window into the hallway. My focus locks on Damien standing across from the same man from the plaque. Sebastien King in the flesh. He’s beside Cindy Huang and I’m hoping she doesn’t assume I’m in trouble.
“I thought you were off the board.” Damien's voice sounds agitated. Almost as irritated as when he gets in my face. “Dad, what’s going on?”
“I’m only here on some business with Cindy.” Sebastien gestures towards the office, his eyes landing on me. His greying brows knit together before he whips his head back to Damien.
“I need to speak with Headmaster Beckett.” Cindy heads towards the office door.
“Tell Edwin good luck in the race.” Damien gives Cindy an actual charming smile before he and his dad walk down the hallway, and out of earshot.
“Jo. Hello.” Mrs. Huang blinks down at me as the office door rattles to a close.
“Heyyy, Mrs. Huang,” I smile, taking a minute to think of an excuse. “Registration stuff.”
“Ah-huh.” I’m not sure if she believes me but she turns towards the counter and requests to speak with the Headmaster.
The secretary nods, curls swaying before she disappears behind a frosted glass door. Cindy turns to look at me and I take my chance.
“Oh, oops!” Tapping my finger against my forehead, I rise from my seat. “I forgot my schedule. Silly me! How can I change my schedule if I don’t have the darn thing?” I roll my eyes before scooting behind her. “Been to so many schools sometimes I forget where I am! See you at the cafe Cindy.”
Moving out the door, I listen out for Damien’s voice. After a few seconds, I hear the low rumble from a distance. “Do you at least have time to talk a little business?”
With my back pressed against the wall like I’m in a Charlie’s Angel movie, I take a peek around the corner. They have their backs to me and I breathe a breath of relief. I’m not usually much of an eavesdropper, but I can’t get what Damien said out of my head. I want to find out more.
I need to know more.
His dad chuckles, “If it doesn’t include drugs or girls.”
“Why would I include that?” I can’t tell if Damien’s being sarcastic or not.
“Because that’s all you’re ever interested in. Why don’t we discuss this over an early dinner? Before my flight to California?” He puts an arm around Damien. “Bring Lea and that new Rowland girl.”
Damien takes a step back just as I do, and when I return my gaze, he’s looking up at his dad. “Why the fuck
would I do that?”
“Language, Damien. Cindy says she’s new and I thought we’d give her a good Eden Gardens introduction.”
“I have plans tonight.”
“Plans huh? Something tells me it involves my empty home.” Sebastien takes a few steps towards the end of the hallway. Damien doesn't follow. His dad turns around and I move back so he doesn’t see my face. “Well, if you do see that Rowland girl, do make her feel welcome."
“Well, what have I found?” A deep voice is in my ear and when I step away, Isaac is peeking down the hall.
“Trouble if that’s what you’re looking for.” I shoot him a glare.
He looks down at my skirt and when he chuckles, I realize who was sharing that bottle with Damien. “An ass like that? Definitely trouble.”
Isaac staggers before he leans his back against the wall, his eyes on my behind. He’s almost as tall as Damien. Lankier. His long narrow jawline gives him a modelesque smile, scruff on his face. He’s cute but, “You’re just like them aren’t you?” Keeping my voice low, it’s almost a whisper in case Damien and his dad can hear. “An entitled asshole?”
He laughs, and the dimples in his cheek make another argument for his good looks. “We may seem alike but we’re not. They might be Kings but I’m a god. Have you ever been with a god, Medusa?”
At least he doesn’t call me Joelle. “If they’re anything like you I don’t ever plan on it.”
“Dad!” Damien’s voice booms down the hall.
Isaac takes another look around the corner. I pull him back, in case he gets me caught and he cocks an eyebrow with a sly smile. “Are you being a sexy spy? If Damien catches you, he’ll want to have some fun with his prey.”
He reaches for my skirt and I push his hand away. “You might want to grab some coffee.” God, is everyone in Eden grabby? Or drunk?
“Don’t deflect.” He puts his weight against the wall, crossing his arms.
“If you must know, I was in the Headmaster’s office, thanks to your pals and her merry band of Trust Fund Trolls.”
He laughs, shaking his head, “I still don’t get why she has such a fucking hardon for that asshole.”
Now I’m lifting an eyebrow. “Don’t tell me this is all because of Damien.”
Isaac shrugs, “Then I won’t.” He runs a finger under my jaw, my cheeks burning before turning around, his hands in his pockets. “It’s a shame you’re on his blacklist, would have loved to see you tonight.” He gives me a salute with two fingers before sauntering away with a stagger.
Something falls out of his pocket, a small baggie. Walking up to its place, I pick it up, about to call his name before I realize what’s inside. Weed.
Well, this day just got a whole lot better. Thank you Queen Jesus because I just found a better way to spend the second period.
Jetting towards an exit, I'm like Charlie with the golden ticket. I know more about finding a safe spot to smoke than solving an algebraic equation anyway. I'm happy I brought my Jansport. I still have papers in my backpack from when I used to smoke with Zane and the guys.
Following the exit signs, I turn down a darker, smellier hallway. The stone wall changes to green painted brick, an ERA Eagles mural on one side. The hallway gets chattier as I pass by a room with green lockers. Christian comes into view, he’s walking with his hockey stick and he’s got half of his hockey gear on. I’ll admit he looks damn sexy in it, other team members moving around him.
He stops, giving me a smile and a wink that makes something flutter in my stomach. Since he knows I’m there I figure it’s best to keep it moving before his coach finds me too. Another few feet and I'm pushing through a metal door that leads to the garden Allie showed me earlier.
I keep walking until I’m behind one of the large buildings near the back of the property. There’s a shaded patch under a tall tree with a thick stump. That’s where I’ll take advantage of this opportunity. It seems to be out of sight of any windows, teachers or classes.
Setting my bag down, I make sure I’m tucked behind the tree before I open the bag Isaac dropped. The potent smell of pine and fruit hit my nose and the nug is frosty as hell. After breaking it apart, I roll it into a joint that’s bigger than I expected. Leaning my head against the tree, I spark the joint with an old lighter from the bottom of my backpack.
The first hit is relieving and that’s when I realize it’s been a while since I’ve taken a deep breath. If I'm going to stay in Eden I’m going to have to keep my stress under control and that means remembering to breathe.
A cough escapes my lips before I take another couple of hits, my head becoming hazy as I stare out at the field. The sky. The grass.
Birds chirp in the tree above and a squirrel skips by on the bright green lawn.
Finally, I've found some peace.
With fresh air around me, I get to thinking. It’s not every day a girl from The Grove gets to go to a school like this. Despite its many drawbacks, seeing a school like ERA on a transcript gets you places. I won’t let them get the best of me. They all want to see me drown and I won’t give them that satisfaction. Not Lea. Not the Archibalds.
Especially not Damien King.
The joint is back on my lips when Damien’s words ring through my head again. I was wrong about Damien. He’s more than trouble. He’s the devil. Alive and walking.
My phone buzzes in my lap, bringing me back to earth.
Willow: I’m fine! R U?
I text her back, not beating around the bush.
Jo: Why are you helping Lea Huang?
Willow must be honest about doing fine because it’s not even a full minute before she texts me back.
Willow: I just want to fit in, and I have my own tactics for doing that. Trust me. Love U. Xo
My sister might be onto something. If I’m going to fight I’d be better off doing it on their terms. I’m impressed by how mature she’s being and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t proud.
By the time I text her an “I love you” in return, the joint is down to its filter.
“I knew I smelt something good,” Allie’s voice comes from beside me and I look up to see her smiling.
“Last puff?” I hand her what’s left of the joint and when she takes it, I know we’ll get along. “Isaac dropped it. Wait, shouldn’t you be in class?”
“I made an excuse to get out early so I can check on you.” Allie drops her tote and sits beside me. A sweet aroma blends with the crisp air. She puts out the burning end in the grass. “Wait, you hung out with Isaac?”
“Bumped into him in the hallway,” I clarify. She nods and leans her head against the wood with me, looking towards the sky. I decide to pry. “What’s tonight? He said it’s a shame I won’t be there.”
Allie’s brows knit together before she smiles. “Ah yeah. He’s talking about the annual back-to-school party at King’s.” She tilts her head towards me as if she’s trying to read the expression on my face. “I would’ve said something but it would be like stepping into the lion’s den. Anyone who’s anyone at this school will be there and for you, that’s not exactly a good thing if you're on the shit list.”
“Wait, you’re going?”
“Wasn’t planning to.” She shrugs. “But Nate usually drags me. I go in protest.”
“I’m coming too.”
Allie turns her head to get a full look at my face. “You did hear me say it’s at Damien’s house right?”
I nod, “I heard you.”
Allie looks at me with a look of awe before she shakes her head and lets out a laugh. “Man, you’re something else.”
The Kings won’t see it coming, Damien especially. And if I’m going to gain the power back in this school, showing them I don’t give a fuck is one way to do it. Besides, I need to find out what Damien meant by what he said.
Sucks when everyone knows what happened to your parents except you.
“Hey, Allie,” I start.
“Yeah, Jo?”
“You
haven’t heard anything about my parents have you?”
She searches my face for clarity before shaking her head. “Not besides what you told me, why?”
“Damien said everyone knows what happened to them except me.”
“Sick fuck,” Allie scoffs. “He’s probably just fucking with you for not getting his way. You alright?”
If he’s fucking with me, tonight, I’m going to find out.
“Yeah,” I turn my eyes to the sky. “I’m perfect.”
Eight
“How do I look?” I toss my phone on the bed, turning to Willow.
Allie just texted she’d be here in five minutes and I’m already getting second thoughts.
She’s right. I’m about to set foot in the lion’s den.
In Damien King’s house.
In hell itself.
What am I thinking?
“You look like you.” Willow stands in front of me in an oversized white shirt, giving me a once over. “Which is good. You can be yourself!”
Holly filled our closet with fancy labels in our sizes. Pink. Pastels. Lots of white. Willow squealed at having an assortment of clothes to choose from but there’s no way they're going on my body.
For tonight, I’m in an old pair of cut off jeans from the garbage bags we brought. A Bob Marley shirt hangs off my shoulders, black bralette peeking out through big holes on the side. “I’m not so sure about this.”
“Well, I am.” Willow gets on her tippy toes to fluff out my head of curls. “You haven’t done a good job at flying under the radar anyway. You’re already blacklisted. Plus, I want to hear all the stories about the King mansion when you get back.”
Allie’s name lights up my phone as Willow hands me mom’s rings. I slip all chunky gold rings on eight fingers before I turn to look at her. “You’ll be okay alone? Here?”
I'd love it if Willow came along, but Allie told me there’s a strict 'No Freshman' policy. I didn’t want her to be the joke of the night. That's my job.
Willow nods, “It’s late. I’m just going to curl up with Gossip Girl on StreamFlix. Can't believe we have our own StreamFlix now."