by K. Walker
I slapped her hand away hard and the look on her face was one of shock. “Or what?” I hissed back.
I had no idea what I was getting into, but I was already tired of Callie Humpry and her cronies. She grunted as she let go, and shoulder bumped into me when she passed.
“Holy shit!” a girl said as she came up to me, her freckled face alive and bursting at the seams. “I can’t believe you stood up to Callie Humpry and lived.”
“Uh, okay,” I said warily and tried to turn.
She hopped in front of me and pressed her hand against my chest before quickly retracting it, like she was afraid I’d rip it off. “You’re new here, right?”
“Yep. And I have to get to class, so catch you later,” I told her and walked off. I’d had my share of friends, and I didn’t want to be rude.
I managed to get to class without attracting any further attention. I slipped into my seat and kept my head low, but the scenes from the party had been too much for the other students to keep quiet about.
I heard the whispers, and saw the stares and cross messages. I could kill Chad. He had only wanted to help, but he had sparked even more gossip whether he intended that to happen or not.
“Alright, settle down,” the instructor said as he walked into the class and set his book down. He scanned the classroom, and narrowed his eyes at the same time I heard several chimes going around the room.
What’s going on?
I couldn’t help but think it had something to do with me. I checked my phone too, but there was nothing there. The snickers and the stares that came at me confirmed my suspicion as I looked around the room at everyone.
My phone buzzed and I took it out clumsily – I was shaking that much.
Amanda: Check this out! Don’t panic.
She might as well have told me to. I opened the link, and gasped when I saw my face on a topless girl, going down on a faceless guy at Cody’s party. My face burned, and I was pretty sure it was a bright shade of red as I balled my fists and imagined Callie’s face on the end of them.
It had begun. I knew that was Callie’s work. And though no one had seen me doing anything of the sort, who would they believe? Any juicy bit of gossip was good enough for a loose lip. I sank down into my seat and placed my hand over my face as I tried to hide.
Amanda: Did you see it?
Sophia: Yes. I’m going to kill her.
Amanda: Welcome to my world. Except killing her isn’t so easy. She is protected by politics and money.
Sophia: We’ll see about that.
“Okay, everyone, let’s get started. Put the phones away,” Mr. Anglin said sternly.
I placed the phone on the desk and stared at the wall in front of me. I heard nothing that happened throughout the session. My thoughts were preoccupied with what I would do when I saw Callie the next time.
My eyes burned, and my lips quivered as much as my hands shook.
I’m going to kill her!
That’s what I kept telling myself as I watched the clock. It was my second week, and I was going to wind up in the principal’s office.
As soon as the bell rang, marking the end of the period, I stalked out into the hallway. I didn’t see her, but I knew where to find her. I was blinded by rage, and with every person I passed and saw the disappointed or surprised looks, it only got worse and angered me more. I didn’t care how much money she had or how much pull she owned. It was time to get even.
I had never been labeled all throughout my school life, and it had taken one privileged, entitled bitch to ruin all of that in the span of one week.
I turned the corner to enter the corridor with the lockers, and as soon as I did, I saw her – all four of them, like she had been waiting for me. I squinted and made angry strides towards her, right before someone yanked on my arm.
“What are you doing?”
It was Amanda. “Let me go!” I yelled at her.
She was much stronger than I was, or my rage had weakened me. I skittered back as another set of arms, Stacey’s, held on to me. “It’s not worth it,” she murmured as she pulled me back.
I glared at her prissy face, and her lips curled into a smile. She had won, and I would have to suck it up. I thought to myself and backed off when I saw some teachers approaching. “This is not over,” I growled under my breath, but loud enough for the girls to hear.
“It has to be,” Amanda warned as she pulled me into a corner. “You don’t know who she is. She’s rich and her dad works for – hell, the whole town works for her dad or owes him a favor. You cannot win this!”
“Amanda, she posted a picture of me sucking a random dick for Christ sake!” I seethed and shook them off of me. “I mean all because I didn’t want to become a cheerleader? Are you fucking kidding me?”
“You can get back at her in other ways,” Stacey encouraged.
“What did I miss?” Alexi asked as she pulled Amanda and Stacey apart like a gate so she could come in front of me.
“Nothing. We got to her in time.”
“What? Should have let her claw her face off!” Alexi cried. “You want backup? Because I can kick ass!”
“Alexi, stop it,” Amanda whispered. “You know what happened the last time. With me.”
“But this is different,” Alexi defended. “Sophia didn’t do anything. You slept with her boyfriend.”
“No. Her ex-boyfriend,” Amanda corrected and then blushed.
“Wait, hold on,” I intervened and wrinkled my brows. “You slept with her ex-boyfriend?”
“It was just a one-time thing to get back at her, but boy did that backfire. Callie is a spiteful bitch. My mom ended up losing her business contracts with the city, and was kicked out of the country club. Callie’s mom made it looked like she was addicted to pills and our family’s reputation was ruined among most in town. Not all but most. That’s the kind of person Callie is.”
I glanced back at Amanda wide-eyed and kind of shocked. I was still standing by the locker and I think my mouth was hanging open a little at the level I learned that Callie would stoop to. Callie wanted me to go over to her and retaliate. She wanted a reason to do me one worse. “Fine,” I seethed through clenched teeth. “She wins this time. But just until I know enough about her and exactly what I’m dealing with.”
“With her money, you won’t even come close,” Stacey said with concern.
I stole at quick glance at Queen B and said, “We’ll see about that.”
“That a girl,” Alexi said, her black eyes intense and fierce. “About time someone had the balls to stand up to that bitch.”
“Alexi, don’t encourage her.” Amanda pleaded. “My mom ended up in therapy because that bitch gets away with murder.”
“I know, and I’m sorry, sweetie. But you know Callie. Once she gets her hooks in you, she doesn’t let go until there’s blood. Not this time though.” She turned her dark eyes onto me and winked. “Whatever you’re going to do, I’m game.”
I smiled. “Thanks, Alexi.”
Amanda groaned in defeat and Stacey shrugged. By the time I looked around again, the mini posse was gone.
I spent the rest of the day trying to calm down. The picture was already out there, and I was getting all kinds of negative attention that it made me want to throw up.
“Hey, you wanna hang with us at Amanda’s?” Stacey asked at the end of the day.
“No,” I told them and sighed. “I just need some time alone.”
“Okay,” she said and squeezed my arm. “I understand. We all do. Just let us know if you need anything, okay?”
I shook my head in agreement and walked off. I was headed to the middle of the parking lot when I remembered I’d had to park on the street. I heaved a sigh and kept walking. Once I turned onto the street, I saw it – the tissue and spray paint all over my car with the word ‘slut’ on it.
Motherfucker!
I tasted the blood as I bit hard on my lip. “That’s it!” I yelled and turned around. I knew where sh
e was parked, and I knew she would be waiting for me. She had just taken it too far.
I backtracked, walking backward at first and turned right into a wall of muscle. I didn’t even look. I just swiped sideways for the person to move.
He grabbed my arm and threw me over his shoulder.
“What is this?” I yelled and hammered into his back. “Put me down.” I still hadn’t seen who it was, because now my head was facing backwards, and all I could see was his jeans.
But then, I smelled the cologne.
“Chad?!”
“That’s right,” he told me as he walked me back to the school parking lot. I was officially the movie being played across the school, and my chest swelled as I tried to fight him off.
He got to his car, opened the door, and slung me inside like a backpack. Then he slipped in behind the wheel.
“Stay!” he said with such force in his voice that it paralyzed me.
“Chad, what the hell?” He didn’t answer. He turned the key in the ignition and the car roared to life. “Chad! Chad!”
The car jerked into motion and I rolled into the door. “Put your seatbelt on.”
“No! I want to get out!” The tears stung my eyes. Finally. “Just let me out.”
He didn’t look at me. He kept his eyes forward, even when he reached into the glove compartment and took out a box of Kleenex that he tossed at me.
“Here.”
I looked at the Kleenex box and then my head snapped back to him. “What is this? A kidnapping?”
He clenched his jaw and the car sped down the street. I couldn’t jump out. That would be suicide. And I couldn’t get comfortable either. Once again, I was stuck.
Why the hell did I even come to this damn town or school?
Chapter 12
She would have been headed for suicide.
I saw her car out front with the graffiti and tissue, but I also knew Callie would have done some shit like that. The only thing I could think of that would save Sophia further embarrassment was getting her hell away from there. The further the better until she calmed down.
I couldn’t explain it, but I felt an overwhelming need to protect her. Like I protected Sylvia. And I didn’t even know her. The one thing I was sure of, was that I needed to keep her safe while staying away from her.
How the fuck am I going to do that?
She was on Callie’s radar, and it seemed everything I did to help her only made things worse.
“You know you’re not really helping me, right?” she asked softly, like she had been in my head.
I looked over at her, for the first time since she’d gotten inside the car. She was so beautiful with her long dark brown hair. Her dark blue eyes were rimmed red from crying. She had high cheek bones with full pouty lips and a straight little ski slope nose. She was one of those girls that didn’t need make up to look good but if she had decided to wear some she was that much more gorgeous.
She was right that I wasn’t helping the situation but it was about time I really did something about it.
“Where are we going? This isn’t where I live,” she said flatly as she leaned sideways against the glass.
I wanted to answer, but I couldn’t trust what would come out of my mouth. So, I did the next best thing. I hit the phone button on my dash and dialed Cody.
“Hey, you got your board?”
Through the corner of my eye, I saw her head raise. “You’re taking me to the beach?”
“Yeah, I got it,” Cody answered. “Hey, what was that stunt you pulled with that chick?”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll meet you guys on the beach.”
“Okay. We’re on our way.”
“Answer me, damn it!” she shouted when the line went dead. “Why are you taking me to the beach?”
“Because it’s where you won’t do any more damage,” I replied, still without looking at her. I had made that mistake already, and even one worse, by kissing her. She couldn’t wind up like the others. Not her. I couldn’t have her, but I would be damned if I let anyone hurt her either.
“Damage? You think I’m the one who is doing damage? If you’re protecting your little blond bimbo, you have another—”
“I’m protecting you,” I said as calmly as I could.
She shut up. About time. I didn’t want her getting into my head too much. I pulled the car off the main road and onto the two-lane street that led to the pier.
“Okay, let’s go.”
I turned to her as she rolled her head and looked into my eyes. Fuck! She had the most beautiful blue eyes I had ever seen. Her dark lashes were long and free of makeup and she looked stunning. I don’t think I had ever even noticed a girl’s eyes that much. Not really. And definitely not when all she had done was sit next to me in the car.
“Can’t I just wait in the car?”
“No,” I told her and stood outside the door. “Now get out!”
“Chad, you can’t just tell me what to do,” she said and got out. Her eyes were a darker shade of blue as she squinted at me and stormed around the side of the car. “You don’t even know me.”
“You’re damned right about that. So, since I just did you a favor, just say thank you, like a normal person would.”
Her lips tightened and she walked off. “Where are you going?”
“Somewhere else!” she spat and kept walking.
I clenched my teeth and turned as I heard the sound of cars approaching. It was Cody and the others and I popped my trunk and took out my gear.
“Hey, where is she?” Cody asked when he got out.
“Somewhere on the beach, I guess,” I replied.
“Did you see that picture?” Zeke asked and fist bumped Brody. “Talk about hot!”
“Wish it was my cock in her mouth,” Brody added and laughed.
I had his neck in a football hold before he could finish laughing. “Don’t you even fucking think about it,” I snarled in his ear.
“Sheesh, Chad. I was just joking,” Brody replied and tried to wrestle out of my arm.
“You will not look at her, or even think about her in any way that I don’t like,” I shouted. “You hear me?”
“All right, fine, Fuck!” Brody exclaimed and almost tumbled to the ground when I pushed him off. “What was that for?”
“Stay the fuck away from her,” I seethed angrily. I don’t know why I hated the way he spoke about her like she was just some piece of ass. She wasn’t. She was uncorrupted by the Madison Falls boys – and she would remain that way.
“Chad, it’s not like you’re sleeping with her, and she is kinda hot,” Deven said cautiously.
I shot him a wicked glance and tightened my lips. “She’s off limits. To all of you!”
Deven held up his hands in defeat. “Whatever, man. Let’s go catch some waves. Not like we’re short on pussy anyway.”
The others grunted as I walked away. I wasn’t sure where Sophia had gone, or if she had stayed. She could have easily called a cab. I was wrong about that.
I found her down at the beach just staring listlessly at the water. Her legs were curled up under her, like she was doing yoga, and her long dark hair whipped in the salty air.
“Hey!” She didn’t look at me right away, but continued to stare out at the water. “You know how to surf?”
Her face crumpled when I asked, and when she glanced at me, even for that brief second, I saw something sorrowful behind her eyes.
“No. Not anymore,” she whispered and looked back out at the surf in what looked almost like a trance.
“Oh.” I could tell it was personal, so I wasn’t going to push. “Well, we’re going out. Will you be here when we get back?”
“Not like I have my car, do I?” she asked and stared blankly at me.
“True. Okay, we’ll see you in a bit then.”
I ran off, to join the others who had already hit the water. There were many people surfing, and pretty soon we were howling and sailing across the curves
of some real giants. It was a rush, being out in the water, floating on it like Neptune, lord of the sea. It was the one place I felt free, and I took every chance I got to be on the beach and in the water.
But I was distracted. After about an hour, I began to get worried about her. I had left her alone on the beach, just sitting there. My mom would be disappointed in that.
“Hey!” I shouted at Zeke. “I’m heading back in.”
“How come?” he asked.
“Just need to check something,” I told him. He knew what that something was, but he wasn’t going to say anything. He knew better than that.
I paddled to shore and found her sitting in the exact same spot where I had left her.
“Good. You’re back,” she said stiffly, her arms were folded across her chest and her eyes cut through me. “Now, can we go?”
I scoffed. “Do you always have a stick up your ass?”
She gasped. “Me? Have a…look, Chad, you want to run Madison Falls? Fine. But I’m not one of your guys that you think you can just…”
I was walking up to her all the while she was speaking, and I stood over her, the water trickling down my body and forming a pool at my feet. I stared into her eyes and squinted when she stopped speaking. “You done? Because I could swear you had more to say. You’re not one of my guys that I think I can just what?”
She huffed and looked away.
“Sophia, this is me doing you a favor.”
“Who asked you to do me a fucking a favor?!” she fired back and I clenched my jaw.
“Fine. Be a bitch about it. Let’s go.”
“Really?” she asked disbelievingly. “I’m allowed to leave now.”
I kept walking. “If you want to stay, be my guest, but I’m not coming back to get you.” I didn’t look back, didn’t check to see if she was following, but I had every reason to believe she wasn’t so stubborn as to sit on the chair and expect me to get her.
I was all the way to the pier when I realized she was yards away from me. “Suit yourself,” I mumbled to myself. Females can be such a pain in the ass sometimes. It reminded me why I chose not to be bound to anyone. It was too much damned work – all the nagging and yapping and constant demands.