But then again, thirteen-year old me would be so disappointed with how life turned out.
I glance at her as if she is out of her mind. “How hard did you drink Saturday night? You do know that we don’t have a class together until lunch right?”
“Uh, okay. Am I the only one between the two of us that actually reads that damn schedule that they gave us last week?” She questions and I shrug. “Urgh, my reputation as a rule breaker is dwindling by the second. I was so sure that you would be the goody two shoes between us.”
“Hey, I did tell you that I have no desire to be here this morning. But please, may your prepared and up to date self, enlighten me on what exactly is going on here.” I question her but we are soon at the end of the hall where the huge double oak doors are wide open and all the students are entering.
“It’s assembly time, to start W.B.H day.” Kim announces and then we enter the large, two century old hall. “Woah, just how old is this building? All the other ones are new.”
I look around and notice that we are late indeed and there are hardly any seats left. Students are all seated as they usually do, in their cliques or sports groups. Kim and I are the only new students in the entire school so it’s only fitting that we find a hard time just to find a place to sit.
“Well, Westbrook High started off as a school of twenty students that met in this very hall. Only the most elite in the whole land were apparently enrolled.”
“Well, that explains the stuffiness then. Look at that, those seats look like they have silk cushions on them.”
“That’s because they are velvet silk cushions. Where should we sit?” I ask as we both look around. There is a group of freshmen girls close to us that keep glancing our way then covering their mouths to gossip.
“Definitely not with the freshmen. They think high school is heaven.” Kim says with a roll of her eyes and a twist in the way she carries herself. As she does so, she gets a stank eye from the freshmen girls as if they are intimidated. I just shake my head.
“Come on, there are extra seats at the back there.” I nudge her and we begin moving there. There are about seven unoccupied seats and as we get there, I notice that just like the cafeteria, these seats are the crappiest.
“Well, I told you we would get crappy seats if we were late.” Kim says but takes a seat either way. As I’m about to do the same, the entire school falls silent and I’m thinking maybe the various presentations are about to start but I make the mistake of glancing towards the huge double doors that we just entered and there they are. Entering as if they are gliding on mineral water, Noah, Emmett and Ace.
All three of them look like they are literally above this place. I watch as the girls lean closer to take them in, they all perk up as if hoping to be recognize in some way. I remain standing as I study them.
Emmett’s hard features are dark, broody and an uninterested by the eyes that are on him. Almost as if he is bored by all of this and does not wish to be within viewing distance of these people. I wonder if he still sometimes stammer. But that confident poise and the way he holds himself, he knows he doesn’t owe anyone here a single word.
Then there is Ace who just stands there scanning the hall with a look I can’t read from here. Honestly after what just happened, I hardly think reading him will be in my favor. I have so many damn questions and it’s irritating the fuck out of me.
Noah, not surprisingly, is soaking up all the attention with an easy smirk on his face and a glint of mischief lighting up his eyes. I wonder if he did what he was planning on doing back at their private parking lot.
“Oh, by the way” I start as I turn to Kim who was just scrolling through her social media. “I need to tell you something. . .” But I’m soon cut off by the very person I was about to discuss.
“Raea! There you are!” Noah shouts. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. Yeah, I already knew what was about to happen and I’m proven right when I feel—more than hear—him come towards the back where we are seated.
“How nice of you to save us seats!” Noah says as soon as he is close.
“I did not save these seats for you.”
“They are a bit crappy though. I mean, you could have chosen our usual seats at the front of this great hall!” He says with a chuckle and then proceeds to, right there and then, in front of everyone, knowing good and well that all eyes are on us—drilling holes really—encircles me in his arms, lifts me up and then twirls me around in a circle, with a hyena laugh that has everyone shocked.
Fuck, I forgot all about that fucking circle but I know what it means, Noah is overexcited. Fuck my life.
“Put me down you brute, bringing attention to me.” I whisper yell but he only lets out a rambunctious laughter, as if he actually wants people to see. Newsflash, they are already staring—mouths agape might I add.
As he puts me down, my gaze catches a particular dark glare that’s being sent my way and the firm line her shiny lips are pressed in. Yes, Brittney is furious alright.
“Hey there, Kim Possible!” Noah says to Kim who rolls her eyes and is about to chew up Noah. Looks like she wasn’t kidding about that.
“Alex! I saved you a seat right beside me!” Brittney says out of nowhere, looking at Ace as she giggles and speaks at the same time, don’t ask me how that is possible but she does it anyway.
But Ace pretends like he didn’t hear a single word she says, instead he leans in to say something to Emmett who cracks a smile on his stony face.
“Alex, baby.” She whines again and my heart sinks. I hate the fact that she is here and has been around Ace and my boys these past years while I was away. God knows, she might have already had Ace in a way that I haven’t and that just. . .saddens me. And to think that Brittney somehow contributed to the events of that night, it makes my stomach roll.
“Bitch, will you shut up!” Kim says to Brittney. She doesn’t stand up, doesn’t bother raising her voice to speak and why would she, the rest of the school is dead silent watching the confrontation with wide eyes. “Nobody wants to hear your whining. The guy doesn’t want to sit next to you. Go cry yourself a river and drown in it.”
The entire school gasps like a damn acapella collective. Noah and I roll our eyes.
“Bitch, how dare you?” Brittney stammers, standing up, now sending Kim hard glares. “This is my school! Who do you think you are talking to?”
Kim returns Brittney’s heated glare with a cool one of her own and doesn’t say anything to her, just raises her eyebrow. I guess Kim is learning how to be blue too.
By that I mean, being cool, indifferent and mean. Well. . .
“Oh, there, there now Brittney. No one wants to sit next to you and your stinking breath. Whose dick did you suck today?” Noah questions, a hard smile face, twisting around with his arms spread out wide, weaving the tension in the room because he is about to go in for the kill. I watch from the corner of my eye as the boys in the room start looking uncomfortable and the girls sit up straight waiting for whatever news Noah is about to deliver.
He turns, sends Kim a wink and then he swings and looks at one of the football players seated right beside one of Brittney’s friends.
“No!” Brittney’s friend from the other day shouts as she stands up. “I know you didn’t fuck my boyfriend!” She says as she looks at her friend.
“I didn’t. . .” Brittney starts, looking at her friend and then at Noah but he just smiles and waves.
“Sarah, I didn’t do anything with your second string loser.” Brittney pleads but in so doing, makes the entire thing worse. The entire school gasps as the words sink in and Brittney rushes to cover her mouth. “I mean. . .”
“Oh, shut up, you totally fake ass whore! Why would Noah lie?” The girl, Sarah shouts, then looks at her boyfriend who doesn’t know where to look but down. “You told me she was a cold bitch and you would never do anything with her. Fuck you!”
The girl explodes, pushes the dude so hard that he tumbles from his ch
air and falls to the floor, but Sarah doesn’t wait to see what happens or listen to the commotion she just caused. Instead she walks over to Brittney and slaps her hard across the face and turns to flee the great hall.
“Well, damn.” The murmurs start as all eyes fall on Brittney who still wears a shocked expression on her face. But that fire in her eyes as she looks at Noah, Kim and I won’t go away anytime soon.
“Now sit down and be a good little girl. Think about what you have done being a whore and all.” Kim says and the entire school bursts out laughing.
I watch as Brittney opens her mouth as if she is about to say something but bites her tongue, and then proceeds to sit down, watching Kim as she does so. Kim and Noah, damn. They just tag teamed insulting Brittney without even thinking about it, like they are a pair of evil master minds and can’t stand Brittney Pace at all.
“Oh, and by the way Brittney, this is my school. You would do well to remember that!” Noah says with an easy smile on his face. He shoots Brittney a wink then turns to look at his brothers, Emmett and Ace and shrugs as if he just had to cause a scene like that but isn’t sorry at all.
“Come on, guys. We are seating back here today!” Noah announces and I watch as Ace and Emmett shoot each other a look and then start walking towards the back. As they do, there is a sudden audible exhale that goes through the room as if they are watching something shocking, history breaking and ground-shaking. I sigh. This should be the school for theatre.
I mean, the entire student body literally live for the drama and seem to rehearse their collective responses. The gasps, sighs and then laughter, it’s all ridiculously high school. It’s sad really. And to think at one time in my life, I desperately wanted to be a part of this stupid social system that is Westbrook Blues High hierarchy.
I take a seat beside Kim as we both watch the rest of the school and their reaction to the Blue Boys coming to seat with us. “After what happened on Friday, is it wise that they sit with us?” Kim questions as Ace and Emmett get closer and Noah does a man hug thing and then a special handshake with them that I haven’t seen in well, four years.
“It’s not but we kind of don’t have a choice right now.” I tell her.
“Guard up then.”
“Never let it down.” I agree.
“Something tells me that if you give them an inch, they’ll take your entire life and make it their own.” She says as we watch Noah’s huge smile make the girls sigh, but my eyes are on Ace who still hasn’t looked at me. But I know he feels my gaze on him.
“You don’t know the half of it.” I murmur as then Noah shoots me a smile.
“Scoot over, baby Blue. I wanna sit next to drunk Kim Possible.” He says, looking at Kim as he does.
The entire school’s eyes are on us and after the public declaration of war I made on Friday in the cafeteria, everyone is just dying to know what the Blue Boys will do to me. I can see most of them holding their breath, most of them that are not currently murdering Kim and I with their eyes that is.
“Uh, we don’t want to sit with you!” I tell Noah as he takes the seat on the other side of Kim, leaving the rest of the seats next to me to be filled by the guys. I watch as Emmett doesn’t hesitate, taking the open seat beside me and planting his large feet up onto the chair in front of him.
Ace takes the seat beside Emmett, takes out his phone and begins scrolling through, ignoring and effectively shutting out the rest of the school like it’s a usual occurrence for them to have so many prying eyes on them. Hell, it is the usual, same old for them. Not for me though. None of this is comfortable for me.
All I wanted was to keep my head down for the time being but that’s not happening. Without even trying, I’m big gossip news right now. Shit.
“Good morning school.” The static from the microphone comes through and then the principle begins, addressing the student body and effectively beginning the assembly—after of course, we gave everyone a pre-show. I’m forced to sit through long minutes of announcements, introductions to new teachers that we have this year, a routine from the school band, then the orchestra—really, an orchestra? And through it all, I can feel that the entire school’s attention is not at what’s happening but at me and their Blue Boys.
“And now, the Student Union.” The principle starts and that is the first time that Brittney and her little clanks look away from where we are seated and I’m once again reminded about what I did not tell Kim. I turn and look at her trying to get her attention but she and Noah are busy glaring at each other.
“You didn’t tell her?”
The voice is deep and it startles me but I know its Emmett. It’s not him that startles me but the fact that he is speaking to me.
“I didn’t get the chance to warn her. And when I wanted to. . . “
“Noah happened.” He finishes and I sigh. “Well, this should be interesting then.”
“Tell me about it. She’s going to be mad.” I mumble with a sigh. I didn’t even voice out the idea but freaking Noah had to go make this all a huge rivalry that I really don’t want to be part of. Not this final year of high school and certainly not the few short weeks that I will be here.
“As we all know, the Union is a huge responsibility and is one of the great prides of this well established school. The Student Union is respected all throughout Westbrook and beyond and as we go into this new academic year, the new President will have to be someone that respects the long-standing traditions that have kept this school growing and thriving. Always a cut above the rest.”
I wonder if respect has anything to do with the death of my brother. I wonder if the traditions of this very school forced my brother to want to leave and transfer. After all, what of the transfer request? Why would he do that?
“This year, we have a huge phenomenon. It’s not everyday that we have this kind of election going. The first time a new student has ever thrown in their name in the ballot.” The principle announces with a note of disbelief in his voice and the rest of the school follows through and surprise, surprise, all eyes turn to look at me.
But one particular pair of eyes is digging holes through the side of my head. Brittney is fucking furious.
“The two students running for President of the Student body and the Student Union this year are Miss. Brittney Pace and our new student. . .”
There is a collective, dramatic pause that almost makes me roll my eyes because I know everyone expects that it will be me but nope, not this time.
“And Miss. Kimberly Allory.”
Silence.
But that only last for a split second because the next thing that happens shocks the rest of the school but to me, I was expecting it.
“What?!” A shrill, loud scream erupts in the form of Brittney Pace as she shoots up from her seat, her face priceless as it becomes flush, the redness vivid against her makeup and she looks like a fucking cartoon character.
“Miss. Pace.” The principle starts but no, Brittney is not done.
“No! There is no way that is happening!” She screams meanwhile the rest of us just watch her.
“Uh, what is going on here?” Kim questions, this time she is looking at me.
“Sorry, I was going to warn you but Mr. Tooth fairy here thought it would be a great idea to add your name in the running for President of the SU.” I explain to her as Ace and Emmett become restless and bored. I know they both don’t find any of this amusing but Noah? Noah is having the time of his life, literally living in this moment.
“What?” Kim almost screeches but even then, her raspy voice is controlled as she whips her head to glare at Noah.
“Hell yeah, that bitch needs a run for her money and after what she did to Raea. . .”
My heart stops. Wait, maybe Noah knows after all.
“She was damn happy when Raea left, started walking around here like she is the mother fucking queen bee or something.” He finishes and I let out a sigh. Okay, storm aborted.
“Wait, is that wh
at’s going on?” Kim questions and then glances at me. I never really explained to her about what happened between Brittney and I, but I did let her know that there is some history between us. Not so great either.
“It wasn’t my suggestion and you can decline if you’d like.” I tell her but I’m cut off by the commotion on stage where Brittney has taken it upon herself to go up there to rip out the paper that the principle holds in his hands.
“No! Her name was not there this morning when I checked! This must be against the election rules!” Brittney demands as she looks down at the paper. “Hell, her filthy name has just been penned in. The ink isn’t even dry.”
“Miss. Pace, your language is appalling and is not fit for this school. I would suggest that you get back to your seat before your name is completely off this ticket.” The old principle tells her with a calm, even authority that impresses me. Brittney stands there, her chest heaving really fast like she can’t believe what’s happening but then she turns and makes her way back to her seat with the rest of the school watching.
“That being said, Miss. Allory, you have the right to accept or decline this decision to run for office.” He continues and somehow, his gaze finds us right at the back. All eyes turn to Kim but like the queen that she is, she doesn’t shy away from all the attention but instead, she looks at Noah, then at me and lastly, at Brittney but she doesn’t scrunch up her face like Brittney, she just calmly stands up and plants a smooth and even smile on her face that makes her look breathtaking.
“Sir, it would be my honor to run for office with integrity and calm that my opponent clearly lacks.” Kim says and doesn’t bother looking at Brittney whose jaw just dropped. “I accept.”
As soon as Kim is done speaking, chaos erupts in the great hall. Kim graciously takes back her seat and shoots me a wink and then we both turn to look at Brittney who is glaring furiously at us. If looks could kill, I would be ash blowing with the breeze of the fall wind by now.
Reckless Hate: A Bully High School Romance (enemies-friends-enemies-lovers-enemies) (Westbrook Blues Book 1) Page 26