“Fucking yes!” Noah hoots as the principle tries to calm down the rest of the school but no, there is no going back on this one.
It looks like Kim is going to go head to head with Brittney. A girl who has dreamt of running this school from the day she heard about it. And I would be a liar if I said I wasn’t looking forward to it.
WE BARELY MAKE IT THROUGH the rest of the announcements as the rest of club Presidents are announced as well as the sports captains.
Normally, when there is more than one name contending for President of the Student Union for a given year, then that will be the only election that would run for the next month. But as far as I’m aware, there hasn’t really been an election campaign at Westbrook High for the past five years simply because there would just be one name on the ticket. That person would automatically be announced President on W.B.H open day but it seems there will be a campaign and then an election this time around.
And the school is eating it up!
What astounds me about it all is when the sports announcements started there was a hum of silence that fell over the school, waiting in anticipation. And then I understood why. As soon as one of the boy’s names was mentioned, there was a thunderous round of applause that I swear shook the great hall as girls cheered and the boys hollered.
The entire school was up on their feet as Ace was announced football captain. I watched as he stood up to shake the principle’s hand as well as all the coach’s hands on stage like a true King. The applause doesn’t die down at all when he receives the captain’s ball that he holds up with an easy grin on his face but his eyes, those damn sexy eyes are on me. They are so cold and icy. As if to say, “do you see this shit? I don’t care about any of it.”
There was a loud ruckus when Emmett was announced captain of the basketball team. Man, the whistles and the hollers were just so damn loud but I was just so damn proud of him in that moment that I stood for that too, to his utter shock.
I cheered along with the rest of the school, but I know Emmett, know that he excels at literally everything but his passion, that lies elsewhere.
And then there is Noah. Damn, the heart throb feels himself like nothing else in this world and manages to charm the pants off of everyone as he does.
He was announced baseball captain but instead of just going straight to the stage and accept the baseball captain’s bat with the school colors and Noah’s initials on them—he gets up on the chair and like a choir director, makes the entire school get louder, cheering his name. He cups his ear and soaks up all the attention as his name hums through the great hall in a chant.
“He loves all this, doesn’t he?” Kim asks as we both look up at Noah as if he is crazy.
“Thrives in it.” I say and the rest of W.B.H open day goes just like that. On a joyous, theatric high.
Its then that I realize that these boys are not just admired by everyone because of their wealth, gorgeous looks or the way they drip in swag. They are not just envied by everyone but they are respected. They are so exclusive that they never have lunch with the rest of the school in the cafeteria, but instead they leave the school.
They have their own parking lot—which is the source of my mind buzzing like a freaking beehive, searching for answers from the questions that keep pilling.
These boys keep to themselves. They are more than just private, they defend that privacy like nothing else. I know that, so why is it that there are so many rumors about their fall out with George?
Because it’s not the first time these boys would fight about something, hell when they used to argue, it seemed like the end of the world with their hot tempers and even bigger egos, but even then, their fights never reached the ears or eyes of other people. Definitely not the student body. So why is it that everyone talks about what happened to the boys and my brother?
It all doesn’t fucking add up.
After the assembly, Kim informs me that she heard from some of the girls that Noah, Emmett and Ace never sit at the back, that they have their own reserved section in the hall, close to where Brittney and her friends were seated. Now that I think about it, there were a few empty seats beside Brittney. Yeah, she hates me more now.
“You know, this is going to be one hell of a school year, right?” Kim questions as we both head on to the cafeteria at lunch, having last seen each other after the chaotic assembly.
“I’m already exhausted just thinking about what’s to come. You do know you didn’t have to accept that challenge, right?” I question her.
“And allow that daft bitch to walk around like she can control anyone? No thank you.” Kim snorts as we push through the doors that lead to the cafeteria only to be met by silence that quickly falls over the large room as we enter.
All. Eyes. Are. On. Us.
“Okay, now we are celebrities. They keep looking at us and I’m starting to feel flattered.” Kim says as we both ignore them and walk towards the perfectly laid out buffet. This time I think I’ll eat something more than just fruits and water.
“I don’t think that's wise. By the look of things, no one has ever really stood up to the said daft bitch.” I tell her and she laughs.
“Why is she so hell bent and out of shape for this though? It’s not like she needs to add ‘president’ to her college application. Hell, she is probably enrolled into Harvard already.”
“You are not wrong but for Brittney, it’s not about the actual work no. It’s about power and popularity really.” I explain.
“Doesn’t she have it already?”
“Girls like that, thrive on attention. Trust me, she can never get enough of it but this time around, she wants the moniker of saint attached to her. . .”
“Her whore status?” Kim finishes with a laugh.
“I was going to say with her giant ego but what you just said is cool too.”
“Hey, I’m just pointing out the truth. But it’s more than that though. Did you see the way she was looking at you during assembly?”
“More like I felt it really.” I snort as I think back to the glare being sent my way. Only this time it wasn’t just from Brittney and her friends but all the other girls in the room. Some of the sports guys were also giving me weird looks as if I asked to have Noah bulldoze on my morning like that.
“It has everything to do with the Blue Boys.” Kim says.
“You know each time you say that I roll my eyes. That name is ridiculous, it’s as if they are both magical beings that grant wishes or something.” I tell her as I pick a bottle of cool water and some strawberry yoghurt. I don’t tell her that I was the one to name them that, but I was only six.
“A genie? You mean a genie, right?” Kim asks with a laugh.
“Whatever, a genie. You know what I meant. They are not all that honestly.” I tell her as she nods her head in agreement.
“Shit, did you hear about what happened Saturday night at that dude’s party?” Kim asks, suddenly so excited, eyes lit up and all.
“Uh, no. What happened? I thought you were drugged and Noah took you home?”
“Yeah, that part is true but this happened when I was already home. Shit, Raea.”
“What?” My heart starts pounding as I think back too Saturday night. All I remember is Ace. I faintly remember the danger I was in, the way I was so damn uncomfortable with going to a party in the first place, but what I clearly remember is Ace. The way he kissed me, the way he held me as if I would disappear and break in his arms at the same time.
Wait. Ace!
“Apparently, the bonfires were too wild and one of them was closest to were most of the cars were parked. And since the location was old and stuff, no one cared to check the gasoline stains that were on the ground, so fire spread, caught and extended to the cars! Everything went up in flames.”
My jaw drops to the floor and I stare at Kim in shock. He didn’t. . .
“And before they could flee, the police were already on the scene and rounded up the almost everyone. They
tried to escape but with their burning cars, that shit didn’t work.”
“And Dereck?” I gasp, my heart pounding. My tears fucking sealed his fate. What happened to him.
“Rumor has it that he was roughed up pretty bad by these huge party crashers and then he was arrested for illegal possession of heavy, illegal drugs.”
Oh my God.
Ace really did fuck Dereck up. But to rough him up when I know they didn’t want their faces to be seen.
“Please tell me you didn’t tell anyone that Noah was there.” I grab Kim’s arm quickly, lowering my voice as I ask her. I have no idea what’s happening but I know for a fact that none of the boys do anything without reason. Fuck, I trust that there is a reason for this.
“Whoa, ease up the claws, Raea. I didn’t say a word to anyone. And besides, it’s none of their damn business.” She says and I sigh a deep breath. Okay, it’s all good. But then if both Ace and Emmett were with me and Noah was with Kim, who roughed Dereck up?
“Listen, I don’t know what’s going on here but sooner or later you are going to have to tell me the entire story.” Kim starts and I sigh. Fuck, I wasn’t anticipating this but she is right.
“See, the boys and I. . . We have. . .”
“History?”
“Yeah. A lot of it.”
“And I’m guessing it’s deep history.”
“They were my entire life at one point in time.” I say with a sigh and then turn back to the food, feeling Kim’s intense, searching gaze on me.
“And then something shattered?” Kim questions and I close my eyes because I know it’s not a question, it’s a statement.
“Doesn’t something always ever shatter?”
“All the damn time.” she says with a sigh, then turns away to look at the food again and I watch her profile. She is suddenly tense but I know better than to ask her what’s going on.
“Honestly, I was waiting to be impressed by something, anything but after Saturday night and the shit that comes out of Noah’s mouth, they can go to hell for all I care.”
I pause and look at her, like really look at her. She is tense and her lips are pressed in a firm angry line, Uh, okay.
“Are you okay?” I hesitantly ask her. I’m not good at feelings and people. Connect the two and I’m absolutely useless. I don’t know how to deal with that.
“Yes, I’m perfectly fine.” She says as she harshly adds a serving of chicken fingers to her plate, and then a double cheeseburger, more than a handful of fries. As if that’s not enough, she picks up a tub of desert—a chocolate cake with caramel sauce dripped all over it, swirling with the chocolate,
Well then.
“Are you sure you are okay.”
“Yes. Why do you ask?” She questions as she collects some cola for herself.
“Uh, nothing at all. Just checking.”
“It’s just fucking Noah.” And there it is. “He gets on my fucking nerve and I don’t even know him. Forget trying to reason with him, or talk to him like an actual human being, what the fuck is his deal?”
“Maybe if you would be a bit forthcoming about who you are, I wouldn’t even glance your way.” A deep voice interrupts and we both turn quickly on to be faced by a pissed of Noah with his arms crossed and a glaring, aloof Emmett right behind him.
“Uh, hasn’t your mother ever told you that it was rude to eavesdrop?” Kim questions, putting a hand on her waist, making her look like she is on a fashion runaway—and she looks it too.
“I guess you would know all about manners, wouldn’t you?” Noah taunts and then smirks at Kim who rolls her eyes, snatching her plate up again and then shoots me a look.
“You know where to find me. I wouldn’t want to be around such assholeness, might just be contagious.” And with that, she turns on her heel, skirt swishing and flowing as if choreographed, and she walks away. With a lip licking Noah watching every move she makes.
“Noah.” I call his name but his gaze is transfixed on Kim and I’m not so sure if that’s a good thing. The last thing that I want is for Noah—a self-professed ladies manwhore—to mess around with my only friend. The only one who doesn’t stare at me like I am a few screws lose in the head. Or like I’m a ghost walking the long halls of Westbrook High.
“Noah!”
“Yes, yes.” He turns back to look at me then. “Shit, that’s one tight piece of hot ass.”
Emmett sighs and I roll my eyes. “You better stay away from her or I will not be held accountable for any body harm that may come your way.”
“Woah, woah, baby Blue. Relax. She wants me.” Noah says with a smirk and I narrow my eyes at him. It’s almost like he is a dog with a bone and I know for a fact that Noah is too energetic to have anything or anyone hold his attention for long.
Right now, he should be checking out and taking full advantage of the rest of the girls that are suddenly cluttered around the buffet tables as if they are looking for something when I know damn well that they are ear hustling. But his eyes are on Kim.
“Why are you making a scene all of a sudden?” I demand in a low voice and shoot a look to Emmett who looks like he would rather be elsewhere.
“You love attention. Or is that gone now?” Noah questions and then looks at me with a serious look in his eyes. “Yup, long gone.”
“Noah.”
“Yes. I really came here to tell you that Em will be driving you after school.” Noah announces as he snags some of my food from my plate.
“Hey! Get your own damn food.” I slap his hands and he only laughs. “What do you mean he will be driving me and can’t he talk for himself?” I question Noah but I’m really directing my question at the intense, brooding mountain himself. He seems unbothered but his pale green eyes. . . I couldn’t misplace their intensity even if I tried.
He hates me for sure.
“You see, I have to go and prepare some stuff for later and well, the chill between you and Em can make me cool all my beer, so get that under control will you.”
“And you are telling us this because you are what? A saint?” This time, it’s Emmett who steps in, completely ignoring me and shooting Noah a hard look.
“Uh, yes! I told you I’ve recently resumed my fairy duties! It’s like my mission, my higher calling in life.” Noah says with a dramatic sigh.
“Mission in life? Besides fucking everything that moves?” I question with a cynical look his way.
“Raea! That unfiltered mouth of yours. Must be the Brits.” He says with a shake of his head and a merry twinkle in his eyes. He is enjoying this! And with that, he kisses both my cheeks and bounces away like the self-professed fairy that he is, but before he leaves the cafeteria, I have no idea why he does it but he stops, turns back knowing good and well that the entire room is looking at him, then he hollers. At Kim.
“Oh, and Kim Possible!”
I turn to where she is seated at the back, munching away at her junk food without a care in the world. She coldly looks up at Noah who just called her out. She doesn’t move another inch, she just stares at him. I wonder if Noah can tell from all the way where he stands that Kim wants to murder him.
“I’m your new campaign manager! You are with me later, baby.”
I frown. That is so out of character for Noah. Sure, he loves attention but this is another level all together, even for him.
“What just happened?” I ask because I know he is watching what I’m watching.
“He just put your little friend on notice.” Emmett replies and I can feel his gaze on me from the corner of his eye.
“On notice. Why?” I ask again because it all doesn’t make sense.
“Because nothing is as it seems. You of all people should be aware of that.” And with those icy words, he starts to go after Noah.
“What the hell does that mean? No one asked you to talk to me, especially when you do it with so much. . .contempt.” I whisper yell at him before he can take another step. He shoots me a look over his shoulder and d
oesn’t bother to turn back and explain. Which is what I’m looking for. I just need him to fucking talk to me. I need him to tell me exactly what it is that I did wrong but I’m beginning to see that Noah’s explanation of Ace and Emmett being angry with me was an understatement.
“I’ll wait for exactly four minutes and fifteen seconds after the last bell. Don’t be late.”
Just like that, with the rest of the school literally diving and dashing to clear his path, he walks away. Leaving me with an ache in my chest that has only been intensifying.
I need my damn pills.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
ACE
“I’M SORRY, MR. KING but that docket is not available.”
“Not available or you don’t have access to it?” I question the good Chief of Police for Westbrook as I stare him down in his office, watching as he squirms and moves around his huge office chair as if he wants to escape.
“Like I said, I can’t really give any information about that.”
“What can you be of use with then, Chief Ealy?” I ask as I cock my head to the right.
I want answers and I won’t leave without getting something. I could have easily broken into the police station’s network and retrieve the information that I need, but I currently don’t have the time for that and that takes time. So much is going on but I can’t ignore the alarms that ring in my head each time I look at Star.
“Mr. King, this file was sealed off a long time ago. What I can tell you is, the fire was ruled as arson. The perpetrator was possibly the intruder or intruders.” He answers, giving me useless information that I already have. I started that damn fire but that’s none of his business.
“And this perpetrator, as you put it, hasn’t been caught after all this time?” I watch him closely at that and he reaches over to his collar, loosening the button there. It comes as no surprise that I make the man nervous but I know one thing, he doesn’t like me or the family I come from. Has never really liked me but he enjoys the benefits that he receives from the Kings.
In the long run, people are always selfish, always thinking of themselves and what they stand to gain.
Reckless Hate: A Bully High School Romance (enemies-friends-enemies-lovers-enemies) (Westbrook Blues Book 1) Page 27