by Amy Brown
Table of Contents
Title Page
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Epilogue
Copyright (c) 2019 by Amy Brown
MISTLETOE
BULLY
By Amy Brown
Chapter One
Adalee
My life is officially in the toilet.
Two months ago everything was going great. I had a boyfriend, my grades weren't too horrible, and my acne had died down.
Then the unthinkable happened, and my parents died.
So, my skin’s clear, but I'm an orphan.
Aunt Julie is supposed to take care of me now, but she's pretty much a basket case. I wake up in the middle of the night and can hear her sobbing. I miss my parents like crazy, and I cry in the middle of the night too, but I don't want anybody to hear me, so I put my pillow over my head.
“I’ll pick you up around three, Adalee.” Uncle Joe’s voice breaks into my glum thoughts. “You need lunch money?”
I stare at the gray administration building. It’s intimidating. It actually has three towers. Each tower has a flag; one is green, one is blue, one is red. Harbor Academy looks like a castle, not a high school. I don’t need lunch money; I probably need a suit of armor and maybe a lance.
“No. I have money.” Truth be told, I have about a hundred dollars to my name at the moment. Mom and dad never had a pot to piss in, there certainly was no inheritance coming to me anytime soon. Mr. Langton, the estate lawyer, told me I was lucky the debtors forgave mom and dad’s debt. Otherwise, I’d be in even worse shape.
I get out of the car, and the freezing winter air hits me, causing me to grunt. Uncle Joe honks the horn, which makes me cringe, and I lift my chin and stride toward the administration building. There’s a group of kids my age sitting on a wall near the steps that lead up to the double doors. My heart rate picks up as I near them because the girls are looking at me as if I’m scum on the bottom of their shoes. The boys look very much the same, only they’re staring at my chest too.
One guy in particular stands out to me. He’s tall, broad shoulders, short blond hair, and eyes as green as jade stones. A shiver of something goes through me as I hold his unfriendly gaze. I’m shy by nature, so instead of smiling at him I look away. Not that he looks like he wants me to smile at him. And he certainly didn’t smile first.
One of the girls, a thin blonde with big boobs, looks me up and down, and says, “Honey, I think you’re at the wrong school. The Poor Slob Academy is across town.”
The group cackles, and my face warms. We’re all wearing the same uniform, so I’m not sure what it is about me that gives away the fact I’m not rich. Maybe my shoes? They’re definitely a bit worn. I don’t bother responding to her, I just keep walking, pretending I can’t hear them.
It feels like it’s taking twenty years to get to the doors, and when I finally reach them, I breathe a sigh of relief. Unfortunately, as I reach for the handle, the door opens suddenly and bumps me in the head. The group behind me bursts into laughter as I stumble backward. To my horror I lose my balance, and I’m about to fall back down the stairs in front of these heckling assholes. By some miracle, the person who opened the door catches my arm and steadies me.
“Oh, God. I’m sorry.” Dark eyes bore into me as the guy digs his fingers into my arm. “I didn’t see you.”
Relieved I haven’t toppled down the stairs, I smooth a hand over my hair and will my racing heart to calm. “It’s okay.” My head throbs, and I’m definitely going to have a bump.
The guy who saved me from falling, narrows his eyes and lets go of my arm. “You’re new.”
“Yes.”
He nods. “You must be Adalee. Luke said you’d be starting today.”
I have no idea who this guy is, but the fact he knows my cousin comforts me a bit. Plus, he’s not looking at me with disdain the way the other group of kids did. They’re still muttering and snickering behind me.
“Yes. I’m Adalee.” I force a smile.
He flicks his impatient gaze to the group behind me. “I’m Dirk Big. I’m Luke’s best friend.”
I hear a high-pitched female voice yell, “Making a new friend, Big Dick?”
His cheeks flush, and his jaw hardens. “Ignore those pricks.”
For some reason I glance over my shoulder and once again lock eyes with the blond guy with the green eyes. My insides tingle at the intensity of his gaze, but I give him a frosty look. “I barely noticed them.”
The blond guy’s eyes narrow when I say that, but he doesn’t speak.
Dirk chuckles. “Good. Don’t waste your time on them.” He steps aside, holding the door open for me. “Is your head okay?”
I grimace. “Yeah.”
“You should sit with Luke and me at lunch.”
Lunch. The most dreaded time of day for any new kid.
“I hadn’t really even thought about lunch yet.” I swallow so loud I’m sure he hears.
His smile is reassuring. “We eat near the green gate. That way we can get out fast when the bell rings. You should join us.”
“Okay.” I give him a weak smile. “Thanks for asking.”
“No problem.”
“I’d better go in.” I gesture toward the open door.
“Right. See you later.”
I brush past him and head into the administration building. The warmth of the central heating hits me immediately, and I breathe a sigh of relief. It was so cold outside I wouldn’t have been surprised if icicles were hanging from my nose. I make my way down the long hall to a desk where a woman is typing, and also talking on the phone. I don’t want to bother her, but I have to pick up my class schedule.
When she hangs up, she gives me a polite smile. “Can I help you?”
“I’m here to get my schedule? I’m Adalee Winston.” I shift uncomfortably when her gaze flickers with sympathy.
“Ah, yes.” She rifles through a folder on her desk and pulls out a slip of paper. She holds the paper out to me. “Your first class is Art.” She squints at the pink paper. “Then you have math, english, history, science, and you end your day with P.E.”
I’m relieved my first class is art. I’m good at art, and it’s nice to start my day was something I’ll actually enjoy. I take the paper from her, and smile. “Thank you.”
“Sorry you didn’t have more choice in what classes you wanted. But when you come in the middle of a semester that’s how it is.”
We both know my coming here is simply because of a family tragedy. I can see that thought cross her face and she winces. I don’t want her to feel bad. She’s been nice. I widen my smile and say, “I’m just happy I have art.”
“Oh good.” She looks at the clock on the wall. “You better hurry or you’ll be late for your first class.”
As she finishes speaking, a bell rings. I jump because it’s so loud, and immediately feel foolish. The phone rings next to her elbow and she goes to answer it, so I make my way back out of the giant building. Harbor Academy is a very expensive school. My parents would never have been able to afford to send me here, and I’m only going here now because my aunt and uncle are loaded. I think they feel like sending me to the most expensive
school in the area would be what mom and dad wanted. That makes me think they didn’t know mom and dad very well.
Along with the pink slip that has my schedule on it, she’s also handed me a small printed map of the school. I’ve never been much at reading maps, and I really hope I can find my first class without getting lost. The campus is huge and spread out. The buildings are the same monotone gray of the administration building. There are no windows, except for in the towers. Even so, as I walk I feel as if I’m being watched. The hairs prickle on the back of my neck, but I keep my gaze straight ahead. There are numbers on the buildings, and that helps me fumble my way to my art class.
As I approach the class, I hear footsteps behind me. I reach for the door handle, but some guy gets there first. He shoulder bumps me out of the way and he goes in ahead of me. Scowling, I catch the door before it shuts on my fingers.
What a gentleman.
The guy looks over his shoulder with a smirk, and I recognize those jade green eyes. I’m not sure why he seems to dislike me so much, since I’ve never said one word to him. I walk up to the teacher, feeling the eyes of the class on me.
She smiles. “You must be Adalee.”
I’m surprised how everybody seems to know who I am. Are there no new students ever? Am I the only lucky one? I force a smile and nod. “Yes.”
“I’m Mrs. Holstein. Why don’t you go ahead and take a seat?”
There are a few giggles, and I make my way to an empty seat as far in the back as I can manage. Unfortunately, Green Eyes is sitting at the back as well. I hesitate when our eyes lock, and I’m sure my unhappy expression must make it obvious I’d rather sit anywhere than near him. Since it would’ve been extremely obvious if I stopped in my tracks, and headed to the only other seat, I go ahead and sit in the chair to the left of him.
The classroom isn’t nearly as warm as the administration building was. I find myself freezing, and my teeth chatter a bit. I try and focus on what Mrs. Holstein is saying at the front of the class, but I’m horribly aware of all the curious stares and whispering going on around me. Have they never had a new person come in during the semester? What is the big deal about a new student? I don’t remember my classmates acting like this when we got new students at my old school. Maybe I just hadn’t been paying attention because I’d been popular back then.
Mrs. Holstein passes around drawing pads and colored charcoal. I’ve never done a lot of drawing with charcoal, preferring watercolors. But, I’m willing to try anything so that I can lose myself in art. The day has already been more stressful than I ever dreamed, and I’m literally dreading lunch. Thank goodness I ran into Dirk, because while Luke had said I should sit with him at lunch, he hadn’t told me where to find him. Now I know to be on the lookout for a table near the green gate.
I open my box of charcoal eagerly, and begin sliding soft chalk over the paper. Immediately, I begin to feel calmer. I let the stress of the morning go as I focus on drawing. Mrs. Holstein asked us to draw our favorite place, and I draw a photo of my old house back in New York City. I miss my bedroom and all my things. Moving everything from New York to California had seemed too much trouble, but now I wished more than anything I’d brought everything with me. At the time, I was trying to escape painful memories. I hadn’t realized that those things would actually bring me comfort as time went on. My aunt and uncle gave me my own private room, and I’m certainly not suffering. But even though I now have a bigger room and silk sheets, I long for my worn cotton bedding and cozy room.
My eyes sting, but I’m damned if I’ll cry. Not with Green Eyes staring at me every few minutes. I’ve never had to put up with people bullying me. Everybody at my old school had gone to grammar school and junior high together. We all knew each other very well by the time we got to high school. I’d been popular too. But it seems like the kids here don’t care for me. I suppose it’s just something I’m going to have to get used to.
Something hits the side of my head, and I frown and look down at a wadded piece of paper on my desk. It came from the direction of Green Eyes. Anger simmers in my gut, and I grab the paper. I glance over at him and find him watching me with a challenging look. I uncrumple the paper, and read what it says; YOU’RE NOT WELCOME HERE, SNOBBY BITCH.
Excuse me? I’m not welcome here? Says who? Him? Scowling I take a red charcoal stick and scribble; FUCK OFF. I crumple the paper back up and throw it as hard as I can at his smug face. He catches it with one hand, although he gives me an incredulous look. When he reads what I wrote his mouth hardens. Do people let him treat them like shit and do nothing about it? I’m quiet, shy, but I’m not a floor mat.
Just my luck Mrs. Holstein sees me toss the paper at him. “Adalee, we’re not children. We don’t throw things at each other in here.”
My face feels like it’s on fire. “He threw it first.”
“I didn’t do anything.” Green Eyes blinks innocently at the teacher. “I think she’s just flirting with me.”
I sputter. “Are you crazy?”
Mrs. Holstein sighs. “Palmer, did you throw the paper at her first?”
“Absolutely not,” he lies.
I can’t believe he’s trying to pretend I started this. I stare at him accusingly, feeling angry and embarrassed that this is how my day’s going. “Why would I throw paper at you?”
“Like I said, you must want my attention.” He smirks. “Most girls do.”
I widen my eyes. “What an ego.”
Mrs. Holstein studies me, and then she flicks her gaze to Palmer. “I believe Adalee.”
I give him a triumphant look. “Thank you Mrs. Holstein.”
“Chicks always stick together.” He shrugs.
“How about we get back to drawing?” Mrs. Holstein asks.
“Fine by me,” mutters Palmer.
I roll my eyes; aware the class is still staring at me. I return my focus to my drawing, trying to lose myself in memories of home. I can’t believe this is my life. I can’t believe Mom and Dad are gone. This is no doubt the worst year of my life, and there’s absolutely nothing I can do to make it better.
Chapter Two
Palmer
What a stuck up bitch.
I study the back of Adalee’s head, unwillingly noticing how silky and shiny her long hair is. She’s definitely gorgeous, which is probably why she thinks she’s too good for us. From the minute I saw her she was cold. Looked like butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth. Granted, Sabrina had been a bitch to her first, but that was probably because she walked up the steps looking like she was the Queen. Sabrina thinks she’s the Queen of Harbor Academy, so of course she challenged the new girl.
I’m surprised Adalee doesn’t seem more flustered. When she read the note I tossed at her, I expected her to be cowed. When she’d written FUCK OFF on the paper, and thrown it back at me, that had taken me by surprise. Nobody challenged me. Nobody. Did she think she’d just waltz in here and people would fall at her feet? They’re already at my feet. I’m the King of Harbor High, and I don’t need a queen.
I’m pissed Mrs. Holstein took her side. I’ve been in this class way longer, why would she take the side of a new girl? I usually have Mrs. Holstein wrapped around my finger, so what is it about Adalee that caused her to go against me? Whatever it is, I don’t like it. I do what I want when I want. The teachers look the other way. The other students worship me, and do my bidding.
That’s the perk of being the son of the richest man in town. Everybody wants to be my friend. Not that I’m dumb enough to think they’re real friends. I only have one true friend and that’s Rudy. We’ve been friends since grade school. He knows everything about me. He even knows about the shit that goes on at home. Sometimes I wish he didn’t know, because I don’t like pity. He assures me he doesn’t feel sorry for me, but I see sympathy in his eyes. I did it to myself because one time I ran away to Rudy’s place when my dad lost control and broke my nose. So now Rudy knows the truth about my home life. I feel ashamed. I don�
��t want anybody else to know, and I’ve sworn Rudy to silence.
Adalee seems very into her drawing, which only irritates me more. She’s so engrossed it annoys me. She seems to have forgotten I exist. I don’t need her attention, but I want her worried about me; afraid. But, she seems content as she scribbles on her notepad. I glance at my blank paper. Mrs. Holstein wants us to draw our favorite place. I wrinkle my brow and try to think where that would be. It sure as hell isn’t home. It’s not school. It’s not out on the baseball field, although a lot of people would be shocked to know that. I only play baseball to keep my old man off my back. It’s the one thing I do that makes him happy. And when he’s happy, he doesn’t come at me with his fists. But I don’t really like playing baseball. I like art. Naturally, I’d die before I’d admit that to anyone.
I close my eyes and try to think where my favorite place is. It’s disconcerting that I can’t think of anywhere. I like swimming at the old quarry. It’s beautiful there, surrounded by ancient oak trees and green rolling hills. Sometimes I go there and swim for hours to get away from Dad. It’s very peaceful there, although I’m not sure if it’s my favorite place. Maybe I’m putting way too much thought into this.
I open my eyes and study Adalee again. She’s definitely not having to think about what to draw too much. She’s been scribbling away the entire time, confident in her choice. It annoys me that stuck up bitch has a favorite place, but I don’t.
I decide to draw the quarry simply because if I don’t get to work soon, I’m going to fail the project. Mrs. Holstein is pretty easy-going, but you do have to do the work. Besides, I like drawing. I just find this assignment difficult because I have no favorite place. Maybe that’s something I should work on. It’s pretty sad that I can’t even come up with one particular place.
I look at the crumpled paper on my desk. It irks me that Adalee threw the paper back at me, and thinks there will be no consequences. I can’t let her get away with that. There’s no way I’m going to let her respond like that, without paying for it. Most importantly, I want to crush her spirit. Snobby bitch has no right thinking she can fight back. Also though, the class saw her do it and I can’t let that rest. I can’t be the king if I let nobodies like her fight back. Pretty soon everybody would be fighting back, and I’d lose my grip on these losers.