by Kent, Rina
I turned and began the trek to my locker. The strange stares the jocks gave me continued on the faces of other students as I made my way down the hall. Several girls glared and whispered to one another. The guys smiled and tossed each other looks.
One of the guys from my homeroom gave me a nod. “Sup, Easy Eden.”
I ignored him and walked on by. My stomach sank lower and lower, and by the time I made it to my locker it was damn near to the floor. I glanced around for Sebastian, but he was nowhere in sight.
I gripped my locker handle and closed my eyes. Whatever pride and confidence I’d had pulling up to the school was draining quickly, and I was caught in a place between needing to know what was going on and being too exhausted to deal with it.
An envelope fell to the floor as I opened my locker, and I swallowed before bending and picking it up.
I guess there was no ignoring it.
I ripped open the sealed envelope, my heart pounding against its cage. Two cardstock photos were inside, and I pulled them out only to immediately stuff them back in. My face heated to an impossible degree, and my eyes darted around to see who was watching me—the entire hallway.
I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and slammed my locker before taking off toward the bathroom, the envelope crumpling with the force of my grasp.
No.
No, no, no, no.
He didn’t do this.
I rushed through the door of the bathroom and locked myself inside a stall. My bag thumped to the floor, and the envelope tore with the force I exerted to get to the pictures. They had something written on the back of them, but my attention was locked on the images. I held them both in my hand and let the envelope flutter to the tile next to my bag. My hand covered my mouth and my eyes scanned the photos in disbelief.
They were of me. Except, they weren’t. It was undeniably my face, but on the body of someone else.
The first picture I was in ‘my’ bra and panties, my hip cocked out in a pose in front of a full-length mirror.
And the second… It was still my face, a more confident smile this time. I was on a bed, leaned back with my knees parted and no clothes on. You could see everything.
Except it wasn’t me. I hadn’t taken these pictures. I wouldn’t have taken these pictures, but at first glance, it was so convincing even I was questioning it. I forced myself to look harder at the body my head was attached to. The girl’s breasts were bigger than mine. I had a scar on my knee from a bicycle wreck when I was eight that was missing. But her skin tone… it was dead on with mine. My face blended in perfectly. I don’t know how he did it, but it looked more realistic than I wanted to admit.
I moved my hand from my mouth to run it through my hair.
No. No. No.
Remembering the writing on the back, I flipped the photos. On the back of the bra and panties image, in Camden Knight’s handwriting, it read: I gave you fair warning.
Red hot rage lit up my face, taking over the embarrassment. You gave me fair warning? Are you fucking kidding me? So I guess I only have myself to blame then?
I flipped the other card. Ready to play nice?
I read the words over and over. Did he mean they were both circulating the school, and now I should do what he says or else he’ll do worse, or was this another threat?
I flipped the cards over and grimaced at the picture of the naked girl… the one everyone would think was me. It was so much worse than the other. So much so, that if both were circulating, no one would bother with the bra and panties one. This one would’ve stolen the spotlight, so there wasn’t any reason for him to send both… right? It was a threat?
I needed to know for sure.
The bell rang, indicating class was starting, and I shoved the pictures to the bottom of my bag and threw it over my shoulder. My heart was beating a million miles an hour, and I was practically drowning in embarrassment as I left the bathroom, but I forced myself forward anyway. I had to find out if both pictures were circulating the school. Either way was bad, but I’d almost be relieved if it was just the bra and panties.
I stormed into history class, not bothering to acknowledge the sub we had that day, and plopped down next to Sebastian.
“Let me see the picture.”
“Um, excuse me, do you have a tardy slip?” The sub’s voice showed her annoyance, but I continued to ignore her. I wouldn’t be staying long.
Sebastian appeared startled and glanced around him, as if I could be talking to anyone else.
“Now, Sebastian.”
“Eden…”
“Now!”
The class was dead silent as my yell permeated the air. Even the sub fidgeted and stayed quiet, like she had no idea what to do. It was the second time I’d made a scene in class, but this time was different. So much anger and embarrassment swam in my veins, there wasn’t any room for more of it. I didn’t care what they saw me doing now. I only cared about what they’d seen on their phones.
He pulled his cell from his pocket and tapped a few buttons before handing it over to me. His face was solemn, maybe a little disappointed, but again, I couldn’t care. Not right then.
I snatched it and peered at the screen. It was the bra and panties image.
My gaze snapped to his. “Is this it?”
His eyebrows creased in confusion and he nodded.
My chest expanded, allowing me to breathe easier. I hadn’t noticed it’d been difficult, but now that some of the weight was gone, I wondered how I hadn’t suffocated.
I sat his phone on his desk and stood. That was good news, but it wasn’t over. I needed to get to Camden and convince him to delete the other picture. Or force him to. Whatever it took.
I glanced around at the familiar faces. “Anyone here know which class Camden Knight is in?”
“Okay, you need to have a seat. I’m calling the principal.” The sub hurried over to the desk and picked up the phone.
“Well?” I asked, not caring. The principal couldn’t do shit to help me. Why should I be afraid of his punishments? If Camden could get away with everything he’d done to me, then I could get away with asking a question in class. Or not. Either way, I didn’t care.
Ethan, one of Camden’s minions, poked his head from around another kid. He hid in the back of class, just like the other jocks. He wore an amused grin that I wanted to slap off his face. “Calculus with Mrs. Morris.”
Calculus?
The question formed and vanished just as quickly. I spun on my heel and stormed from the classroom. The sub was on the phone with the office when I left and would be telling them where I was headed, so I hurried my pace. I was practically jogging when I barged through the door to Mrs. Morris’s room.
I’d interrupted her mid-speech and everyone sat up straighter and turned my way. Except Camden. He sat back with his feet lazily propped up on the legs of the desk in front of him, not looking remotely surprised by my presence.
Mrs. Morris took a step toward me. “Eden, what are you—”
“I need to talk to Camden. It’s an emergency.”
“An emergency?” She glanced to Camden who still appeared unbothered.
A knock sounded at the door, jerking my attention that way, and Vice Principal Montgomery stepped in. His lips were drawn in a hard line, and his posture was rigid. “Let’s go Eden.”
My lips parted and some of the anger-filled fog cleared. I turned back to Camden. His head was tilted and he stared straight back at me. He was amused, smug, but there was something else there as well… curiosity, maybe?
“He should be the one in the office,” I said, pointing toward Camden. The anger in my tone was apparent, and I imagined it wasn’t the only thing that pointed toward it. I’d worn my hair down that day, feeling confident, and with all the rush, it was a mess. A few flyaways were in my vision driving me mad.
And my face… it was hot. Blood was gushing to it at a pace that had the vein in my forehead throbbing.
Mr. Montgomery frowned a
nd said nothing. No one did. The entire class stared at me like I was a lunatic who might snap if they spoke to me. They may have been right.
This was insane.
I was insane.
Camden was literally driving me crazy.
My mouth was still open, as if I was actually going to rat Camden out right there in the classroom. I wanted to. But what would that get me? The naked picture circulating the school.
I was fucked. He designed it that way, all of it. Nothing I did or said got me anywhere in his games. I could feel victorious, but only for a minute before the next thing ripped the rug out from under me.
I hated him.
I closed my mouth and glared at Camden for a couple more seconds, ensuring he had enough time to feel all of the hatred coming from me, but of course, he didn’t. He didn’t feel anything. He wasn’t capable.
Turning back to Mr. Montgomery, I held my chin up and followed him out of the classroom. As soon as the door closed behind us, I hung my head. My shoulders slumped as I followed him to his office.
The worst part about all of it was I still never got to confirm that it was only the one picture he planned to send out. Now I’d have to spend however long stressing over it. Even the best-case scenario—only bra and panties picture—sucked.
“I’ve got to say, Eden. I’m surprised and a bit confused at the sudden change in behavior.” Mr. Montgomery shut the door to his office and came around the desk to sit on his throne. I wonder if it made him feel important.
Blood still rushed in my face but not being in front of Camden cooled some of the anger. That, and it was starting to hit me that I’d made a fool of myself… again.
“I’m having an off day. It won’t happen again.”
“Is everything all right at home?”
I’d been staring at an elephant figurine he had on his desk, but my gaze lifted to him as his words registered.
“Yes?”
He cleared his throat and shifted. “I know this can be a difficult time in a young woman’s life…”
His voice trailed off and I stopped listening. Instead, I focused on the cleft of his chin. It was remarkably deep. He must run a bar of soap down that thing to get the day’s grime out when he showered.
A few more of his words registered, and I started to understand why the room all of a sudden held an awkward tension. Was he trying to hint that my outbursts were caused by PMS? Is this real?
“Mr. Montgomery,” I interjected. “I assure you, I’m just having an off day.”
His open mouth closed and he nodded. “Well, unfortunately, even off days have consequences.”
So get to it.
He leaned back and blew out a sigh. “I can’t let you interrupt classes, Miss Thompson. You’re going to have two days of in-school-suspension, and I’m going to let Mrs. Castle know you might come see her.”
Mrs. Castle, the counselor. Also, ISS? I’ve never had ISS.
“We have the fall concert coming up,” I stammered, sitting up straighter in the seat. “ISS means I won’t be able to practice.”
“That’s correct.” He nodded once. “And I hope there won’t be any more probl—”
“I’m first chair.”
His eyes narrowed at my interruption. “I’m being generous and counting today as one of your two days, Eden. Don’t push it.”
My skin tightened and muscles tensed, but I clamped my mouth shut. What if I had been a football player? Would I have had to miss practice then? Would I have even been given ISS at all? No. Football was far too important to jinx. We could lose a game for crying out loud!
I braced through another tense minute, somehow managing to keep my mouth shut, before I shuffled from Mr. Montgomery’s office to the room I’d be spending my next two days in. Eight cubicles lined along two walls, and I handed the monitor my bad-girl-slip and sat my bag down at the cubicle as far as possible from any other student.
It was all too surreal. I’d never been a ‘bad girl’. I’d never even been in trouble before today. The only times I’d been in this room was when a teacher sent me to deliver assignments to one of those ‘bad kids’.
Yet, here I am.
I took out my trusty Kindle—thankful I never went without it—and started reading while I waited on my teachers to send work. There was no point in Mrs. Morris sending any. It was hard enough understanding math when she was in the same room teaching it. I’d never be able to understand the notes. One more thing to thank Camden for.
Camden. How the hell was he in calculus? Was he trying to pad his transcript or something? I’d assumed with him being all god-like around here, he was good enough at football to get into college without a superb academic standing. Maybe he was shooting for a better school? Ivy league?
Who cares?
I shook away the thoughts and tried to concentrate on the romance novel I’d stayed up until one in the morning reading. Then, I’d been hooked. My own life faded and I’d transformed into another world. Not now, though. Now I was at Lincoln High and the only thing occupying my mind was that picture and Camden Knight.
Chapter Eight
Eden
I waited for him by his car. Since I wasn’t allowed to go to orchestra, I’d gotten out of school when the last bell rang. It felt wrong. My fingers had itched to practice, and I’d made a beeline for the parking lot with the intent of going home to do just that.
But then someone had called me Easy Eden while I was walking to my car and Camden’s image caught fire in my brain. Instead of going home, I drove to the parking lot behind the football stadium and pulled up next to his Jeep.
Now I was the one waiting for him outside practice. Despite all the shit that’d happened and the anger I held that day, I sort of loved turning the tables. I spent the two-hour wait running through scenarios in my mind and thinking up witty things I could say if he walked out with his friends. I don’t know how I was still fighting him.
He did walk out with his friends. Hunter and Trey were on either side of him. I climbed out of my car as soon as I spotted them rounding the corner of the bleachers and hurried to prop myself against the front of his Jeep. I crossed my arms and schooled my expression to appear as relaxed as possible.
Their mouths moved and the faint sound of their voices reached me in the distance, but they went silent after Hunter spotted me and pointed me out. It sounded like he said, “Look who it is.”
Camden smiled as he approached, not at all phased to see me. Disappointment slapped me in the face, but I hid it from my features.
“Hey, babe.”
“What’s up, Finch?”
The smile vanished and Trey glanced at Camden questioningly. Hunter kept his gaze on me, not seeming to get the American Pie reference.
Good. That was just for Camden.
Camden got it. His already sharp jawline became more distinct as his teeth ground together.
“I’ll catch you guys later.” His glare never left me as he dismissed his friends. Trey was quick to take off, but Hunter lingered, eyeing Camden in a way that I didn’t understand. He almost looked concerned, but it couldn’t have been for me.
After giving me a once over, Hunter wandered toward his own car. Camden stepped up to me and dropped his gym bag but didn’t speak until Hunter was out of earshot.
“Do you think that’s funny?”
I lifted a finger to my chin and glanced up as if to consider it. “Mmm, yes. Do you think ruining my life is funny?”
“Don’t say that shit in front of him. It’s too far.” The venom in his voice stung my confidence, but anger quickly ignited. I pushed off the Jeep to stand up straight. I was the one that had gone too far?
“You get to lie about me, but you’re mad when I tell the truth about you? You’re the one having sex with his mom. If he finds out about it, it’s not my fault. It’s yours.”
Funny thing was, I didn’t really believe what I was saying. I would’ve felt awful if Hunter found out about his mother’s kink becau
se of me. Even with how big of a jerk and rapist Hunter was. But it still felt good to say and there was some truth to it. Camden would always be in the wrong on this one.
“Do you think anyone would believe you? Think about it, Eden. All you’re going to do is piss me off more.”
“More? I did nothing to you.” I threw my hands up in exasperation. He was psychopathic and delusional.
Instead of continuing our sparring match, Camden picked up his gym bag and walked around me to his driver’s side door. The anger drained, and so did the color in my face. I hadn’t even gotten to the purpose of this conversation.
“Camden?”
He paused, gripping the door handle. His T-shirt stretched around his bicep and shoulders, revealing their tension.
“Did you send out both pictures?” My voice matched how I felt. There was no heat to it, only dread.
His head tilted as he took me in. He seemed to be considering something. “You don’t have a lot of friends, do you?”
“What?”
“Shouldn’t you already know the answer to that?”
That wasn’t a no, he didn’t send both pictures out, but it also wasn’t a yes. If he’d sent me the question through a text, I would’ve taken it as an insult, but it really wasn’t that either. He just wanted to know.
“Most of my friends are afraid of you. They don’t want to associate themselves with me anymore.”
“But you’re not afraid, are you?” He took a step toward me. “Why is that?”
I fought the urge to back away. Once he got a certain distance to me, it was like my brain shut down. I didn’t want to let that happen again… but I also wasn’t about to retreat.
“Why would I be?”
He was right in front of me now, his familiar scent filling the space. He shrugged but didn’t give a verbal response. He seemed to be over it.
His eyes roamed my head, and he reached out to smooth a frizzy strand of hair. For some reason, I didn’t stop him.
“I really like your hair like this.”
My cheeks heated and I looked away. My hair was a mess today. I never should’ve worn it down. It was too humid, and by that point in the day it was a frizz ball. I wish I didn’t care right then, with Camden paying so close attention to me. He was being sarcastic, wasn’t he?