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The sound of rustling papers and whispers fill the room as I awkwardly make my way behind the students in my row and back to my chair.
I sit down, stealing one last glance over my shoulder, only to find Rome fuming, and the other assholes sputtering laughter. Rome growls and slaps Luke in the chest and Luke immediately goes blank-faced.
I knew Rome was going to give me a hard time in school, considering how he treats me at home, but I had no idea he would act so quickly and so cruelly.
Mrs. Jenkins opens the classroom up for discussion on the topic of American literature and what that word means to us. Normally I’d be the first to raise my hand. Not this time. I’ve drawn enough attention to myself and I’d rather become invisible in my seat. If only that were possible.
Every couple minutes, I hear someone laugh or make a noise and my eyes immediately scan the room wondering where the sound is coming from and if the jokes are about me. Each time, my gaze ends on Rome and the smirk on his face tells me he’s the instigator.
When the bell rings, I exhale a bout of pent-up air, feeling as if I’ve held my breath the entirety of class. The sound of chairs scraping against the linoleum fills the air as students rush out while Mrs. Jenkins is still giving us our assignment to read chapters one and two in our textbooks, which I’ve already done.
I move slowly along with a couple other students, one being Brady. It isn’t until he’s walking toward the front of the class that I pick up my pace to catch up with him.
“Brady,” I say loudly, stealing his attention. He pivots around to face me, looking shocked. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”
“I’d like a word with the two of you as well,” Mrs. Jenkins says as the last of the students leave the room. “If you don’t mind.”
Brady doesn’t say anything. He just stands there as if he knows speaking about Rome will put a target on his back.
“Would either of you like to tell me what really happened today?” Her tone is authoritative and I sense she knows I was lying about the gum.
I could tell her it wasn’t really my fault, or Brady’s. But I’m not sure it would make a difference. Rome is a leader at Willow Creek High and he’d likely find a way to weasel himself out of any trouble he might get in.
One glance at Brady and I can see the sweat beading around his hairline, proof that he’d rather avoid this conversation altogether.
“Brady didn’t do anything,” I tell Mrs. Jenkins. “That’s really all I can say on the matter.”
“I know you’re new here, Elodie, but I am well aware of how Rome Cromwell operates, as I’m sure Brady is as well.” She looks at Brady who silently fidgets with the cover of his textbook. “I want you both to know this is a safe space and you don’t have to cover for him. Bullying is not accepted in my class.”
Brady shoots a thumb over his shoulder. “Yeah, I gotta go before I’m late for my next class.”
I clear my throat as I watch Brady take slow steps backward toward the door. I worry that Rome has something on him for a minute with just how fast he was willing to take the blame. Maybe if he just told us the truth we could help him. But he’s not ready, and I honestly don’t think I am either.
“Wait up,” I tell Brady before shifting my eyes to Mrs. Jenkins. “I should go, too. I’m excited for class. American literature is one of my favorite subjects.”
“I’m glad, Elodie. Welcome to Willow Creek. I promise there is more good than bad here. You’ll see.”
I nod in response, pressing my lips into a tight smile. “Thank you.”
Brady and I leave class together, and before we part ways, I say, “I’m sorry he did that to you.”
“No sweat,” he says, lifting a smile on his face as he drops his sunglasses down over his eyes. He’s much livelier outside the classroom, and his carefree attitude sets my nerves at ease. “I’m used to it. It’s me that should be sorry for you. You have to live with that fuckwad. See ya around, new girl.”
He leaves down the hall and I stand there watching, thinking as he walks away.
It’s true that Rome is a monster. He acts like he’s a god around here, lording his power over the weak and making them fall at his feet for stupid bullshit. Hell, it’s only been a day and I can already see the chokehold he has.
I sigh, turning to go to my next class as I try to think about what to do with my new stepbrother. My only hope is we can learn to coexist, and maybe with time, I’ll see proof that he actually has a heart.
CHAPTER 5
ROME
“Dude.” Luke buzzes as he pulls open his gym locker. “Did you see the look on Elodie’s face in class? The bitch almost burned your ass, Rome.”
“But she didn't.” I scoff. “No one fucking burns me. I’m the king of this fucking school. I do what I want, when I want.”
Luke drops his bag of gear on the bench and with a chuckle he says, “Yeah, everything except playing ball.”
