But possibly soon.
Second period passed without incident.
Math, I loved it. Numbers behaved the way people never did. I finished the work early, ignored the boy two rows up whokept glancing back with a worshipful expression on his face, and pretended not to notice the girl behind him frowning.
I didn’t have time for this bullshit.
By lunchtime, I’d almost formulated a plan.
I entered the cafeteria; heat pressed in through the glass, trays clattered, and voices bounced off the cinderblock so loud I winced. I couldn’t wait to graduate and get away from these people and this town.
Mostly my father.
I wanted to go to college and earn my business degree. I knew I had the cutthroat personality needed to succeed. I’d earn enough money so that my father and all of his shit would become a distant memory.
The room sorted itself out into groups—athletes by the windows, band kids along the back wall, and freshmen orbiting wherever they thought it was safest.
My table sat in the center.
No one dared sit there without my permission, because my wrath wasn’t to be taken lightly. I didn’t suffer fools, and everyone knew it.
Madison was already there, her tray untouched, scanning the room like a lookout. Brooke slid in beside her, whispering something that made Madison grin. Lila stood by the table, waiting for me.
Always the people-pleaser.
“Did you hear?” Madison grinned, relishing my attention. “Coach may permanently kick Ethan off the team. Not just bench him.”
Brooke leaned forward eagerly. “What are you going to do?”
I smiled faintly. “You know nothing at Ashford is permanent, unless I will it so.”
Brooke laughed, “Ain’t that the truth?”
Across the room, Ethan stared at me. I watched him weigh his options. Then I noticed when he came to a decision.
He crossed the cafeteria as if it cost him… and it most definitely would.
“Hey, Taryn,” he stopped just short of my table, knowing better than to pull out a chair.
Smart boy.
Madison stopped eating, and Brooke paused mid-scroll. Both were eager for the confrontation.
Lila blushed. We all knew she had a crush on him for a long time, but I hadn’t let her pursue it. She didn’t understand, but I was just trying to protect her; he was a total asshole. I’d seen what he’d done to other girls, but I kept that information to myself, feeling it might come in handy later.
Ethan ran a hand through his hair. “I heard you got a guy reinstated to the team a couple of years ago.”
I nodded, “It’s true.”
Iknewthat was why he walked over. Perfect.
He swallowed. “Is there something you could?—”
“Sit,” I pointed at a chair.
He hesitated.
I raised an eyebrow.
