Page 16 of Saints & Sailors

Scott drove off, and in seconds, the SUV was driving by, stopping so that Cameron’s father could wave to the both of us before driving on.

Soon, it was only Cameron and me.

“Welcome to Meadow Grove, Saylor,” Cameron chirped.

I held up my hand. “Are you the head cheerleader or just a cheerleader?”

Cameron chuckled. “That obvious, huh? I am the head cheerleader.”

Perfect. “And let me guess, your boyfriend’s the quarterback.”

Cameron’s brows knitted together. “Aidan? No way, he’s too busy with math. He’s training for a tournament this fall.”

I lived in a world where the head cheerleader was dating a mathlete?

Good lord, I’m in Kansas.

“If you ever need help with any class, just know I’m your girl. I tutor after school sometimes,” Cameron offered. “And Aidan’s your go-to for any help as far as administrators go. He helps out in the senior office. You have no idea how many kids lose their locker combos and he has to help look them up.”

No doubt Scott was hopeful things with Cameron worked out. She was a do-gooder through and through.

“What about you?” Cameron asked as we moved more onto school property.

I shrugged as I surveyed the area. “Not really into anything.”

“Oh, well, did you get along well with the cheerleaders at your old school?”

“No, they really didn’t like me much.”

She seemed genuinely concerned. “Really, why not?”

“I sorta kicked all their asses and made out with a few of their boyfriends, you know, the usual girl-on-girl drama.”

Cameron’s eyes grew big as she mumbled an oh my under her breath.

I snickered. Little Miss Innocent would be too easy. In reality, because I opted to hang out with who society would consider “burnouts,” my little rep at my preppy high school wasn’t the best. In a lot of ways, I was that girl parents told you to stay away from, a loser going nowhere in life. Funny, Scott had only been joking before about my potentially not going to college and becoming a nobody, but it was more than likely my fate.

We were making our way to the side of the building when I spotted them. Horton High held a fountain in its courtyard, and on it were a group of rough-looking individuals. They were all male, clad in black clothing, and smoking cigarettes as they lingered around the fountain.

There was one in particular who caught my eye, a tall boy who was the only one standing while he smoked. He had dark, long, wavy hair, skinny jeans, and a black muscle tee.

Just by looking at him I knew he was the one. No one approached him. He stood off in his own world as he leisurely smoked his cigarette.

He was a god, and I was drawn to him.

A hand on my wrist stopped me from walking over.

Cameron.

“Don’t,” she warned. “That’s Bonham Church, Aidan’s older brother, and also a known menace in this town. I mean, come on, they look like they stink and do drugs.”

Perfect.

“So, you’re juniors?” I asked of her and Aidan.

Cameron shook her head. “Oh no, we’re all seniors. It’s just Bonham’s a moron and is repeating.”

Even better.