Page 5 of Savage Salvation

A slight smirk creeps at the corner of his lips as I shove past him, ramming my shoulder into his bicep as I stomp past, hurrying down the sidewalk. It’s not enough that he walks around campus being worshipped like he’s God’s gift to humankind as everyone falls at his feet. No, he has to invade my space and make my life miserable. But what really irks my nerve is even though he is an egotistic douche in general, he always reserves his heightened royal-ass behavior solely for me. My guess is because I don’t curtsy with my ass in the air for him. But I’ll deal with him and douche nugget later.

Right now, I have to find Isaac. From what I saw, he was handling himself in the fight with Ryan. Only, he never should’ve been in a fight with the idiot to begin with. And it’s my fault for provoking the insect this morning when I ratted him out to Danielle. I was prepared to endure some pathetic retaliation, but I hadn’t intended on Isaac taking the hit, literally or metaphorically, for me.

Hurrying into the front office, I glance around but don’t spot my friend. The secretary who should’ve retired years ago turns her nose up, peeking over her thick glasses at me. “What’s the problem, Kinsley?”

Of course she’s pissy with me, and the only reason she knows my name is because of the dickasaurus I live with who insists on stirring shit up on campus since he knows he won’t get in trouble. At least, as long as he can convince Principal Cabot to not call his parents. And Ryan somehow always manages to skirt out, home free. I swear the pampered asses at this school have something on that dude, because when they say jump, Cabot doesn’t ask how high—he’s already too busy jumping. It’s disgusting. And I can’t fuckin’ wait to leave it all behind.

“I was looking for Isaac.” I inform the old grouch who is already back to helping the student standing in front of her.

“He and Mr. Wagoner should be in class, where you should be also.” Her annoyance along with her quick wave to send me out of her sight illustrates her clear disgust with me interrupting her day.

That’s right. I’m the fool who assumed the two clowns who were just in a brawling contest on the front lawn of the school would be in the office, receiving some sort of disciplinary action. But I’m glad to oblige her and leave the office quickly, heading to first period. Isaac, along with the other two doofuses should be there, but my friend is the only one I want to see.

As I step into my earth science class, I immediately find Isaac in his seat right beside mine. Across the aisle, Ryan is planted, his furious eyes on me. I can’t help but smirk in response to the discoloration already forming along his left eye. I hate that Isaac was in a fight with the dickwad, but it serves Ryan right. He deserves more than a blackened eye, but it’s a good start. Hopefully, it’s enough to keep him from picking another fight. At least I can hope, even if I know it’s hopeless.

My eyes automatically dart over to Gage, who’s reclined in his seat, his attention on the bimbo seated beside him. Her red lips curve in a suggestive smile as she reaches over, her hand playfully slapping Gage’s chest, and it makes my stomach turn. She really should just put her head in his lap and get it over with already, because the desperate way she’s throwing herself at him is only stroking his already massive ego, and he eats up the attention. Yep. That’s what’s wrong with the jackasses at this school, they think legs should spread and mouths should open to accommodate their dicks whenever and however they choose.

And that’s why I piss them off. I’m one of the few who dare to not be at their beck and call. Dropping to the chair next to Isaac, I place my bag on the tabletop. “Are you all right, Isaac?” My hand promptly reaches up and brushes across his swollen lip. The wince he lets out brings me back to the reality of what I’m doing as I jerk my hand away.

“Pansy-ass can’t take a punch,” Gage says from behind me, and I do my best to ignore it. Maybe that bimbo can recapture his attention.

My fingers clutch the straps of my bag, moving it to the side as I attempt to get ready for class but keep focused on my injured friend. This is why I don’t want to care about anyone. It gives them something (or someone) to taunt me with. I’d learned that lesson quickly when I had a friend for a week in junior high before Ryan cut her braid off and she was never allowed to hang out with me again.

Lowering my voice, I lean to Isaac. “I’m sorry.” And I am. There are few things I feel guilty about, but this is definitely one of them. “Are you good?”

He flashes his now battered smile, puffy lip and all, as he leans into me. “It hurts, but a kiss would make it better.” His usual flirtatious nature is in full swing, as it always is with me—and every other person—so that makes me feel better.

“The other lip is gonna match that one if you try it,” I tease but we both know the entire conversation is a joke. Only, his smile fades quickly, and I realize why when I see Gage standing behind us. Fuck. The preposterous showdown isn’t over. I wish they would at least let me have one class period without showing their vile ways.

“Get up,” Gage instructs Isaac who slowly looks to him as the brooding asshat continues, “you’re in my seat.”

“Your seat?” I can’t help the chuckle that escapes with my question. We’ve been seated in the same place since senior year began over five months ago, and now that it’s halfway over, Gage has determined that he chose wrong. “I’m sure you’ll manage over there just fine with Patricia and her willing mouth.” I give Patricia a wink to which she responds with a snare because we all know she’d gladly accommodate Gage if asked. And why does it bug me that she probably has already? That feeling is quickly squashed out when Gage leans over, his hand on the back of my chair as he says, “Jealousy isn’t a good look for you, Kinsley.”

“‘Jealousy.’” I attempt a laugh, but it comes out as a snort instead. This walking, talking dick is inserting himself into my space again, and he thinks I’m jealous. Am I? No. I’m not. I’m fucking annoyed. “Go fuck her now. Please do, just get the hell away from me so you can see exactly how jealous I’m not.”

Listening would be too easy for the prick who has now apparently made it his mission in life to piss me off. And it’s working profoundly when he gives me a stupidly sexy smirk before yelling across the classroom to Mr. Polski. “I need to sit here.”

The teacher looks flabbergasted, like he’s just realized he’s actually in charge of this class and is supposed to intervene. “Everyone, take a seat.”

Yes. Way to lay down the law, Polski.

“Take a seat, Isaac.” Gage motions to where his pitiful Patricia looks less than pleased that he didn’t take me up on the offer to return to her. And there’s a petty part of me that’s happy about that, but the rational part hopes he gives up his ludicrous pursuit. But this is Gage. He doesn’t give up. “I need to sit on this side of the room. My doctor said I need to be on the east side of the room to get more exposure to the sunlight and vitamin D.”

“That’s west.” I point in the direction of the window. “But if you need some D, I’m sure Ryan will be happy to help you out.” I turn my back to Gage.

In my periphery, I see him lean down, whispering something to Isaac. My friend hesitates for a second, looks to me, then stands. What the actual fuck? I watch the person who is supposed to be my friend stand and walk across the aisle before plopping onto the chair next to Patricia. That bitch is already making googly eyes at her next target. Unbelievable. Fucking traitor. I can’t understand why he would give in and abandon me to the brute who triumphantly assumes the chair next to me. Just freakin’ great.

I knew there would be a price to pay with Ryan. Him I can handle. Gage, though … he’s an entirely different story. And he was absolutely correct when he said that he’s a tougher contender than Ryan. Shit. I don’t want to poke the bear, but I won’t be able to keep my mouth shut, either. That’s never been my strong suit. My mom used to tell me my smart mouth would get me into more trouble than anything else. She said she understood because that was what got her into trouble as a child, too. And I haven’t let her down in that way. And I know I’m about to dig myself a deeper hole when I feel his hand on my thigh, squeezing.

I slowly turn to find intent brown eyes focused on me. “You look like you could definitely use some vitamin D,” he intones as his fingers dig into my thigh.

My own fingers clench the pencil in front of me. “If you don’t remove your hand, I will stab you and use your blood for today’s assignment.”

“You’re so fuckin’ sexy when you’re pissed off, so please, keep it up.” Finally, his hand releases my thigh, casually swiping his stupid brown hair as he leans back in his chair. I debate stabbing him in the eye with my pencil as I watch his fingers tap the surface of the table we share, but that would probably keep me on his radar even longer. And as much as I want to inflict pain onto him, I want him to leave me alone more.

“I don’t like you. I hate you actually. I’m not participating in whatever game you and Ryan are adamant on playing. So fuck off, and leave me alone.”

His eyes drop to his fingers that are still drumming against the hard surface. “You started it.”