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“For what?” I snap back when I shake all thoughts from my head.
“You’re smokin’ with your hair down.” I growl at him, which comes out as a strangled moan and causes him to wink at me.
“Thanks for the hair tie, Bambi,” he says, tucking the lone chunk of hair behind his ear. I shake my head at him and turn my attention back to the front of the room. What’s with these guys and nicknames? It’s enough to cause me to puke.
“You can sign up for any extracurricular activities today, there are going to be stalls set up on the back oval after school. Other than that, there aren't any other notices. Don't forget that as you go into each class now, you need to scan your bracelets, so it registers your attendance. Last year, we had too many unexplained absences from class. That will include this class. I expect you all to tap on your way out. Just tap it to the screen, and you're done.”
He dismisses us all, and we line up to get our attendance marked. I wait my turn patiently, and my back stiffens when I feel a large body slip in behind me.
“You should wear your hair out, it looks pretty.” He whispers in my ear. Is it possible to smell like the beach, a mixture of sun, saltwater, and sunscreen? Because he does, and his voice almost makes me go weak in the knees.
“Stop flirting with the new girl, Cuy, you have a woman or at least you do for now.” Wilder admonishes. I scowl my fury at him. How could someone just ditch their best friend? I don’t know why this bothers me so much, she isn’t me, and these guys are not my old friends. I shouldn’t harbour my feelings from my past to a bunch of dicks that I have only just met. Yet, just looking at Wilder has smoke billowing from my ears, and I don’t like it.
“We meet again.” He says, and I flip him off, making Cuyler laugh and say ‘burn’ under his breath. I take it these guys don’t get treated like this often. “What is your problem?”
“You’re the worst kind of friend there is.” I shake my head and turn back, wishing the three people in front of me would hurry up.
“Be careful, everyone is up for grabs soon, and you might wish you were nicer. It could be the difference between it being the worst year of your life, or the best.” I ignore his presence just as Cuyler says, “Shut the fuck up before Diesel hears you saying shit that doesn’t concern her.”
I move forward and scan my attendance; Emory nods, and I scurry out of class and away from them. All I want to do is turn eighteen, get my inheritance, graduate, and move on with my life. Or so I keep telling myself.
I turn my digital map around, looking for my next class. I'm as lost as a nun on a honeymoon, and there is no one around to help me find my damn biology class. I finally hear some hushed voices in the adjoining hallway, and I slow my pace when the hushed voice is laced with venom.
“You need to remember your place, Annie. We told you you’re bottom of the food chain, and that is where you will stay, I suggest you quit making friends.” I inch a tad closer, keeping myself hidden.
“Why are you like this, you’re my best friend.” That’s Luna's voice.
The asshole laughs. “We were never friends, you were the maid’s daughter. My parents felt sorry for you when your mum died and paid for your scholarship, you were nothing to me.” I’ve heard enough. I step around the corner, and Wilder has Luna pinned against the wall, her mascara running from the tears flowing down her face. He doesn’t see me at first as I get closer.
“Why don’t you leave her alone?” I snap, anger and hate lacing my tone. “It’s one thing to not be friends with her and another to be plain out vicious.” He pushes off the wall and saunters towards me, a deadly smirk mars his face.
“You’re on the list, I warned you to be careful.” He says, winking as he passes by me. I turn and yell back.
“What list?” He doesn’t answer me, he keeps walking, damn idiot. I pivot around and rush over to Luna, who has fallen to the ground.
“Are you okay?” She nods, and I help her to her feet. “He’s an asshole, you’re beautiful and better than that.”
“I wish it was that easy. I have been in love with him since I was five years old. How do you let that go?”
“I wish I knew.” I really do wish I knew, I have loved Zeke Mickleson for as long as I can remember. We were born six hours apart, and our mothers raised us together. People didn’t understand our relationship, but we were inseparable. The day he died, I wanted to join him, the pain from that runs deep. He was there for me in the first grade when Todd Smith pushed me over; he helped me brush the dirt from my knees. He was there in sixth grade when Tommy Peters stole my first kiss, and Zeke punched him right in his stupid face. He was there the day I got my first period in eighth grade and held my hand while, once again, I cried because I bled all over the back of my school shorts, and he gave me his jumper to tie around my waist. Every month from then on, he would bring me chocolate and cuddle me while the cramps rippled through me.
First dates, heartbreaks; everything. My mother’s death being the most important day, I remember it like it was yesterday. She took her last breath after we left the hospital, which we were told some people do so their families don’t have to see it. He was there when we got the call, picking me up off the floor, he held me through the snot, the smell that must have come from me after not being able to get out of bed for days. He was my everything. My life is nothing without him.
Luna helped me find biology by pointing out I was in the entirely wrong building. Pushing the door open to the Bio lab, the whole class, including the teacher, turns in my direction.
“Sorry, I got lost again.” I say with a grimace.
“It’s fine, just take a seat,” he says. I was late all last week. This school is a maze, and I’m the worst at directions.
You have gotta be shitting me. Of course the only spare seat is right next to Diesel. I make my way to the back of the class and hesitate for a second, biting my bottom lip.
“What’s wrong, fresh meat, I promise we don’t bite…hard.” Rebel says, and that makes me plant my ass in the seat beside Diesel. At least he ignores my presence and doesn’t make lude jokes about wanting to fuck me, unlike Rebel who makes it clear he would screw my brains out in a heartbeat. I have zero interest in doing that again anytime soon. Diesel leans closer to me as the teacher goes on with his lesson. His leg presses against mine, and each time I move it away slightly, he shifts so we’re touching again.
“You already know how hard I can bite.” He whispers, the timbre of his voice sending a shiver down my spine. I shift my seat so it’s further away from him and spend the lesson trying my best to ignore the way he keeps glancing over at me.
***
I spot Luna sitting by herself again in the cafeteria. I give her a wave, and her eyes dart to where Wilder sits. He looks from her to me, and I flip him off to take the focus off her and join the lunch line. I don’t care if he hates me, but she clearly cares what he thinks, and if making him focus his hatred on me saves her from his wrath, I will happily take it.
