AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Wait, what?” I falter.
He nods, grabbing the phone on his desk. “Yes, Mrs. Washington, I have a student here that believes she is being targeted by me. She thinks I’m failing her on purpose.”
My mouth drops open as I watch him nod then smile, before finally saying goodbye. He looks over to me, smirking. “I’d go take a seat, Miss Madison.”
Flabbergasted, I do, my eyes glued to his, which dance with mischief. I can’t believe him. What is he gaining from this? The door swings open, Principal Washington walking in. Black heels clacking against the tile, her salt-and-pepper hair up in the tightest bun, putting all ballerinas to shame. “Hi, Mr. Boyd.” Her eyes swing over to me, shock at seeing me. Because I am never in trouble, never caused it either. “What seems to be the problem, Miss Madison?”
“I…” I stutter, my eyes swinging over to his, cheeks blushing when I see the smugness in them. I’m humiliated, embarrassed, and I wish I’d never opened my mouth. “I don’t agree with my grade, is all, Mrs. Washington.” I look to my feet to avoid her scrutiny.
“Well, Miss Madison, if you truly believe that you, a student, knows more than a teacher, then by all means, follow me to the office and we can file an official complaint. However, in my experience, very few students are ever right. And it’s very brazen of you to challenge this particular teacher.”
My cheeks are on fire, my stomach knotting with an uncomfortable feeling. I want to disappear. “I—” My voice comes out squeaky, eyes flashing over to my teacher’s who is full-on grinning now. “It was just a misunderstanding. I do not wish to file a complaint,” I say softly.
Principal Washington’s eyebrows shoot up. “So, wasting my time, I see. Very unlike you, Miss Madison.” She nods to Mr. Boyd, walking back out the door as if she was never here to begin with.
I rise, avoiding his amused gaze. I can’t look at him, I’m so humiliated. Grabbing my things, I make my way to the door. “I hope you have a good weekend, Miss Madison.”
“I hope yours sucks, Mr. Boyd.”
I hear his laughter follow me as I make my way into the hallway, wishing I understood the game we are playing. Because we definitely are playing a game.
CHAPTER SIX
Journal entry: These heels are not in fact made for walking.
I thinkI might be drunk. I look down at the tight leather dress I’m wearing. The sweetheart neckline showing off way more than I usually do. It’s so tight it’s like a second skin, and I’m now regretting it because it’s so hot and sticky in this club. Plus, the only light is a deep purple engulfed by fake smoke, so I could have literally worn anything. No one can see me anyway.
“Are you as shocked as me?” Macy asks, head thrown back to watch Bethany as she dances in a cage hanging from the ceiling.
I grin. “Not really.”
“But she’s so shy.” Macy’s perfectly manicured brows pull in.
“Yeah, but,” I fix my black leather bow in my hair, “the quiet ones are the ones you have to watch. They always say that.”
She nods, dropping a Jell-O shot into her mouth. “That’s true.” She moves her shoulders to the beat. A huge grin taking over her face as she yells, “Yes, Bethany. Work it!”
Bethany can’t hear us due to the loud music, and from the fact that she’s several feet above us. I look around, past the crowded dance floor lit up with white and purple, up to the balconies that are cast in dark shadows, and back down to the bar. “Have you seen Jake?”
Macy looks around, shaking her head. “No, that’s weird, though. You think someone took his pretty ass?”
I frown. “I mean, maybe. Probably not, though. He’s pretty big. I’m going to go look for him.” I look over to where Macy was just standing, only to find her making her way to the dance floor with a man. “Well, okay,” I mumble to myself.
I make my way across the vast area, pretty sure someone just grabbed my ass, but I’m not even entertaining that right now. I lean against the bar, peering down the never-ending sea of people leaning against it. Not seeing Jake. “Can I get you something?” a small woman asks, her hair a bright rainbow color, cheeks pierced, and stars tattooed along the side of her eye. She’s breathtaking in her edgy look.
“Yeah, can you surprise me? Something sweet, please.”
She winks. “You got it, babe.”
“Thank you,” I tell her, watching her get different bottles out, mixing them all together in a silver cup before pouring the reddish-pink liquid into a glass with ice. “What is it?” I sniff it. Smells sweet, like cranberries and apples.
“It’s a surprise. Enjoy.” She walks away without a backward glance. I toss two twenties in her tip jar. My hand wraps around the glass and I throw the whole thing back.
I ask for a lemon drop shot after a couple more drinks. My vision blurs a little as I wait, taking in the bodies swaying on the dance floor. My shot appears and I go to grab it, only to have it disappear. My eyes narrow on the spot. I’m not drunk… Okay, I am, but crazy drunk I am not. I look next to me, a tall man—oh, that’s a nice ass—in slacks and a white dress shirt stands next to me. I let my eyes roam over him, taking in the sharp build of him. Until I get to his face, which has my brain short-circuiting, because this cannot be happening. I groan.
He taps on the bar as the small woman appears again. “Yes, sir?”
“I’ll take her tab,” he says, not even sparing me a glance,
