AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Can you believe Sawyer’s coming? Brad said that his dad is making Sawyer wait on us hand and foot. I mean, can you imagine? Former bad boy of Riverton Prep being our servant all weekend?” A girl named Becky, that’s in my literature class, giggles behind her hand.
Having Sawyer serve us for the weekend? That seems somewhat ridiculous and over the top, even for Brad. Also, Sawyer doesn’t seem like the subservient type, but from what Sam said he does anything and everything for Brad and his uncle. She mentioned a scandal involving Sawyer’s dad, but I barely listened. I was still hung up on Sawyer’s puppy dog brown eyes. I do know that Sam said he’s had a few brushes with the law. Maybe Brad is trying to help him or be a good influence on him? I’m not sure. Sam was so excited about getting to meet him when he picked up my books for me that she could barely contain herself. She has a little bit of an obsession with so called ‘bad boys’. Any guy that would make her parents cringe is sexy in her book. I, on the other hand, don’t date anyone and can’t imagine that I will anytime soon. Guys in high school are pretty awful, but I’m hoping that once I get to college, I’ll have the grand romance my mom talked of when I was younger.
I usually don’t give a fudge that I’m left out of the gossip that travels down the hallways of Riverton Prep, but I have to admit I’m curious about Sawyer. Yes, I have a hang up with curse words. Don’t bug me about it. My mom was big on raising me to become a sweet Southern socialite. I was never supposed to curse or be awkward. I’m awkward as can be, so the least I can do in her memory is not curse. Also, the word fudge brings to mind chocolate, which I am extremely fond of. Anyway, I digress. Back to listening to the girls who sound and look like the cast of a really crappy teenage drama series.
“Well, I wouldn’t mind if Sawyer decided he wanted to hook up. I’m willing to roll in the mud a little with the lower class. He’s still hot as fuck, even if he is poor as shit now.” Marissa’s haughty voice causes a chill to race up my spine. She has been the bane of my existence since I started Riverton Prep. Every high school needs a classic mean girl, and she fulfills that role perfectly.
“Maybe he’s a really good guy who’s just down on his luck,” I interject. Oops, actually didn't mean to open my mouth and say that. I don’t even know the guy and it’s still hard to listen to them talk about him. Way to judge someone based on their bank account girls. Not that I’m horribly surprised. Money is how we are all judged at Riverton Prep and I, of course, am also found lacking in that.
Marissa turns around from the front seat and glares. “What would you know about him, nerd girl? It’s not like he has any idea who you are.” She huffs and turns around again, and I look down to stare blankly at my phone. My cheeks are suddenly on fire. There’s an awkward silence for a moment and then another cheerleader, Amber, starts talking about her new eyeliner.
Well, that’s a reminder that this is definitely not my crowd.
We pull up a gravel road a few moments later and I breathe a sigh of relief. Thank God we’re almost there. I can’t take much more of this. I lean forward to catch a glimpse of the cabin.
Holy…crap, is that a cabin?
I’m not sure the estate that sits in front of us ever qualified as a cabin. Yes, there were logs used to make it. The builders also used wood, brick, stone, and lots and lots of glass. It’s a stunning house. There’s a wide wrap-around porch that makes me sigh wistfully. I love porches. They make me think of cuddling up with a good book and watching the sun set.
Marissa turns around to me. “Not exactly what you’re used to, uh nerd girl? Go ahead and take it in, because once Brad’s done slumming with you, you won’t see a house like this again.” She smirks and I try to keep my face from turning red yet again. I refuse to reply. Looks like the fun is just getting started. Let the good times roll.
Chapter Five
What happened to parties where we get to eat junk food and watch good movies? Can we go back to those days? Ugh, somebody just hand me a brownie that doesn’t have pot in it! -Ronnie
Ronnie
I would like to say that when we meet up with the guys at the cabin, my situation gets better. But it doesn’t. It’s awkward being here and especially awkward when Brad brings out the party favors. It’s mostly just pot, but there are some pills that I decide to stay far, far away from. I try not to react as Brad passes things around. I smile nervously and murmur no thank you when offered. I can’t help but laugh a little on the inside. Mom would be proud. I managed to be polite even when turning down drugs. When preparing me with proper party etiquette, I can say with certainty she didn’t have this kind of party in mind.
I know most of the guys which is a relief, but I’ve never seen them in party mode.
Dax is here, and he makes me feel more comfortable even though he’s partaking of the pot and booze. I’ve always liked Dax. He was the first person to be nice to me at Riverton Prep. He helped me find my classes on that first day when I was so nervous I could barely string two words together. I remember how everyone stared at me. I knew it was for two reasons. Number one, I was the new principal’s daughter, and number two I was not a part of any rich inner circles. I felt so conspicuous and scared. Dax rushed to comfort me when he saw the terrified look on my face.
“If it makes you feel any better, my dad is an aging white British rocker, and my mom is an over-the-hill black super model. Some girl my age just claimed to be having my dad’s love child and my mom is on her fourth husband. The tabloids are having a field day, so everyone could just be staring at me.” I couldn’t help but laugh, and he put his arm around me in a friendly, big brother way. Since then, he’s been incredibly kind to me. He’s best friends with Lily, a sweet girl who likes to stay on the outskirts of the school crowds even more than me.
“What’s goin’ on darlin’? This is definitely not your usual crowd.” Dax’s voice is gravelly and he drawls out each word as he blows small smoke rings with the joint in his hand.
“Tell me something I don’t know. Somehow, I let Brad convince me this would be fun.” I wave the smoke away that drifts in front of my face and grimace.
Dax’s voice takes on an urgent tone and his eyes widen. “Brad’s a douche, you know that right? Please tell me you aren’t thinking of getting anywhere near that dickwad.” I shoot him a surprised glance. His guarded expression doesn’t give away anything. He slowly relaxes again and takes another drag.
“I thought he was one of your friends.” To be honest, I thought Dax liked everyone and everyone liked Dax. Plus, what is he doing here if he thinks so poorly of Brad?
“Not really. You know that saying. What is it? Keep your friends close…” His voice trails off and he scrunches up his nose.
“And your enemies closer. Yeah, I know the saying. Just didn’t know it applied with you and Brad.” I lean closer, and look around. No one seems to be paying attention to us, but you never know.
“Just be careful, Ronnie. You’re one of the good ones.” He sounds sad and totally unlike the joyful Dax I’ve become accustomed to in the last year.
“You are too, Dax. You know that, right?” I pat him on the back and he shakes his head mournfully.
“Nope, Ronnie, I’m just a sorry asshole like all of these other guys.” Dax nods his head towards Brad. Brad has already imbibed in so many of the ‘party favors’ that I don’t even think he notices I’m nearby. He whispers in the ear of one of the cheerleaders. Blonde-haired, big boobed, Brittany. She has the IQ and personality of one of those annoying, yippy dogs that nips at people’s ankles. Dax and I both watch as Brad grabs her hand and they disappear into a bedroom.
Surprisingly, I feel nothing but relief. Thankfully, his behavior gives me a good excuse to not be attracted to him. Because the truth is, I’m not. He’s a good-looking guy which I see objectively, but I definitely don’t feel excited by him. I don’t feel the butterflies my mom assured me would come when I met the ‘one’. Now, I have an actual reason to avoid any more of his advances.
I turn around to look again at Dax. “Dax, you haven’t been anything but kind since I moved here. You immediately tried to make me comfortable and you gave me advice on all of the people here. You’ve been great.” And all of that is true. Most of the time Dax is light and playful. There’s a kindness about him that is deep-rooted.
“Aw, Ronnie if you only knew. Everyone who attends the prestigious, proper ole’ Riverton Prep is a little messed up in the head, including me. It’s the price of coming from parents who are nasty assholes. You’re different. And Sawyer, he’s different. But only because he had the rug pulled out from under him. It’s hard to stay the same when you suddenly become a leper.” He leans on me a little and points to the front door opening.
