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Landon’s nostrils flare, the desk screeching against the floor as he stands up abruptly with fisted hands. Students continue to shuffle into their seats, watching the exchange, clearly eager for a fight, a swing, petty words, a ‘my daddy is richer than yours’ pissing contest.
Anything.
With another ring of the bell the teacher enters and claps her hands together enthusiastically, putting an end to their little male pissing contest.
Damon bobs his brows like a childish dare but Landon thankfully lowers himself slowly into his seat.
And I can't take my eyes off of him.
No matter how much he ignores me.
The teacher’s grey hair hangs in a long tight braid that lays just over her shoulder. She waves her hands in front of her in a sweeping motion towards us all that sends the braid swinging behind her. The grand gesture makes the sunspots and deep wrinkles on her face more apparent with her smile.
“I hope you all had a great, great summer!”
The room remains quiet. I’m not sure a single soul wishes to be here. Honestly, I’d like to just take my diploma and finally get out of this city. No more bumming off of my mother’s friends.
Silence doesn’t stop the teacher, Mrs. Owens, according to the shaky cursive on the board. “Alrighty, let’s open our Algebra books to page ten.”
My book looks brand new, the binding still crisp, the front perfectly glossy. A small excitement ripples through me at the thought of that new book smell. It’s one thing I’ve always enjoyed even if it's textbooks instead of thriller novels.
Carefully, I open up the cover turning to the first page. It takes me a second to process what I’m seeing. Red. So much slashing red.
I flip a page, then another. I begin skimming the entirety of the book but the text is covered in scribbling red ink.
Venereal Violet.
Venereal Violet.
VENEREAL VIOLET!
It’s everywhere. That disgusting name strikes across every single page, bleeding through glossy paper. I feel like I’m having a nightmare, this shouldn’t be real life. Venereal Violet is written over and over and over again.
Every. Single. Page.
I slam the book shut and let it fall back down to my desk, letting loose a shuddering, painful breath.
How fucking dare they.
I bite my lip to keep myself from bolting up from this desk and slapping Landon senseless.
“Is there a problem?” Mrs. Owens looks genuinely concerned.
Yes. Yes there is. I’m being harassed by three stupid boys who had no intentions of ever being with me but became utterly unhinged by the thought of me losing my virginity to someone else. Now, they want to play games and be unfathomably mean to me.
God, I sound like a cry baby.
Landon catches my attention. His dark, depthless eyes watching from under his black hair and square frames. His gaze is zeroed in on me with nothing but a coldness in his stare. Is he daring me to say something? I fucking should.
But I won't.
Once again it feels insane to like him and hate him all at the same time.
It makes me hate myself in a way.
I swallow my pride and animosity, pushing it deep down, and slowly shake my head.
“No. Nothing is wrong.”
