James didn’t speak to me all last night or this morning. Well, unless you count the rude comments, he made on the bus when I shut his mouth up for hassling the new girl. Riko is really a nice person after getting to talk to her. It’s not her fault the dumb Frost brothers have set their sights on her without thinking or caring about what it would do to her reputation.
Inconsiderate assholes. This girl needs some friends. And well, I’m going to take that first spot. I’ve navigated this place for two years. I’m not everyone’s favorite person, but enough people know to back off when I say. I will do whatever I can to help fix what those Ken Dolls broke.
This starts when I see Jane and her cronies snickering in the hall. They look way too happy. So I decided to butt my nose in. “Is there a sale at whatever overpriced child slave labor store you shop at?” I asked, folding my arms as I blocked their way down the hall.
Jane scoffed as she narrowed her overrated blue eyes framed by completely unnecessary fake eyelashes and a bit too much makeup for a school day. I mean, if she wants to wear makeup, great. But maybe do it so you look less like your after-school job involves a corner. Deep breath, Summers, stop being a judgmental bitch.
“Fuck off lesbo.” Jane rolled her eyes and tried to shove past me. I was quick to get in her way. She really needs to up her game if she wants to stand a chance in an insult match with me. I’m a Summers witty comebacks are in my DNA.
“You really can’t think of a better insult. I told you before, true or false being a lesbian isn’t an insult. Even if I did swing that way, I told you I wouldn’t touch you with a ten-foot pole. So why are you and your gaggle of plastic cunts giddy this early in the morning?” I arched my brow, eyeing each of them.
“You’d think you’d be happy to. We just did you a favor.” Grace scoffed. Did me a favor? Un-fucking-likely. There’s still breathing oxygen, so that’s not the favor. And I can’t honestly think of a thing any of them could have done that would benefit me.
“Did you all agree mid-senior year to switch schools? Sure, I’m making us all late for homeroom, but I don’t trust them. Cause otherwise I can’t think of a single thing any of you could have done that I could call a favor.” I scoffed once again moving so they couldn’t get past me.
“We just made sure that you don’t have competition for your chink girlfriend.” Grace smiled smugly. I furrowed my brow cause that seriously made no sense. Damn, these bitches are racist.
“We don’t have any students that are Chinese-American at Ravenwood, you racist cuntmuffin.” I rolled my eyes. It then hit me who these racist pieces of Prada trash are talking about.
“See, she’s just realized who we’re talking about. You’re welcome. She’s free game. She’s learned her place when it comes to my boyfriend and his brothers. Though I’m sure even you wouldn’t want to hook up with a slut who fucked three guys in the school parking lot.” Jane scoffed, shoving past me.
I saw red. How fucking dare they. I don’t know what they did to Riko, but it was uncalled for, whatever it was. I quickly tripped her, smiling with satisfaction as she fell on her face. Her little group of friends moved to rush forward but froze when I glared at them.
“Listen to me, you Gucci hoochies. Riko is my friend. F-r-i-e-n-d. That means a platonic relationship between two individuals. I know you are unfamiliar with the definition because you aren’t friends. You bitches just follow everything Jane says because she acts like the queen of this school. But guess what, high school is a small pond. Jane may be a big fish now, but when college and the real world rolls around, she’s going to be a tiny minnow in an ocean of sharks.” I started in my lecture.
“Also, Riko is JAPANESE. That means she has roots in Japan. It’s a completely different country from China. So I ever hear you call her or anyone a racist slur.” I glared at them. I was in fight mode because they’ve really pissed me off. “I’ll beat your faces so bad your own mothers won’t recognize you.”
“News flash, no one owns anyone else. That includes the Frost brothers. You don’t own them. They are not a piece of property you can lay claim to. They didn’t want you. Get over it. Move on with your pathetic consumer-driven lives. And lastly, just because you daydream of letting those three ken dolls have their way with you in public doesn’t mean it’s on everyone’s bucket list. So spread one more rumor about Riko, and I kick your asses. I don’t care which of you says the next racist thing or spreads the next rumor. I kick all your asses. Now go to class.” I gave my final warning as I shoved through them.
I was fuming all through English class. Who do they think they are? On what planet do they think anything they are doing is okay? I hate this school. I hate the entitled little shits that attend here. I won’t stand for it. I just won’t.
Riko is too sweet of a girl for this shit. I don’t know what they said or did to her. But I’m going to find out. Too bad I don’t know what class Riko is in, but I know I’ll see her in art. So I’ll find out then. And offer whatever backup she needs.
I swung by the bathroom before study hall with that decision in my mind. Not like I wanted to get there fast. The last thing I want is to deal with Collin Cole. I can only pray the asshole just leaves me alone. I’m in no mood for his brand of stupidity.
To my surprise and anger, I found Riko in the bathroom crying. That rage at Jane and her friends doubled. I don’t know what they said or did, but I’m pissed. I may not like the Frost brothers but that doesn’t mean people like Jane get to decree who can and cannot be around them.
“Riko? You okay?” I questioned, knocking at the stall door. “Y… yes, I’m okay.” Riko sighed, stepping out. I frowned and offered her a tissue. I may be known as a hardass bitch, but I care about people and have a sensitive side. And like my mom, I don’t like seeing people cry.
“You don’t look it. Come on. I’ve got some makeup on my bag. It can help you look a bit more together.” I said with a small smile. Riko sighed as I pulled her over to the sink, lightly dabbing her eyes with the tissue I gave her.
“I don’t wear makeup.” Riko shook her head. Of course, she doesn’t. She’s a natural beauty; anyone with eyes can tell that. Probably another reason girls like Jane don’t like her. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Jane without makeup in two years.
“I know. And unlike you, with your gorgeous natural looks, mere mortals such as I need it.” I smiled, getting out a small bag from my bookbag. I don’t wear a lot of makeup. And I may take after my mom in many ways, but I’m not as tomboy as her.
Thank god for mamá teaching me how to apply makeup and what looks best for my complexion, eyes, and hair color. “You don’t need makeup. You’re beautiful.” Riko rolled her eyes.
“Yeah, well, I’m sure my mom would love to hear that. I don’t like my super Irish looks.” I sighed. “Now close your eyes, and I’ll make this quick, so we don’t miss too much of our 2nd-period classes.” I smiled. With a sigh, Riko complied and let me do my thing.
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A couple of minutes later, I was finished. “There. All set.” I smiled. Riko blinked, taking in her reflection in the mirror. The makeup had done its job. Her eyes didn’t look as puffy, and the slight bruise on her cheek was invisible. I don’t ask where she got the bruise; I can already guess.“Thanks, Cassidy.” Riko sighed, shouldering her bag. There was just one last thing she needed. “Here, use these.” I said, offering her some eye drops. “Why do you carry this?” she asked, putting some drops in her eyes.“I wear contacts, and they sometimes irritate; this helps with the redness. I figure we should make it look less like you were crying in the girls’ room.” I smiled.“Thank you.” Riko smiled, giving me my things back. “Anytime.” I nodded as we left the bathroom. Riko headed in the opposite direction as me. I just hope today can start going better for her.
If looks could kill, Mrs. Graham would be dead in her chair. Cassidy is PISSED. But we’re both stuck. She can’t blame me.I can’t control my mom any more than she can hers. All we can do now is try to make the best of this dire situation. Hopefully, save face for both of us along the way.I don’t want anyone knowing I’m getting tutored, let alone by her. I’m sure she doesn’t want anyone knowing she’s tutoring me either. People in this school would twist it to sound like she’s doing it to get in my pants.Though… I cock my head as my eyes travel the length of those long legs.If she wanted to have some hot hate sex, I’d be down. Yes, I’m a pig. I’m an eighteen-year-old guy. I’m not sure what you want from me. Celibacy? Being a monk isn’t my thing.Plus, just because I think it doesn’t mean I act on the thoughts. I’m not one of those assclowns.
I know my faults. I’m more aware of them than anyone who enjoys pointing them out. And I know I have a short fuse. It’s just my nature, and I can’t help it or really change it. I try to control it. And given I don’t get into a fight every day, I think I’m doing a damn good job of it. Something about Brant Jones, though, his very existence, the fact I have to see his smug face every fucking day at school, sets me on edge. I wanted to transfer schools after what he did to me. But mom was right. If I did that, it would be giving him a victory. And I will not let that piece of shit win, EVER. So to hear that he propositioned Riko, that he treated her like that. I’ve been seeing red since. She’s new here, and I don’t want her or anyone to ever go through what I did. I’ll kill that fucker before I let him do what he did to me to anyone else.
I managed to make it through the last two classes of the day without incident. And by that, I mean Collin hasn’t tried to corner me again. Maybe he got the memo that I will kick his ass.I gathered my stuff and managed to locate Riko. It wasn’t hard just look for the Frost brothers and assume she’s in the middle. I rolled my eyes, and I approached and overheard them talking.The brothers were calling themselves Riko’s boyfriends. I mean more power to her if she can handle them and the level of hate their adoring fans will throw at her. I’ll help deflect what I can.I snickered, not the least bit surprised that Riko isn’t supposed to date. From what she’s told me in our few talks, her dad is pretty strict. Just another reason to be glad I don’t have one.
Can I not get a break? I had Cassidy cornered, so to speak. She was going to speak. We could have gotten all this tutoring shit resolved. But no. Grace Honeycutt had to poke her fake nose into my business. I don’t blame Cassidy for wanting to take a swing at her. And she just kept making it worse. Piling being an unwanted interloper with being homophobic and racist. I would have, too, if I was the type to hit a girl. It’s on me that I got hurt. I was trying to restrain Cassidy. And well, that’s like trying to control a wildfire. You might get burned in your efforts. I can take a kick to the knee and even my nuts. I can’t take the look of panic on Cassidy’s face and the brief look of pure fear in those green eyes. I don’t know what it is, but obviously, me restraining her set off some alarm bells in her head. And I’ll probably never know what those alarms are for. I rather doubt she’s going to share that with me. You don’t tell your w
I tried to catch Cassidy at her locker before practice, but she was already slamming it shut, walking away when I got there. Fuck. Well, maybe I can catch her after practice. I mean, she’ll still be around for detention. So instead, I haul ass to the gym. We were down one player with Ben in New Orleans for his grandfather’s funeral. But that means one of our bench players gets a chance to play. Not that it matters since Ben will be back before next week’s game. “Did you get to talk to Frost at lunch?” Justin nodded his head in greeting. “No, he was having a private lunch with Riko. I’m not big on being the third wheel.” I shrugged and started to change into my practice gear. “Talk to me about what? Or since you said lunch, talk to Darius about what?” Frost called out as he tossed his bag on the bench next to me. Well, that confirms Darius is in my lunch period. And I’m pretty sure it’s Elijah in English. And so this is Forrest. “Oh, hey, m
Is this karma? Is the universe trying to punish me or teach me some deranged lesson? Whatever I did to piss the universe off… I’m sorry. I’ll never do it again. Just could you maybe stop putting me in unwanted situations with Collin Cole? Please? No. Great. Good chat. I grumbled under my breath as I walked into the house as ordered. Thanks, mom. Not only did you make me be the one that looked away first, but you gave him my full name. Did you have to? I mean, I have no shame in my name. My middle name is an homage to Blaire, and it’s fantastic. But I don’t need my enemies to know my full name. In some cultures knowing someone’s true name, in this case, my full name gives you power over them. Collin may not be the last person I’d want to have power over me but he’s sure the fuck on the list. I glared at James, who was chomping into an apple. “Don’t look at me. He just gave me a ride home after practice.” My annoying br
The meeting with Cassidy actually went better than I expected it to. She didn’t kill me, and other than threatening, neither did her mom. It was strangely nice chilling in her living room. There wasn’t the usual animosity that she threw my way at school.We actually had a good talk. And Cassidy did make some good points. I should try talking to my parents about dropping the class. Why am I wasting my senior year taking a class I hate and don’t need?Another study hall would be more helpful, or I could take Psychology. That might actually be useful in what I want to do. I’m actually thinking about taking child psychology classes in college. I mean, I want to work with kids, so it would be beneficial.So as we sat down for dinner, I decided to take her advice, sans telling them to shove anything up their asses. “So, did you manage to get a tutoring schedule in place with Cassidy?” Mom questioned as she served up eggp