JAZZ
I breathe a sigh of relief when I walk into AP Lit and see no sign of Kingston Davenport. I stopped by the bathroom on the way from lunch, so the class is pretty full by the time I arrive. The only open seats are in the last row, so I make my way down the aisle.
“Whore,” one girl mutters as she makes a failed attempt to trip me.
“How much do you charge for blowies, honey?” This comes from some future politician looking douche who’s eying me like I’m a big, juicy steak.
I ignore the derogatory whispers and stares, refusing to give them the satisfaction. Karma will bite these motherfuckers in the ass one day. Hopefully sooner rather than later. I keep my head down, pull my tablet out of my bag, and open the online classroom portal, waiting for our teacher to begin.
I glance up when all hushed voices suddenly stop. I assumed the teacher was approaching the podium, indicating the start of class, but I should’ve known better. Not only does Kingston walk through the doors right as the bell is ringing, but he’s flanked by both Reed and Bentley. And, of course the only available seats are the three in my row.
Fuck my life.
Bentley flashes an arrogant smirk and drops his ass on the seat to my left. Kingston takes the desk beside him while Reed is on my right. I stare straight ahead, willing the damn teacher to start class already.
Hot breath hits my ear right before he speaks. “Hey, Little Red Ride Me From the Hood. Look at you, surrounded by three big, bad wolves.”
Wily fucker. The wolves are Windsor’s mascot and Bentley’s obviously dogging where I came from. Too bad for him, I’m not ashamed of my roots.
I swat him away with my hand. “Clever. Now back the fuck off.”
His chair protests as he scoots his desk closer. “You kiss your boyfriend with that mouth, Jazzy Jazz?”
I glare at him through the side of my eye. “Don’t have a boyfriend, Get Bent.”
“Ooh, she has claws!” he taunts. “You know I love it when you talk dirty, baby.” Bentley grabs his crotch. “Makes my dick so hard. Why don’t you come a little closer and see for yourself?”
I eye his crotch and give him the most unimpressed look I can manage. “Sorry, I forgot my microscope. How ever will I find it without one?”
Reed releases a deep chuckle. Well, I’ll be damned. I made the silent, broody one react.
Bentley’s jaw drops. “You apologize to him right now!” He looks down to his lap. “It’s okay, buddy, she didn’t mean it.”
I try disguising my laugh with a scoff. Damn it, why do I find this idiot so charming?
“Don’t hold your breath. Actually... I take that back. Please do hold your breath. If I’m lucky, you’ll pass out and I won’t have to listen to your ridiculous nonsense.”
“Miss Callahan, is there something you’d like to share with the class?”
I glance up at the front of the classroom to find Ms. Henderson staring at me expectantly, her annoyance obvious. What the hell? I’m not the only one talking!
She raises a delicate silver brow. “Well?”
“No, ma’am,” I mutter.
Ms. Henderson gives a tight nod. “Good. Now, keep quiet, please. Ladies and gentlemen, I hope you’re comfortable because the seat you chose today will be yours for the rest of the trimester.”
I stifle a groan.
When our teacher turns to write something on the whiteboard, Bentley leans over again. “Ooh, it looks like we’re about to get some real quality time together, princess. Today must be my lucky day.”
I grind my teeth together. “Shut. Up.”
“Maybe I will if you give me that pretty red mouth of yours. I bet your throat feels real nice and warm on the inside. I’ve been thinking about it all day.”
I fight a smile, wondering what Madeline would do if she saw me right now. She was already in a huff because I refused to let anyone do my hair or makeup this morning. Little did she know, I stashed my favorite mascara and lip stain in my bag and applied it during the ride to school. My uniform skirt is black and red plaid and the reds matched perfectly so I considered it a sign.
Bentley flips the back of my hair. “This silky hair of yours would look even better wrapped around my fist.”