I watch him disappear down the hall, his words playing in my mind like a broken record. The students understand that the show is over and start dissipating. Kass still hasn’t moved a muscle, biting her lower lip roughly, an obvious sign that she feels guilty.
“What just happened?” is all I can say.
“I am so sorry. I completely forgot to tell you about him.”
I can’t bring myself to listen. The students acted like it was normal. Like they were used to it.
Just a regular day at Riverside High.
“Winter, y-you don’t understand. That’s Haze Adams.”
I frown. “I’m sorry. Your tone implies that I’m supposed to care what his name is?”
“Not looking at him is like breathing. It’s a habit—I don’t have to think twice about it. No one really knows what—” She pauses and glances around as if she fears someone might be listening. “What stuff Haze is into, but it’s better not to know. You do not want to be Haze Adams’s enemy. He has rules. Don’t talk back, don’t get in his way, and whatever you do, never look him in the eyes.”
I scoff. “Why? Is he Medusa?”
She sighs and rolls her eyes. “That’s just the way it is. No one dares to question it.”
I mentally curse, wondering why she couldn’t just hit me with a quick “Welcome to Riverside High, Winter. Oh, and by the way, never look Haze Adams in the eyes.”
“It’s like provoking him. I just assumed you knew, even though it’s completely normal that you didn’t. I’m such an idiot,” she says, undeniable sincerity in her eyes.
“You don’t even know what he does, but you assume he’s dangerous? He’s a high school bully, not God.” I shake my head in disapproval.
“That’s where you’re wrong. Rumor has it Haze is part of something bigger than you could possibly imagine. A street gang of some sort. His family is the most powerful and wealthiest in town, and his father is a big sponsor of the school. Don’t be surprised that Haze’s behavior never gets questioned. You do not want to get in trouble with him, trust me.”
Eye roll. So much for not finding any students that stink of clichés, huh?
“What are you saying? What am I supposed to do?” I ask, staring at the now almost empty hall where this crazy guy used to stand.
“Keep a low profile. Don’t break any of his rules ever again, and do everything you can to make him forget about you.”
I nod, unable to make sense of this madness. The bell rings, reminding us that the nightmare technically hasn’t begun yet.
“You’re right. Avoiding him can’t be that hard, can it?” I laugh faintly, trying to convince myself. Here’s one more thing to add to this long list I like to call “Proof the Universe is pulling a joke on me.” Getting the tyrant of my school to hate me on my first day? Check.
&
nbsp; “What could go wrong?” As Kass and I walk to class, I can’t help but wince at my own lies. Seriously, Winter? What could go wrong?
Everything.
Everything could go wrong.
T W O
The Deal
“Give it back! Now,” I yell at the overly annoying six foot four of bad jokes I have the misfortune of calling my cousin. Here I am, running after Kendrick as fast as the lack of exercise in my daily life allows me to.
“You have so many beautiful pictures in there, Winter.” He cracks a laugh, scrolling through the pictures on my phone.
A week has passed. After the rather traumatizing experience with Mr. Don’t-Look-Me-in-the-Eyes, life went back to its regular course and I became exactly what I was meant to be—the invisible new girl. Although the whispers in the hall followed me for a couple of days, I quickly went back to what I’m good at, which is merging with the walls. I haven’t seen him again. That’s all that matters.
I had a lot of things planned for my first weekend in Florida. Chasing my arrogant cousin around the house while he scrolls through all of my most embarrassing pictures certainly was not one of these things.
“Kendrick, stop!” I beg, panting. This will definitely be my cardio for the week.