“What about…?”
“Don’t you dare say her name!” Brooklyn says heatedly, cutting Audrey off. “If that bitch knows what’s good for her, she’ll stay the hell away from my man. And Aaron’s interest in her will fade.”
Tension rolls off of me in waves because I know she’s talking about me. Like Mr. Monroe, Brooklyn hated me on sight. But at least I know why. The first time we met, Aaron was standing at my locker talking to me. Even if you couldn’t hear his words, which were flirtatious as he grilled me on who I was, it wasn’t hard to figure out from his body language that he was interested. Brooklyn walked up to us and practically climbed his body like a tree, staking her claim at the same time she sent me a withering look that said he’s mine.
I’ve tried to avoid Aaron since then. Not because I’m afraid of what Brooklyn would do, but because I have no interest in him. Unfortunately, Aaron either hasn’t gotten the memo I’m not into him or he’s ignoring the not interested vibes I’ve been sending his way. Either way, it’s not my fault Brooklyn’s boyfriend is straying.
“I don’t know, Brook.” Audrey’s voice is filled with doubt. “It seems to me his interest is only growing. I’ve seen the way he looks at her during lunch.”
“After this weekend, he’ll forget all about her. I plan to make sure of it.”
“And if he doesn’t?” Audrey asks.
“Then I’ll make the bitch too ugly to draw his attention anymore.”
I’ve heard enough evil come out of Brooklyn’s mouth. In general, I’m a good person, avoiding any and all conflict, but hearing her threats, knowing it’s not my fault her boyfriend won’t leave me alone, sets something off inside me.
I get up from the toilet and flush it, even though I didn’t use the bathroom. Grabbing the latch, I swing the door open. Satisfaction thrills me at the split-second look of fear on Brooklyn’s face when she realizes someone overheard her threats. The look is gone as soon as she realizes it’s me, and loathing replaces it.
“Good. I’m glad you’re here,” she sneers, her nose wrinkling in revulsion. “In case you hadn’t noticed, Aaron is mine, and it would be wise of you to stay away from him.”
I walk to the sink and squirt soap on my hands without sparing her another glance.
“I think you should be telling your boyfriend that. I have no interest in him. He’s the one who keeps approaching me.”
“Only because you keep giving him fuck me eyes.”
I snort as I rinse my hands. “You’re delusional.” I look at her through the mirror. “Aaron is the last man I’d want to touch me.”
Her stance against the sink stiffens. “Now look here, bitch, you—”
“No, you listen.” I cut her off, turning away from the sink and snatching out a paper towel from the holder. “I don’t want your creepy boyfriend anywhere near me. You got a problem with his behavior, take it up with him and leave me out of it.”
I leave Brooklyn and her friend behind before either of them can say anything else. I’m tempted to leave school early because I’m so over today and just want to be away from this place. But I don’t want to push my luck with Mr. Monroe. The last thing I need is for him to call my parents and tell them I missed a meeting with him. I hate letting down my parents.
With only five minutes left until my next class starts, I grab my chemistry book from my locker and go stand outside the classroom door.
Leaning my head back against the wall, I send up a mental wish that my next two classes don’t go by too fast.
Chapter 2
AUGUST
Moving my eyes away from my laptop screen when there’s a light tap on the door, I glance over and see Luna Hendrix hovering outside the door, like she’s hoping I didn’t hear her knock. From the look on her face, she’s not happy to be here. If I was honest, I’m not ecstatic she’s here either. Being around this girl makes my life complicated.
I get up from my desk and walk around to the front, leaning my ass on the edge.
“Have a seat, Miss Hendrix.”
Averting my eyes from her ass when she drops several books on one desk and walks to the one I gestured to, I cross my arms and look down at the floor until I know she’s seated.
“I’m surprised you actually showed today,” I say.
With a shrug, she avoids my eyes as she begins tracing imaginary circles on the desk “I didn’t want to, but I don’t want to be in any more trouble than I already am.”
I reach back to my desk and pick up a piece of paper. “You want to explain this to me?” I hold up a copy of her essay.”
“Not really. Can we just pretend I never submitted my work, and I can redo it?”