CHAPTER8
Camping outdoors is something I did a lot when I was younger. It was one of the only things that Katie didn't understand. That might have something to do with her wanting to sleep in a massive tent and a sleeping bag that was as comfortable as her bed back home. I, on the other hand, specifically wanted to camp outside, so I can fall asleep under the stars. Once or twice, I didn't even use a sleeping bag. I'm weird. I know. Maybe I have more of that love of nature in me from my mom than I originally thought.
Needless to say, under the overhang of the highway, I can't see the stars directly above me. Even if I glance over to the right and left, they're obscured by the light pollution from the headlights of the passing cars. When I first chose this perch, I worried the speeding cars would prevent me from sleeping, but each night, I'm so tired that I can fall asleep regardless. Tonight is no different.
Listening to the cars as if it’s a soothing lullaby, staring out into the distance that promises the world if only I have the courage to dare to try, I succumb to rest.
A massive truck rumbling above me stirs me earlier than I need to be, but I don’t mind. In fact, I’m grateful. The cars are too loud for me to set my watch alarm to wake up. I planned on heading to the school early today anyhow.
Quickly, I race to the nearby lake. I’ve never seen another human there, just a few animals, and I wash up. As soon as I’m clean, I change my clothes and hope the wrinkles will fall out as the day wears on. I stuff a protein bar into my pocket and head out of there. Along the way, I spy a store that has backpacks on sale. An employee is just opening up, and although the store isn’t technically open yet, he allows me to buy one.
As soon as I arrive, before even most of the teachers, I enter and take my time exploring. The school is vast, and I soon wonder if Jess the receptionist made it so my classes were relatively close together because there are entire wings I never noticed before. No wonder someone is typically assigned to help new students get around. I majorly lucked out.
Although I would have rather had classes all over the damn place and not have a single class with any other the Mutineers.
I head to my locker, eat my protein bar, and get out the books I’ll need for my morning classes before heading to homeroom. Tuesday morning and a new day. I doubt it’ll be sunshine and roses, but as long as it isn’t all assholes and thrones, I’ll be fine.
Mr. Winters, the so-called dick by know-it-because-he-is-one-too Brett, isn’t even in homeroom yet by the time I enter the room. A few others are already there, and I claim the seat closest to the window. Maybe the one by the door would’ve been better, so I could duck out of there right away, escape to freedom, but I’m dreading seeing Brett again.
My first thought about Brett had been about how utterly hot he was, but it had pretty much been hate at first sight.
Outside the window, the grass on the ground of Elk Grove Academy is greener than green. The trees are so thick and sturdy I can almost picture an elk rubbing against the bark to satisfy an itch.
“Why are you smiling this morning?” a familiar voice asks.
Immediately, my smile falters, and I glance over to see Tyler Tremaine slide into the seat beside me. I groan inwardly. Most of the homeroom has filled up by now, almost every seat claimed. None of the other Mutineers are here at least.
I suppress a groan and turn back to look out the window. Coming here early and walking around the entire school, except for the few locked buildings, including one on the highest floor—sixth, by the way—I hope to not be late to any more classes.
But being early also meant that anyone could sit next to me.
Including a Mutineer.
Even if he can be somewhat decent by himself.
Or will he be different to me now that he knows the others hate me? Brett’s the head of the Mutineers, so he’s the leader. Generally speaking, that means the others have to be followers, right?
But he asked a legit question, and if I want any chance of him being decent to me at the very least when we’re alone, ignoring Tyler isn’t the way to go.
I shift in my seat and glance at him quickly before facing front. “I’m wondering if Brett’s warning that Mr. Winters is a dick is true or not.”
“Mr. Winters?” Tyler scowls.
I raise my eyebrows. “You don’t like him either?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Heisa dick.”
Just then, an extremely hot guy walks into the room. He looks like he's old enough to be a college student, jacked muscles, sleeves rolled back, slicked-back hair, five o'clock shadow, deep eyes, and behind me, a girl sighs dreamily. That's when I realize two things.
One, the front of the homeroom, other than Tyler, is filled with girls.
And two, the guys hate Mr. Winters because he’s one hot teacher.
I cover my mouth to muffle a chuckle.