I grab my outfit, throw on some of the silk thigh high stockings from my dresser, then some socks and lace up my combat boots. I’m not wearing heels every day and anyone who has a problem with it can kiss my damn near visible ass. I shove my knife into place. Run some fingers through my hair and that’s that. I’m not here to impress anybody. It’s time to go get that diploma.
* * *
Downstairs,I hear Cecelia in the dining room so I head that way. Walking in, I see her sitting at a massive table, big enough to seat at least twenty people, with enough food to feed an army.
“Who is gonna eat all that?” I stare at the table wide eyed and full of excitement.
“Seriously, this is way too much food.” I say, like I’m not about to grab a plate and load up — starting with a waffle, eggs, sausage, bacon, a fruit and yogurt cup and some freshly made granola. It seems almost too much, but I’m already planning out my second plate in my mind.
“Thanks though, I freaking love food. Probably has something to do with my lack of ability to afford eating on a regular basis, at least something other than ramen or whatever canned food we could get from the shelter down the road. There was a small food donation center attached to it but there were little kids that needed that stuff way more than I did. Even when we got stuff, I’d usually make my rounds in the neighborhood to check on the smaller kids. Growing up in the ghetto of Chicago isn’t always exactly an ideal way of life for children. It’s one of the rougher neighborhoods, ya know?”
I don’t bother looking at her while I talk because I don’t want to see the horror or pity she must be feeling. It’s the look most people get when I talk about growing up where I did, but I can’t handle seeing that look on her face.
Sitting down next to her, I dig into my food while she takes a moment to gather her thoughts before she speaks.
“No need to say thank you sweet girl, I know I went a little overboard, requesting so much, but our chef was happy to do it. He says you need to put some meat on those bones, and I have to agree. You are absolutely stunning and I’d like to see you look equally healthy.” She says, and I’m immensely grateful that she’s not acknowledging my admission of a small part of my previous way of life.
“I noticed you’ve taken advantage of the gym a lot over the weekend. I’d be happy to get you a trainer to help you hone your skills and those fighter instincts you’ve got. I have one for myself, so you just let me know if you’d like to train with me or even on your own.
Although, I’ll gladly be your sparring partner. It’d be nice to see what you’ve got one on one.” She flashes a small smirk in my direction.
“Oh, cool. I’ll think about it..” I shovel more food in my mouth and savor all the flavors. I hate feeling like I’m constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop; I’m just waiting for these luxuries to be taken from me again.
“So, what’s up with this school? Actually, how am I even getting there? I don’t have to use that creepy driver guy again, do I?” I ask, raising a dark eyebrow in question.
“Ha, no. You don’t. In fact, here’s your license. I had your grandpa pull some strings,” She says with a wink.
“When you’re done eating, I’ll show you to your new car. I bought it on your sixteenth birthday. I guess I thought it would make me feel better, like I was preparing for your return. Thank God, I did too. I hope you like Jeeps and I hope you like cherry red.”
Chapter Six
Quinn
Following the annoying high pitched voice of the built in GPS system, I pull onto the high school campus, a ball of anxiety attacking my stomach when I see the name of it. Why didn’t Cecelia tellme? The main parking lot is full, so I find myself trailing out to their overflow lot. I park as far out as I can to avoid anything happening to this beautiful brand freaking new lifted Jeep Wrangler.
After plugging my headphones in, I turn up myFalling In Reverseplaylist as loud as I can, grab my bag out of the back, and start the trek to the main campus. There aren’t many kids out here, so I already know I’m short on time. I start a quick jog to reach the main building in time to collect my schedule, and hopefully a map, since this place is huge. Hopefully, I can get my ass to class on time.
“Oof!” The air gets sucked out of me as I fly backwards, landing painfully on my ass. It feels like I just ran into a brick wall.
My headphones fly out of my ears and I hear a deep, gravelly voice rumble roughly through my ears,
“You should probably watch where you’re going.” I look up into the most ruthless, exotic green eyes I’ve ever seen. They frame a straight nose, deadly cheekbones and the most perfectly full lips, set in a deep scowl. I take a quick second to look him up and down. He’s the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen — even looking at me with such disdain. It’s impossible to miss the way his t-shirt molds to his muscular arms, or the way his thighs look like they could bust through those jeans, hulk style.
Is this guy astudent? They must feed the guys here sexiness and trouble for breakfast. My lower abdomen starts tingling and I barely restrain the shock to my body reacting this way. I never react to guys. Not only did Lauren ruin the idea of sex for me, but I have no time for them. I know he can see the heat in my eyes before I can conceal it. Looking back up into those devastating green eyes, I only see them harden. He’s looking at me like I’ve somehow offended him just by existing in the same space as him. How dare I fucking breathe near this guy. Fuck, man.
“You can stop staring now. You may also want to wipe some of that drool off your chin. This is never going to happen.” He scoffs, gesturing between myself and him.
Clearly, I don’t have the same effect on him that he’s having on me. I know I’m not the hottest bitch in town, but for some reason that pisses me off. I’ll justify it by telling myself it’s because he’s so harsh and not because he hit the nail on the head. He caught me checking him out, but he obviously finds me lacking.
“Well, that’s fucking rude. It’s probably just as much your fault anyway. If you were paying any attention, you would’ve seen that I’d been distracted and that clearly wouldn’t have happened. Why don’t you watch where you’re going, huh? Also, no offense or anything but you are most definitelynotmy type. Cocky assholes have a way of turning me off.” I snark at him.
He’s already turned to walk away but I know he hears me when he stiffens for a moment. He recovers quickly and walks away mumbling some bullshit about how the school shouldn’t allow trash in.
“What a fucking douchebag.” I mumble, more to myself than anything.
Deep breath in. Deep breath out.
“I wouldn’t say things like that out loud. Don’t you know who that was?” A girl breaks me from my internal grumbling.