“Pot, meet kettle,” I say, flicking my hair over my shoulder, pulling on the rage from everything that’s happened so far as I face him down. I’m sure this moment of stupid bravery is going to be short lived and something he’ll make me regret later. But for now, I’m going to cling to it like it's my last lifeline. “Now if that’s everything, I have to get to class.”
He doesn’t say a word, just narrows his eyes and glares at me. I know I’ve poked the bear. And I know I might possibly regret it later, but dammit, I don’t want to be the weak damsel he and his friends keep turning me into.
* * *
Compared to last week, this morning has been a breeze. My classes have been easy enough, and even Music didn’t send me into a spiraling melt down. I’m calling it a good morning.
Even Blair didn’t bother to acknowledge my existence, and I for one, am thankful for it. Because if she tries me today, I’m likely to lose my shit. I’ve been just about keeping myself together, like a reasonable human being, but if she mentions Friday night, I will not be held responsible for my actions.
I walk into the cafeteria, arm in arm with Indi, and I wave over at Raleigh when he calls my name. We grab a tray each and slide into the line, but then the room goes so quiet you could hear a pin drop. I’m immediately on alert in the seconds before I feel heat at my back. Indi turns to face me and startles. I don’t have to question who’s behind me.
I paint a smile on my face as I turn to find Maverick standing way too close behind me. “Can I help you?”
He smirks back at me before leaning into my personal space and whispering, “I can think of a lot of ways you can help me, V.”
I jolt back, hating that I’m giving him the power yet again, but I don’t want him that close, or even in my space at all. Shoving him backward would only start something I’m not willing to finish here in the cafeteria.
“Pretty sure you can help yourself with that,” I sneer before turning my back on him and facing Indi again. I grab my tray from the counter and encourage Indi to move forward. She still doesn’t know what happened, and I’m not ready for Maverick to out me. I’ve helped him plenty already.
When nothing happens to satisfy the needs of the drama-seeking student body, the noise in the cafeteria starts back up, and we make our way to the table we claimed as ours last week, waving at the football guys as we pass them.
“That was weird,” Indi says as she slides into the chair opposite me.
“Maverick has always enjoyed games,” I tell her, trying to breeze past it and dig into the chicken and broccoli Alfredo I picked for my lunch, groaning at how good it tastes. I swear the food in this place is the only redeeming feature of the entire school. I mean, the teachers are okay for the most part, minus the whole ‘being afraid of the students’ thing. I canalmostunderstand that, though. They’re just here to get a paycheck, and these kids could ruin their lives in a heartbeat; but shit, it’s frustrating.
“He definitely seems like the crazy one of the three,” she says, cracking open her soda and taking a sip. She has no fucking idea.
“Who’s crazy?”
I groan as Maverick slides into the seat beside me, and Indi about chokes on her drink, spluttering over the maniac of a boy sitting next to me.
“Why are you here?” I ask, glaring at him.
“It’s lunchtime, where else would I be?” His eyes dance with delight, and I want to nut punch him, just to wipe the stupid smile from his face.
“Why are you sitting here, Maverick?” The words come out through a tightly clenched jaw. I hate how much they affect me without even really trying.
He clasps at his chest, a look of mocking disbelief on his face. “Why, Octavia, are you saying I’m not welcome here? And here was me thinking we could be friends.”
“Maverick Riley, you have made it all too clear that we are not friends anymore. So fuck off and sit with your actual friends.” I try to put a brave face on, letting my anger lead me, and point over to where Lincoln and Finley are watching us. Their matching frowns almost make me want to laugh, but I clamp it down in favor of maintaining the stern look I’m giving Maverick.
“I don’t remember doing any such thing.” He’s so fucking nonchalant as he reaches over and takes one of Indi’s fries. I slap his hand so he drops the fry while Indi just watches us. Her panic is clear. She has no clue what to do right now, so I smile at her, trying to reassure her.
“Leave her fucking food alone, you heathen.” I swear his grin grows, and I just want to roll my eyes at him.
“Heathen… I do like it when you give me pet names, princess.” He winks at me before he turns his gaze on Indi, and I swear she blanches. “She doesn’t mind, do you, Indigo?”
“Don’t be such a dick, Maverick.” I sigh, leaning back in my chair. “Of course she minds. If she wanted you to have her lunch, she’d have offered it, and she didn’t.”
“Fine, fine. I see I’m not wanted.” He brushes his hands together as he stands, but leans down to whisper in my ear again. “But don’t think that I’m done, V. I told you you were off-limits, and you bucked against it. You’ll see what happens when you defy me if you keep this up.”
An icy drop of dread runs down my spine, making my entire body shiver, but I keep the bored look on my face as he pulls back. There’s no way in hell I’m letting him think he’s actually managing to intimidate me. Not again. I don’t know what his little show today has been about, but I’m going to work it out. How can they possibly think that what they’ve already done isn’t enough?
Those three are frustrating as fuck, and I am already so over it.
He saunters back toward his usual table, and Indi’s color comes back to her face more and more with each step away from us he takes.
“Sorry,” I sigh at her, but she shakes her head.