Yeah, that’s what it was turning out to be. I didn’t want it to be like this. I honestly just wanted to get away, to hitchhike to Vegas if I had to, to go back to escorting. But, it’s not like I had the money for it either.
“Yeah, I’m stuck here at this crappy school,” I muttered.
“Don’t be so down about it. Trust me, it’ll be good for you. You’ll get an education, and you’ll be much happier as well. I think it’ll do you some good, build you some character,” he said with a smile.
“Yeah,” I said.
I didn’t want to stick around here, I just wanted to leave, and go away forever, but I had to bide my time. When it was time for me to make my move, I would. I would get those damn Elites, and stop the bullying if I had to.
I’d stop at nothing to get what I needed, and that was that.
I didn’t even bother contacting my mom after that. I wouldn’t be so pissed if I wasn’t just left here to fend for myself. It’s like she didn’t care.
“Don’t take it personally Jules. Your mom apparently does this a lot. you’re in a much safer location, and you don’t have to worry about anything here,” he said.
“Yeah, but that doesn’t make it any easier,” I muttered. My dad didn’t know of the harassment, and this was just another low blow. I tried to keep my head held high, and I tried to make everything out to be okay, but I could feel my resolve crumbling.
I wasn’t happy, and this would certainly continue down this path until something gave.
Chapter 9
I was still upset about the fact that my mom left me in the dust for some rich bastard in Europe, but it’s not like I had a choice in options. I could either continue to be pissy, or do something with myself. And right now, I chose to do that latter.
I sat at my desk, playing The Pretty Reckless’s “Fucked up World” and nodding my head to the music. However, I looked up, noticing JJ there. I looked up at her, smiling.
“What’s up?” I asked.
“Hey. I couldn’t help but overhear you listening to The Pretty Reckless,” she said.
“You like them too?” I asked.
“Y-yeah. I really enjoy their songs. It’s one of their best songs,” she said.
I looked at JJ with surprise. Who would’ve thought the straight-laced girl would listen to a band like that.
“Wow, you surprise me. I always thought you were too straight-laced for this type of music,” I told her.
“Yeah well…you know. I try to sometimes branch out of my normal music tastes,” she said.
“Right. Well, want to sit down. We can listen to them for a little bit,” I said to her.
“S-sure,” she said.
I could see the tenseness of her body, and as she sat down next to her, I could tell she was looking around. She was scared to associate with me, and I understood why. But man, if she could calm down that would be great.
“Sorry for being so distant recently,” JJ said.
“Hey, it’s fine. You had to keep your distance, with all the bullshit that was happening,” I said.
“Yeah. I didn’t want to be another victim of their torment. But I guess…I guess we can at least hang out in public view. I just don’t really want to deal with any of the bullying either,” she said.
I understood that. I didn’t want JJ to get hurt either. I mean, she was a really nice girl, too sweet for her own damn good. I didn’t want her to fall into this trap.
After a little bit, the teacher came in, looking over at the two of us.
“Put that music away,” she said.
I almost retorted back, but then Phoenix spoke out.
“Yes, we need to be nice and quiet for class today. You should be watching yourself Jules, especially since you can’t fail any classes here,” he said with a smile on his face.
I felt my hands tense in annoyance. Good ol’ Phoenix trying to make a scene once again.
A couple of kids in class began laughing, and I soon spoke back at him.
“You know, nobody was saying anything about it till you started complaining there Phoenix,” I muttered.
The class stayed quiet, looking at both of us. Phoenix then rubbed his hands through the back of his hair, looking at me.
“Big talk there miss. I think we should settle this with a friendly debate,” he said.
This guy really was going to sit here and try to debate me? I mean, this was government class. I accepted this challenge, and I could see the smoldering look in his eyes. He got a thrill out of this.
“You’re on,” I said.
I didn’t have time for this shit. The teacher then looked at us, speaking.
“Alright, enough about that. right now, we do have debates to do. Today is the day you’re supposed to present your statements and then debate them in class. First, we have JJ and Walter,” the teacher said.
JJ got up, and I smiled at her. She go up there, starting to debate with the other guy, clearly winning. But I could see Phoenix looking at me with a devilish grin. I couldn’t help but feel like he wouldn’t let this go. The little outburst right before class was going to spiral not something else, that I was sure of.
The other kids continued to go, until it was time for me to go up there.
“Julianna, you’re to debate with Phoenix on the role of government in the people’s lives,” she said.
Fuck. Was I really going to have to fight this bastard on this? I mean, I did somewhat predict this to happen, but now that it actually was, I felt my guard drop for a moment. How could I win.
The answer was simple. I wouldn’t let him get the satisfaction of beating me.
He grinned at
