“How’s it going?”
“Everyone’s been okay. I like most of my classes. The last one was boring, but the rest haven’t been bad.”
Mr. Johnson comes into class like he’s on fire. Papers stick haphazardly out of his folders, and overall, he looks like he hasn’t slept in a week. The guy needs a vacation. Or to get laid. Maybe both.
“We have a quiz today,” he says and the class groans. “I know it’s early, but it’ll be fun, I swear.”
He hands out the papers and drops one of his folders, sending a slew of quizzes flying across the room. Several kids laugh out loud and when no one else moves to help him, I get up and gather his papers, handing him a tidier stack.
“Thank you, Miss Sinclair. You deserve extra credit for your kindness.” He grins and pushes up his glasses, leaving them even more crooked.
“Ass kisser,” someone whispers loudly and the room cracks up.
I sit back down and there’s a note on my desk. I pick it up and glance around to see who wrote it. Raf’s scowl is even deeper, three deep grooves etched between his brows. I swallow hard and open the note.
It won’t be long before everyone knows what a slut you are.
I look at Ashton and he glances up with a slight smile. Raf is staring at his book and the girls I met at lunch are behind me, either digging in a purse or straightening notebooks. The girl across from me looks over and I hold up the note.
“Did you see where this came from?” I whisper.
She shakes her head. “No.”
I stick the note in my folder and focus on the teacher for the rest of the class. It’s just someone trying to intimidate me. They couldn’t know anything about me yet…and how would they ever find out about Luke?
Chapter Four
The next day in the bathroom, I overhear a few girls talking before I flush the toilet. It doesn’t take long to know exactly who it is. I would recognize Heidi’s baby girl voice anywhere. I imagine her swirling her fingers around her long blond hair. Her hands are constantly in her hair.
“I am missing Raf’s cock so bad.” She laughs and my mouth drops open.
I guess that answers my question about them being a couple.
A pang of jealousy rips through me and I try to shake it off. I’m not interested in Raf Barron. Not even close. Just no.
“I hate school. My parents haven’t let me go out all week. I’m counting on the party Friday night to have a little catch-up session.” Heidi giggles.
“You sure you two are still a thing? I thought you weren’t around him all summer.” I’m not sure which girl it is. Melanie and Amber sound alike. Oh, maybe it’s the one who doesn’t talk as much…Jen.
“We’ll get back to normal now that we’re back at school.” Heidi doesn’t sound as sure of herself now and it makes me smile.
One of the others says something I don’t quite catch about Henry and Ashton.
“I’m needing some diversity in my life,” she says. “Henry is the hottest Milaysian I’ve ever seen.”
I roll my eyes so hard they hurt.
“I’ll take Ashton. I can’t wait for the game Friday. He is so hot when he plays.” Pretty sure that was Jen.
“You’ll have to fight Becca and Heather for him. Becca gave him her number.”
I try to peek through the little crack through the door but I can’t see anything. Come on, hurry up. I’m antsy waiting in my stall for them to leave before I go out.
I hear something rustling and then the smell of weed fills the bathroom. I stare up at the ceiling. Great. If I come home smelling like weed, my mom will throw a fit.
“Want some of this?” Heidi asks.
“Nah, I’m good with the pot.”
“This is way better, I swear.”
I try again to see what they’re doing out there.
“What do you guys think of the new girl?”
“Skank.” Heidi laughs and grabs a paper towel. “I don’t know why the guys are all about her boobs and ass. It’s not like either are even all that big and she’s not even as tall as you or me, Melanie.” Their footsteps fade and when they walk out of the bathroom, I loosen up. I spritz body spray in the air and walk into it, hoping it wipes out the smell.
I’m not too bothered by them. Raf is harder to handle than the girls are. I’m more used to girls being mean than a hot guy who’s mean to me for no reason. In my old neighborhood in Vegas, the mean girls were plentiful.
You did put a dent in his car, I remind myself. But no, it feels more personal than that. I look around before I step all the way out of the stall and wash my hands, hurrying through the soap so I don’t miss the bell.
Lunch is even more of a disaster than the day before. Girls swarm our table. I can’t figure out why Raf insists on sitting by me when he dislikes me so much, but it’s become a thing. I’m ignored by the girls, except for little snubs here and there. Nothing too over the top. Jen tries to sit between Ashton and me and I stand up and walk away. I’m not in the mood to compete over a guy.
I’m surprised when Ashton follows me out.
“Did I do something wrong?”
“What? No, you didn’t,” I tell him, reaching in my bag for a piece of gum. I offer him a piece and we walk to our lockers. “Your friends don’t like me. Hey, what did you mean when you told me to watch my back?”
“Just that we’re not the most welcoming group at Longlake.”
I snort. “You think?”
He grins.
“You’re not so bad.”
He shrugs. “I’m not
