by Mya West
I turn back to Lance with a dead stare. He is wiping his sweat from his forehead again, and looks like he’s about to continue with his run. He doesn’t notice me when I approach him. Before he can say something shitty, I open hand strike him on the side of his face. The impact felt hard, but it appears to barely cause any physical pain.
The only thing that changed was his stare at me. His smirk vanished. His eyes look at me with rage.
Lance looks behind me a moment, then back at me. “You know, some time soon you’re going to realize what’s really going on around here. I gave you a chance.”
“Fuck you, and fuck your chances.” I smile when I notice a red blemish on the side of Lance’s face. “Looks like you need to work with your boxing coach some more. I got a clean hit on that pretty face of yours.”
Lance looks behind me again. He turns, says nothing, and continues his run. I turn around and see Arthur Cain smoking a large cigar and staring directly at me.
Fuck.
Arthur Cain awarded me with the academic sponsorship of a lifetime by allowing me to stay at his guesthouse and attend Ryland Academy. His promise to me was that if I keep my grades up how they were before I came, I will get a free ride to any university that accepts me.
And what does he see?
Me bitch slapping his son, probably without any understanding of the context of why.
Fuck.
I turn around and pretend to not see him, open the guesthouse front door, and quickly go inside.
I shut the door behind me and take a deep breath. I seriously need to figure out what I’m doing. I can’t fuck up this opportunity by hitting the son of the man who is giving me everything I need to succeed.
I may even be too late. I think about what I would do if I were Arthur Cain. If I gave some girl like me a chance of a lifetime, then witnessed her strike my only son, I would send her ass back to the ghetto.
I think about going outside again and explaining what just happened to him somehow. I peek through the window but can’t see Arthur anymore.
Fuck, fuck.
I may as well pack my bags.
Why do I cave in so easily with that piece of shit Lance? I can’t do shit like this. Lance obviously wants to make my life hell. I’m only giving him what he wants if I get myself kicked out of Ryland.
I think about Selina, her two shitty friends, and all the other rich brats at the party who read my journal. Danna and Bryce tell me my entries are all over social media now. I want to run back to the city, but all I have left there is Candice.
“Dearie, are you okay?” I turn and see Marta staring at me. I’m not sure if it was Marta’s genuine look of concern or her welcoming presence, but I practically fall into her arms. I can feel a tear forming in my eye. I don’t know what to say, but I feel safe in her arms. I want to say something to Marta, but have no clue where to start. I can only imagine what she’s thinking. She’s probably wondering why she got to be the lucky maid assigned to such a mess like me.
“Um, Elle?” Marta says. I say nothing, but don’t want to let her go. Marta rubs my back. “Everything is going to be okay, dearie. It will be okay.” Her words make me feel immediately better, even if I don’t completely agree. “Is this about your parents?”
I take a deep breath. “Sorry, Marta. Just having a bad day. I didn’t mean to attack you like that.”
“Elle, no. You have been through a lot lately. It’s understandable. Why don’t you relax, and I’ll have Anna cook a nice meal for you.”
I nod my head. “Thanks. I’m just going to lie down in my room.”
I close my bedroom door and thank Marta again for her understanding. She has such a motherly presence to her that I wonder if she has any children herself. I feel guilty that I haven’t even asked her questions like that. Maybe I am getting so used to the rich lifestyle that I don’t bother with asking the help about their personal lives.
Maybe this place has changed me.
Chapter 2
Bryce is whispering for me to drop it, but all I want to do is smash Selina’s face in. That would make for an entertaining quiet reading time in English class. The teacher is at the front, unaware or just not caring about what’s going on in his class.
“Let it go,” Bryce whispers again.
I look over at Selina and her two friends, Jenn and Mary, as they each have a copy of my journal and are giggling with each other.
I’m sure when the teacher said to reread one of your favourite books, Selina took it the wrong way. Reading about my first blowjob is hardly a literary classic.
“Guys, page twenty,” Selina says. Mary turns to the page, and her eyes light up. Selina looks at me with a smile.
I remember how good it felt slapping Lance across his pretty face the other day. I imagine the pleasure I could receive from taking care of little rich bitch Selina Jensen. Then again, our English teacher may actually look up and care what’s happening if he has to break up a fight.
I think of Arthur Cain and how he witnessed me hitting his son. I imagine how I would feel if I lost my opportunity here at Ryland Academy. Any more missteps, and I could find myself on a one-way ticket back to the city to fend for myself.
These rich kids think they can win. They think they will get under my skin enough to blow my future. Fuck them. They don’t know how much shit I’m willing to take for my dreams to come true.
I look at Bryce, who has a look of concern entrenched on his face. I give him a reassuring nod, and he takes a deep breath. I look over at Selina and her friends. Each have a devilish smile. I soften my features and give them a bland smile.
I know my smile isn’t ugly, but it seemed to make Selina uneasy. She puts down my journal and picks up a different book at her desk.
Maybe I’ve been going at these girls the wrong way. If they hit and miss, I should just smile and thank them for trying. I wonder if they figured out who I am, and who my father was.
I turn away, and the teacher is standing beside my desk. “Ms. Maven, this is quiet reading time, and I don’t see a book in front of you.”
I quickly grab a book on my desk and open it. The teacher goes back to his desk and sits. I peek over my book and notice Selina smiling at me again with her friends. I lift the book in front of my face, hiding my rage.
When class is over, Bryce grabs my arm and forces me out of the classroom before I say anything to Selina and her friends.
“Who cares about those bitches?” he says as we walk towards the cafeteria.
“They have this magical power of getting under my skin so easily,” I say, trying to collect my emotions.
“Everybody knows about your journal and has probably read some of it. Who cares what happens now? It can’t get any worse.”
I look at him coldly. “Don’t fucking jinx me. Wait—did you read my journal?”
Bryce looks confused and looks behind me. “Hey—look, it’s Danna.”
Danna waves at us as Bryce sits at her table in the cafeteria. I join them.
Danna flashes me a look of concern. “How are you doing? We didn’t get to really talk much when you left the party.”
“I’m good,” I say.
Danna continues with her look of concern. “It’s just—we texted you. I didn’t hear back. I got concerned.”
I laugh. “Did you think the Beasts took me? Kidnapped me?”
Danna doesn’t seem impressed. “I’m still seriously concerned about them. You didn’t give me a chance to talk to you at the party before you left.”
“And after you left the party, Nat didn’t exactly want us to stay,” Bryce says with a smile.
“Fuck that. I didn’t want to stay,” Danna says.
“I thought you were done being a reporter, Danna?” I say.
“Like I said, we need to talk, but not here.”
“They could be listening, right?” I say with a smirk.
“What’s your problem?” Danna asks. “Why are you not taking this seriously?”
Bryce looks at Danna. “She has a point. I don’t know what happened that night we snuck into the school, and I don’t care to find out either.”
Danna rolls her eyes. “Well I do,” she whispers. “That big ancient clocktower in the middle of campus means something too. I’ll figure it all out soon enough. Just do me a favor and don’t say anything to anybody about what we saw. I’ve been warned.”
Bryce squints his eyes. “What are you talking about?”
“Not here. Later, we can talk.”
Bryce waves his head. “You know what? Never mind. Not worth it.” He looks at me. “What exactly happened after the party?”
“Jaxson took me back home. He stayed with me until I was better.” Danna and Bryce both look at me with equal smirks. “We didn’t fool around or anything. He was sweet, honestly.”
“Star quarterback with a heart of gold,” Bryce says with a smile.
Danna looks behind me. “Speak of the devil.”
I feel a tap on my shoulder. I turn, and Jaxson is smiling at me. I stand up, and he hugs me. “I’ve been thinking about you,” he says.
“Me too.”
“So, when are we hanging out?”
“When are you free?”
Jaxson smiles. “Day after tomorrow work?” I nod my head. “I’ll come by your place and pick you up. Did you get a new phone yet?”
“Not yet,” I say.
“It’s like I’m seeing some girl from the 90’s or something,” Jaxson jokes. Just then, Lance Cain walks past us. He looks at me with a smirk and at Jaxson with a cold stare. Jaxson turns to me. “You give me the word, and I’ll kick the shit out of that guy. I can’t fucking stand him already, and he hasn’t said a word.”
I grab Jaxson’s side and bring him closer to me. “No need. I can handle a guy like him.”
Jaxson looks back at Lance, who is giving him a challenging stare. “Pretty sure it’s going to happen, no matter what.”
I use my hand to turn his head towards me and give him a peck on the lips. That seems to cool him off.
“Day after tomorrow,” I remind Jaxson. He nods his head and leaves the cafeteria. I watch him as he goes and hope he turns back to look at me. When he does, he gives me a smile.
I sit back down with my friends, who gawk at me.
“Did you just kiss Jaxson Davis in front of everyone?” Danna says with a smile.
“So, I guess you’re not seeing Chase anymore?” Bryce asks.
“I’m not really good at this playing the field thing,” I say embarrassed.
“I think you’re doing quite well,” Danna says, fanning herself. “Watching you two is like watching a romance movie in real time.”
I look at Bryce. “What was this band thing you were telling me about before class?”
Bryce smiles. “Nice. Use me to ignore a conversation, but I’ll go for it since it’s about me. The end of Summer Gala is coming up. It’s a fancy dinner that we use to raise money for the band for the year. I’ve got a star solo in one of the songs.”
“Don’t you play clarinet?” I ask, confused. “I couldn’t imagine the squeaky sounds that thing makes having its own solo.”
Bryce shakes his head and smiles. “Clarinet has a bad rep.”
“Besides, Bryce Jamison can work that squeaky instrument like a pro,” Danna chimes in. “That’s why our boy is a shoe in for Julliard.”
Bryce smiles. “Fingers crossed. With a solo like this, it definitely helps when I apply.”
“I didn’t know you wanted to make a career out of music,” I say.
“Yeah. It’s about the only thing I’m passionate about. My parents can’t stand the idea. They think I’ll be another starving artist, which is why they never come to the galas in the past.”
Danna looks at me. “I feel like a single parent when I go and watch him. I video Bryce and cheer for him when appropriate.”
“Your cheers are never appropriate,” Bryce says laughing.
I hit my hand on the table. “Well, no more single parenting Danna. I want to come too.”
Bryce smiles again. “Really?”
I nod my head. “We’re The Outsiders. We stay together, right?”
Danna laughs. “Is this where we put our hands in the middle and chant ‘one for all, all for one’?”
“We’re not that dorky,” Bryce says. “Tickets are a hundred and fifty bucks each though.”
“What!” I yell. “Are they lacing the food with drugs or something?”
“Charity events for the rich,” Danna reminds me.
I sigh. “Well, I do live with a billionaire who seems pretty charitable.” I point at myself. “I suppose I can find a way to get the money.”
“What’s it like living with Arthur Cain?” Danna asks.
“Besides seeing him around his home from time to time, he’s pretty hands off. I do my thing, and he does his.”
“I guess that’s good,” Danna says.
“I suppose. A few days after the party, I slapped Lance in the face without knowing his dad was watching the whole thing.”
Bryce’s face lights up. “You hit Lance Cain? And you’re still living in his guesthouse?”
“It’s his father’s guesthouse,” I remind him. “I caught them arguing once. It seemed nasty. Maybe Arthur Cain is happy I stood up for myself. I’m sure he knows what his son is like. Otherwise, I’m confused as to hell why I’m not already homeless.”
Bryce laughs again. “I still can’t believe you hit him. And what, Lance did nothing?”
“I live to tell the tale,” I say with a smile.
Danna points at me and looks at Bryce. “She is just badass.”
“It’s going to be super weird though,” I say. “Arthur Cain has this big charitable event that he is hosting at his home. Some charitable event for a non-profit that works with homeless in the city. I can only imagine the price tag he charges to come to a party like that.”
The three of us finish our lunch. Bryce says bye to us and heads towards his locker, but Danna continues to look at me.
“What are you doing now, Danna?” I start to walk towards my locker, and she follows.
“I’m worried,” she says. “Can we talk?”
“I’m going to be late for—” Danna yanks my arm down and leads me to an empty hallway that’s near the janitor’s office.
“I need to tell you…” Danna says, looking around. “I’m worried about you. I’ve been at this school for years, and I’ve never seen anything like this. You start at Ryland, and all this weird shit starts to happen. I think this all has to do with you.”
I shrug off her arm. “Danna, have you been sleeping? You’re getting paranoid as fuck.”
Danna ignores me. “The night we snuck into the school, and I got that leather book with the monster symbol on it from the guidance counsellor’s office, was the weirdest thing that ever happened to me.”
“Same here, but what does it have to do with me? You’re freaking me out.”
“I’m not sure yet. Call it a hunch. Anyways, when I got home that night after we escaped whatever the hell was going on in that clock tower, I was about to dive into the book and learn everything I could. Hell, maybe even go to a news channel about it, if it was juicy enough. I put the book beside my laptop and went downstairs to make a sandwich. Call me crazy, but running from hooded guys with torches makes me hungry. I came back to my room, and it was gone. My laptop was open, and someone had typed a message on a word document. It said, ‘I know what you did. This is your only warning.’”
My eyes widen. “Why didn’t you say anything to us?”
“I f
reaked out. I decided to take the warning seriously. I told you guys I didn’t want to be a reporter anymore, but it was out of fear.”
I sigh. “So, you’re not afraid anymore? Maybe you should take this shit seriously.”
“Something is wrong at Ryland Academy, and you’re a part of it.”
“Shut the fuck up with this shit,” I say, walking back towards my locker. Danna quickly follows behind me. She reaches for my arm, and I shrug her off quickly. “Like I don’t have enough to deal with. All these shitty rich kids want me gone from their school, and you’re going to lay this on me now?” People are noticing me talking, but I couldn’t care less anymore.
“Elle,” she says. “Just listen to me.”
I get to my locker and ignore her. When I open my locker, a small white envelope falls from the side. I pick it up and look at it. In bold letters is my full name: Noelle Mavin. I look at Danna, and she looks concerned. I open the letter and read its large typed bold letters. Danna peeks over my shoulder to get a look.
You will pay. I’ll make sure of it.
Chapter 3
I slop a nacho into a glop of what looks like cheddar cheese. When I do, half the chip breaks off, and I swear to myself. How is it that nachos and cheese still looks the same when it’s made from a chef who works for a billionaire? I assumed when I ordered it from Anna Green that it would look…well, fancy.
Nope.
Just cheese, that may not be cheese, and plain nachos.
Did Anna make it this way for me? Give the poor girl some ghetto nachos and cheese. She doesn’t deserve the fucking good cheddar.
I pick up the remote and flick through daytime television programs, trying to find something—anything—I can bare to watch. Anything to keep my mind off what happened at school.
I took the rest of the day off school. I was super paranoid. I couldn’t focus.
You will pay. I’ll make sure of it.
Who the hell is messing with me?
