by Ruby Vincent
Zach’s smirk slipped. “You don’t have pictures.”
I said nothing as I slipped my phone out of my pocket and held it up to his face. He paled as my thumb swiped across the screen, revealing everything he and his friends did to me. This time, my hand was steady.
“I’m assuming we understand each other,” I said as I put my phone away. “You’re going to keep my secret and you’ll make sure the others do so as well.”
Zach’s response was to shoot me a poisonous glare, spin on his leather shoes, and storm off. I didn’t let that worry me. He would keep quiet. I knew it.
At a slower pace, I entered the cafeteria and joined the line for breakfast. My gaze followed Zach as he reached them and when my eyes landed on Landon my stomach twisted even tighter. I walked off the line. There was no way I would be able to swallow a bite.
It wasn’t right for him to look so perfect. His hair had grown out and thick, jet-black strands fell in waves around his eyes, begging to be pushed back. I couldn’t tell what color his eyes were today, but his natural warm browns were seared in my memory.
On his other side, sat Cole and Michael. Michael’s handsome, angular face was smooth and unblemished. Gone was the white bandage and the pink, healing scrapes along his face. He was perfect once more. Much like Cole who had always bore the face of an angel, even if his snappish, prickly insides did not match. The three of them leisurely ate their breakfast. It seemed the days of those three having nothing to do with one another was over. I could only think of one thing that bonded them together.
Zach pulled out a chair and sat in front of them. I dropped my gaze before either one could look my way.
“Hey, Zeke!”
The cheerful greeting was so at odds with how I felt, it took me a second to register. Owen and Justin waved from their spots at our table. I slowed down when I noticed there were more people than usual. Adam, Melody, Justin, Owen, Nico, Tanner, and Derek I suspected, but the two new faces I wasn’t. A girl with short hair and a red scarf sat between Adam and Melody, while a brown-haired boy with a dusting of freckles on his cheek took what should have been my place next to Derek.
I eyed him as I walked around and pulled out a chair next to Justin. “Hi, I’m Zeke. Are you guys new?”
Melody nodded. “Freshmen,” she said. “And our littles.”
“Your whats?”
Derek leaned back in his seat as he folded his hands behind his head. “Our littles. Whittaker decided to start an Elite mentorship program this year and we get to be the guinea pigs.” He jerked a thumb at the boy. “This is Hunter.”
Hunter waved as he sank lower in his seat. I waved back, feeling a touch of sympathy for the new kid. If he was as nervous as he looked, Whittaker had just delivered him into the hands of a wolf. I wondered how long it would be before Hunter ran away from his new mentor.
“And this is Serena,” Melody spoke up. Serena acknowledged me with a jerk of the chin. “You know they make us move in early. Argyle and Whittaker held a special assembly and told us trust was beginning to break down among the classes, and we needed to foster better relationships as we moved forward and strove to bring our class to new heights.”
Derek scoffed. “Whatever the fuck that means.”
“What do you have to do?” I asked Melody. “Are all the Elites doing it?”
She shook her head. “Just the sophomores taking on the freshmen. We show them around, answer their questions, help them form battle strategies, give them advice, and stuff like that. And my first tip”—she turned to Serena—“you can’t wear that scarf. We’re not allowed to accessorize with the uniforms outside of the exceptions in the handbook.”
Serena’s face crumpled into a scowl. “You’re kidding. I’ll get in trouble for wearing a scarf?”
“You’ll get detention for wearing a scarf.”
She folded her arms. “But I’m Elite. Don’t we get to do what we want, or what’s the point?”
Owen and I shared a look.
“Elite get more privileges,” Melody replied, “but we follow the same rules as everyone else.”
Serena rolled her eyes so hard I feared she’d hurt herself. “Ugh. Whatever. We don’t have to sit together, do we?” She pushed her chair back. “I’m going to find my friends.”
“Bye,” Melody called as she waved her off. She did not sound sad to see the back of her. The minute she was gone, Melody claimed the seat next to Adam. “So how was the rest of your summer?” I heard her say.
I turned to Derek. “What are—”
“I have to go too.” Derek pushed away his untouched plate and got to his feet. “Coach wants to see me. You,” he said to Hunter. “Let’s go.”
The younger boy snatched up his breakfast taco and scurried after him. With nothing left to distract me, my eyes wandered and drifted toward them. I felt their pull like magnets, like bees to the hive, like moths to light.
I looked at Zach, Cole, Michael, and Landon, and each one of them was looking back at me.
Chapter Three
“Hello, sophomores, and welcome to your second year at Breakbattle Academy. I will be your teacher this year. You may call me Dr. O’Quinn.”
The woman who stood before us was imposing. That was the only word for her. Heavy brows cast shadows over her eerily light-colored eyes. Her gray and brown hair was pulled back into a severe bun and her pantsuit repelled wrinkles. She had only to give us a look for the class to fall silent.
“This semester, you will take English II, Critical Writing, Geometry, and Networking. Next semester, World History, Spanish II, Debate, and Chemistry. Any questions about that?”
My hand shot into the air, drawing those brightly colored eyes to me. “Yes, Mr. Manning.”
She knows my name?
“Dr. O’Quinn,” I began, getting over my surprise. “What is Networking? I read the course description, but I didn’t understand it.”
“Good question, Mr. Manning. Networking is one of the courses unique to this academy. Despite its name, it is actually vocational education where you spend focused time planning for your future careers.” She walked up and down along her desk as she spoke. “This will look different as you move through the years. Gathering information, making a plan, interviews, job shadowing people in the community, career fairs, filling out applications, writing college essays, the list goes on.
“This course may present as an elective on your transcript but it is mandatory. Participating in the battle system seems too much of a hassle until you know what you’re building toward and why hard work is such a necessity.” She pierced me with her look. “Does that answer your question?”
“Yes, Dr. O’Quinn.”
She nodded sharply, then continued with her introduction. Part of me missed Mr. Dawson by the end of it. I got the impression she would be a good teacher, but a strict one. The feeling seemed spot on when she caught Tanner chewing gum and promptly sent him out of the room.
“Now,” she said as she closed the door behind him. “We have much to accomplish this semester, so let’s begin. Open your English textbooks to page twelve and read the passage silently to yourself.”
The sound of books smacking the desk and backpacks being unzipped filled the room. We worked in near silence throughout the morning. Dr. O’Quinn did not allow any one of us to talk unless called on. We broke for lunch and met up with Tanner outside.
“Can you believe that—?”
“Shh!” I hissed. “Wait until we’re out of the wing.”
I peered over my shoulder just as O’Quinn stepped into the doorway. Lines crinkled around her eyes as she narrowed them on us. The woman must read minds.
We escaped into the main hall and Tanner let loose. “She made me stand outside all morning! Dawson didn’t give a shit if we chewed gum. What’s her problem?”
“She is going to be nothing like Dawson,” Adam spoke up. “I met her a couple of times when Mom invited the faculty to our Christmas parties. She hardcore believe
s in the Breakbattle method and thinks every F is an A waiting to happen; they just haven’t taken on enough battles yet. I overheard her by the eggnog telling Mom that the school should set battle quotas. If we’re not in at least five a semester, we’re put on probation.”
My mouth fell open. “What? Tell me she didn’t pass that on to Whittaker.”
“He loves thinking of us as experiments,” Nico added. “He’d snap that up.”
“It was two years ago and it hasn’t happened yet,” said Adam. “Last year, he got in it with the parents for the changes he made to the system, so I think we’re safe. I’m just saying O’Quinn doesn’t play around. If someone challenges us to a battle, she’ll approve it without asking why.”
I wasn’t certain what to make of that. It seemed she wanted us to improve, but the “by any means necessary” method could turn sour quickly.
She might come in handy this semester though. The thought crossed my mind. For what I’m going to do, it’s better that no one asks why.
The four of us went into the lunchroom, got our food, and wandered over to Derek’s table. He sat at one near the head table instead of our usual near the back, but there were no pretty breakfast buddies to distract him this time. I was sitting with him no matter what he said about it.
“Damn. Take the hint.” Derek held up his book. “I’m reading. Go away.”
“Nope.” I set my tray down with a firm thump and pulled out the seat next to him. “But I won’t bug you. You’re falling behind. I’m already on book nine.”
“Yeah? Did you like the eighth book?” Derek set his book down and, as bold as he pleased, reached over and took one of my chocolate chip cookies. He was chewing on it before I could open my mouth.
I shook my head as I passed him the other one. He said thanks before polishing off that cookie too. I wasn’t bothered with him taking my dessert. I was starting to notice his fondness for chocolate and I was collecting every new thing I learned about him like a child picking up shells on the beach.
“It was different from the others in the series,” I said, “but in a good way. They are showing us they can still surprise us.”
“Excuse me?”
I twisted around and found a short boy with an E on his chest standing behind me.
“Can I sit with you guys, Derek?” asked Hunter.
“Yes,” I said quickly, beating him to it. Lord knew what Derek was going to say and I wouldn’t let him terrify the helpless young kid on his first day. Derek made me cry the first time I tried to sit with him, and there was no need for round two. “Sit next to me, Hunter.”
Derek shrugged and took my milk.
“Hey,” I cried. “That I did want.”
“Too bad.” He took a swig. “You can’t have cookies without milk.”
“Why didn’t you get your own food?”
“The food tastes like rancid shit, but you get mad when I order in. The solution is I get the decent stuff on your plate.”
“I— Wha— I don’t get mad when you order food! I’ve never said anything about it.”
“You didn’t have to.” Derek held up two fingers in front of my face, making my eyes cross. “It was all in that death glare you threw me whenever I had pizza and you were munching on their mystery meat. I thought you’d whip the machete out on me.”
“That’s not true!” I shrieked, giggling. “Although, I am thinking about it now. You’re out of your mind if you believe you’re taking my food all year.”
His grin lit up his whole face, banishing the scowl lines that sometimes seemed a permanent part of him. “How are you going to stop me, Zee? I play ball with you. I know”—he moved and my apple was off my plate before I could blink—“that you’re too slow.”
I seriously considered popping him upside the head as he tore off a bite of my apple. His eyes danced as he chewed.
A noise to my left broke me out of my violent thoughts. Hunter struggled to smother his laugh.
“You guys are funny,” he said when he caught me looking. “I hope I make friends like you.”
“I wouldn’t call him my friend at the moment.” Derek barked a laugh. “But you will make friends, Hunter,” I continued. “Did you grow up in Chesterfield or Evergreen?”
He shook his head. “Neither. I was born in Evergreen, but my parents moved out of state when I was little. I don’t know anyone here.”
“You’re like me. I was born in Chesterfield, but traveled all my life. Breakbattle is a tough place, but you have all your privileges and Elites rarely get challenged by anyone other than As. You can focus on school and stay out of the drama. If you do get into drama, Derek will have your back. He doesn’t bow down to the Elite bullshit and once you get past his porcupine exterior, he’s got marshmallow in his center.”
“What kind of crap are you telling this kid?” Derek nudged my shoulder. “Why would I have his back? You’re as close to a best friend as I got, and I barely like you.”
I spun on him. “Eat my apple and hush.”
He threw up his hands, smirking away, and I struggled not to reveal the thrill that went through me at hearing him say best friend.
“Don’t listen to him,” I said to Hunter. “You’re going to be fine. I’m not going to see what happened to me happen to anyone else.”
Hunter’s brows drew together. “What do you mean? What happened?”
My gaze flicked away to Landon, Michael, and Cole’s table. I noticed them come in when I was goofing around with Derek. I wondered if I would always sense their presence.
“I was targeted by bullies,” I said simply.
“They challenged you to battles over and over again, didn’t they?”
I tore my eyes away. “What? How did you know that?”
Hunter picked up his cookie and broke it into pieces. “I heard that happens. It’s why you said I wouldn’t have to worry about it being Elite. They come after people until they take everything they have. Just like that girl Rebecca Taylor. My teacher told us about her in class this morning.”
“It’s not a normal thing,” Owen spoke up. “And Adam’s mom is the school therapist. She’s not like the others. She really has our back.”
The two fell into conversation while my attention wandered back to their table. Miss Val was a nice person and she had helped me when the principal was prepared to write me off. I could not thank her enough for that, but there was only so much she could do. She could not punish the Elites for what they did to me, because she could never know what they discovered that day in the locker room. She could not punish them for me, so I would.
Now that I’m thinking about it, I should get started.
I pushed back my chair and stood.
“Zeke?” Adam asked. “What’s up?”
“There’s something I have to do,” I replied, but I wasn’t looking at him. My gaze was fixed on three boys in particular. “I’ll be right back.”
Michael raised his head as I neared their table. Our eyes met over the mess of noise, overcooked food, and groans about returning to school. Not for the first time, I wondered what was going on behind those eyes. I could never tell what Michael was thinking. Not even when he stood over me while his friends beat the crap out of me.
As I got within inches of their table, all three of them stopped eating and stared at me. I slid across their faces in turn, taking in their different expression. Anger for Landon. Irritation for Cole. Blankness for Michael.
I looked at them, and then I veered away and crossed two tables to find the one I was searching for. I stood behind one of the boys and tapped him on the shoulder as I pulled something out of my pocket.
He stopped laughing at whatever his friend said and glanced up at me. “What do you want?”
“Hold on.” I squinted at what I wrote on my paper. “Okay. Are you Brian Saxe?”
“Yeah.” I spotted him glancing at my chest. “What do you want?”
I cleared my throat. “Brian Saxe, I challenge you to a batt
le in math.”
His fork clattered to the table. “But you can’t— Aren’t you an—”
I pointed at the boy next to him. “Callum Mercia, I challenge you to a battle in math.” Then the boy on his right. “Bo Clark, I challenge you to a battle in math.”
“Mateo Acosta.”
“Huxley Goodman.”
“Kashton Turner.”
I went down through my list, challenging every boy in front of me. When I was finished, the entire table— no, the entire cafeteria had fallen silent.
I unhurriedly refolded my list and put it back in my pocket.
“I’ll tell you the privileges I want when we get it approved,” I said to their dumbfounded faces. “I will be on your floor first thing after school. See ya then.”
I gave them my back but I didn’t return to my table. I walked out of the cafeteria, head held high. The smile didn’t grace my lips until the doors slammed shut.
“ARE YOU GOING TO TELL me what’s going on?” Adam grabbed my arm and pulled me to the side. The trail of F boys heading out to the soccer field went on without us. “Why did you challenge half the B Class to battles on your first day?”
“I had to.”
Adam waited, but I didn’t offer more of an explanation.
“Why did you have to?” he finally asked.
I glanced around. “I just did. Okay? Adam, it will make sense later.” I made to walk away. A hand flashed out, blocking my escape.
“This is about getting back at the Elites.” Adam did not phrase that like a question. He didn’t make it sound like one either. “Tell me and I’ll help. Derek isn’t the only one who has your back.”
My head jerked up. “What? Adam, I can’t. You don’t want to be a part of this.”
“Yes, I do.”
“You’re a nice guy, and I’m not planning to hold back.”
