by Ruby Vincent
“No, please,” the woman called. She was handsome in a blue blazer and skirt. She gave me a charming smile as she beckoned. “I see you’re one of the students in the F Class. We’re going there now for the start of the observation. Join us. We’d loved to speak with you.”
The other two board members murmured in agreement.
Cameron stepped in front of them. “Actually, he can’t—”
“What a great idea,” Argyle said quickly. “Please, Mr. Manning. You lead the way from here on out.”
Why does this feel like I don’t have a choice?
“Okay.” I stepped forward and held out my hand. Cameron’s glare bore a hole in my head. “My name is Zeke Manning. Nice to meet you.”
The board members introduced themselves as Sue Jeong, Rolando Martin, and Nathan Zabel.
“Tell us more about yourself,” Sue asked.
“I’m rather boring,” I replied. “I was worldschooled by my mother up until I entered the academy. We lived in over twenty-six countries and I learned a few languages along with how to wield a machete, chop a coconut, and haggle even the toughest stall owner down. So you know, typical childhood.”
The board members laughed. Whittaker caught my eye and inclined his head imperceptibly. I could turn the charm on when I wanted to, and it seemed I earned his approval this time.
“Boring indeed,” Sue teased. “What influenced the change to traditional schooling?”
“My mother wanted me to have a chance to learn advanced mathematics.”
“Advanced math?” Rolando’s brows drew together. “You are in the F Class, correct? Are advanced courses a part of your curriculum?”
I opened my mouth.
“Due to circumstances out of his control Mr. Manning was unable to complete the placement test,” Whittaker cut in. “As a matter of policy, he was placed in the F Class, but he has proven himself above and beyond our expectations.”
Sue frowned. “If that is the case, why has he not been transferred to the proper class?”
I opened my mouth again.
“Transfers involve a specific process that we plan to discuss in detail later on in the tour,” Whittaker answered. He leveled me with a smile. “Mr. Manning, continue telling the board how you have excelled here.”
I’m not sure what was more unsettling—the singeing of my neck hairs from Cameron’s glower or the blinding grin from Whittaker.
Our group passed out of the main hallway and rounded the corner for the F Wing.
“The school has a math club,” I explained. “I battled for my spot and I get to do the math I came to learn. Mrs. Peterson is a wonderful teacher. I’d say she was my favorite, but you’re not allowed to when your mother is in the running.”
They laughed again and Whittaker gave me a look of such approval, I got worried he was starting to like me.
“What are your plans for the future, Mr. Manning?” asked Mr. Zabel.
“I hope to...” I trailed off as something caught my eye. Someone ran past the windows of the doors to the F Wing. I squinted.
They weren’t the only person running. There was a flurry of activity when by now students should be in their classrooms.
“—quickly. Get those down!”
I darted forward and threw open the doors. Nico streaked in front of me, making me jump back. His arms were loaded with paper and he ran up to Dr. O’Quinn who snatched it from him and tossed them into the trash can.
I wished that was the strangest sight. What actually made my eyes widen were the hundreds of garish red flyers covering the walls of our wing. The white paint couldn’t be seen for the volume of paper that had been taped to the walls, but the F students were doing their best to rectify that.
“What on earth is going on?” Mrs. Jeong breathed.
I bent down and rescued a flyer that flew between my shoes. In big, black blob letters across the top it read:
The Battle System: Bad for Breakbattle, Bad for Education.
Beneath the title was a list.
“Is there a problem here?” asked Mr. Martin. “May I see that, Zeke?”
A hand reached over my shoulder and took it before I could speak. I turned slowly as Mr. Martin read the title aloud. I had scanned the first few bullet points. This was not going to be good.
“—bad for education,” he read. “The battle system fosters jealousy, elitism, and bullying. The battle system encourages students to see themselves as better than their peers. The battle system led to the suicide of Rebecca—”
“Mr. Martin, if you please!” Whittaker moved so fast his hand was a blur. The flyer was crumpled and sent sailing over his shoulder in a blink. He moved in front of them, attempting to usher them back out of the doors.
Sue goggled at him. “What is the meaning of this? A suicide? Is that true?”
“This is merely the work of disgruntled— I can assure you there is no truth—”
“We’ll have the custodians sort this out right away,” Argyle threw in. She stepped in front of Mr. Zabel when he tried to peer over Whittaker’s shoulder. “A harmless prank by the students.”
“A prank?” Sue Jeong repeated.
“That’s right.” Whittaker latched onto the excuse. “We don’t wish to get in the way of the clean-up, so let’s return to my office, have refreshments, and you can observe the F Wing another time.”
The principal and vice principal peppered them with reassurances as they practically shoved them out of the door.
Cameron had peeled himself out of the pack long ago. He stood to the side, face expressionless as he read the list. He glanced at me over the flyer.
“Is this the best you can do, Manning?”
I scoffed. “I had nothing to do with this. I swear on my math books.”
“But you know who did.” It wasn’t a question.
I met his stare calmly. “I don’t know anything, Cameron, and if I did, I wouldn’t tell you.”
Cameron crumpled the sheet one-handed and opened his fist. The tiny paper ball bounced off the floor and landed on my shoe. “Nothing will stop this expansion.” He closed the distance between us. Cameron held tight to my gaze, drawing me in and chilling me. “There are things at play here that you could never understand. These stupid pranks won’t make a difference and you can let your little buddies know that.”
Cameron gripped my chin between two fingers. His touch was gentle, but a ripple went through my body. “If there are any more problems, I will hold you personally responsible... Zela.”
The breath deserted my lungs. Cameron smirked as my eyes grew huge. They told him. One of them told him who I really am.
“Do we understand each other?”
I nodded in his hold.
“Good.” Cameron backed away. He threw me one last wink before slipping out of the door.
Chapter Six
“It’s too late to get away.”
Adam grinned at me over the hood.
“Remember that I tried to warn you,” I said. “I can’t be blamed for whatever happens.”
“Zela, what are you talking about?”
I jumped. “Nothing,” I said quickly. “Just joking around with Adam.”
She gave me a suspicious look through the crack in the door. “Well, stop joking around and help him get his things inside.”
“Yes, Mom.”
Adam was really laughing at me as he handed over his duffle bag. “Your mom seems cool. This weekend is going to be fun.”
“That’s nice, Adam.” I patted his head. “It’s good to have dreams.”
Rolling his eyes, he went on ahead of me and into our house.
“I know it’s nothing compared to yours,” I said as I trailed him. “But the guest room is cozy and I know how to make your favorite breakfast. You should be comfortable.”
“Of course I’ll be comfortable.”
Adam paused in the entryway. Covering the walls were photos of me throughout my life. The one Mom took in Korea as I posed with
my friends from Tae Kwon Do. My eleven-year-old self cheesing in front of the Eiffel Tower. A cute one with me sitting under a café awning in Cape Town, and a photo of a two-year-old Zela buck-naked in the bathtub.
Adam stifled a laugh. “You were so cute.”
Red faced, I shoved him on. “Your room is up the stairs and on the right.”
“Thanks, Zee. I’ll text Jordan and let her know I’m here.”
My brows shot up my head but I didn’t say anything. Those two had been texting a lot lately and I wasn’t sure what to make of it.
“So about Melody’s idea with the flyers,” I spoke up. “I take one prolonged nap and you guys take over the F Wing.”
“It was great, wasn’t it?” Adam opened the door to his room and we set his things at the foot of the bed. He took out his phone and typed while he spoke. “We were up all night putting those flyers on the walls and in every classroom, but we wanted it loud and in their face.”
“They didn’t get a chance to read it before Whittaker swooped in.”
Adam grinned. “Melody snuck past Matron and slipped it under their doors while Whittaker and Argyle had everyone watching the classrooms.”
“The girl is smart.” I sat on the edge of the mattress and Adam joined me. “What do you think they’re going to do? Do you think... the expansion won’t go ahead?”
“I honestly don’t know, but at least we gave them something to think about.”
What will Cameron do if they got too much to think about and call the whole thing off?
“Zela!”
I hopped up and stuck my head out of the door. “Yes, Mom?”
“Jordan is here.”
I hit the bottom step as Jordan walked inside. I blinked at the state of her. My cousin was beautiful every day, but today she was working the make-up, purple lipstick, curls, and tight jeans like I had never seen before.
“You got here fast.”
Jordan squinted in the reflection of a picture frame and fussed with her perfect hair. “I was on the way. How do I look?”
“Like Adam is going to admit I was right by the end of this weekend.”
She cocked her head. “What does that mean?”
“Nothing.” I stepped to the side. “He’s in the guest room.”
“Thanks, Zee.” She bolted past me in a wave of sweet pea perfume.
Despite my moaning, the three of us had a great time. We carved pumpkins at the fall festival, rode in a horse-drawn cart, and took silly pictures all over the place. Mom was on her best behavior and only delivered two lectures about the patriarchy. Adam nodded along and even joined in on the discussion. Afterward, Mom smiled and told me he could stay over any time. It was the surprise of my life that Aunt Bev was the one I needed to worry about.
We waited on line for the caramel apple stand. The wind carried a sweet, tangy smell to my nose that made me salivate as I swiped the screen looking for the perfect picture to send to Landon. I asked Jordan to cute me up for the festival and she leaped on the chance. I went from my normal, dress, sneakers, and pony tail to make-up, a burgundy sweater dress, and black ankle boots. My hair she curled and let fall in soft ringlets around my face.
I skipped over the ones with me and Adam cheesing cheek-to-cheek and picked one with me smiling into the camera and him standing behind me, clearly in view. I stamped the photo with a little message.
“So you know my nephew is truly my niece,” I heard Aunt Bev say.
Me: Fall is my favorite season. I love the leaves and food and colors and weather. I would have loved it more if you were here. This is Zela, by the way.
My heartbeat ratcheted up as I hit send. The mix of my natural attraction for Landon with the plans I had for him made our little texting game deliciously wrong. I never thought I was this person—playing games, teasing hearts, but then I also never thought I’d be beaten and violated on a cold locker room floor. Life had a way of surprising you.
“Yes,” Adam replied. “She told me a while ago.”
“And yet, you’ve been sharing a dorm room all this time.”
My head snapped up. Wait. What are they talking about?
“And you two are very close.”
Aunt Bev towered over my best friend and she did it well. She was no small woman and boasted at least three inches on him. Jordan tugged on her arm, hissing at her to stop.
“W-we’re friends, ma’am.”
She lifted a brow. “Just friends?”
“Absolutely.”
“Even if that’s the case, I don’t believe it appropriate for you to be sharing a bedroom together and doing Lord knows what.”
Heat flooded my cheeks. “Aunt Bev!”
“My sister got pregnant while she was in school and Zee is a gift we treasure every day, but she’s got plans for her future and they won’t be derailed for a few heated romps in—”
I jumped in between them. “Aunt Bev, can you skip the lecture and just kill me now!?”
She cracked a smile and flicked me on the nose. “No, kid, but”—she leveled her finger on Adam—“I will kill you if you don’t keep your hands to yourself.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I was proud of Adam. His voice only shook a little bit.
Satisfied, Aunt Bev went up to get our caramel apples.
“Come on.” Jordan slipped her arm through Adam’s. “Let’s run before she comes back.”
The two raced off, giggling. I made to follow when my purse buzzed.
Landon: I’m sure Moon told you how beautiful you are. I bet you guys are having a great time. You don’t need me there.
A thrill surged through my body. It was wrapped in a few layers of jealousy and insecurity, but Landon still told me I was beautiful.
Me: You don’t need to worry about Adam.
His reply bounced back in seconds.
Landon: Don’t give me that bullshit. Every time I look, he’s all over you.
Me: Adam was there for me when I needed him. He’s still here for me while you’re pushing me away. If you want me, Landon, take me.
Landon: And what if I do?
“Zee? Why are you so red?”
I jerked. The phone slipped through my fingers and fell onto the grass. “No reason,” I squeaked.
“And where is Jordan?” Aunt Bev handed me my treat. “And your friend? And my sister?”
“I’ll find them and we can meet at the car.”
“Thanks, Zee.”
I picked up my phone and went in search. The whole while, I tried to think of something to say but my brain was fritzing out of control.
“And what if I do?”
“LET’S GET ALL OF OUR representatives together, please.”
I set down the box I was carrying and followed two guys to the front of the room. The multipurpose room had been transformed into a maze of booths, table runners, and garish signs. Career Day arrived and throughout the day tenth graders and up would be filtering in and out during their Networking block to speak with the attendees. Except for me, I would be here all day to help with the set-up, breaking down, and getting the guests whatever they needed.
I knew that part. What I didn’t know was that Landon, Michael, and Cole would be student reps too.
I peeked at them through my lashes. They were smiling about something—even Cole. Smiles looked so good on him, but the truth was, frowns looked good on him too. He was definitely the kind of guy that made a scowl smolder. His uniform was neat and pressed and there wasn’t a single strand of hair out of place. The same could be said for Michael and Landon. Landon lost the contacts and Michael’s shoes gleamed with polish.
“Listen closely, everyone,” Argyle began. “The attendees have arrived and are enjoying refreshments in the dining hall. This gives us a chance to go over a few things.
“It goes without saying that your behavior will reflect the very best of Breakbattle Academy. We have not yet discovered who played that prank in the F Wing during the board visit, but there will be
no such antics today. Is that clear?”
“Yes, Mrs. Argyle,” we replied.
“Your duties at first will be to get them settled and make sure they have everything they need, but afterward, feel free to walk around and speak to the attendees.”
Argyle told us to come up and find out our stations and then she sent us off. Michael, Cole, Landon, and I all went in different directions.
I went to my station and continued opening the boxes. I already posted the banner, set out the chairs, and snagged a few cookies off the snack table and laid them out. Argyle stopped in front of my booth and swept over my work with a pleased smile.
“This is wonderful, Zeke.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Argyle.”
“You are a credit to your class,” she continued. “Your marks are the highest in your grade. You’ve won a spot in the Archimedean, Science, and Future Leaders Club.”
Oh yeah, I won those spots. I came back the day after busting my nose and insisted I could carry on with my scheduled battles and a rematch. It probably helped that I had some much-needed sleep and I would be keeping up that trend. No more voices or hallucinations.
“At this point, I feel we owe you an apology.”
I paused with the boxcutter stuck in the tape. “An apology?”
“You had nothing to do with those attacks against the Elite students. I see that now. You’ve embraced the system and you’ve handled every win and loss gracefully. You are not For All.” Argyle looked me in the eyes. “We will find the true culprit and they will be punished for framing you.”
I swallowed hard. I never thought I would hear those words from her. “Thank you.”
She inclined her head and then moved on. I heard the doors open as I watched her go. The murmurs of low conversations and polite laughter filled the space. The attendees were here.
“You’re going to be a good girl, right?”
“Yes, Daddy.”
“And Mommy’s going to come later and take us out to lunch.”
“Yay!”
I looked up from the box as Maverick Beaumont and Esme strolled up to the booth. I held out my hands. “What do you think? Am I the best student rep or what?”
Esme grabbed a cookie and shoved it into her mouth without preamble. Maverick’s laugh rolled out of his chest like the sound of a bass.
