by J Bree
Should be.
I've finished two classes worth of homework when Avery walks in, carrying a single sheet of paper. She stands over me with contempt in her eyes and a sneer on her painted lips.
“Finished yet?”
I know she's not talking about my sheets swirling in the washing machine. I turn back to my homework.
“Nope.” I pop the p obnoxiously and don't even look at her. She drops the paper and it lands at my feet. I read the title and scoff at her.
“I'm not leaving. You think your little prank can run me out of here? All it shows is that you're disgusting and desperate.”
She laughs like tinkling bells but all I hear are the shards of glass she’ll wield to stab me with.
“I've never been desperate in my life, Mounty. I don't have to be. You are though. And if you don't leave I'll see just how desperate I can make you.”
What the hell was this girls problem? What had I done to her that would make her act like this? Did rich people really hate the poor that much?
I pick up the paper and then I maintain icy eye contact with her as I tear it in half.
“Feel free to fuck off, Beaumont.”
The smirk doesn't leave her face as she prances out of the room, her kitten heels clicking on the hardwood floors. I can feel the creeping fingers of a migraine at the corners of my brain. How was it that I made it through a drug addict mom, absent dad, foster care, public school in a bad district and now I'm rewarded for my efforts with Avery Beaumont?
A deep, dark voice whispers to me, it's punishment for the Wolf. I give myself a little shake and get back to work.
It takes two hours to get my room back to normal. The piss had soaked through the floorboards and I have to scrub my little safe clean as well. I have to go ask the cleaning staff for bleach and air purifiers because the smell lingers but eventually I can't smell it anymore and I manage to fall asleep around midnight.
Chapter Four
I'm cranky as hell the next day from lack of sleep. I'd kill for a hot coffee.
The boys all hear about the piss prank and the whispering that follows me makes me grit my teeth. I'm so distracted by it all that I don't notice the extra attention the juniors have begun to give me.
Turns out I've caught all three sets of Beaumont eyes.
Lucky. Fucking. Me.
I'm at my locker swapping over text books, why does this school love hardbacks that weight more than I do, when I get approached by one of Joseph's flunkies. I recognize him from the dining hall and I eye him warily.
“Hey there, Mounty. Do you have a name? Everyone just calls you Mounty or trash so I wasn't sure your family could afford a name.”
Kill me now and just put me out of my misery. I level him with my most deadly glare. I don’t like the feel of his eyes on my skin, it makes me feel as though I need to scrub myself raw.
“Do you need something? Your winning personality isn't exactly doing anything for me and I have a class to get to.”
He smirks at me and then makes a big show of working his eyes over my body lasciviously. I fight the urge to either cross my arms over my chest or to smack him in the nose.
“So I've always wanted to fuck a Mounty. I hear you poor folk are wild in bed and I'm willing to give it a go. When are you free this week for a quick fuck?”
I see red and then my vision whites out and then I think I'm having a full rage blackout. I'm a little concerned that when I come to this dickhead will be dead. I hear his laugh and then, without meaning to, my hand shoots out and jabs him in the throat. The noise he makes is magnificent and he sprawls back on the lockers like I've shot him. Sometimes my survival instincts are goddamned blessing.
The hallway goes quiet and I grin down at him maliciously. I speak quietly but I know everyone can hear me. All eyes are on us.
“I wouldn't fuck you if you were the only rich dick left in this building. I wouldn't touch your disgusting cock for a million dollars.”
He manages to straighten himself and then throws me a haughty look.
“We’ll see about that.” He rasps and then turns on his heel to stride off.
I glance around as the whispers start up again then roll my eyes. This place is exhausting, surviving four years here may be harder than I thought. I start walking to my next class and try not to let the dread creep in.
Hannaford requires either a sport or some form of music as subjects and picking between them was like choosing a method to die. I physically could not do anything that required strenuous use of my legs. I had five pins and two plates holding one of my legs together, which is a violent and dark story for another time, which means unless I could do basketball sitting down I couldn't pick Gym. Music was a very different beast. I can't play any instruments but I can sing. Actually, I can fucking sing. But I haven't been able to hear the sound of my own singing for years without my PTSD kicking my ass all over the shop.
I’ve managed to only open my mouth during group numbers and warm ups so far but I have a copy of the class syllabus and I know my project is a solo. I need to ace this class to keep my score up but it feels impossible to me right now. My past is royally screwing me over.
I have one last class before choir and I round the corner to get to Chemistry when everything changes.
My entire world view changes.
The door in front of me opens out out walks Blaise fucking Morrison.
Blaise. Fucking. Morrison.
Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would be at school with Blaise Morrison. I knew that he went to an ultra exclusive private school and that he had dozens of privacy orders in place to make sure he could go to school like any other teenager but I couldn’t have ever hoped that I would see him in the flesh let alone breathe the same air as him.
I should probably explain why my entire existence in melting at this boys appearance.
Blaise Morrison, Blaise fucking Morrison, is the lead singer and guitarist for Vanth Falling which is my favorite band and, not to be too dramatic, is also my entire reason for existence. I first heard of Morrison when he was still solo and uploading covers of his favorite songs. I was completely struck by the fact he was my age and doing what I could only dream of doing. I have every song he has ever sung, even his earlier less great stuff, and I sleep in one of the bands shirts every night. I have followed his entire career, of two years but that is irrelevant, and I’m basically a walking encyclopedia on all Vanth Falling knowledge.
He is perfection. A living god.
My obsession for him is for his lyricism and his range. He is so talented and a modern poet and I respect him so much as an artist. Now, seeing him up close, I can also say with absolute confidence that he is panty dropping hot.
His hair is spiked up like he's run his hand through it a hundred times already today and his glowing green eyes are dancing. He's tall and leanly muscled, he fills out his uniform in a mouth watering way and I want to rip it off of him.
My knees are weak just looking at him and I’m sure I look like a deer in the headlights. My brain finally catches up with my body and I move out of his way.
He doesn't notice my meltdown, thank god, and he swaggers down the hall with an air of confidence that would be so obnoxious on any of these other rich dicks but on him I am swooning.
Swooning.
Lord save me because I may die from the very presence of this guy.
I duck behind something random, a potted plant, to stay out of his sight line because honestly I'm making a complete fool of myself and my heart stutters just a little when I see him grin. Sweet lord, there’s his dimples.
Then he throws his arms around Ash fucking Beaumont's neck and they grin at each other like they're in love. Then Harley pops around the corner and joins in on the group hug and then, fuck me, Avery squeals and piles on too.
This school is ruining every aspect of my life.
Why couldn't I keep Blaise? It is so unfair and I feel like this might be the thing that breaks
me.
Why!? Ugh.
Suddenly I remember all of the conversations I've been listening to about ‘the Morrison kid’. The teachers had talked about his door being stuffed with panties and Avery had told Ash she couldn't wait for him to get here. Fuck.
Because the world hasn't actually finished shitting on me I have to sit next to Harley in Chemistry and Avery is sitting in front of us once again. The whole seat assignment by surname is really a pain in my ass and I consider a name change to get away from him.
I'm sweating and shaking like mad when I sit down but Blaise isn't in this class so maybe my brain will kick in at some point. I can feel Harley’s eyes on me as I empty out my bag with trembling hands.
“What's your problem?” He says in a haughty tone.
I give a shrug because, well, we're not friends and I don't owe him an answer. He grunts at me and then grabs my wrist to turn my hand over. My knuckles are red and a little puffy. I must have hit that dickhead harder than I thought.
“Fighting isn't tolerated on campus.” he drawls.
I give him a look and he surprises me by grinning. The teacher walks in and starts to take attendance. Harley leans over to whisper in my ear.
“I would have paid good money to watch you punch that asshole.”
The corners of my mouth tug up into a grin. Who would have thought the way to civility with Avery's boys was by acts of violence towards Joey’s group?
The positive of sitting next to Harley is that he doesn't speak at all during classes. He just sits and soaks in information, like the hottest sponge you've ever laid eyes on. Watching him helps distract me from the throbbing pain in my knuckles. I’m going to have to start packing instant ice packs into my school bag.
I watch as Harley writes neatly spaced notes flawlessly. Unlike every other rich boy I've ever had to sit next to he doesn’t spread out obnoxiously onto my side of the desk. If he wasn't tied to the devil that is Avery Beaumont I might fall for him.
But I only have to remember the stink of urine on all of my belongings to shudder and swear off of him.
When we are dismissed from Chemistry I have to take a minute before I can get up and head to Choir. Harley looks at me curiously and then falls into step with me. I shoot him a look of my own but I don't say anything. Avery ignores me completely and tucks her arm into Harley's.
I make it three steps out of the room before another random junior I've never seen asks me out. He words it better than the last guy but it's still pretty obvious he's after sex. Avery's giggle is infuriating but I manage not to hit this guy, I just tell him I'm not interested. Four more steps and I see another junior make a beeline towards me.
“Fuck, am I going to have to elbow my way to class?” I mutter and Harley grins at me.
“Such popularity! Maybe you should try and move up to the junior class instead of slumming it with us, Mounty.” says Avery as she breezes forward, tugging Harley with her. He grumbles at her. “If she flattens another guy I want to see it. If she does it to Joey I will wank over it for the rest of my life.”
I blush and then I curse myself for it.
“If she hits Joey she'll be dead before the week is out.” Avery's tone is no nonsense, monotone, and dark. I shiver.
The Beaumont's are not the type of people to fuck with without serious consideration. I need a plan.
Blaise Morrison is in my choir and voice development class.
I avoid him like the plague. It's easy because he stays attached to Avery and I was already trying to stay as far away from that girl as possible. They're such close friends, it's easy to see in the way they banter with each other and their casual touches.
I had been planning on speaking to Miss Umber about doing my solo privately but, embarrassingly, I find I can't even speak in Blaise’s presence. It's humiliating and humbling and I consider leaving the school for the very first time since arriving in the hellhole.
How can he affect me so much?
But I know the answer to that already, he's every single one of my fantasies come to life and walking the halls of Hannaford with me. I can't look at him without thinking about all the times I've listened to his crooning or sung along at the top of my voice. I used to listen to him and imagine what my life would be like if I were brave enough to start a band and run away from all my troubles. But I'm not brave. Not that type of brave, anyway.
We make it through warm ups without a hitch and then Miss Umber breaks us up into groups to work through the vocal exercises. I'm with Lauren, who smiles at me shyly, and two other girls I don't really know. It's easy enough to distract the other girls and not actually do any singing myself. Lauren is good but not as good as I am, and the other two can harmonize well. I'm kind of shocked to realize how much fun I'm having. I wish so badly I could sing but the loss hurts less when I can laugh with the other girls.
“Oh god, he's about to sing!” Dahlia says. Well, squeals is more accurate.
I glance over and Avery is grinning up at Blaise as he starts with his vocal work. I try not to show on my face what his voice is doing to me because honestly, I've never been so turned on in my life. It's wildly unfair and cruel.
All of the other groups have stopped to listen to him as well and Miss Umber is blushing at Blaise as she watches him over her glasses. She's looking at him like she'd eat him right up. Are all of the teachers at this school predatory or is that just the intense allure of Avery’s guys?
Speaking of Avery, she is enjoying being in the thick of it, her hand is curled around his arm possessively. I roll my eyes at her and Lauren giggles next to me. She's a sweet kid, I wish she were a bit braver and we could actually be friends.
“Any other songs you’d like, Claire?” He says to Miss Umber with a flirty wink.
I could just die.
If he ever does that in my direction I will expire.
“O-oh, no that's quite alright! How was your touring during the break? Did you get to spend some time at home with your family?” She blushes her way through her questions and then sits down with his group. The room stays quiet, he's the focus of everyone's attention, and he grins easily.
“It was great! I did a lot of Europe and a little bit of Asia. We focussed on smaller, more intimate venues so I could look into the crowd and see people rather than just a giant, writhing mass. My parents came out to me so I did get to see them. It's hard being young and still going to school. I have to try and fit a lot into my year.”
Miss Umber nods along with him, her eyes affectionate.
“I'm ready to be here though, I missed my friends and I need a rest.”
“Only you would see school as a rest.” Avery scolds him, smiling like a Cheshire Cat.
“Well, I'm expecting to sleep at least ten hours a night and my liver is going to have a chance to empty out a bit so yeah, it's a break. You never realize how precious sleeping on a stationary bed is until you're trapped on a bus for months.” He says with another wink at Miss Umber. I’m starting to worry the poor woman’s heart wouldn’t be able to cope with all the blushing she’s doing.
“Trapped, like you don't love every second of it! Last year you were the worst to be around because you'd been home for too long. I give it a week and you'll be planning your next move.”
He laughs and his whole face lights up when he looks at Avery. I've never been so jealous in all my life.
“I'd kill for a boy to look at me like that.” whispers Lauren and I smile at her. Dahlia nods frantically and Jessie hums in agreement. At least I'm not the only girl feeling this way.
Chapter Five
I decide I’m going to try every breakfast option at least once so I’m sure I’m eating the best while I’m here. I’m sitting in the dining hall enjoying a giant stack of pancakes when Joseph Beaumont sits down beside me. I stiffen up but I try not to make it obvious. I fail.
“Relax, Mounty. I'm here to chat.” He says and his voice is like dark, malt liquor. Rich, seductive, dangerous.
“Is there something I can help you with?” I put down my cutlery and stare across the table at him. He's attractive like his brother but his features are sharper, like you could cut yourself on him and bleed out in seconds.
“I've heard that you've been getting some unwanted attention.”
Right. I'd been propositioned by eleven juniors this week and it was only Wednesday.
Eleven.
So far I've only had to punch that one guy but I'd had a few more close calls. It was beginning to make the short walks between classes unbearable.
My eyes narrow at him. “Do you know why this is happening to me?”
He laughs and leans back in his chair, crossing his arms. He's so similar to his brother that's it's jarring. I had been tutoring Ash for long enough that I could pick out his mannerisms, his little ticks, so seeing them on Joseph was weird. I glance over his head to see the twins and the other two boys walk into the room. Avery frowns deeply when she sees Joseph sitting with me and Harley looks like he wants to come over and interrupt. The students around as are quickly finishing up their breakfast and moving away.
“I know that it's going to stop. I've made it clear to the boys that if you were interested in a quick fuck you would have taken one of them up on the offer by now. You won't be bothered by them again.” It's a nice thing to do and so I'm instantly wary. He's sitting there casually, like he owns the school. Fuck, maybe his family does own it.
“What do I owe you for that favor?”
His smile is all teeth. I'm sure he thinks he's terrifying but I've befriended the Jackal. I'm sure Joey is a kitten by comparison. “I'd like you to come to a party next week. I'm hosting. It's unusual for anyone to miss my parties and yet you haven't been to any of them yet.”
I have no interest in getting drunk with spoilt brats and bullies. Still, if it takes one night of hanging around these idiots so I can walk to class alone it’s worth it, right? I hope so.
“Ok, sure. Why not.”
“Great. Do let me know if you have any more troubles with students. I know my sister can be a little cunt when she's forced to share her toys.”
