Broken: A Reverse Harem High School Bully Romance (An Evergreen Academy Novel Book 2)

by Ruby Vincent

  “She’s awful, but we don’t know what they’re going to do.”

  I kept my eyes fixed ahead as we traveled down the aisle. “You told them the rules. I’m sure they’ll stick with them.”

  “Are you?”

  Not even a little bit. Beautiful, sexy, evil demons tend not to be predictable. I have no clue about what is going to happen.

  I passed by Ryder on my way to my seat, feeling his eyes on me the whole way. Sofia plopped down a couple of seats away. When I looked for Ryder again, he was gone, so I turned to Natalie. She looked relaxed—in her element. By her side was an older man with a scruffy beard, twice as many piercings, and a face that said he was Natalie’s father.

  Headmaster Evergreen stepped out onto the stage and that was the cue for the others to find their place.

  “Good afternoon, Evergreen students and honored guests. Many have traveled great distances to be here today and see some of the brightest strategic minds of our time compete for the title of grandmaster. Let’s welcome our contestants.”

  I listened with half an ear while he rattled off names and introductions. Behind him, the screen lowered and staff fussed about setting up the table.

  “Now to our contestants,” Evergreen continued. “In order of rank, you will play against Miss Bard. There will be two designated bathroom breaks and both times you will be escorted to and from the room to ensure there is no cheating.”

  Wow. This is serious, I thought as I took in the black-suited individuals posted at different spots in the auditorium. How could the knights have possibly pulled anything off in here? It was locked down too tight.

  “Let’s begin.”

  Natalie rose from her seat and took her place before the chess set. The projector flicked on and we were treated to an overhead view of the game, allowing us to see every move made. Her first challenger sat across from her and the tournament began.

  Want to know something? Chess matches are boring as hell.

  I slipped into a coma about thirty minutes in and didn’t rouse until a mic tap jerked me to reality.

  Evergreen cleared his throat. “Now for the first break. Contestants may use the bathroom or get a snack. Students must remain seated.”

  My eyes stuck to Natalie as she trailed a black-suit to the double doors. No one except the staff was allowed to be alone with the contestants.

  The break lasted ten minutes and soon everyone returned to take their places. I knew next to nothing about chess, but that didn’t prevent me from seeing Natalie was killing it. There were only three challengers left and they were looking nervous.

  “Players, take your seats.”

  Natalie sat before the chess set and a boy a few years older than her. They shook hands as I tried to keep my eyes open.

  “Natalie Bard will be playing against Gael Erbach,” Evergreen said. “Mr. Erbach is—”

  Bang!

  “Hold the competition!”

  Evergreen swung toward the door. “What is the meaning of this?”

  Two black-suits marched down the row. “We must stop. This was found in the girl’s bathroom.”

  Black-suit held something up in her hand and I squinted for a better look.

  Is that—?

  “A cellphone,” she said. “It was cleverly hidden in the paper dispenser, and from what we can tell—”

  My eyes popped. My phone? That’s my phone!

  “—this phone belongs to Miss Bard.”

  “What?!” A crash sounded in the auditorium as Natalie’s chair toppled over. “That’s not mine!”

  Evergreen looked from Natalie to the woman dumbfounded. “Phones are not allowed on this campus and Miss Bard is one of our top students. There must be some mistake.”

  “There is no mistake. The bathroom was swept before she went in and we’re certain there was no phone. We checked it and found her photo on the home screen. More importantly, and examination of the phone revealed a search of the Tarrasch Defense and the Folkestone Variation.” The woman lowered her hand and pinned Natalie with a look that bordered on disgust. “Natalie Bard is disqualified for cheating.”

  All hell broke loose.

  “It wasn’t me! That’s not mine!” Natalie shot forward, knocking the table. It tipped over and fell with a crash that elicited screams. Natalie made a run for the woman until her father intercepted her. “I didn’t do it!”

  “That’s enough!” Evergreen roared. “Settle down! Students, leave the auditorium now!”

  It was chaos getting everyone out and calming Natalie down. I stumbled out of there in a daze, Ezra’s words echoing in my mind.

  “Exactly what you would have done: total and complete emotional annihilation.”

  THE WEEKEND FLEW BY in a shower of whispers and disbelief. Monday saw Natalie missing from homeroom. Her father ended up taking her out of school while they fought the decision to take away her grandmaster title. It was becoming a mess of lawyers, investigations, and Natalie’s name dragged through the media.

  “Normally people wouldn’t care about some chess tournament,” Sofia said from her spot at my desk. She had snuck away from the cafeteria to eat dinner with me. She had asked a few times why we didn’t meet on the roof anymore but I didn’t have an answer that she would like. “But this is the latest scandal in the Evergreen Gone Wild saga and the press is hitting it hard.”

  “She did an interview for the Evergreen Post. She’s saying she was sabotaged.”

  Sofia swiveled around to face me. “She was.”

  I shook my head as I rested my tray on my lap. “I don’t know exactly how they did it, but I’m guessing it involved some Maverick hacker magic and sneaking into the bathroom at the right time. They’re good. I might have gotten Alex to help me with the phone, but getting it into the girl’s room with security all over the place would have been too tricky.”

  Sofia was quiet for a moment. “You sound impressed.”

  “They did what we wanted and they did it by our rules.” I leaned back until she was partly obscured by the bedpost. “Now, there’s only Isabella.”

  Sofia pushed the chair back until she found me again. “I don’t think you’ll need them for Isabella. You’ll have total and complete emotional annihilation covered when you beat her in the competition this Saturday.”

  I scooped in mouthful of honey garlic shrimp and cauliflower rice. “She thinks she got me beat and with Vibes Taranto as her teacher she’s got reason to be smug.”

  Sofia laughed. “What was that? Smibes Balanto? Wanna swallow that first?”

  Giggling, I did as she asked and tried again. “She’s got a hip-hop legend choreographing her moves and she’s not even kind of worried about me.”

  “That will make it all the more satisfying when you beat her.” Sofia got up and joined me on the bed. “Is your mom coming to the contest?”

  “She can’t. A friend is going out of town and asked her to babysit. She’s sat for me and Adam so many times; she didn’t want to say no. But the contest is being streamed live so she’s going to watch me.”

  “Well, so am I. I’ll be front row—”

  I opened my mouth.

  “—and don’t try to tell me not to go.” She smacked my thigh. “Of course I’m going to be there.”

  “Ouch,” I grumbled. “I didn’t even say it.”

  “You were thinking it.” Sofia snatched my coconut cookie off my plate. “Now you’ve lost this. See what you do?”

  I was stuck between laughing and wanting my cookie back. In the end, I tackled her and she guffawed so hard the cookie came back up. We were in tears—cracking up like we hadn’t done in a while, but one thought remained in the back of my mind.

  It won’t be enough to beat her in the competition. I pressed my hand to my chest when Sofia turned away, feeling the tightness I knew well. Not after she posted sex flyers of me all over the school. Not after she dug her nails in my arm, trapping me while Jaxson told the world what happened to me. That would never be enou
gh.

  My hand curled into a fist, pressing harder. They better have something planned for her because I’m all too happy to handle Isabella Bruno myself.

  Chapter Eleven

  My duffle bag flew off my shoulder and crashed to the ground.

  “Watch it, Moon!”

  Eyes narrowing into slits, I didn’t give Natalie the satisfaction of seeing me rub the spot where she ran into me. She had come to school that Thursday ten times as mean, and she was directing all that bitch energy at me.

  “What the fuck is your problem?” I spat back. “How many times do I have to tell you I didn’t get you disqualified?!”

  Natalie swung around. Her fists were balled up like she wanted to bury them in my face. Behind her, the bus taking us to Martindale gleamed in the blazing sun. I’d rather not throw down before the biggest competition of my life, but this girl was pushing it.

  “I know it was you!” She advanced on me until she was in my face. “That phone wasn’t mine!”

  I folded my arms. “You know for a supposedly smart girl; you’re acting bat-shit stupid. When did I plant the phone, Natalie? I was sitting in front of you the whole time!”

  “You put it there before the tournament!”

  “Security checked before the tournament!”

  “I know it was you!”

  “Prove it!”

  “Ladies! That is enough!” Yvette shoved her way between us, sending me and Natalie stumbling away. She shot me a furious look. “Valentina, you do not have time for this. Get your things and get on the bus. As for you”—she turned on Natalie—“you are not coming with us. Go back inside.”

  “But I—”

  “No buts. I won’t have you causing problems with my dancer when she needs to focus. The school has been suffering under too much embarrassment and it’s past time we’ve had some positive attention.”

  Natalie flushed bright red, but she didn’t back down. “I want to see Isabella compete.”

  “Tough.” Yvette swooped down and snagged my bag off the floor. My arm was next. “Inside. Now.”

  Yvette dragged me off leaving a steaming Natalie in our wake. A small crowd gathered in front of the door to the bus. Not many students chose to come with us, but the entire dance team was here along with Sofia, Paisley, and the Knights.

  I met Ryder’s gaze for all of two seconds before looking away. Things felt even weirder now than they did when we hated each other.

  Yvette clapped. “Okay, everyone. We’re leaving in five minutes. Thank you all for coming out to support the team and our contestants. That said, let me warn you the headmaster has promised severe repercussions for anyone who makes trouble.” She swept her eyes over the group. “Which no one is going to do... correct?”

  Nods and murmurs of agreement went around. Yvette accepted it and finally let us board the bus.

  I climbed up last and paused next to the driver. Isabella had taken up court in the middle of the bus with Airi at her side. I could hear her bragging about her routine above the noise. Sofia sat up front next to Eric and Paisley. Sitting with her was never going to happen but the two of them made sure.

  I kept going until I landed on them in the back. The knights took up the entire last row and the empty seats around them spoke to the barrier that existed between them and the regular students. I picked up my feet and walked to the back.

  “...so easy. People pretend like hip-hop is hard but I’d like to see them balance their entire body on blistered toes.” Isabella’s voice grated on me as I passed by her group. “This contest is no big deal. Afterward, I’m going to my audition for the Red Shoes so we’ll make that two wins in one day.”

  “Can’t expect anything less from the leader of the Diamonds,” someone replied, “and people thought she was going to take your place...”

  I tuned the rest out as I made for the row in front of the knights. I swung around and took my seat without looking at them.

  Evergreen is beautiful. The campus lay before me large and magnificent, dwarfing the horizon. If only it wasn’t as much of a mask as the one we all wear.

  “Are you planning something?” I asked. My eyes were fixed out of the window. “For Isabella at the contest?”

  “Don’t worry about it.” Jaxson’s reply drifted through the seats. “We’ll take care of her; you bring home the gold.”

  “It’s the painted plastic actually, but you don’t need to keep me out of this. I want to know.”

  “You will know. After we’re done, everyone will know.”

  Jaxson didn’t say the conversation was over, but the message came through loud and clear. I could have pushed it but with her only a few feet away it wasn’t the best time.

  The ride to Martindale was only an hour, but it was made longer by having nothing to do or anyone to talk to. I heard the boys behind me laughing and yukking it up as they always did and Jaxson’s words were pulled from my mind.

  “Sometimes things happen—big things. And it binds people together so freaking tight that you have to be friends... because no one else will ever understand you like they do.”

  Trees soon gave way to red-brick buildings and bustling centers as we found ourselves in the city of Martindale. That this was a wealthy place was obvious by the designer-clad couples pushing miniature dogs in strollers and the sports cars that honked at our bus before swerving off. Posters and banners for the competition began to take up every light post and storefront and I knew we were close.

  The driver turned onto a narrow street and the building loomed before us. A bubbling energy that filled me whenever I danced made an early appearance.

  Finally. Let’s do this.

  The bus dropped us off at the entrance. The group made it two feet before a woman with a clipboard descended on us fast. I pulled up quick before she ran into me.

  “You must be the Evergreen crew!” She grabbed my hand and about shook it out of its socket. “We’re excited to have you.” She peeked at her board. “I see you have two dancers in the contest.”

  “That’s right.” Yvette stepped out in front of me. “Isabella Bruno and Valentina Moon.”

  “Got ‘em.” She flapped a hand. “My name is Kiara and I’ll take over from here. Coach, you and the rest of your group can find your seats. We have you second row, right in the center. Ladies, follow me.”

  Kiara took off at a brisk pace. I hurried to catch up with her as she led us through a cavernous room. Awe made me tilt my head all the way back to the glass ceiling. The sun shone brightly on the platform that would be my stage and surrounding it were the stands.

  Kiara led us past all of that to a side hallway. People streamed around us, rushing in and out of marked doors looking as nervous as I felt.

  “It’s intense back here.”

  I almost tripped. “Jaxson?” I swung my head around and there he was, trailing us like it was no big deal. “What are you doing back here?

  He said nothing—just tossed me a wink.

  “This is your dressing room.” Kiara had stopped in front of a door marked Evergreen Academy. “You can get dressed and do some last-minute practice in here. If you want to watch the competition; you are more than welcome. If not, I will come and get you when it’s your turn.”

  “Thank you.” I was highly aware of Jaxson’s presence at my back. Isabella looked at him curiously, but didn’t comment. She turned her attention on me when I stepped forward.

  “Actually”—her hand flashed out to block my way—“we can’t share the same dressing room. We’re competing against each other. I won’t have her seeing my routine.”

  Kiara blinked. “Against each other? But you’re on the same team.”

  The looks on our faces must have said it all because Kiara plastered the smile back on her face. “Okay, okay. Not a problem.” Her brows snapped together as she consulted her clipboard. “There are no more dressing rooms available, but there are single bathrooms that you could—”

  “Good. She’ll take that
.” Isabella marched inside and slammed the door behind her.

  Kiara’s smile twitched as she turned it on me. “Let me show you to the bathroom.”

  “Thanks.”

  She led us down another hallway—yes, us. I hadn’t managed to shake Jaxson loose, but I was trusting there must be a reason he was sticking close.

  “Here you are. Do you need anything before I go? Water? A snack?”

  “No, thank you.” Kiara took off leaving us alone. “Is this about whatever you’re going to do to Isabella?”

  “No.”

  “Then why are you following me?”

  “Wanted to wish you luck.” Jaxson slid his hands out of his pockets and put them on my waist. He pulled me in. “No one can dance like you, baby. The rest of those jokers don’t stand a chance. You got that?”

  His hands burned through the fabric of my shirt, radiating heat through my body. His touch was so addicting. I couldn’t resist the day we spent in my bed, and it wasn’t any easier now. A smile tugged at my lips. “I got it.”

  “Good.” His grin turned wicked in a blink. “Then how about a kiss for good luck?”

  Jaxson leaned in, eyes fluttering shut, and I stomped on the butterflies quick enough to clap my hand on his face.

  “Why don’t you grab your seat, playboy? Save that mouth for cheering me on.”

  Jaxson’s laugh made his lips brush against my palm. “Whatever you say.”

  He backed away, eyes on me the whole time, until he rounded the corner and disappeared.

  I rubbed my hand absentmindedly against my pants as I let myself into the bathroom. It tingled where his lips touched.

  It took me a second to come back down, but eventually I shook myself and opened my duffle. The outfit I chose was simple—baggy black pants and a ripped green top—but it was easy to move in. My makeup I applied with a light hand and my final touch was to put my hair in a ponytail.

  There was no way I was sitting out in this bathroom and not seeing the competition. The stands were filling up fast, but I spotted our yellow uniforms easily in the crowd. There was a free seat in front of Sofia and Eric. I sat down as Kiara stepped to the middle of the platform.