by D. K Lake
When we arrive at school we stop at Mitchel's locker first then mine. I try to put my books away but Mitchel has other ideas and soon has me pressed up against the lockers.
"Stop it. We're in school." I tell him as he works his way along my jaw and I can feel him getting hard, pressing up against me.
"Mitchel." I try not to laugh.
"It's fine, no one's looking."
"Everyone's looking." I inform him as two girls in our year walk past and give me a dirty look.
His head dips down and he tries to kiss my neck.
"No. It took me ages to cover those." I say, gently pushing him away before he can mess up the cover job I did on my neck.
"They look good on you. I don't know why you covered them up."
"Because I know what people will say."
"Does it matter? At least everyone will know you're mine."
"So you marked me?" I smile, turning back to my locker.
"Damn straight I did."
"You know, most girls would be really offended by that, the idea that I'm your property or something."
"If you're with me then I want everyone to know that you're my girl and I'll pretty much murder anyone that looks at you in the wrong way."
"Wow, so romantic." I laugh and close my locker door. "Well, if you're going to act as though you own me you better feed me at lunch." I say, hopeful.
"I think I can do that." he replies.
"I need a job." I lean back against the lockers and Mitchel towers over me, caging me in with his arms.
"No, you don't." he says matter-of-factly.
"Yes. I do. I need money for things, like lunch and new underwear."
"No. No job."
"Why not?"
"'Cause if you get a job it means you'll be working evenings or weekends which means less time with me."
"I'll see you at school every now and then." I tease.
"No. You don't need a job. I can take care of you."
"What's that supposed to mean?" I ask, raising an eyebrow at him. He doesn't even look like he's joking.
"It means I can buy you lunch and anything else you need. I earn more than enough money running with JT."
"Running?" And I realize he's talking about drugs. I forget he has that other side. "Oh." is all I say.
"You don't like it." he frowns.
"I just don't want anything to happen to you."
"It never does."
"JT got his ribs broken." I say quietly.
"That won't happen again."
"Why? Because he carries a gun now?" I whisper.
"No, because we're careful, and we have extra back up."
"Boston?"
"He's got a mean right hook."
"Just promise me you won't end up dead or in jail."
Mitchel's eyes glaze over as he stares at me, lost in thought.
"Mitchel?"
"Nothing will happen to me."
"Famous last words." I say, holding onto his waist.
He leans down and nuzzles his nose with mine.
"Distracting me won't work."
"Sure it will...and I can think of one distraction you won't be able to say no to. I'm sure the disabled toilet is free."
"Mitchel, shhh!" I look around to make sure no one is listening but any expression I had on my face falls off when I hear Amber's high pitched laugh.
I look to my left and see JT is at his locker and Amber is standing next to him with Phoebe and Mia.
She gives me a dirty look and whispers something to Phoebe, and Phoebe laughs, openly staring at me, obviously laughing at me.
"Let's go." I say and pick up my bag and Mitchel slings his arm around my shoulders.
I wait until we are out of earshot before I speak to him.
"When is he going to dump her ass?"
"I don't know, soon I hope." Mitchel replies as his phone beeps.
He slows down as he retrieves the phone from his pocket. I search the corridor for Nessie but don't see her anywhere. I can see Richard at the other end, laughing and joking with his group of jock friends, but I won't even risk asking him if he knows where she is, he'll only make some childish remake. He'll probably overreact if I go anywhere near him and tell everyone I have cooties because that's the sort of person he is. And I think it's too early for a fight. I know if Richard says the wrong thing either I'm going to kick him where it hurts the most, or Mitchel will.
I glance back at Mitchel to see he looks a little pale.
"Is everything alright?" I ask as the first bell sounds.
"Uh...yeah, do you want to get out of here?" he asks suddenly.
"What?"
"We could go back to mine?" he suggests.
"I just got back. It won't look good if I ditch so soon after being suspended."
"Yesterday you didn't have a problem with wanting to ditch."
"Yes, but you convinced me I needed to come to school. Is something wrong?"
"What...no."
"Everyone! If you could please make your way to the gym!" a teacher calls down the corridor.
"Oh, I forgot about that cyberbullying thing this morning. What fun." I mutter.
"See, we should ditch. Come on, let's go." he urges.
Mitchel takes my hand and tries to pull me away but I shake my head and don't move.
"No. I can't." I pout and try to pull him back to me but Nessie pounces on me out of nowhere.
"Hey!" She side hugs me, glances at Mitchel then turns her back on him to talk to me.
"I can't believe they're making us sit through this. Felicity said it's supposed to run on for two hours with all the different presentations from students about how we should be nice to each other and not threaten to murder or bitch slap each other all over Facebook. Cole's doing a little speech as well."
Of course, he is, perfect jock, perfect student, but I'm still convinced his brains live in his pants.
"Sounds like two hours of boring! We should go." Mitchel steps between us and takes my bag off my shoulder before I can say anything.
"Will you sit next to me?" Nessie asks, completely ignoring Mitchel as he runs his hands through his hair like he has OCD, and his eyes are darting all over the corridor.
"She can't. We were just leaving." Mitchel grabs my arm, and I mean he really grabs my arm.
His fingers dig in and I try to pull away but he doesn't let go of me and walks me away from Nessie. I don't know what's suddenly got into him.
"Let go." I try to pull away but his grip only tightens.
"Seriously, what's wrong? It's just an assembly on cyberbullying. It means two hours of snoozing and not really listening."
He ignores me and people are staring at us as he drags me down the corridor and I have no choice but to go with him or else I'll fall over my own feet. A teacher steps in front of us and Mitchel freezes.
"Mr. Torres, Miss. Moon, you are heading the wrong way."
"Kelsey's sick. I was just taking her to the nurse." Mitchel's tone has an edge to it. I can't tell what's wrong, but something has upset him.
Everything was fine a minute ago...up until his phone beeped and he opened some message. Huh?
Mr. Caine looks at me and then back at Mitchel.
"If she starts throwing up in the assembly I will personally make sure she gets to the nurse, ok?" Mr. Caine says.
"No. Not ok. We're leaving." Mitchel growls.
"Mitchel." I whisper, rubbing his arm with my other hand to calm him down.
He vaguely acknowledges me, tilting his head in my direction but he doesn't look directly at me.
"Kelsey, didn't you just get back from a suspension? I don't think you want me to ring your parents and inform them you're skipping school already."
I stay quiet and take my bag from Mitchel. He looks down and then back up at me, surprised by my actions, but there's no way I'm doing anything that involves the school ringing my mom again.
"Is there a problem here, guys?"
Mr. Caine looks a
t the tight grip Mitchel still has on my arm and Mitchel slowly releases me.
"No." I shake my head.
"Kelsey?" Nessie walks up behind us and links her arm with mine.
"Ah, your partner in crime. Morning, Miss. Conrad."
"Morning, Mr. Caine." Nessie beams.
"Now if you kids could make your way to the gym before I have to haul you off to the office."
I turn around with Nessie and notice Mitchel's eyes on me, he doesn't look happy. He looks worried, almost panicky. Nessie waits for me and I wait for Mitchel.
Is this to do with the assembly? Has he been a victim of cyberbullying? Is that what the problem is? I have no clue but from the look on his face, I'm half expecting him to bolt out the door and leave us, or possibly pick me up and physically carry me out. His face has so many mixed emotions on it that I can't figure out what's wrong. Mr. Caine nudges him and he follows us down the corridor, scuffing his Vans along the floor, hands in his pockets, head down.
When we get to the gym the assembly is already starting and the seats are limited. Mr. Caine taps Nessie on the shoulder and points to a seat at the back and then he directs me to a seat at the edge and Mitchel disappears to the other side of the gym and I lose track of him as I take my seat.
I turn to my right and find Richard looking back at me. He sniffs the air near me and crinkles his nose.
"Do you smell that? Smells like cheesy feet, like Feta cheese." Richard says, still sniffing the air.
"I dunno, all I can smell is ass! That chin dimple of yours is large enough to take a shit on your face." I growl.
"Skank." Richard mutters.
"Ass face." I whisper as a teacher comes over to stand near us.
He better stop that shit because I'm not in the mood. I know I will end up punching him in the throat if he provokes me too much...I've had daydreams about it.
Principal Hayes starts the assembly off with a brief introduction and I scan the faces around me. I spot Nessie three rows back, she catches me looking at her and rolls her eyes at Principal Hayes.
Amber, Phoebe, and Mia are two rows in front but I don't really care I just couldn't miss Amber because she's tied her hair into two giant buns on her head with ribbons. Someone should really tell her she just looks like an orange Minnie Mouse.
I lean forward and look down the row I'm sitting on and spot Mitchel at the other end and he's looking back at me with a worried expression, his jaw tight. Someone clears their throat behind me and I realize it's Boston. I wonder where JT is sitting but I soon get my answer when a door to the side opens and he walks in with a few latecomers.
As punishment for being late, they now have to stand against the side wall and watch the assembly from there. JT leans against the wall and crosses his ankles and then fold his arms, he catches me watching him and winks at me. I look back at the stage and try to pay attention. Principal Hayes is still talking and I can't stop yawning.
"Now Miss. Whitely will talk about the video we're going to watch in a few minutes." A couple of groans and boos go around the gym.
Miss. Whitely (our school counselor) speaks about the effects of bullying, cyberbullying and even verbal abuse at school and the impact it can have, she even touches on teenage suicide, then all the lights are turned off and a few fake girlie screams fills the air.
"Alright, that's enough, settle down!" Mr. Caine says loudly.
I lean back in my chair and try to get comfortable for the lengthy video that we're about to watch. I cross my arms and Richard does the same and knocks into me.
"Watch it." he snaps.
"You're the one that knocked into me." I say and jab my elbow into his arm.
"Oww!" He groans and elbows me back.
I'm about to kick him in the leg when Amber's voice distracts me...but it's loud, really loud...as in coming through the speakers loud. What the...?
"Is this ok?" Amber asks.
"Yeah..." some guy grunts.
I look around and wonder what the hell we are listening to?
"Is it supposed to hurt this much?" Amber asks.
"It's your first time. It's going to hurt" JT's voice is as clear as day.
I think my eyes are literally going to bug out of my head they have grown so wide.
First time?! What the hell is this?
Whispers and giggles go around the room. My mouth falls open and I cover it with my hand to hide my shock. The teachers start to panic and start rushing around. Amber suddenly gasps in full volume through the speakers.
"Just slow down..." she winces.
Amber's gasps continue and it sounds like she's in pain more than anything.
I still can't believe I'm hearing this? Why am I hearing this?
In front, I can see a lot of commotion and notice Amber, she's stumbling over people to get out of the gym.
I don't know whether to feel sorry for her or laugh, maybe the latter.
"Is this ok? JT?" Amber asks again.
"Sure." (More grunts and whimpers)
"Are you sure it's supposed to hurt this much?" More grunts and strange noises. "Oww!" Amber cries.
"Hold still...I'm nearly done." JT grunts.
Richard bursts out laughing next to me as the lights flick on and I see Amber has already left the gym and JT has disappeared from his spot near the wall.
Kids are being asked to leave the gym, and most of the teachers have vanished and I can see Miss. Whitely running around on the stage like a headless chicken.
JT is grunting loudly and Amber sounds like she's actually crying. I look down my row at Mitchel and see he looks guilt-ridden. Someone grabs my arm and lifts me out of my seat just as I hear what sounds like JT grunting his way through an orgasm.
"Can you believe this?!" Nessie half laughs, leading me out of the gym.
"What is going on? Was I listening to what I think I was listening to?" I say. still in shock.
"Obviously! Not unless they both took up pornographic drama club? Did you hear how whiny she was?" Nessie laughs.
But I can't laugh. I feel as though my stomach is about to fall out.
Something doesn't feel right.
We follow the flow of students into the corridor where I can hear Amber screaming.
"Why would you do that?!" Amber screams.
Nessie shoves a group of freshman girls out of the way and we get a front row seat to the drama. JT is leaning against the lockers looking as casual as usual, a cigarette tucked behind his ear and his phone in his hand.
"Answer me you fucking dick?" Amber cries.
JT smirks at her but doesn't answer her.
"You told me you loved me!" Amber sobs.
"I lied." JT answers coolly. "I only said that shit to get you into bed to win a bet."
Bet? My ears prick up.
"What?" Amber's face falls.
I know I hate the girl but I actually feel sorry for her, this is the most humiliating thing I can think of. Not to mention the fact he took her virginity for a bet.
Wait...the bet?! Mitchel said the person that wins the bet is the person that stays with the girl the longest. But now I realize that wasn't the bet. I suddenly see it in full color...the bet was the first person to take a girl's virginity. I'm guessing Phoebe wouldn't sleep with Mitchel...so he came after me?
Am I part of this bet? What the fuck?
"Truth and dare, remember that game?" JT reminds Amber.
"What about it?" Amber yells.
"It came down to Mitchel and me and we decided to make it interesting and the winner was the first person to take someone's virginity. Phoebe was a stuck-up bitch that wouldn't let anyone touch her and you were the complete opposite. I still can't believe you let me fuck you so quickly."
"So all those things you said-"
"All lies. I don't even like you." JT laughs. "But I gotta say you do have one tight pussy, but your constant whining during sex was annoying as fuck. But look on the bright side, at least I've loosened you up for the next dick that c
omes along."
"I hate you!" Amber screams and throws her phone at him and he dodges out of the way with a silly smirk still on his face.
"Well, you shouldn't have been so quick to give it away." JT continues to laugh.
Nessie is as quiet as a mouse next to me and we just look at each other but don't say anything. Phoebe pops up behind Amber and tries to comfort her but Amber pushes her away.
"I hate you so much!" Amber cries.
"I know, you already told me. You have a habit of repeating yourself." JT says.
Amber launches herself at him and starts smacking him.
I scan the crowd, students have formed a semi-circle in the corridor, and I soon lay eyes on the person I'm looking for. Mitchel's eyes connect with mine and I think he knows what I'm thinking.
I feel sick to my stomach.
I start backing away and I see Mitchel making a move to get to me. I quickly turn around and get lost in the crowd as a group of teachers appear and hurry over to where Amber and JT are. Boston already has Amber in his arms, restraining her, and JT is still laughing.
I start running.
"Kelsey!" Nessie calls but I ignore her and keep going.
I realize I don't have my bag and it's still in the gym but I don't care about my bag as I bolt to the main doors.
"Kelsey!" It's Mitchel this time yelling at me, but I think he gets caught up in the crowd behind me because I make it out of school and run down the front steps and he doesn't catch me.
But someone else does, locking their arms around me.
I scream and shout and kick whoever it is.
"Kelsey, calm down!" Stephen says softly.
"Stephen, get off me!" I squirm and pull away from him.
He's just as bad as the rest of them, he was there that night. Hell, even Mitchel told me Stephen was holding onto the money. Now everything I had heard made perfect sense, Stephen needed proof. Well, I think he got his proof and the whole school got to listen to it.
"Kelsey, it's ok."
"Ok?" I cry. "You knew this whole time and you didn't tell me. How could you do this to me?"
"Mitchel said he dropped out of the bet. But I didn't expect you to start dating him so soon after Phoebe. You didn't sleep with him, did you? I told you not to."
