You're To Blame: A High School Bully Romance (Haven Saints High)

by Brooke Jordan

  “I will.”

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Smoothing my hands over my navy pleated skirt, I blew out a breath. I dreaded wearing this ridiculous uniform. I turned halfway, peeking at the back. Shit, if the skirt was any shorter, everyone would see my pink panties.

  I combed my fingers through my long hair. “You can do this Chelsea.”

  The second day of school can’t be as bad as the first. Or could it? I ran over to the window, pulling the heavy curtain back. Tate’s massive estate came into view. His Lamborghini was still parked in the driveway. A small smile took my lips. Hopefully, I could beat him to school this morning.

  Slipping my backpack over my shoulder, I scurried out of my room and down the wide staircase. I kissed my brother and sister goodbye. A few strips of bacon in hand, and I headed out of the door.

  I circled the drive and sped through the large black wrought-iron gates. “Yes!” I’d beat him to school today. My hand whipped across my forehead as I cruised through the tree-lined streets.

  The music blared through the speakers as I drove into the jammed packed school parking lot.

  Guys leaned against their expensive cars, laughing with their friends or hunched, whispering into giggling girls' ears.

  “Geesh.” I rolled my eyes at the elites before whipping into a parking spot.

  Kyle leaned into his ear. Stephen’s lip ticked up. His gaze met mine. What the fuck was his deal?

  Those two ass hats had been Tate’s best friends since forever. I wondered where the other putz was.

  Tat, tat, tat.

  “Ah!” I yelled, jumping out of my skin, glaring at the idiot to my left. My heart was in the back seat.

  I guess I answered my question. Matthew bent over laughing. Shooting the other two a sizzling stare, I shoved my car door into Matt.

  He stumbled backward. “Hey Doll, it was just a joke.” There was a glint in his gray eyes.

  I snatched my backpack off the passenger seat and stood.

  “Find something better to do, Matt,” I stated through barred teeth.

  “What the fuck is going on?” A familiar deep voice roared.

  I clenched my thighs, trying to control my body that betrayed me.

  I peeked a short distance away. Tate and the blonde chick exited the rear passenger doors of Stephens pimped out Bentley truck.

  He shoved Stephen back and stalked toward us.

  “What the fuck, Matt?”

  Two oversized giants stood toe to toe. “Fuck man, we’ve known her since we were kids. You can’t be serious about not talking to her,” Matt muttered, clutching his fists at his sides.

  Tate’s blue eyes darkened. “Chelsea, get to class.”

  “I was minding my own business.” My face twisted.

  “I thought I beat you to school. Your car was still in the driveway.”

  He flashed that handsome smile, stepping closer. “I always arrive early, Chelse.”

  I swallowed hard, walking backwards.

  My nickname, falling from his lips ruined me.

  I halted against my rear passenger door. Tate slammed the driver door shut and caged me in. His hard-muscled body pressed against mine. The bulge in his pants was evident. Butterflies swirled in my tummy and the air in my lungs constricted.

  His lips grazed my earlobe. “You better leave the house earlier. Because I don’t want to see your fucking face.”

  “Tate, let’s go,” Brittany whined in the distance.

  He didn’t move a muscle. “Tate, fuck off.” I pressed my hands against his muscled chest. My words didn’t match how I was feeling inside. My heart banged against my chest. Could he feel it? Every nerve ending in my body was just set ablaze. That was the effect Tate had on me.

  He stepped back. Our blue eyes locked.

  That was it. The dam broke. Wetness pooled in my panties. A cocky grin crossed his lips like he knew what he’d done. He slammed his hand on the top of my car.

  “Class now.”

  “You aren’t the boss of me, Tate,” I scowled.

  Tate stormed off toward the school, Brittany slipped under his arm.

  Matt slid his fingers through his short blond, curly locks and winked at me.

  “No lingering. Let’s go. Matt.” Tate growled, never looking back.

  Matt and the other jocks fell in line beside Tate.

  The bell chimed. Shit. I better run. I couldn’t afford to be late for class. Trying to avoid embarrassment wasn’t working in my favor. The more I tried, the more I failed. Eyes glued to my path, I scurried through the doors, up the stairs, and down the hall to my locker. First hour English book in hand, I ran down the hall to class. The second bell sounded as I reached for the knob.

  “Ms. Culver, you’re late. Timeliness is of the utmost importance at Haven Saints High.” Mr. Barring’s straight nose flew in the air.

  Snickering fell from students’ lips around the class. Holding the short skirt under my ass, I plopped in a seat in the middle of the room. Fumbling through my text book, I halted on the page in discussion. The door opened and slammed shut.

  “Ms. Duncan, how nice of you to join us.”

  I peeked across the room.

  She rolled her eyes and dropped in the seat beside me.

  I noticed Mr. Barring didn’t give little Ms. Perfect the same speech. He returned to the lesson.

  My pencil skated across the notebook page as I honed in on the lesson.

  “I hate that you attend Haven,” she sneered.

  “Not sure why. I’m not interested in taking your spot on the cheerleading squad. Nothing but a bunch of spoiled brats on the team,” I grinned.

  “You can never take my spot on the squad or with Tate.” Her arms crossed her big boobs.

  My lip kicked up at one end. “Oh, I see,” I whispered.

  “You’re worried about losing Tate to me.”

  She threw her hand in the air between us. “Not in the least, Hick. He loathes you. I hate how you weasel your way into his line of sight. He’s been worked up all summer.” She wrote in her notebook, pretending to be engaged in the lesson.

  “The first game of the season is next Friday. He needs to keep his head in the game. Tate plans to say a few heartfelt words about Mason. Do us a favor, don’t show your face. You’re the reason his brother is dead after all.” Her condescending glare made me sick to my stomach.

  My lips became slits. “I’ll be there with bells on.” I snickered on the outside, but inside my stomach was in knots.

  “Bitch.”

  My lips twisted. “Takes one to know one.”

  She returned her attention to the lesson. I couldn’t wait for the bell to ring. Where could I run and hide? Play it cool, Chelsea. The urge to dig into my injured palm cluttered my thoughts.

  I released my long dark hair from behind my ear. It shielded my view of Brittany.

  ∞

  Thirty minutes later, the bell finally rang ending my agonizing wait to be free of that bitch.

  I sashayed out the class. Once I was out of Brittany’s line of sight, I sprinted toward the girl’s lavatory. Shoving an empty stall door open and closed, I removed my heels and hovered over the toilet, resting my back against the wall. I closed my eyes and exhaled.

  Chatter and laughter erupted as the girls burst into the restroom.

  My eyes popped open.

  “God, I’m dying for homecoming dance next month.”

  “The dance will be lit,” another one of the popular girls stated.

  I knew it was the cool kids, freshening up their makeup, poking out their fake breasts, and accentuating their assets.

  “Don’t forget Tate’s party next Friday. That shit will be bomb.”

  Balancing on the toilet seat, I slipped my cell from my backpack side pocket. I hit record, peeking through the crack of the door.

  “I plan to snag face time with Tate.” The blonde haired ring leader blushed.

  Three out of her four cronies snickered.

&
nbsp; “If Brittany finds out, Veronica…she’ll freak.”

  The cheerleader’s lips tightened as she turned from the mirror, towering over her friend with a mousey brown ponytail.

  “Rachelle, how would she find out?”

  She peeked into each of the girl’s eyes. They shook their heads one by one. Her gray eyes landed back on Rachelle.

  “If Brittany catches wind of this, I’ll know it was you who told. And you will pay.” Her perfect pink lips ticked up at one end.

  The bell sounded.

  Veronica knocked Rachelle’s shoulder as she and her squad vacated the restroom.

  I stepped off the toilet, exited the stall, and slipped into my heels. The smile on my face was the widest it had been in a long time. Nothing like a little dirt. Couldn’t wait to rub Brittany’s face in it. I remembered I needed to make it to class before the second bell. I rushed out of the restroom.

  My eyes widened. One of the guys from the popular squad leaned against the locker, looking like a model from a cologne ad.

  My arms crossed my chest. “What do you want?”

  “To check on you.”

  I squinted. “What happened to your lip?”

  “Tate.”

  He bounced off the locker. “He really doesn’t want us talking to you.” Matt slipped my hair behind my ear. “You were always beautiful.” His eyes roamed my body, and he pulled his lower lip into his mouth. “But now…Damn.”

  I punched him in his chest. “Yuck, stop. You’re like my brother.”

  “I have eyes.” He threw his arm over my shoulder as we walked. “If any guy steps to you wrong, I’ll fuck him up. As for Tate. Give him time. He’ll come around. I don’t think staring into those blue eyes every day is easy for him.”

  I squeezed my eyes shut. “He’ll never come around. He’s made it clear. And truthfully, I’ve grown numb to his cold and distant ways.”

  Matt yanked my sleeve back. “No fresh marks good.”

  I snatched my arm away.

  “You asked me to keep your secret and I’ve kept it thus far. If you start cutting again,” he whispered.

  “All bets are off.”

  I slipped away, darting down the hall to the left.

  “I’m not playing, Chelse,” he yelled.

  I cringed at the sound of my nickname and tossed my hand in the air so he knew I understood.

  We grew up in the same neighborhood until I moved away. I returned every other week to hang with my friends. During the summer Tate’s family and mine would stay at the lake house. Our moms would invite Matt’s family one week out of the summer. Marisa was the only other girl my age. She’s Matt’s older sister. I looked forward to those times. The moment Tate shut me out, so did our friends, except Matt.

  Two summers ago, I napped on the sofa in Tate’s home mom’s office. Matt yelled, “Chelse.” He shook me.

  I shot to my feet. The blanket covering my arms fell to the floor. His wide eyes darted to my arms.

  “What happened to you?”

  “Nothing.” I reached for the blanket. He snatched it out of my hand.

  “Tell me now,” he growled.

  He plopped on the sofa, tossing his football equipment to the floor. I sat beside him and told him about my problem with cutting my arms.

  Matt was livid. He wanted to tell Tate. But I begged him not to. The only way he wouldn’t tell, I had to promise not to cut myself anymore. So far so good. Marisa attended Haven too. I saw her at lunch yesterday. It was best to keep our distance.

  Slipping into Chemistry class at the sound of the bell, I sighed. I made it.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Slouched on one of the sofas in the library, I ate a golden apple and studied for an upcoming test. I’d see Connie and the other’s after school at the pizzeria. Brittany posted a post on social media. Murderer’s shouldn’t be allowed to walk the streets. There was a tiny picture of my face in the post.

  I decided to skip out on all the stares at lunch today.

  “Chelsea, are you ok back here?”

  My eyes met the short librarian’s brown gaze.

  “Yes, Mrs. Larkin, thank you.”

  She smiled, flattening her hands over her red dress under the school monogrammed blazer. “I brought taco salad for lunch. Would you like some?”

  My face brightened then dimmed. “No, thank you. The apple is plenty. Besides, I’m meeting a few of my friends after school for pizza.”

  “Ok. We have a kitchen.” She pointed over her shoulder. “If you’d like to bring snacks. I can store them in the fridge or cabinet for you.”

  “I might take you up on the offer.”

  “All right, I’ll let you return to your studies.”

  One teacher on my side out of the entire snotty staff. I’d take the small victory.

  ~

  Sitting at a wooden table along a row of windows at the pizzeria, I sipped a coke. Only a few tables were occupied with football jocks wearing Haven River team T-shirts. The waiter delivered their pepperoni pizza. The mozzarella cheese, pepperoni’s, and tomato sauce filled my nostrils. My stomach rumbled. I was tempted to order without the gang. I was so hungry.

  Haven River and Haven Saints High had been rivals ever since our school opened ten years after theirs. Two rival schools going head to head opening season would be a great game to watch live. Brittany couldn’t keep me away. I’d show my team spirit just to pour a little salt in the wound. My lip ticked up as I sipped my ice-cold cola.

  “Chelsea, we missed you at lunch.” Rocco plopped in a wooden chair across from me.

  “I had to study. This year is certainly a challenge compared to last year.”

  His fingers slipped through his golden hair. “The curriculum is always a challenge at Haven Saints High. Is this the first private school for the elite you ever attended?” He threw his hand in the air, flagging down the waiter.

  “Yeah. We lived in a small town. There weren’t any private schools.”

  He nodded then placed his drink order with the waiter.

  “They’re elite all right. Nothing like snobby kids arguing about who’s half a million-dollar car is better.”

  Rocco leaned in. “Hey, don’t knock a good car debate. It’s all about what’s under the hood.” He winked.

  My eyebrow rose. “Really?”

  “Yeah, I love fast cars.”

  “What’s up? What’s up?” Connie screeched as she threw her arms around my neck.

  She flopped in the chair beside me.

  “Hey, Megan and Trevor.”

  “Not cool you dipped out on lunch,” Trevor stated, slapping hands with Rocco.

  “Yeah, what was up with that?” Megan chimed.

  “Brittany and I are battling, it seems. I have a plan.”

  Connie’s gray eyes lit up. “Dish, bitch.”

  “I will after we order. I am starving.”

  Laughter filled the table.

  The waiter appeared, and we rattled off our order.

  Everyone sat sipping their sodas.

  “Where were you hiding out at lunch time? Did you eat anything?”

  I peeked at Megan. “I won’t give up my secret hiding spot, but the apple I ate did nothing.”

  “I’ll find you the next time you skip,” she snickered.

  “It was still a smart move though. Brittany walked past our table on purpose. I know she was looking for you. She wouldn’t be caught dead on our end of the lunchroom at any other time.”

  “Tate left after fifteen minutes,” Connie stated. “I’d say she pissed him off. Calling you a mur-,” Trevor’s eyes fell into his frosty root beer.

  I straightened my spine. “You can say it. I am sure it’s on the tip of everyone's tongue.”

  The waiter placed the pizza on the table in the nick of time. We sat in silence stuffing our faces. Customers filled tables around us. I hopped up and scurried over to the jukebox. The pizzeria was ancient. Mom said the jukebox had been here since she was a child. I
skimmed the new music selections before choosing a song. The popular song bounced off the walls of the cozy restaurant. My friends roared as I sashayed back to our table, dropping in my seat beside Connie. Smiles fell across the faces of my new friends. The food and music were a nice distraction from the shit Brittany pulled earlier.

  “We want to know the juicy details of your plan.” Connie flashed a devilish smile.

  I chewed my last bite of pepperoni pizza. “Ok, so earlier I overheard one of the cheerleaders bragging to her friends about hooking up with Tate at his party.”

  My eyes fell across the girls faces. I held my cell high. “I have proof.”

  “Show us,” Megan begged.

  “No, I can’t risk the info being leaked before the party next Friday.”

  “I will definitely be there for the look on Brittany’s face,” Megan laughed.

  Connie nodded.

  “Tate hooking up with other chicks is old news.” Trevor sipped his orange soda.

  “True. Not even sure she’s his girlfriend. I think he tolerates her over the other girls, begging for his attention,” Rocco snorted.

  Could that be true? Was Tate single? My heart skipped a beat. No Chelsea, remember he made your life a living hell. Who cares who he dates or sleeps with? It’s not your problem.

  “She may have pushed him over the edge with that stunt she pulled,” Trevor snickered.

  “What’s the story with you two, anyway?” Connie quirked a brow.

  “Excuse me.”

  We turned our attention to the hot, tall, muscled guy standing behind my chair.

  “Hey.”

  He pulled a chair from the table behind us, straddling the seat, resting his arms on top. “I noticed you when you first arrived. Probably, should have spoken to you then.”

  I blushed. “It’s cool.”

  He stretched his hand out. “My name is Ethan Rogers.”

  I shook his hand. “Chelsea Culver and we attend Haven Saints.”

  He smiled, pointing toward his friends. “We play football for Haven River.”

  “I’m attending the game, next Friday.”