by KC Kean
She fakes sweet and innocent as I refrain from rolling my eyes to the back of my head in irritation.
“Bitch, you can try, but don’t be butt hurt when I put you on the floor,” I respond casually, and if looks could kill, she might have just slain me. “So, if you’re done practicing your stroking skills?” I say, glancing down at Holmes, who releases his hold on me suddenly as if only just realizing what he was doing.
“You can stay if you show us your head skills.” Hunter winks, surprising me with his outburst. I thought he was the quiet, observant, and obedient one, maybe he still is. “Because X mentioned they might have been less than par.” I want to wipe the smug ass look from his face, but I refuse to act embarrassed about my sexuality.
“I’m sorry, was that before or after you gripped my waist so hard with pleasure, you left bruises?” I retort, with a sly grin of my own, staring Xavier dead in the eyes. “Maybe next time, don’t shower and use the girl’s products to keep the smell of her on your skin. It makes you look desperate.”
Before I can see it coming, the other bitch sitting at the table with red hair hits the bottom of my tray and sends my food flying as the tray remains in my hands. A little goes on my top and pants, but not enough as I’m sure she would have liked.
It feels like the whole cafeteria is staring, laughing, even if only under their breath, and it just seems to fuel my anger.
My blood is boiling, and as much as I try to keep myself calm and collected, it’s no use. “Oh no, whatever shall I do?” I ask sweetly, and without much thought, I tighten my grip on the edge of the tray in my hand and swing it at her motherfucking face.
I’ve learned over the years as the new kid not to give them a fucking inch and always aim for the face. It shows you mean business.
I grin like a maniac as she screams in pain, and the whole table stands in the chaos. I can feel hundreds of eyes on me, but I don’t give a shit.
I have enough to deal with, and I don’t need some rich, bratty bitches in my face as well. They need to know that I’m not going to take their shit.
“Get her the fuck out of here, Archie, before I do it myself,” Xavier growls out, but I see the glimmer in his eyes which tells me I caught these assholes by surprise. Especially with the way Hunter and Tobias stare around the table in slow motion.
Good.
I hear Charlie call my name, but before I can do anything else, Archie is throwing me over his shoulder and escorting me out of the hall like a ragdoll, and I let him. I don’t want to be in their presence a second longer.
Fuck this town, and fuck these people.
10
Eden
One foot in front of the other, I continue in the sand up and down the beach, trying to calm the stress inside of me as the anger still burns from earlier.
Archie carried my ass out of the cafeteria and put me straight in my G-Wagon, insisting I go home and calm down.
Home. This isn’t my fucking home. But he was right—staying wouldn’t have helped anyone. Which is why I didn’t bitch him out for manhandling me.
I wallowed in my room for a while, but my heart wouldn’t calm down, the rage continuing to build inside of me. I’ve always had a backbone, but these douchebags just rub me the wrong way, and I can’t seem to move past it.
I don’t know what their problem is, and I don’t know why I let them get under my skin so much, but the three apparent rulers at Asheville High are at another level compared to other schools I’ve attended.
That’s when I decided to slip into my black sports bra and matching running shorts and hit the sand. Taking the water’s edge, I decided a couple of laps up and down the stretch of beach might help.
Since the first run, I’ve learned to bring two bottles of water, keeping one on the deck of Archie’s house and the other on a rock at the opposite end of the beach, right where the huge house sticks out at the end.
Swiping my face on the towel, I close my eyes as “High Hopes” by Panic! At the Disco plays through my earphones. I already feel calmer, more in control of my emotions.
The music shuts off as an incoming call comes through, and I quickly pull my phone from the waterproof safety strap on my arm, dropping the towel to the sand as I do.
Mom flashes across the screen, and I quickly answer, my heart rate increasing as a sense of hope washes over me.
“Mom?”
“Eden, why am I getting calls telling me you hit someone in the face at lunchtime and then skipped school?”
I look down at the phone as her voice rings in my ears through the earphones and try to process what she just said. There’s no ‘Hi, Eden. How are you? Are you okay?’ She’s simply calling to give me shit. What the hell.
“Who called you?” I finally ask, and she scoffs down the phone.
“That’s all you have to say, Eden?”
Taking a deep breath, I try to calm myself again, but she’s literally making me even angrier than I was before.
“What do you have to say about the fact that I’m in a town I don’t want to be in? With some guy and his son who I don’t even know. While attending a school filled with some spoiled rich kids with an ego complex who try to tear me down, but the second I stand up for myself, I’m the problem?”
I don’t hold back as I practically growl the words at her, and she remains silent for a moment before responding. Pacing in front of the water’s edge, I try to let the sound of the waves calm the hurt building inside me at the fact my mom only wants to call and lecture me. Not to check how I am or make sure I’m okay, but to fucking lecture me.
“You can’t mess with these people, Eden. They’ll destroy you,” she murmurs, and my hand clenches at my side, my nails biting into my skin as I let her words sink in.
“I don’t know what’s going on here, Mom, but Dad always told me to stand my ground and not let anyone make a fool out of me.”
“Yeah, and look where that got us,” she chides back, and her tone makes me freeze.
“If there is something you want to say, let me know. Otherwise, I’m finished. I don’t need you to make snide remarks about my dead dad,” I snap back, forcing myself to hold back the tears.
“I’m sorry, Eden. That wasn’t fair of me,” she soothes down the phone, but it feels like the damage has already been done.
“I’ve got to go, but just an FYI, I am here alone, Mom. I can already tell how these people operate, and I will never let them treat me the way they clearly treated you. I want answers, and I’m going to get them. Whatever it takes.”
With that, I end the call. Fuck her for only calling when something happened, not when I’ve needed her the past few days. And fuck her for not checking to see if I’m okay.
As I place my phone in my waterproof arm strap, the music starts playing again in my ears, leaving me to take off running down the beach, trying to chase the anger away. With the heat beating down on me, I run up and down a few times before I stop at the opposite end of the beach and take a swig of my water.
Looking up to the sky as the sun beats down on me, I down the last of my drink, feeling the beads of sweat trickle down my back. My chest heaves with each breath I take, but I’m feeling much better. The combination of the music, the ocean, and the burn in my body from running is soothing me.
The music dies in my ears again, but this time, it’s the batteries dying. Just as I’m pulling them out, I hear laughter, and all at once, I’m lifting off the ground, my earphones drop to the sand as I’m hoisted over someone’s shoulder. Again.
I expect to have to brace myself for coming face-to-face with someone’s ass, so it catches me completely off guard when I find myself staring at some guy's junk bulging behind his denim jeans.
“What the fuck! Put me down!” I shout, trying to see who the hell is touching me, but before I can look up, they’re charging into the water, the sprays kicking up into my face before they drop me unceremoniously in the ocean.
Panic kicks in as I fear I’m going to d
rown, but whoever it is quickly pulls me from under the waves, and I find myself waist-deep in the water.
Coughing and spluttering, I swipe my hair out of my face to find Holmes staring down at me with a grin covering his face.
Motherfucking Holmes. What an absolute asshole.
But if I know anything, I know he won’t likely be here alone. Those three seem to travel in a pack, and a quick glance over his shoulder proves me right as I see Hunter standing at the water’s edge and Xavier halfway up the wooden steps that lead up to the massive beach house at the end.
“What the fuck, douchebag?” I finally yell as the ringing calms in my ears, and Holmes just fucking laughs at me, dripping wet from the waist down, but his beanie hat remains in place.
“You looked like you needed to cool off, so I helped you out.”
“I don’t fucking need your help, shithead,” I grumble, starting to step around him, but with the pull of the water, I’m not moving fast enough, and he wraps his hand around my arm. Just like he did in the cafeteria earlier.
“I like you all feisty, little Eden,” he murmurs, sex dripping from every word, and if he wasn’t such a douche, I might have fallen for it.
“That’s great, but you can let go now,” I grunt, trying to pull my arm from his hold, but he only seems to draw me closer.
Bringing us chest to chest, he looks now at my cleavage showing and licks his lips. Finally meeting my gaze again, he bites his lips, and I can’t help the butterflies that swarm in the pit of my stomach. Why the hell am I not pushing him away?
Fuck.
I need to get the hell away from him and his friends. They’re nothing but trouble, and I really don’t need any more shit on my plate right now. They’re so obnoxious.
“Let me go,” I whisper, and he flashes me his pearly whites, not moving an inch.
“I will if you come to my birthday party on Friday.”
I almost laugh until I see he’s serious. “Why would I do that?” I ask, my eyes staring at the way the wet top covering his body clings to him.
“Because I asked nicely.”
“You think this is asking nicely?” I ask, waving my free hand between us, and he simply shrugs.
“Baby, I’m an Allstar, I get what I want, when I want it, and I don’t usually have to ask at all.”
I can see in his eyes that his statement is true, but my response is cut off by Xavier shouting down.
“Let’s go, Tobias. Let the trash dry out.”
I know he means me, fucker. But my focus is more on the douche before me. Tobias. Tobias Holmes.
“Nah, I like her wet,” he murmurs with a wink before sinking me back into the water.
Motherfucker.
When I resurface, I find him halfway up the beach, walking side by side with Hunter as I feel Xavier’s eyes burning my skin from his little pedestal.
I offer him a one-finger salute before I make my way out of the water. Luckily, my earphones are unharmed, scattered on the beach, so I grab them and make my way to Archie’s house. Thank God my arm strap is waterproof, otherwise I’d be needing another new phone.
The salty water feels scratchy against my skin as the sun attempts to dry me, which makes me walk a little quicker so I can shower.
The second I step into the house, I spot Archie and Charlie on separate sofas to the right, and they both jump up when they see me.
“Hey, where have you been? Wait, have you been swimming in your sneakers?” Charlie makes a face as she takes me in, and I glance down at myself too. I wish that’s what it was.
“No, I was running on the beach when Mr. Tobias Holmes decided to dunk me. Twice.” They both cringe, but I stop them before they can say anything. “It’s fine. I’m fine. I just need a shower.”
Charlie stares me down for a moment before nodding in agreement, likely seeing I’m not going to budge on this. “Awesome, I’ll wait around for you. I gave Archie a ride home so we could have that conversation we were going to have at lunch.”
I have to think back to what she’s talking about when I remember she had planned to give me the lowdown on this stupid school, town, and the ridiculous people who live here.
“I definitely need that talk now more than ever,” I mutter in response. “Give me five minutes, okay?”
Taking the stairs two at a time, I slam my door shut behind me and peel my damp clothes off my body. Pulling my phone from the waterproof holder, I toss it on the bed before I step into the shower.
Letting the cold water cool my skin, I make quick work of washing the sea salt from my skin and throwing on my favorite Jerry Rice San Francisco 49ers football jersey. It’s from the 1993 season when he won NFL offensive player of the year for the second time, and it used to belong to my dad. He gave it to me when I was twelve when he had to work away for six months, and even now, it makes me feel close to him.
It falls mid-thigh, so I slip a pair of booty shorts on, pull my hair into a messy bun on top of my head and make my way back downstairs.
I see Archie and Charlie out by the pool, but I don’t miss the box of donuts sitting on the kitchen island. Grabbing a honey cruller and a Boston crème, I make my way outside.
This is the first time I’ve really been out by the pool. Sleek parasols and cushioned sun-loungers surround a kidney-shaped pool with a jacuzzi attached. There is a lot of open space between the pool and the glass balcony that frames the whole outdoor space, with a huge barbeque set up and a covered daybed.
No wonder Archie is the party king. He has the space for it.
“You found the donuts,” Archie says as I take a seat on the lounger beside Charlie. I take a giant bite out of the Boston crème and wave the other in the air at him in response, and he grins at my antics. “Are you okay?” he asks, the seriousness in his eyes catching me by surprise.
“I’m fine, Archie. Well, as fine as I can be,” I answer honestly, feeling a little uncomfortable with the fact he seems to care so instantly, but he actually feels like a friend too.
“Okay, I’ll give you girls some space for that gossipy shit I know you do. Yell if you need me. I’ll be in the shower. Charlie, you can join me in the shower at any time.” He offers her an exaggerated wink that makes her blush, and I smile at them.
I don’t miss Charlie watching Archie leave before clearing her throat and tucking her hair behind her ear. The blush that colors her cheeks makes me grin, but I don’t push the subject.
“So, where do we even begin with Asheville High?” I ask, taking another bite of the delicious donut and recline on the lounger.
Sighing, Charlie turns to face me, stretching her legs out as she grips the edge of her chair.
“Well, Asheville High is as messed up as Knight’s Creek as a whole. Everyone’s parents are teaching their kids to act just like they did in high school, creating a never-ending cycle of torture for everyone but themselves.”
“Does that include your parents?” I ask, watching for her response, but she simply huffs.
“My mom was the nerd, and my dad was a tech guy. Thankfully, they blended in under the radar mostly. If anything, they broke the mold with me because you would have never caught my mom in a cheerleading outfit. But it’s my family name that gives me a shield, so to speak.”
“How do you mean?” Finishing one donut, I bite straight into the next, loving the sugary goodness.
“Well, I’m Charlie James, and my great-grandparents were awesome or something, and the national park hiking spot is named Mount James, even though it is nowhere near the size of a mountain.” She waves her hand around dismissively. I like that she doesn’t seem to take herself too seriously.
“Noted, names get you places around here, it seems. Does anyone else have a link like that? I mean, I’m assuming they do.”
“Yeah, Xavier Knight as in Knight’s Creek, the founders of the town. Hunter Asheville as in Asheville High. Archie Freemont as in Freemont Beach.” She starts reeling all of these names off and landmarks around to
wn, and my mouth falls farther open with each one.
“Holy shit,” I splutter. “No wonder those assholes think they run the place, they practically do,” I say, referring to Xavier and Hunter, probably Holmes too, and she nods with a grimace.
“Pretty much, the Allstars are the be-all and end-all of this whole town. They even had the school football team changed to be the Allstars instead of the Asheville Knights. ”
Sitting up, I brace my arms on my thighs as I sigh. “And I somehow managed to piss them off, huh?” I roll my eyes, and she nods in agreement.
“Yeah. Roxy and KitKat, the girls from earlier, are serious bitches too. Roxy is the cheer captain, and KitKat her second-in-command. I can barely tolerate them, but like I said, my name shields me.”
Swiping a hand down my face, I come to the only conclusion I can see. “I have no name to shield me, so I’m fair game then.”
“It seems so. Do you have any links to the town?” she asks, leaning her face to the sun, and I consider how much I want her to know. I don’t know this girl for shit, but other than Archie, I have no one else to ask.
“I think my parents were from here, but I have a feeling that’ll only make things worse for me, especially if my name isn’t on anything. That seems to matter around here,” I admit, and she peers down at me.
“I can ask my parents if you like. They’re super chill and avoid all the toxic bullshit that goes on in this town.” The sincerity in her voice has me nodding before I’ve really considered the situation.
“Thanks. My last name is Grady.”
Before she can respond, Archie is hollering down from the balcony on the opposite side of the house to mine.
“The boys are on their way over. I thought you might want a heads-up.”
By boys, I know he means the Allstars, and I groan. “Really? Can’t you go to their house?”
Even Charlie laughs at me as she rises from the lounger and throws her backpack over her shoulder.
“No one goes to their house, cookie,” Archie shouts, and I look to Charlie for confirmation.
