“Oh,” I said stunned. “I’m so sorry,” I bumbled.
“Accidents happen,” he said.
I didn’t know what to say, I had never known someone with a dead parent before, so I didn’t say anything at all. I pulled into the school parking lot, I had been here plenty of times with Gram to see plays, and followed Caeden inside. He held the front doors open for me and then turned to the right and went passed the attendance and office, before stopping in front of the guidance office. Once again he held the door open for me.
The lady sitting behind the desk looked up, her reading glasses perched haphazardly on the end of her nose, and smiled at me. “Sorry, sweetie no schedule changes until the second week of school.”
I smiled back. “I’m not here for a schedule change. I just moved here and I haven’t received my schedule yet so I was hoping you would help me,” I said.
“Oh, certainly,” she said. “What’s your name?”
“Sophie Beaumont,” I said.
She searched her computer and then said, “Ah, here you are.” She hummed to herself. “It says you live with your grandma.”
“Yes,” I said. “Lucinda Beaumont. My dad’s in the military and so we moved around a lot. They decided it would be better if I spent my senior year in one place.”
“Oh,” she said. “Lucinda? That sounds familiar,” she said and tapped her chin.
“Lucinda’s Cupcakes, maybe?” I suggested with a shrug of my shoulders.
“That’s it!” she said clapping her hands. “Those are the best cupcakes! Here you are,” she said handing my schedule and then a map of the school.
“Thanks,” I said and turned around and walked into something hard. I put my hands out in front of me and felt hard muscle. My cheeks flamed and I pulled my hands away like I had been burned.
“Sorry,” I muttered to Caeden. I had forgotten he was behind me. He had that same enamored look on his face which made me blush more. I went around him and that seemed to snap him out of his weird trance.
He shook his head and followed me out.
“Let me see your schedule,” he said and I handed it to him. He clucked his tongue and smiled. “You got Harding for Math good luck with that,” he said. “She’s the worst.”
I groaned. “I already suck at math. I need a good teacher.”
“Don’t get me wrong. She’s a good teacher as long as you don’t get on her bad side. She absolutely hates my brother Bryce,” he said as we continued to walk straight down the hall. He laughed. “She threw a ruler at him once.”
I laughed too.
“Okay,” he said as the hall ended and the only way was to go left. “This is the math wing. So, you’re going to come down here first. It’s this classroom right here,” he said indicating the second on right. A plump woman with graying hair sat behind a desk. Seeing us she looked up. Then she noticed Caeden and glared.
“Is that brother of yours still here?” she growled.
Caeden turned to me and rolled his eyes. I stifled a laugh. “Yes, Mrs. Harding. He’s a grade behind me. You still have to see his face every day for the next two years.”
“Every day my foot,” she groaned.
Caeden shook his head and shot her a charming smile. “Anyway, this Sophie. She’s new. You’ll be seeing her in your first class.”
She turned her beady eyes on me and stabbed the air with a pencil she had been holding. “You’re not going to give me any trouble now are you young lady?”
“No ma’am,” I said.
Her eyes narrowed to the point that I didn’t know how she could see out of them. “I can smell trouble a mile away and you are trouble.”
I gulped. I didn’t know what to say but I finally found my voice. “I won’t cause any trouble,” I breathed.
“Hmm,” she said.
We started out of her room and then Caeden leaned his head back in. “Oh, Bryce’s head is fine by the way. Thanks for asking.”
I saw her scrunch up her face and stand up.
Suddenly Caeden’s warm hand was on mine. “Run!” he said.
We sprinted down the hallway and he pulled me into an alcove out of her line of sight.
I could see Mrs. Harding out of the corner of my eye. She was standing in the middle of the hallway with her hands on her hips seething. She mumbled something about annoying teenagers and walked away.
Caeden’s hand still held mine. I didn’t want to let go. I liked the way it felt there. Like it belonged. Once he was sure she was out of ear shot he burst into laughter.
I smacked his arm. “You’re horrible! She could have eaten me!”
He started laughing harder. “I couldn’t resist.”
I let go of his hand reluctantly and said, “Can we finish the tour now?”
“Sure, sure,” he said and another giggle escaped.
We started walking again and I asked, “How come you said that she would see him every day? Don’t we have block scheduling?”
Caeden rubbed the scruff on his face. His blue eyes were glittering with laughter. “Yeah, we have block scheduling but Bryce is like a math whiz and Mrs. Harding is the only teacher that teaches the everyday advanced classes. So, she gets to see his wonderful face every day for the next two years just like she has for the last two years. Even one of his electives is Math. I actually think he might be in your class.”
I laughed. “Math? An elective?”
“What can I say?” he said throwing his hands in the air. “The kid’s a freak. But he’s my baby brother.”
I shook my head. Caeden finished showing me around and told me that he’d meet me in the parking lot on the first day. This reminded him that I needed to buy a parking spot first. I bought the spot right next to his.
I drove back to Gram’s to drop him off and then headed to the store. I had some time before the store opened so I started baking fresh cupcakes. The spicy and sweet scents permeated the air. Guiltily, I snatched a cupcake and moaned in ecstasy. Gram’s recipes made the best cupcakes.
Before I knew it the day was over… and the next. The first day of school was staring me in the face and I was so not ready.
three.
I groaned into my pillow as the alarm went off. Finally I couldn’t take the incessant buzzing anymore and turned it off.
A light knock on my door, a shed of light, and then Gram’s head finally emerged. “Rise and shine!” she chanted. “First day of school!”
I groaned and covered my eyes with arm. “At least it’s the last first day of school,” I mumbled.
“That’s the spirit!” she said. “Now get that toosh out of bed and get ready. I’ve already started breakfast,” she said trying to entice me with her cooking.
“It’s dark out,” I grumbled. “That means it’s time to sleep, not eat.”
She put her hands on her hips. “Get. Out. Of. Bed.” She said in her serious voice. You didn’t mess with Gram’s serious voice.
“Fine,” I grumbled. “I’ll get up and I’ll go to school and I promise to hate every minute of it.”
She tapped her foot. “Sometimes I swear you’re your father except with lady parts. You act exactly like him!”
“No, I don’t,” I grumbled.
She threw her hands in the air. “Oh, please. You have the same eyebrows and you even swallow the same.”
“My eyebrows are fine,” I said but self-consciously tried to smooth them down.
“If you’re a man,” she said. “Come on,” she said pulling me towards the bathroom. “Take your shower and when you’re done breakfast will be ready.”
Her joking banter was beginning to rub off on me. “So, now you’re telling me I stink?”
“No,” she said and looked at her watch. “I’m telling you that you’re wasting time.”
I shook my head and closed the bathroom door.
I dressed quickly and dried my hair. I dabbed on a little mascara. Like Gram had promised a feast befitting a king was waiting for me. Homemade pancak
es were stacked on a plate.
“Gram, you’re too good,” I said digging in.
She smiled at me across her own plate. “I am quite amazing,” she said. “I’ll need you to work after school. Just come straight to the store,” she said. “Caeden will be there too. He usually comes in a little late but you’ll need his help. We’re usually really busy once school starts.”
“Okay,” I said yawning. “And just so you know, the store is always, busy. I hardly get a break.”
She chuckled. “You’ll see.”
I finished my breakfast, grabbed my backpack, and headed out the door. It should be illegal to have to go to school this earlier, I thought to myself. I was shocked at the long line of cars at the stoplight and resolved to not waste so much time in the mornings.
When I finally made it through the light a man directed me to my left and into the student parking lot. I remembered my parking spot number and repeated it in my head like a mantra. But it was pointless. Caeden waved to me from where he was standing next to what looked like a younger version of him. I assumed it was his little brother.
I parked next to him and found myself smiling.
“Hey,” he said as I jumped out of the car.
“Hi,” I smiled.
We must have just standing there staring at each other like goofs because all of a sudden the other boy whistled and waved his hands in the air. “Hello? Earth to Caeden and new girl.”
We both shook our heads and I blushed. His cheeks were flaming too.
Caeden tossed his thumb over his shoulder and then stuck his hands in his pockets. “This is my annoying brother, Bryce,” he said.
Bryce smiled. His brown hair was shaggy, and like his brother, his eyes were a bright blue. His face was more round compared to Caeden’s chiseled features. With his floppy hair and easy smile he reminded me of a lap dog.
Bryce extended his hand to me, “Bryce,” he said. “The unfortunate younger brother of this one.”
I smiled. “Sophie,” I said.
Bryce stepped back and lovingly rubbed an old green Jeep. “And this is the love of my life, Stella.”
Caeden punched his brother. “Dude, you are so weird,” he said.
Bryce laughed and danced away. Walking backwards, towards the school, he said, “I never claimed to be normal Caeden. You know that.”
Caeden narrowed his eyes and I would swear for a moment they flashed gold. A small growl escaped his throat.
Bryce turned completely around and sauntered away.
Caeden shook his head. “Ignore him. I do.”
I smiled at him. “Granted, I’ve never had siblings but I was always under the impression that it was your job to annoy each other.”
He laughed and we started walking. “That’s very true,” he said.
Just then a car came screeching through the parking lot. Tires squealing, music blaring, the reckless driver swung into the parking space. The car was a shiny new Audi S5 coupe.
Caeden glared at the tented windows and visibly bristled. A tall, muscular, blond guy got out of the car, with a smirk on his face like he owned the place.
Caeden growled and took my hand pulling me in the other direction towards the gym entrance.
A deep male voice said, “Caeden my friend.”
I watched Caeden’s face tense. His teeth were clenched and his jaw was twitching. He moved me behind him and tuned around.
The blond guy stood with his arms crossed over his chest grinning. “Travis,” Caeden rasped. “What do you want?”
The boy, who like Caeden, really looked more like a man, tried to peer around Caeden to look at me. Caeden’s grip tightened on my hand to the point that it was painful.
Travis’ dark eyes peered into Caeden’s. “I just wanted to meet your friend.” He put his hands up like he was surrendering. “Don’t get your panties in a bunch.”
Caeden growled and Travis smiled. “That’s right, breathe, control your temper Caeden. We wouldn’t want to have you exploding out of your clothes in the school parking lot, now would we,” said Travis tilting his head.
Caeden took several deep breaths. “Come on let’s go,” he said to me.
Travis clapped his hands. “Good boy Caeden. That’s right walk away. You know you’d never win.”
Lighting fast Caeden turned around and with a loud thunk sunk his fist into Travis’ face. Caeden quickly pulled me away from the scene, his chest was heaving and he seemed to be vibrating, or maybe shimmering was the better word, around the edges. I looked around expecting a crowd to have gathered but no one seemed to have noticed. All in all the interaction hadn’t lasted long.
Once we were safe distance away, in the cover of the gym hallway, I pulled Caeden to the side.
“What the hell was that about?” I asked.
He took a couple of breaths, his nostrils flaring. “It’s a long story.”
“Is everything a long story with you?” I demanded my hands on my hips.
He sighed and looked into my eyes. He looked sad. “Haven’t you ever had a secret that you’re bound to protect?”
“No,” I scoffed.
He quirked his eyebrow.
“Maybe,” I conceded.
He leaned his head against the cement wall and closed his eyes. “I just can’t stand the guy, okay?”
I quirked my head. “We went from secrets to you just hate the guy. I’m lost,” I said.
He smiled, barely. “Don’t worry your time to know will come. Just be patient.”
I groaned. “I’m so confused.”
He grinned. “That’s the point.”
“You’re evil,” I said.
“I’m the good guy,” he whispered in my ear making me shiver.
Suddenly the bell rang making me jump. “Can you remember your way to class?”
“Yeah,” I croaked and then he disappeared.
Blinking, I started down the hallway.
I practically ran down the hallways, gym was on the complete opposite side of the school from the math hallway, and somehow I made it there early. Only three other people were in the room. Mrs. Harding glared at me and I ducked my head.
Bryce came in, smiled at me like an eager puppy, and took the seat next to me.
More people filed in, Travis, the guy from the parking lot, included. He took the seat behind me.
I turned to look at him. “How’s your face?” I asked. It had sounded like Caeden broke his nose but behind me all I found was smooth pale skin.
I raised my eyebrows. Travis smirked.
“Why are you asking him about his face?” asked Bryce.
I turned back to Bryce. “Because Caeden punched him in the parking lot,” I whispered. “And it sounded like he broke his nose.”
Bryce burst out in laughter. He eyed Travis with a smirk. “Hasn’t your dad ever told you not to mess with an Alpha. You will get burned. Or I guess in this case, punched.”
A ruler slapped down on Bryce’s desk making him and everyone else jump. Bryce growled. What was with all this male growling?
“Mr. Williams you should know by now that the second bell means no more talking. And you-,” she said pointing to me. “I knew you were trouble.” She narrowed her eyes at me. I gulped.
My back was rigid the whole class. In fact, I was scared to even blink. In part because of Mrs. Harding but she wasn’t the whole reason. Every little bit Travis would tug gently on my hair or touch my back, or neck. I wanted to squish my eyes closed but I knew Mrs. Harding would accuse me of not paying attention. Bryce kept eyeing Travis like he wanted to bite him or maybe just defend my honor. I wanted to cry. His touch was creepy. It made me feel like spiders were crawling all over my body. Something inside me screamed that he wasn’t supposed to touch me. At one point a whimper escaped my lips and in the silent classroom Mrs. Harding turned to glare at me.
When the bell rang I picked up my backpack and ran. I was doing a lot of running around this place.
I slid into a chair in
the very back against the wall in my next class just in case Travis was in here too. Luckily, a girl with long curly red hair took the seat next to me.
“I’m Charlotte,” she said. “A friend of Caeden’s.”
“Hi,” I said politely. On the inside however, I was seething. Was this his girlfriend? I had never thought to ask. Suddenly I wanted to jump out of my desk and smack the pretty red head next to me. I had the primal thought of, he is mine.
“Just friends,” she said as if she could read my mind. Had it shone so plainly on my face?
I smiled and looked away ashamed. She seemed content to say no more and I was relieved. I was extremely embarrassed. Since when did I act like a crazy hormonal teenager? And it was more than that, I felt like I owned him. Like no one else could have him. Once again I had the thought, he is mine. It was weird. We weren’t even a couple. Heck, we weren’t even friends. We were just mere acquaintances.
Lunch was next and despite my earlier coldness Charlotte walked with me. She held her books close to her chest and her green eyes kept scanning the halls. She reminded me of a shy, small, fluttery bird.
“Hey,” Caeden called coming down the hallway. “How’s it going so far?” he asked me and then nodded his head at Charlotte like he was dismissing her. She scurried on down the hallway closer to lunch crowd. Now, she was more like a skittish rabbit than a bird.
“It’s been okay,” I said. “Charlotte seems nice.”
“She is, just quiet.”
I followed him through the lunch line and then to a table where Charlotte, Bryce, and a couple others were already sitting. He motioned me to a seat and then took the empty seat next mine.
“Everyone, this is Sophie,” he said. They all nodded and smiled. “You already know Charlotte and Bryce,” Caeden said. “That’s Bentley,” he said pointing to a tall, muscular guy, with golden brown eyes. His arm and chest muscles bulged out of his t-shirt and even though he was sitting down I could tell he was tall. Probably taller than Caeden. “This is Christian she’s a junior like Bryce,” this time he pointed to a blond girl next to Charlotte. She had an angular face, pale green eyes, and a willowy figure.
The girl named Christian smiled at me and said, “Call me Chris. Either way I still sound like a boy.”
Outsider (Outsider Series) Page 3
