“Shit,’’ I yelp, jumping from my seat when I see the girl, Charlie from this morning.
“Hey Harlow.’’
“Hey, Charlie. It is Charlie right?’’
“Yeah,’’ she grins happily, getting out a frilly pink notebook with pink frilly pens and shit. This girl seriously loves pink. I’ve seriously never known anyone as unique as her.
“Ha, look, don’t they make a cute couple,’’ Hannah teases from behind us making my back go rigid.
Not fazed by Hannah and her group of friends, Charlie turns around grinning at her, “Oh Hannah, the school is wrong about you being a bitch. That has to be one of the loveliest comments anyone has ever said to me. I mean, you did see her body right? Right?’’ she says, saying the last part louder. My eyes bug out of my head wondering where the hell this girl has come from. She’s freaking feisty.
“Shut up geek,’’ Hannah sneers back.
“Don’t tell me you didn’t look. She has a smoking hot body. That is why you said we make a cute couple wasn’t it?’’
“Fuck off Charlie. Wouldn’t want a repeat performance of year nine now would we?’’
“Puh-lease… Like I would let you bunch of Muppets bully me again. I’m not the naive little girl I was back then anymore. I bite back. Literally. Just ask the last girl who pissed me off.’’
“No wonder you’ve been off. You’ve been in a loony bin.’’
“Oh honey you should know, your mother was my roommate,’’ Charlie sings before turning back around and ignoring her.
The teacher walks in and I inwardly groan. I really dislike him and not just because he doesn’t stand up for people being bullied, but because of the way he looks at me. It really creep’s me out.
“Charlie, what a pleasant surprise,’’ he says cheerfully and I start to wonder if Mr. Haynes has a personality disorder.
“Yeah, of course it is,’’ she bites out with a wide smile.
He gives her a warm smile before sending me a sneer, sending chills down my spine and not the chills I get from Malik.
He starts the class by talking about volcanic rock and the earth’s plates. I’m listening intently, fascinated by the subject when I feel a kick to my chair. It sends my chair forward a little, and I’m hoping now I’ve moved forward it keeps from reaching me, but then another kick comes to the back of the chair and it pisses me off.
“Pack it in,’’ I growl turning around.
“Will you quiet down Miss. Evans,’’ the teacher growls. I give him a tight lipped smile before looking back down at my work.
I feel pens and other shit being thrown at my head. A few times Charlie has turned around and said something. If that was me then Mr. Haynes would have said something by now. Just proves he really does have it out for me.
It isn’t until I feel something much harder hit me in the head that I lose my shit. The pain of it hitting me has my eyes watering.
“What is your problem Hannah?’’ I burst out getting in her face over the table. Okay, not totally in her face, but closer to her table so she knows I mean business.
“You?’’
“Why though? You don’t even know me and I don’t know you, so why?’’
“Miss. Evans, I’m not going to warn you again, turn around and get on with your work.’’
“Yes sir, was just telling Hannah to stop kicking my chair.’’
He doesn’t say anything, which doesn’t surprise me either. My back straightens when I hear the distinct sound of someone spitting. Wondering who would be that gross to spit in class, I’m horrified when I feel something hit my hair. I don’t even have to touch it to know someone just spat on me.
Standing up I turn glaring at Hannah. A few students gasp, some ready with their phones, most likely to get ready to record the show down.
“What the fuck Hannah? Did you seriously just spit in my hair? You’re fucking disgusting, do you know that?’’ I shout, faintly hearing the teacher telling me to sit back down. Yeah, like that’s going to fucking happen.
“Are you kidding me?’’ Charlie laughs. “This school hasn’t changed a bit. First… you know what, never mind. Harlow isn’t the first person you’ve sat by and watched being bullied sir. This school is a joke.’’
“One more word Charlie and you’ll be in detention every day after school this week.’’
“Why, because she stood up for me? I’ve just had someone spit in my hair and you’re acting like we’re in the wrong. Why haven’t you told Hannah to go to the principal’s office or said something to her? Not as if I haven’t got proof dripping from my fucking hair,’’ I shout, finally feeling the past week building up. I’ve had it with this school and most of the people in it.
Hannah and her group of friends laugh behind me and I whirl around getting straight into her face. The smirk leaves her face for a split second and she shows some kind of fear in her eyes, but it’s gone in an instant and a cold mask covers her eyes instead.
“One day Hannah you’ll get what’s coming to you. Do you really think your friends will help you once that happens? No, you know why? Because they’ll finally be free of you. It’s people like you who don’t have true friends. Instead you have people too scared not to be your friend. You’re a bully and always will be. And I don’t care if you have it bad at home or if your parents don’t love you, there are no excuses for you to be a fucking bully. I’ve been through hell, but you know what? You don’t see me taking it out on every single person, and trust me, I have a lot to be angry at.’’
Her face would be laughable if it weren’t for the fact I’m fuming mad right now. I can hear Mr. Haynes shouting at me to get out, that he won’t have me disrupting his lessons anymore.
“I’m going; I need to wash this out before my hair starts to sizzles leaving me bald. She is toxic after all,’’ I snarl at Hannah, feeling my face heat, a mixture from anger and embarrassment. I mean, I have got someone else’s spit in my hair.
I slam the classroom door open, not caring that it hits the wall with a loud bang. The class erupts in cheers, whether they’re taking the piss or cheering me on, I have no idea.
My footsteps clink loudly down the hall as I make my way out of the school. I send Malik a text while I wait outside in our normal meeting space. At least it gives me time to try getting this out of my hair with the tissue from my bag.
I almost hurt Charlie when she sneaks upon me.
“Holy hell, you scared the shit out of me,’’ I squeak jumping up from the bench.
“Sorry. I need to talk to you.’’
“About?’’ unsure of what she would need to talk to me about. We met officially half an hour ago, if that.
“Craig Davis.’’
“What about him?’’ I ask, feeling sick. I know it had to be him who took that photo, well, him or Hannah, take your pick.
She laughs, but there’s nothing humorous about it, “You need to stay away from him. Hell, you should never have looked at him. I heard about the first day of school. My friend said you sat down next to him, pulled a face then moved to the other side of the room. He’s bad news and my guess is that those pictures got pinned around the school because of him.’’
“I already know all of this Charlie. He’s making my life a living hell,’’ I tell her letting out a bitter laugh. “He has made it pretty clear I’m in for some shit. There isn’t anything anyone can do. And what do you know about those pictures?’’
“Oh, I know fuck all about those pictures. Although, you do have a smoking hot body,’’ she winks taking me back. I shake my head wondering where the hell she gets all this bubbly energy from, especially when she’s talking about something so serious. “But, I had a friend who had the same thing done to her in a way. I guess he didn’t feel the need to post hers around school and that is saying something about you. He’s obviously intimidated by you. He is going to be looking for more ways to break you.’’
“Hold up a minute,’’ I say waving my hand aro
und to stop her. “You’re telling me he has done this to another girl, but never posted the picture anywhere? You think he posted mine because he’s trying to break me, to make me weak? Have I got this right so far?’’ I ask and wait for her to nod. When she does I continue. “I’m going out on a limb here, that and a friend told me some of it, but you’re talking about Kayla right? Denny said she was quiet, a nerd, pretty, and was bullied and… Well I guess if you were her friend you would know the rest of that sentence,’’ I mumble, feeling a lump form in the back of my throat.
“We still talk from time to time. He broke her in more ways than one. He destroyed her. He can’t keep getting away with doing this. You’re lucky he’s in Mr. Rogers’s registration because apart from a few other teachers, he’s the only one that will stand by you. The rest are scared of him or of his family so they keep quiet. Mr. Haynes is just one of those teachers and he isn’t even subtle about it. I think he’s the worst one,’’ she pouts, seeming to think about it. “Actually, I’m pretty sure there isn’t a teacher worse than him. God I hate him.’’
“Me too,’’ I smile, actually starting to relax. “I just don’t get what you want me to do. We’ve gone to the police, we’ve reported him and the school was supposed to be looking out for me, but you can see how well that’s been going for me.’’
“I’m not telling you to do anything chick, I’m literally telling you you’re already doing it,’’ she looks at me before she sighs, her shoulders slumping. “He keeps getting away with hurting people, but this time, I believe I know someone who can put an end to him.’’
“Who?’’ I ask wondering why she never started off the conversation with this tid bit of information.
“You,’’ she states boldly taking me completely by surprise. It takes a few seconds for her words to register. It’s then I realise she must be joking. She is joking right? She can’t really believe me, out of all the people in this school could put a stop to him. He’d bring me down with him.
*** *** *** *** ***
My bedroom door opens, nearly slamming into the wall as Max, Myles, Malik and Denny walk into my room. Denny looks worse-for-wear as she flops herself down on my bed.
“I hate Max. Like really hate him,’’ she groans into the bed sheet.
“Why?’’ I chuckle, ignoring the lads fighting over something, most likely a snickers bar. You can never tell with a Carter boy. Once I thought they were having a serious fight and I ended up in tears begging them to stop, not liking that they were fighting. They pulled away from each other after that, but I soon learnt it was over a cupcake and ended up walking out.
“Because I’m so fucking tired and he dragged me out of bed. Literally. How my parents didn’t hear him sneaking in my bedroom window is beyond me. I usually only have to burp and my mother’s there scolding me to be more lady like.’’
“Why did you drag her out of bed?’’ I ask Max.
“Because she can’t miss this,’’ he grins waving a phone at me.
“I don’t know about Denny, but I think I’m already missing something.’’
“We heard about what Mr. Haynes did to you earlier by that Charlie girl. At one point I thought it was hot how angry she got talking about it, but when she wouldn’t get to the point quick enough I started to get annoyed. I don’t know. The chick has skills anyway. She got us Mr. Haynes’s number,’’ he grins mischievously.
“And what are you going to do with that?’’ I ask slowly, looking to Myles and Malik who are both wearing similar smirks. The only difference is Malik’s is sexy or sexier. Whatever, the point is, they’re up to something that will most likely get them into trouble.
“We’re going to call his wife,’’ he states proudly like he just found the cure to cancer.
Sheesh!
“So you’re going to tattle to his wife about how mean he is?’’ I ask seriously, trying not to laugh.
“Watch and learn little Evans. Everyone has to be quiet, okay? For me to do this with a straight face I need you all to behave. Got it?’’
Malik walks over to me grinning. My heart speeds up as I watch his muscles flex beneath his t-shirt. Holy hell, my man is hot.
When I stop checking out his body, I meet his eyes and smile. He’s looking at me like I’m most likely looking at him. Like he wants to strip me naked and have his wicked way with me. The thought has me clamping my thighs together. Malik notices and smirks. Giving me a wink he jumps on the bed next to me, snuggling behind me and pulling me against his hard body. And when I say hard, I mean hard. It seems someone is just as turned on as I am.
I wiggle my ass into his groin and he growls into my ear, pressing firmly down on my hips to stop me from moving. I want to giggle, but it will just draw attention to us and at the moment Myles, Max and Denny are too busy trying to go over the conversation that they’re about to have with Mrs. Haynes.
“You drive me crazy,’’ he whispers in my ear before giving it a hard nip.
My back arches from the sensations flowing down my neck.
“Ditto,’’ I whisper back, keeping my eyes locked on the conversation in front of me.
“Right, you ready…. Oh Jesus, would you like us to give you ten minutes?’’ Max snaps at Malik.
“Yes,’’ Malik says the same time I giggle a, “No.’’
“Seriously bro? Ten minutes. Harlow, when you’re ready for a real man you know where I live,’’ he winks at me, causing Malik to tense up next to me.
I reach down to Malik’s hand, linking our fingers together as I shake my head grinning at Max, “No thanks.’’
“It’s a great offer though right? Denny, the offers goes to you too, I’m in a 2 for 1 kind of mood.’’
“Just get on with it,’’ Denny snaps, but amusement fills her features.
“Okay mom,’’ he salutes sarcastically.
Myles takes that moment to reach forward and slap his brother across the head, “Come on, I have homework to do.’’
“When don’t you?’’ Max glares rubbing his head. “Okay, Jesus. Be still my people. I am making the phone call.’’
The phone is placed on loud speaker, the ring tone filling the room before a feminine ‘hello’ answers the phone.
“Hi, I’m Buster Cherry from Just for Him,’’ Max starts, and I nearly laugh. The name sounds like bust-her-cherry and not Buster Cherry. I have to shove my face into the pillow so that my laughter is muffled. It doesn’t help when Malik squeezes my hips in warning or when Max continues.
“I’m sorry to have missed him Mrs. Haynes. Could you let him know Buster Cherry called from Just for Him about his outstanding balance.’’
“Outstanding balance for what? I’m sorry, but I’m confused as to who you are,’’ she replies in a high tone.
“He has charges for our male match that he rents three times a week now Mrs. Haynes,’’ Max replies in a professional deep voice. To be honest, with my head in the pillow it sounds nothing like Max, but I obviously know it is. He’s really good at doing voice impersonations.
“Male match? I’m so sorry Buster Cherry, but I’m a little lost. Can you explain this to me?’’
“I’m a little out of sorts here Mrs. Haynes, but your husband signed an agreement and so did you. Are you telling me you don’t know about your husband’s private affairs?’’ he replies sounding aghast.
“No. He told me he has after school clubs and other after school volunteering. He really loves those kids and spends most of his time with them,’’ she says sounding choked up.
My head snaps up to Max and the others and we must all be thinking the same thing because Mr. Haynes never volunteers for after school clubs or cares about his students. She seriously does not know her husband very well it seems.
“Here we go; it says here you signed a contract that we send out to all our married clients. We don’t condone cheating Mrs. Haynes and it clearly states here you signed here to consent your husband to have sexual intercourse with one of our male matc
hes.’’
“I did not sign such a thing. I would never condone such a thing. My Lord,’’ she says sounding outraged. “How does this business work may I ask?’’
Max takes in a breather trying to compose himself. Malik is chuckling into the back of my neck and I’m finding it hard not to laugh myself. She has bought it, not once has she said you must be joking.
“Well, Mr. Haynes came in for the introduction where we ask all clients what they look for in a man and what sort of sexual experiences they’ve had in the past and what they’re looking for in the future. I have to say Mrs. Haynes, your husband is very experienced.’’
“That rat bastard. My mother always told me he was never good enough. That living with his mother until he was thirty five did something to him. I knew I should have listened. Do you know what I have to put up with? He farts when he cums,’’ she yells into the phone.
Max has to cover the mouth piece on the phone because none of us can hold our laughter in much longer.
Once Max is composed he tries to fight his grin before talking back into the phone, his voice not as serious as it was.
“Well I can see why you are upset. I’m sorry Mrs. Haynes but I have other customers to get to. If you could tell him he owes money for anal intercourse with other sexual acts, his site male match, and for using the same male match six weeks in a row. Usually we like to keep them rotated so they don’t become attached to one another,’’ he grins, hiding a chuckle with a cough. “But it’s the anal beads, cock ring, and lube and several of the other sex toys that have run up his bill. It also seems he’s been trying to connect to his match outside of his match time. If you could have him call the manager, Mr. Ben Dover he will be happy to sort out a payment plan for over the course of the year.’’
“How much exactly is this bill?’’ she screeches and I kind of feel bad for her. We’ve done this to get back at Mr. Haynes, but at the moment, it’s his wife who is getting upset.
“At the moment thirty thousand, but if he misses the next payment in …. Hello? Mrs. Haynes?’’ Max calls, but all that greets us is the dial tone. I can’t help but falling into a fit of laughter.
Malik (Carter Brother Series Book 1) Page 25
