Julio scowled at me. “We’re mates too, yet you didn’t get me any of Phelia’s pussy.”
“What am I? A pimp?”
“If it fits, why not? So, you gonna get me some quality time with Phelia?”
“No.”
“Oh, c’mon, man, you did it for Jasper.”
“Beg all you like, it ain’t happening—for either of you.” I started walking.
Jasper rushed to my side, Julio following a split second later. “I already said I didn’t wanna fuck that bitch again,” Jasper snapped. “And you’re not gonna either.”
“Don’t plan on it,” I said, sneering at a Year Ten scrambling out of my way, the kid looking shit scared of me.
“But I thought you loved Phelia, Jasper,” Julio said, sniggering.
“Shut the fuck up.” Jasper reached past me, smacking Julio in the head.
“Hey!” Julio yelled, swiping out at him.
I ducked, almost getting hit in the head too. I took a sharp turn past Julio, and shoved the door to our English class open. Everyone inside stopped talking, making me halt in midstride.
I scowled at them and kicked into gear again, heading for my desk. Jasper and Julio followed me in, Jasper having Julio in a headlock.
“Let Julio go, Jasper,” Mrs. Hatton said.
Jasper shoved Julio towards her and followed me to our desks, laughing as Julio called him a puta, which meant bitch in Spanish. I knew more Spanish swearwords than Croatian and Māori combined, Julio teaching me a whole dictionary’s worth.
The bell rang. Mrs. Hatton started calling the roll. The door opened, drawing my attention to... Phelia walked in with her head down and a bandage on her forehead.
Mrs. Hatton stopped calling out names, her attention also going to Phelia. “What happened to you?”
“Slipped in the shower and banged my head,” Phelia muttered, her excuse sounding like a generic lie.
Mrs. Hatton frowned, obviously not believing her either. She stepped closer to Phelia and lowered her voice, saying something I couldn’t hear.
Phelia shook her head, wincing as she did it. “No one hurt me, as I said, I slipped and fell.”
“Okay, take a seat,” Mrs. Hatton replied, still looking as though she didn’t believe her.
Phelia headed for her seat in front of me, her friend moving so she could get past.
I reached out, placing a hand on her shoulder as she sat down, ready to ask her what had happened.
She swatted my hand off her shoulder. “Don’t touch me!”
My eyebrows shot up, Jasper’s too, Phelia never turning my touch away.
Jasper leaned forward, his face concerned. “Did the Devil’s Crew do this?” he asked, alerting me to the fact it could’ve been them. I wondered whether Liam had ‘bumped’ into her, making her ‘slip’.
“No,” Phelia snapped at Jasper. “I slipped and fell, so leave me alone.”
Jasper sneered at her. “You lying bitch. I saw them on your road.”
“I fell.”
“Looks like a pretty hard fall, so hard I bet info also fell outta your mouth.”
“I wouldn’t betray Dante,” she hissed. “I love him.”
Jasper leaned across my desk, making her move her head back. “Then why were the Devil’s Crew following him this morning?”
“It’s got nuthin’ to do with me, so shut your fat mouth!”
Mrs. Hatton stopped reading the roll. “Phelia, what’s goin’ on?”
“Jasper won’t shut up ’bout my head.”
“You sure you’re okay to be at school? You seem a bit upset.”
Phelia’s face went red, anger lighting up her cheeks. “My boyfriend wuz murdered, don’t you think that’s a good enough reason to be upset? And while he wuz being murdered, I wuz fucking Dante. Now, do you think I feel real good ’bout that?” she snapped.
Mrs. Hatton’s mouth dropped open. Her eyes went to me, a look of shock, probably mixed in with betrayal colouring her face. I dropped my gaze, unable to say shit, Phelia the only thing keeping me out of jail—and alive.
Mrs. Hatton cleared her throat. “I think—”
Phelia cut her off. “I don’t give a shit what you think! No one does!” Bursting into tears, she jumped to her feet, yelling at her friend to move. Mischa shifted forward, allowing Phelia to squeeze past her.
Jasper grabbed his bag and pushed to his feet, running after her. Swearing under my breath, I did the same, knowing I couldn’t leave her alone with Jasper, especially after what he’d done at her house. Although I didn’t remember everything, I did remember he’d threatened her.
I avoided Mrs. Hatton’s gaze as I passed her, exiting after the other two.
Dropping his bag, Jasper grabbed Phelia before she could take off, pushing her up against a locker. “I don’t believe your bullshit, so start talkin’ fast.”
“Lemme go!” she screamed.
“No! Tell me what you said to the DC.”
“I didn’t tell them anything!”
“Stop lying to me!”
I grabbed Jasper’s arm. “Let her go.”
He threw me a glare. “No. This bitch could’ve ratted you out.”
“I didn’t,” she cried. “I wouldn’t do that to Dante. I love him!”
Jasper sneered at her. “Then why did’ja turn up bandaged to the hilt, right after the DC started stalking Dante?”
“Cos Jonah heard I fucked Dante while his son wuz bein’ murdered. That’s why. It’s payback. Nuthin’ more, so lemme go!”
Jasper lowered his head to Phelia’s. “If I find out you’re lying, I’m gonna—”
Mrs. Hatton appeared through the doorway, cutting him off. “Jasper, let her go.”
“Fuck off, bitch,” Jasper snapped. “This doesn’t concern you.”
“Like hell it doesn’t.” Mrs. Hatton held up her mobile phone. “You either let her go or I’m calling the police.”
Jasper let Phelia go, who instantly took off. He yelled out for her to stop, but she kept on running. He spun around, his expression furious. “You threaten me again, bitch, and I’ll see to it everyone knows ’bout you and,” he looked at me.
Mrs. Hatton shrank back in horror.
Livid, I shoved Jasper. “You’ll keep your mouth shut if you know what’s good for you.”
He glared at me. “Are you threatening a bro over a ho?”
I lowered my voice. “Just keep your mouth shut.”
“Whatever.” Snatching his bag up, he stormed down the corridor, heading in the direction Phelia had gone.
I turned to Mrs. Hatton, placing a hand on her arm. “He won’t talk; I’ll make sure of it.”
She leaned closer to me, whispering, “If he does, I’m done for. Jasper’s father saw me leave your house.”
My eyes widened. “Fuck!”
“Don’t worry, I covered. I told him I was your teacher, that I was there to talk you into returning to school. Just make sure your father knows that.” Her jaw tightened. “After all, I am your teacher, nothing more.”
I blinked at her, her words slapping me in the face. “You’re backing off cos of Jasper’s dad?”
“No, and if you don’t know why I’m mad, then you obviously don’t have a clue how a relationship works,” she said, whispering the last part. “So, go run after your girlfriend, Dante, I have a class to teach.”
She spun around and pushed through the door, leaving me standing alone in the corridor, realising she’d just had a jealous fit over Phelia. I considered following her inside and giving her a piece of my mind, but instead I took off after Jasper, knowing I couldn’t set things right with her without compromising my alibi.
I caught up with Jasper not far from school. His face was already red from exertion, while his breathing would give Darth Vader a run for his money. “Leave things be with Phelia,” I said, knowing exactly where he was going.
“No,” he panted, slowing down to a walk.
I grabbed his arm. “You can’t
leave school alone, not with the Devil’s Crew following us.” I glanced around the street, worried they could still be hanging about. But there was no sign of Liam’s beat-up black car.
Jasper pulled free. “They’re following you, not me, so you head back.”
“Oh, fuckin’ great. Make me feel even more like shit.”
His hard expression softened. “Look, I’m sorry,” he said, finally stopping. “I didn’t think they would do this.”
“I did! That’s why I told you not to do that shit to Happy Meal,” I said, lowering my voice for the last part, wary with being out in the open.
“Yeah, I know, but I couldn’t leave things the way they were.” He frowned. “And I’ll get my dad to smooth things over with the DC.”
“I told ja, they won’t stop until they find Happy Meal’s killer.”
“And I said, I’d sort it out.” He started walking again.
I followed.
He stopped again. “Go back to school, Dante.”
“Nah, we stick together.”
“Not today. I needa straighten some things out on my own.”
“Give Phelia a rest. She obviously got bashed cos she wuz defending me, otherwise I’d be nabbed by now.”
“I told you it doesn’t concern you. It’s purely ’bout me.”
“Bullshit, you’re defo goin’ to Phelia’s house.”
Jasper grunted, pretty much confirming it.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea, mate. I don’t want you pushing her. She might snap and tell someone the truth.”
“That’s exactly why I hafta go. If the DC push her too hard, she might give you up to them, and I’m not lettin’ that happen.”
“What are you gonna do?”
“Just make sure she realises if she takes her alibi back,” he grimaced, “she will get more from me than even the DC will give her.”
“Fuck, man, don’t hurt her.”
“I won’t, it’s just a threat to make sure she keeps quiet. And I can’t have you hanging around, undermining me. You’re too soft, Dante.”
“No, I’m not.”
“With females you are, so get lost.”
I went to open my mouth, about to snap back, but stopped as he lowered his face to mine.
“You know what makes a leader?” he growled out.
I didn’t reply, not getting why he was asking.
“Someone who does the shit that needs to be done. They take control of things, not whine like li’l bitches. I will deal with Phelia, like I’ll deal with this blowback from Happy Meal’s death. I know what I’m doin’, so back the fuck off.”
I remained where I was, his tone riling me.
He indicated with his head towards the school. “Go back, I’ll return in time for lunch.” He started walking again, and this time I let him go, knowing I couldn’t change his mind without bashing his head against the concrete footpath.
I headed back to school, bypassing my English class, the look that Mrs. Hatton had given me earlier not something I wanted to see again. Instead, I went to my favourite place on the school grounds: behind the gym.
I stopped in my tracks as I rounded the corner of the large cream-coloured building, surprised by who was sitting in my spot. Annabelle brushed her orange hair aside and looked up at me with tears in her eyes.
I resumed walking, taking a seat on the ground next to her. “What’s wrong?”
She wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand. “Ma uncle. He wants me to change schools.”
“Cos of what happened over Ms. Farris?”
She nodded, her tears making her green eyes even brighter. “I dinnae want to move schools again. I like it here.”
“Sorry.”
“What are ye sorry for?” she said, sniffling.
“For causing all this shit.”
She grimaced. “Did Helen really touch ye and yer brother?” She lowered her voice. “Like, where she shouldnae have?”
I shook my head. “She only touched us on our shoulders.”
“Then why did ye tell yer dad she did more?”
I scowled at her. “I didn’t. Jasper did. He told my dad she creeped on me and my bro, which she did. She wouldn’t stop perving at me during maths. It’s why I lost my shit with her and got kicked outta class. The principal also told my dad she wuz sayin’ sexual shit ’bout me and my bro.”
Annabelle scowled. “I didnae think ye would lie aboot something like that, ye’re too nice.”
I nudged her, the chick making me feel better. “Not many people call me nice. Arsehole, twat, cunt, I could go on, but never nice.”
She smiled. “Ye’re funny too.” She leaned her head on my shoulder, making me stiffen. “I’m glad we’re friends.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Ah...”
She lifted her head. “Aren’t we?”
“Um, we like spoke a coupla times. That hardly makes us friends.”
Her bottom lip quivered. “Guess so. Sorry.” She went to push up.
I grabbed her arm. “Don’t go. We can be friends if ya want. You can be my first girl friend.”
A small smile tugged at her lips. “I dinnae think that came oot the way ye intended it to.”
I smiled back. “Yeah, I mean mate. You can be my first mate that’s a girl. No sex, no kissing, just pot smoking.”
She laughed. “Ye’re right.”
“’Bout what?” I nudged her. “The no sex part?”
She giggled. “No, that pot tastes better than cigarettes.” She held out her hand. “Got any more?”
My eyebrow winged up. “The teachers will be able to smell it on you.”
“I’ll drench maself in deodorant.” She wiggled her fingers. “So, give me one, mate,” she said, sounding like she was trying to put on a Kiwi accent.
Grinning, I slipped my hand into the hidden pocket in my school bag and pulled one out, the chick cool.
15
Phelia
I turned the corner, sprinting down the road, not caring as the air burned my lungs. I’d stuffed everything up, reacting the opposite of what I should have. I was supposed to get closer to Dante, to get info on who could’ve killed Ronnie, but instead I’d pushed him away. I’d thought it was Jasper who’d touch me, not Dante, ending up snapping at the wrong person. Then Jasper had gone after me, ruining everything like he usually did.
The sound of an engine behind me caught my attention. I glanced over my shoulder, jolting at the sight of a black Ford with darkened windows. Knowing it wasn’t Reaper’s car, I backed up fast, fearful it could belong to a Skin, especially after Jasper’s reaction. Maybe he’d called his crew, telling them I’d ratted out Dante.
The car came to a stop alongside me. Scared of being shot, I backed up more, even though it was pointless, since I had nowhere to hide. The fence behind me was made of wire and, although I was a fast runner, I couldn’t outrun a bullet.
The window wound down, the tattooed face staring out at me a massive relief. Despite not liking Landon Papua’s brother, I’d much rather see Liam than a Skin.
Liam grinned at me, flashing his gold tooth. “Where are you running too, Phelia?”
“Nowhere?” I said, not wanting to tell the perv. Every single time I saw him, he made me feel as though I was butt naked.
“Well, honey, I needa know. Reaper said I hafta watch you, so either return to school or hop in my car. I’ll take ya wherever you want.”
“Home, which is just around the corner, so you can follow me.”
“Why you wagging?”
“Not feeling well.” I pointed to my head. “Your boss smashed my head against my kitchen table.”
“Well, you shouldn’t have been fucking a Skin.” He leered at me. “You should be fucking a Devil’s Crew, and I’m more than happy to oblige.”
“You’re not allowed to touch me!”
His grin widened. “True, unless you don’t get Jonah the info he’s after. Reaper said I can have a go at you before he kills you.
”
I took another step back.
Liam started laughing. “I’m kidding! Fuck, you chicks are so easy to scare.” He jerked his head. “Now, get in the car. I’ll drop ya off home.”
“I’m not gettin’ in a car with you!”
He lifted a gun, making me freeze. “This says you will. So, move it.”
I screwed up my face.
“Oh, c’mon, love. I really wuz pulling ya tit. I’m not gonna fuck ya, unless you want me to.”
“I don’t!”
“Your loss, now get in before a Skin sees ya talkin’ to me.”
The thought of Jasper being that Skin made me glance around. He was nowhere in sight, the road I’d ducked down relatively quiet. Only a couple of cars drove past, with no pedestrians other than myself. But that didn’t mean Jasper hadn’t followed me. He could appear around the corner at any second, and if he saw me talking to Liam...
I jumped into the backseat and slunk down low, scared shitless.
***
I jumped out of Liam’s car and ran across the road to my house, beyond relieved he’d stuck to his word. Although he’d been greasy, trying to chat me up, he’d acted more like a chauffeur than a gang member.
I fumbled with my keys, finally getting the door open. As soon as I was inside, I locked it and headed for my room, checking through my curtains for Liam’s car, hoping he’d left. But he hadn’t, the car not moving an inch.
I flopped back onto my bed, what had happened today too much. I felt like I was trapped with no way out. I had a rattlesnake on my right and a cobra on my left, both of them ready to strike at any given moment, making it impossible to know what to do next. No, I did know. I had to get information out of Dante.
Or Jonah would kill my mum.
I closed my eyes, wondering how I was going to get back into Dante’s good books after what I’d done. I also had to get him away from Jasper, holing up someplace the prick couldn’t find us. My thoughts went to my best friend’s sleep-out. Mischa’s mother still hadn’t rented it, probably because it was a dump. Regardless, it would do. I could take the bottles of rum and vodka my dad had left behind, liquoring Dante up for the info. We could also spend the night there. The double bed was a bit lumpy, but good enough for what I wanted.
I texted Mischa if me and Dante could use it. A reply came back almost instantly, saying yes, as well as asking whether I fell or was hit.
Shattered Poetry (Broken Lives #2) Page 16
