by E. K. Blair
I nodded my head in greeting. That was all this guy was going to get.
“Nice to meet you, Jesse. I’m Todd.”
Again, I nodded but said nothing as I stared straight ahead at the chalkboard at the front of the class. I wasn’t interested in making friends here.
Any friends I had were back at my old school, and even there, I had very few. I wasn’t the most sociable person, and it took a lot for someone to gain my respect and trust. Besides the guys at the tattoo shop, I could count on one hand the number of people that fell into that group. Most of them were kids who lived in the park with me, including my best friend, Andy, and his sister, Ally.
I had to admit that I missed the guy. We’d grown up in the park together, and I thought of him more like a brother than a best friend. I usually tried to stay out of trouble, but he was always the first one to dive into it, and I was often found guilty by association. We and the other boys we hung around with were branded by most as the troublemakers in school and in the trailer park. It didn’t bother me though because it meant that most people left me alone.
“Don’t take offense. He’s just shy.” I heard Emma whisper to Todd.
He had obviously picked up on my unfriendly attitude and had taken it as a personal insult.
I wanted to laugh when I’d heard Emma say I was shy. I was the furthest thing from it, but I tended not to get wrapped up in bullshit things like being social, so I often came off as shy or an asshole. I hoped that the latter would apply around here, so everyone would take the hint to leave me alone.
They both turned their attention to the front of the classroom as the teacher entered. She was an older woman, and I could already tell that she was going to be strict. She just put off that dreaded no-nonsense vibe.
“Good morning, class. I’m Ms. Mason for those of you who don’t know me. For those of you who have had me before, you know what I expect out of my classes. Those of you who are just now getting the privilege of taking one of my classes, I want to be clear now. I won’t put up with any of your silly little games that so many students like to play. If I give you an assignment, I expect you to do it and have it turned in by the due date. No excuses. Yes, I am strict, but I’m also fair. Just don’t cross me.”
I rolled my eyes. Isn’t she just a breath of fresh air? It looked like this class was going to be one that I needed to focus a lot of my attention on.
“Let me take attendance, and then I’ll pass out your books,” she said as she sat down at her desk.
I didn’t miss the disapproving look she’d given me when she called my name and I raised my hand. My tattoos were obviously not going to be very popular with most of the staff around here, but I was used to it. Everyone always thought that if you had ink, then that automatically made you a criminal.
She wasted no time in passing out our books as soon as she’d finished with attendance.
“I would like to speak with you after class,” she said as she handed me a book.
“Sure, no problem,” I grumbled as I took it from her.
Emma glanced at me worriedly, but I gave her a small smile, hoping to reassure her. I could handle whatever Ms. Mason wanted to dish out.
We spent the rest of class working on chapter one, and she even assigned the questions at the end as homework. She obviously didn’t care that it was practically a rule that no one should give out homework on the first day of school.
When the bell rang, I threw my books in my bag and stood up. Emma grabbed my arm just as I started to walk to the front.
I gave her a questioning look. “What?”
She seemed uncomfortable, but she hid it well. “I just wanted to tell you where the cafeteria is. When you leave this class, just turn right and then left at the end of the hall. Just go straight after that, and you’ll find it.”
I was surprised that she was trying to help without me asking for it.
“Thanks,” I said as I looked down to where she was still holding my arm.
She looked down, too, and she quickly pulled her hand away when she realized that she was still touching me. “You’re welcome.”
I continued walking up to the front. I stood next to Ms. Mason’s desk as the rest of the class disappeared out into the hallway.
“Thank you for staying, Mr. Daniels,” she said once everyone was out of the room.
“Sure, no problem. What did you want to talk to me about?” I asked, already knowing that it probably had something to do with the tattoos covering my body.
Everyone might as well get used to them. It wasn’t like I could take them off while I was here. I had even made an attempt to look somewhat civilized with this damn polo shirt I’d found at the local thrift shop, hoping that it would make them happy.
“As you know, this is the first year that we have done this scholarship program. All of the teachers were given a file to look over for the new students, so we would know what to expect. I have to say that you completely shocked me when you raised your hand today. From what was in your file, I was expecting someone a bit...tamer. It’s quite obvious that you are a very intelligent young man based off of the fact that you’re standing here now in addition to the grades that your old school sent to us. I just want to make sure that we aren’t going to have any problems since you’re not what I had envisioned.”
“Are you profiling me?” I asked, unable to stop myself.
People like this woman pissed me off, and if she were anyone besides a teacher, I would have told her to fuck off by now. Instead, I was forced to hold my tongue and be semi-polite.
She frowned. “I am not. I just want to make sure that we’re on the same page.”
“No, you are. You think that just because I have tattoos that I’m some lowlife with anger issues and a drug habit. I can assure you that I am not. Like you just pointed out, I have very high test scores, and my transcripts are damn near perfect. I was never suspended from my old school either, so it’s obvious where your concern lies.” I held out my arm, so she could see the tattoos on my right arm. “This doesn’t change who I am. I’m that guy in your little folder. I just happen to like color.”
I swore that I’d seen her mouth turn up in a grin, but a second later, it was gone, and I wondered if I had imagined it.
“That’s good to hear, Mr. Daniels. You’ve been blessed with a great opportunity, and I’d hate to see it go to waste.”
“You don’t have to worry about that. I understand what being here means, and I will continue to keep my grades up, just like I always have.”
She stared at me for a moment before speaking. “I’m glad we cleared things up. I look forward to having you in my class this year. Maybe you can teach some of these idiots how to be a proper student.”
“I doubt that,” I said as I turned and walked to the door.
As soon as I was outside of the classroom, I all but growled in frustration. I was hoping that the rest of the teachers wouldn’t decide to judge me before they even had the chance to know me.
I followed Emma’s directions and found the cafeteria easily. I would have to be deaf not to hear the roar of the voices coming from inside it. Even if she hadn’t given me directions, the place was hard to miss. Just like everything else in this school, the cafeteria screamed money. My old cafeteria had been plain, just a room filled with marked-on tables and plastic chairs. This place, however, reminded me of a restaurant more than a high school cafeteria. The tables were all identical in the same polished wood with matching chairs. I looked around, but I didn’t see one chair that was broken or any tables with graffiti on them.
I had to admit that this was a nice change of scenery. The table that Andy and I had claimed back at my old school wobbled from where one of the legs was ready to fall off, and the chairs were all those uncomfortable plastic ones that made your ass hurt after two seconds of sitting in them.
I was one of the last to arrive, so the line for food was almost completely deserted. I moved through it quickly and started lo
oking for an empty table. Hamrick High was a highly selective school, and there were less than three hundred students total, yet there wasn’t a single open table to be seen. I ignored everyone as they stared at me and whispered while I looked for an empty seat. I wanted nothing to do with any of them.
I noticed a table in the far corner of the room that had only two male students sitting at it. They looked like outcasts to me, and I decided that they were the best option I had. They were both watching me as I approached, and they traded glances as I stopped in front of their table.
“Is this seat taken?” I asked as I pulled out a chair and sat down.
The boy sitting across from me shook his head. “No, you can sit there if you want.”
“Thanks,” I said as I looked both of them over.
The one who had spoken up was the typical nerd with glasses and a bad haircut. He was skinny while the other guy was overweight with a bad case of acne. Just as I suspected—outcasts.
I started eating as they continued to stare at me. I had to admit that this school did have at least one perk. The food didn’t taste like ass, like my old school’s did. It was actually kind of good. If there was one thing that I liked above all else, it was food.
“Why are you sitting with us?” the chubby one asked.
I looked up to see him staring at me with a confused look on his face. “What do you mean?”
“It’s just that you’re not like us, and no one ever sits with us.”
I glanced behind me to see the rich brats watching me. “Trust me, I’m just like you.”
“You’re a scholarship kid, aren’t you?” the skinny boy asked. I nodded. “I am.”
“You could fit in with them if you tried.” the chubby one said.
“Don’t want to,” I said before shoving food in my mouth.
Skinny smiled. “I think I like you already.” He held out his hand, and I shook it over the table. “I’m Charles.”
“Jesse.”
Chubby held out his hand, and I shook it as well. What is up with seventeenyear-olds shaking hands?
“I’m Sean.”
“Good to meet you guys,” I said as I wiped my hands on my jeans.
“Likewise. Where are you from?” Sean asked.
“Public. I’m a poor bastard.” I grinned as I watched both of their mouths hang open in shock. “Don’t act so surprised. I’m sure you knew already. I know what this whole school thinks of me.”
“Actually, I haven’t heard any poor bastard comments. I have heard a lot of the girls talking about you though,” Charles said.
“Same here, and we hear everything. No one even pays attention to us, so we hear all the good gossip,” Sean added.
“They can keep talking. I’m not interested in rich bitches.”
I heard someone suck in a deep breath behind me. I turned to see Emma standing behind me with a hurt look in her eyes.
“I’m assuming you heard that?” I asked.
“I came over to see if you wanted to sit with me and my friends, but I think I have my answer.” She turned and stomped off, leaving me to feel like an ass.
I wasn’t sure why I cared that I’d made her feel bad, but I did. I was out of my chair in a flash, hurrying after her, before I even realized what I was doing.
“Emma, wait!” I yelled as I caught up to her.
She had all but run from me, and we had ended up in one of the empty hallways leading away from the cafeteria.
“What?” she asked as she spun around to face me.
“I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings,” I said, realizing that it was the truth.
I didn’t want to hurt this girl, but I wasn’t sure why I cared.
“Don’t worry about it. You didn’t.”
“Then, why did you run off on me?” I asked skeptically.
“I, uh...I remembered that I needed to grab a book from my locker.” “Couldn’t you do that after lunch?” I asked, calling her out on her lie.
We both jumped as the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch.
“Look at that. It is after lunch. Later, Jesse,” Emma said as she waved and disappeared around the corner.
I stood in the hallway for a split second before I forced myself to start walking to my next class. Why did I chase her? What the fuck did I care? She was a spoiled rich bitch, and I didn’t need her screwing with my head. I was here to get good grades and keep my mom happy—nothing more. Sure, Emma was attractive, but so were most of the girls in this school. There was no reason for me to give a shit about her.
I spent the rest of my day searching for my classes. The building was small enough that I could figure out where I was going most of the time, and if I couldn’t, there was always someone around to ask.
Each time I walked into a class, the teacher would give me a disapproving look as soon as he or she saw me, but I didn’t really care. They could think whatever they wanted to about me as long as they would give me the grades I worked for. If they didn’t, then we would have a problem.
I was worn out by the time the final bell rang, but I was looking forward to working my shift at the tattoo shop. Rick had been working on a back piece for a guy, and today was his final session. I couldn’t wait to see the end results. So far, it looked sick.
I threw my books into my locker and walked out to my car, happy that I was free. I threw my bag in the backseat, and then I slid into my car. I was trying to hurry so that I could get to the shop in time to see Rick finish the session, but when I turned the key in the ignition, the only sound I heard was a click.
“You’ve got to be kidding me!” I groaned as I hit the steering wheel.
Today was really not my day. I tried a few more times before finally accepting that I was going to have to call Andy and see if he could come pick me up. I pulled my cell phone from my pocket, and I nearly threw it out the window when I realized it was dead. What good is the stupid thing if I can’t use it when I need it the most?
I hung my head in defeat as I realized that I was stuck. I was either going to have to walk across town or ask someone here to use a phone. Both options sucked in my opinion.
Why is it that on the only night this week when I don’t have cheer practice, Jesse is sitting in his obviously broken-down car parked next to me?
I’d been standing on the stairs, watching him fight with his car and then his phone for the last few minutes. I was still mad about what I’d heard him say at lunch, and I didn’t want to help him. I wanted to let him sit in his hot car and turn into a puddle. Okay, maybe I don’t want that, but still. He obviously didn’t think very much of me. So, why do I feel like I should help him? I should just get in my car and drive away, but I knew that I couldn’t. He needed help, and I was going to offer it to him.
I took a deep breath and walked over to his Jeep. “Need some help?” I asked him through the open window.
He nearly jumped through the roof before he looked me over carefully.
“My car won’t start. Can I use your phone?”
I pulled it from my pocket and held it out to him. “Sure, go for it.”
“Thank you.” He dialed a number and waited. “Andy, it’s Jesse. Listen, I’m broke down at school. Can you come get me?” His face fell as he listened to his friend talk. “No, it’s fine. I’ll figure something out. Thanks.”
He hung up the phone and handed it back to me without a word. He was obviously still in need of help even if he didn’t want to admit it.
“Did you get a ride?” I asked, pretending that I didn’t already know the answer.
He shook his head. “No, he has to take his mom to the doctor, and my mom is working right now. I’ll just have to wait until one of them is free.” “Where do you need to go?” I asked.
He glanced up. “I was supposed to be at work in ten minutes. I don’t see that happening now.”
I motioned to my car. “Get in. I’ll take you.” I wasn’t sure what I was doing, but I’d already offered, and I couldn’t take
it back now.
“You don’t have to. I’ll figure something out,” he said stubbornly.
“Oh, for God’s sake, get in my damn car, and I’ll take you where you need to go. Not all of us rich bitches are heartless, you know.” The words had come out of my mouth before I had a chance to think them over, and I instantly regretted them.
He didn’t say a word as he climbed out of his car and slipped into mine. Instead of making me feel better, the fact that he hadn’t commented made me nervous. I walked around to the driver’s side and got in, careful not to look at him.
“Where do you need to go?” I asked. “Rick’s Tattoos over on my side of town.” “You tattoo?” I asked.
I backed out of my parking spot and pulled onto the main road. I had no idea where Rick’s was, but I knew where the lower-class part of town was. He could just give me directions when we got closer.
“Nah. I’m only seventeen, so I can’t legally. I just work there as the shop bitch.”
Again, I couldn’t help but admire him for saying exactly what was on his mind. “Do you like it?”
“I do. Rick and his guys are great, and I’ve learned a lot from being there.”
“That’s great. I’m glad that you found something you love.” The seconds ticked by slowly as we both stayed silent.
“I hurt you, didn’t I?” he asked suddenly, destroying the silence.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I replied, hoping that he would believe me.
The truth was that he had hurt me. I wasn’t sure why, but the fact that he had labeled me a stuck-up bitch bothered me. Sure, I could be one if I wanted to, but that wasn’t usually the case.
“Don’t lie to me,” he said as he stared at me.
“I’m not lying to you,” I said stubbornly
“Yes, you are. I can see it in your eyes.”
I had no idea how he could be in my head like this. There was just something about him that made me care about what he thought of me. I’d lived my entire life not caring what others thought, yet here he was, pushing his way into my life without even trying. I couldn’t deal with this.
“What gives you the right to ask that?”
