Southside High

by Mankin, Michelle

  “Who the fuck made you her spokesman?” I narrowed my gaze.

  “No one. I like her, and she seems to like you, or she did. Before you screwed up.” He continued staring me down as I glared up at him.

  Fucking hell, I had more problems than just Lace. I needed to be meaner if a straitlaced motherfucker like this guy didn’t think he had to cower from me.

  “I know you can fuck me up, War,” Chad said, apparently not done. “I get that you’re tough, and have friends in high places and shit. But Lace showed me something today, showed everyone. There are too many bullies at Southside, like you and Randy, running all over the rest of us. I’m not turning away or running anymore. If Lace needs me, I’m there for her. Just wanted to make that clear to you.” Lifting his chin, giving me some respect, he turned away.

  The tardy bell rang. Chad had said his piece. It was a nice speech, but he was going to be late for class. That made me happy, or it would have if I weren’t so worried I’d blown things with Lace.

  Word choice intentional.

  Lace

  “Bry,” I said, acknowledging him before I turned away. I didn’t want him to see me like this, weak and emotional.

  “Lace.” Placing his hand on my arm, Bryan gently turned me around to face him.

  My skin tingled, registering the warmth of him beneath the woven yarns of my sweater. I also noted the comfort of his grip.

  “You look upset.” His brows drawn together, he flicked his cigarette aside and crushed it under his boot heel. “What’s wrong? What happened?”

  “Nothing.” I blinked rapidly, attempting to diminish the wet sheen of hurt and frustration.

  “Not nothing.”

  Releasing my arm, he gently grasped my chin and lifted my head to study me. That gorgeous gray-green gaze I’d gladly drown in drifted slowly over my features, seeming to linger on my mouth.

  “Who upset you? I’ll kick their ass.” His voice was firm but rough. “Tell me,” he said softly as he framed my face in both his hands.

  His controlled anger on my behalf, added to his gentle concern, made me melt. Okay, to be honest, all that he was and had once meant to me melted me. There was a time I’d cast him in the role of my very own Prince Charming.

  “War.” I wet my suddenly dry lips and swallowed. “War upset me.”

  Bryan released me and took a big step backward.

  “Yeah.” I let out a nervous laugh, wrapping my arms around myself as the concern in his expression disappeared. “Figured you’d react like that.”

  His eyes narrowed. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “You tell me, Bryan. We were once close friends. But now there’s War, and you can’t seem to be bothered with me anymore.”

  “We’re still friends,” he said, frowning.

  “Really?” All my sleeplessness, frustration, and anger spilled over and out of my mouth. “How can that be? Friends talk to each other. I haven’t heard from you in years. Not a single word, nothing since the night of the Metallica concert.”

  “I was just a kid then,” he said, as if that were an excuse.

  “And I wasn’t?”

  “How was I supposed to react? What was I supposed to do?” Frowning, he raked a hand through his hair. “You were almost raped, Lace. And all I could do was stand there.”

  Did he blame himself like Dizzy did?

  “It wasn’t your fault.”

  “It felt like it was.” He blew out a breath. “I should have stopped you from going upstairs.”

  My eyes widened, and his turned unfocused as if he were remembering that dreadful scene.

  “Then after,” he said, “you didn’t even want me around.”

  “I was scared,” I whispered. “Confused.”

  “So was I. Barely older than you when it happened. Then you moved away right after that, and I knew I needed to let you go. You were better off someplace else, anywhere else.” His eyes refocused. “Or that’s what I told myself. You’re better off, Lace, aren’t you?”

  I was better off in a lot of ways, but in others I wasn’t. Before, I would have shared the bad and the good with Bryan. All of it. But not now, even though I wanted to.

  “Sure,” I said, letting him off the hook.

  “Good.” He let out a shaky exhale, as if he’d feared my answer.

  “I have plans,” I said, deciding to give him a little more. “I make good grades like your mom encouraged me to do. I want to go to college and study fashion design.”

  “Makes sense.” He tilted his head to a reflective angle. “I remember all those outrageous Britney Spears costumes you used to throw on for our performances.”

  “Hopefully, slightly better than those,” I said, and he grinned. Encouraged by that, I blabbed more. “If I do well on my SAT, I should qualify for a scholarship.”

  “What’s after that?” he asked, and I shrugged.

  “That’s pretty far into the future.”

  “Don’t tell me you haven’t thought further.” He raised a brow.

  “I’d love to have my own label, see my clothes modeled on the runway at fashion shows in New York and Milan.” Curious, I squinted up at him. “And you?”

  “I want to be a world-famous guitarist. Walk onstage with my guitar at Madison Square Garden. Own it.”

  Nodding, I said, “I can see you doing that for sure.”

  “And there she is.”

  “Who?” I asked.

  “You, Lace.” He shook his head. “You always had a way of making me believe anything was possible.” His eyes shone. “I never thought I’d see you again, let alone talk to you like this.”

  “Me either.”

  “I wanted to see you again. So many times, I thought about it after you left. But my mom wouldn’t let me. She said I’d interfere with your healing process, maybe even trigger a flashback.”

  “All these years.” I shook my head. “I had it all wrong. I thought you didn’t want to be friends with me anymore because of what Sean did.”

  “That wasn’t it at all. And now that I’m older, I wonder if there was some other reason my mom wanted me to stay away.” Closing his hands around my upper arms, Bryan pulled me closer. “I didn’t mean to hurt you. I thought I was doing the right thing.”

  And there he was . . . the Bryan I knew before. Doing the right thing for those he cared about had always been important to the boy I’d befriended.

  “It’s okay,” I said, wishing so badly I could go back in time and do it all over again.

  “It’s not.” His eyes searched mine. “I can see that it’s not. I’m sorry I got it wrong.”

  The door I’d come through only moments before suddenly burst open and banged against the brick wall. War stepped outside, and Bryan released me.

  “Sorry for what?” War asked, glancing back and forth between us.

  “Just stuff in the past,” Bryan said, and War’s eyes narrowed.

  War

  “I’m going to class,” Lace said, looking all pissy again, even though her expression had been as soft as cotton candy with Bryan when I’d stepped outside.

  “Babe.” I grabbed her arm when she attempted to brush past me. “Stay.”

  Her eyes flashed. “Let go of me, Warren.”

  “No,” I said firmly, and she frowned.

  “That wasn’t a question.”

  “I want to talk to you,” I said. “Now.”

  “You don’t have anything to say that I want to hear.” She tried to shrug free of my hold. When I wouldn’t let her, she gasped and tugged harder. “Let go.”

  “Let her go, War,” Bryan said. His hand fell like a ton of bricks on my arm, and I released her.

  “Don’t—” Her voice cracking, she skirted around me, not meeting my eyes. “Don’t ever touch me again.”

  That so wasn’t happening.

  “Lacey,” I called.

  Shrugging off Bryan, I turned to go after her, but the door slammed in my face after she ran back inside. With
my fingers opening and closing reflexively at my sides and really wanting to beat the shit out of someone, I spun around and railed at my best friend.

  “Bry, what the hell?” I frowned at him. “I wasn’t hurting her. I’d never hurt her.”

  “There are more ways than just physical ones to hurt someone.”

  “I know.” My brows drew together. I’d been schooled on that my whole damn life. Bryan knew that too. He knew my shit, and I knew all his. We didn’t talk it to death, but there were no secrets between us.

  “Yeah, we both have piece-of-shit fathers.” He gave me a long look. “But trust me on this, Lace has had it worse.”

  “How much worse?” Staring at the door, I winced as my gut clenched. Lace seemed so put together, so strong, I couldn’t imagine it.

  “Not for me to share her secrets, man.”

  “C’mon, Bry.” I turned back to look at him. “Help a brother out.”

  “No, War. Just . . . a lot of bad stuff happened when we were kids.” His expression darkened. “If she wants to tell you, she will, but that’s up to her. But if she means something to you, I’d advise you to proceed cautiously with her. Physically, especially. You’re not going to get anywhere with her if you don’t take care.”

  I scoffed. “You’re acting like she’s some delicate flower.”

  “That’s exactly what I’m saying.”

  “You’re wrong. She just told Randy off in front of her whole class.” Pride rang in my voice. “And yesterday, she stood up to Belinda, even though that psycho chick pulled a switchblade on her.” I shook my head. “She’s not the little girl you knew. And she’s a lot tougher than you think.”

  Bryan frowned. “You don’t know what I think.”

  Narrowing my eyes on him, I said, “I don’t like coming out here and seeing your hands on her.”

  “She was upset. You upset her.” His gaze a frozen tundra, he lifted his chin. “She’s my friend, and if she needs comforting, I’m going to comfort her. Even if the reason she needs it is because of you.”

  “Fucking hell.” I shoved my fists in my jeans pockets. “Fine. Okay. You’re right. But fuck, man, she’s got me all twisted up in knots. I’m trying to do this right, but maybe I should’ve just done things the way I usually do and fucked her last night.”

  “She give you that sort of invitation?” he asked, his eyes narrowing.

  I almost didn’t tell him the truth, but I sensed I needed his help to have and secure her. “No, not exactly.”

  “Right. I thought not. I heard you were with Missy last night.”

  “So what?” I let that hang.

  “So,” he said slowly, “Lace isn’t like Missy or the other chicks we fuck.”

  “I know that. I know she’s different.”

  “Yeah, that’s what you say, but I don’t believe you mean it. And if I don’t believe you, why the hell do you think Lace is going to?”

  “I hear you,” I mumbled, not liking that he was making sense. It kept me from getting what I wanted right now, which was Lace.

  “Do you?” His brows rose almost to his hairline. “Truly?”

  I nodded once.

  “Then you better figure out how to convince her. With the way things are, I give you less than a fifty percent chance.”

  “Fuck the odds.” I gritted my teeth. “Talk to her for me.”

  “No, War. No fucking way.”

  “Listen, man. I screwed up. I realize that now. I couldn’t even get off with Missy without imagining Lace.”

  “You want me to share that with Lace?” he asked, his mouth flattening into a disapproving line.

  “No.” I shook my head. “Fuck no. I just want you to understand how bad I have it, and put in a few good words for me with her. Talk her into hearing me out. Okay?”

  Bryan gave that some thought. “All right.”

  “Good. Thanks.” I let out a breath, took my hands out of my pockets, and shook them, relaxing a bit. “In other news, I just learned we might have a drummer and a bassist for the band.”

  “Really? Who?” he asked.

  “You ever heard of a guy called Juaquin Acenado?”

  “King, you mean?”

  I nodded. “Yeah, he’s the one.”

  “His brother saved Jorge’s life.”

  “King is Adrian’s little brother?” I asked.

  “Yeah,” he said. “Only King’s not so little.”

  “No, he sure the fuck isn’t. The guy’s built like a monster truck.” And about as subtle when it came to things he was passionate about. Like Lace, unfortunately. “If he plays the drums with that power—” I shook my head, having difficulty imagining it.

  “He does.”

  “How do you know?” I asked.

  “He was in the band his freshman year. Got crosswise with the band director and got kicked off. He has a bad temper.”

  “Excellent,” I said. “He’ll fit right in.”

  “Probably.” Bryan laughed. “Who’s the bassist?

  “Sager Reed. Supposed to be able to groove, and has some songwriting chops.”

  Bryan’s brow creased. “Never heard of him.”

  “Friend of Juaquin’s.”

  “Ah, a friend recommendation is biased. So, basically, Sager is an unknown at this point.”

  “Yeah,” I said, “but not for long. And neither is where we can go as a band if we play our cards right.” I filled him in about my talk with Kyle, except for the Lace part of the deal.

  Looking impressed, Bryan nodded approvingly. He knew once I set my mind on a course of action, I’d see it through. I’d just have to make some modifications with Kyle, and soon. I didn’t need anything else ruining my chances with Lace.

  Lace

  “Hey, Diz.” Emotion stung my eyes when I saw my brother lounging against my locker, waiting for me at the end of the day.

  “Heard you gave it, and then some, to not just one but a couple of guys today.” He searched my gaze.

  “Apparently, there’s not much going on at this school,” I grumbled, “if that’s the top news on the gossip chain.” I shooed him aside so I could open my locker.

  “You’re the new girl. You’re pretty, and you’re not afraid to stand up for yourself. I don’t think they’re going to have any better entertainment for a while.” He suddenly seemed to zero in on one side of my face. “Did Belinda really hack off a hunk of your hair yesterday?”

  “She did,” I said, exchanging the books I had for the ones I needed. “But it’s over and done. Not worth mentioning.”

  “You should have told me.” The previous incredulousness of his tone changed to concern. “I don’t want anyone harassing you. I’ll have a firm word with one of her higher-ups.”

  “Not necessary. I met someone who already did that.”

  He tilted his head. “The guy you were sitting by at lunch today?”

  “His name is King.”

  He was one of the few highlights of the day. Talking to Bryan for those few moments was another. It had almost been like old times. Plus, giving it further thought, I had to admit that Chad was turning out to be a good friend, and then there was my brother. My heart warmed at the knowledge that Dizzy kept tabs on me during the day.

  “King introduced me to his best friend. Sager likes to sketch, like me. They’re both coming by the house later, to try out for the band.”

  “No one told me anything about a tryout.” Dizzy’s brow creased. “Who told you?”

  “I did.”

  Bryan moved across the hall toward us. Handsome as sin, he moved with smooth, effortless strides, like his fingers on the strings of his guitar.

  “Why didn’t you tell me?” Dizzy gave Bryan a hurt look.

  “I saw Lace after fifth period. War sent me to talk to her. Didn’t see you until now.” Bryan slid his cell from the front pocket of his jeans. “Here.” He handed it to my brother. “Put your cell number in there. Lace’s too.”

  “All right.” Longish layer
s of Dizzy’s platinum-and-black hair slid across his brow, shadowing his gaze as he typed.

  “You ready to go?” Bryan asked me, leaning against my locker, his muscular forearm propped above my head.

  “Yeah.” I licked my dry lips. My heart raced with him so close, and my mind wandered. I wondered what that incredible scent of his was. It was cool and crisp, like freshly fallen snow in a pine forest.

  “Ready to go where?” Dizzy shot Bryan a curious look as he returned his phone.

  “I’m walking Lace home today,” Bryan said.

  Watching him slide his cell into the front pocket of his well-fitting jeans, I had an additional reason for my fast heart rate.

  “What’s going on with you two?” Dizzy glanced back and forth between Bryan and me. “I thought you were with War.”

  “I’m not with anyone,” I said firmly, but I could see where my brother might be confused. “Bryan’s just walking me home so we can catch up.”

  “Okay, I guess.” Dizzy’s head turned, his attention drifting to a curvy brunette and a blonde in the hallway.

  “Hey, Diz.” The blonde giggled.

  “Hey, you.” He jerked his chin up, then looked right through Bryan and me. “I’m gonna take off. See you guys later. At practice.”

  When he jogged over to the girls, they separated from each other. He moved between them, slinging his arm around each one. Neither girl looked unhappy to share him.

  “Hard to believe.” I shook my head, wondering how my brother could make a situation like that work.

  “A lot of things are difficult to believe,” Bryan said.

  “Huh?” Puzzled by his words, I turned to look at him. He was staring at me, the heat in his eyes palpable.

  “Difficult to believe you’re the same little girl who used to annoy the shit out of me with constant questions.” Bryan hooked his thumb in the direction everyone else had gone. “We’d better take off.”

  “You didn’t have to answer them,” I said, moving along with him in the direction he’d pointed.

  “I wanted to. You were annoying but cute. You asked good questions, and I liked you looking up to me. It was cool. Who would’ve thought,” he said low, placing his hand on the small of my back and steering me through the hall, “that cute would end up being as pretty as this?”