Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 99766 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 499(@200wpm)___ 399(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99766 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 499(@200wpm)___ 399(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
“In here, Grayson,” Eli barks out from the handicapped stall.
I struggle, but Grayson is too strong. He easily rips away my backpack to get a better hold on me. My heart is thumping so hard, I think I might have a heart attack. I kick out, trying to reach anything with my feet, but only manage to get air. He rounds the corner and I get a good look at Eli.
Man, I fucked him up.
The side of his face is stitched up. His skin is black and blue. Satisfaction chases away the terror. I shove my hand into my hoodie pocket, grabbing hold of my keys.
“An eye for an eye, bitch,” Eli growls, cracking his neck and curling his hands into fists.
Grayson laughs from behind me.
It’s clear Eli is going to hit me…or worse, and Grayson is going to help.
Fuck them.
I jerk my hand out, my finger on the Mace trigger. This is going to suck for me, too, but at least I’ll get to douse this asshole. It sprays out, shooting Eli right in the face. I’m aiming for his stitches. He roars in horror, clutching his face and choking. Grayson releases me as we both start coughing. Tears burn from the terrible spray, but it gives me my out. My eyes and nose and throat feel on fire, but I still manage to stagger my way out of the bathroom.
I crash into another guy.
Without looking, I nail him in the balls. I’m not going to let Paxton finish whatever those two assholes were starting.
But it’s not Paxton.
Cal groans and then curses. “Fuck, Penny. What the fuck?”
“Cal,” I choke out, tears rolling from my eyes. “T-They’re in there and t-they were g-gonna hurt m-me!”
He recovers quickly from my assault and pushes me aside. Just as he opens the bathroom door, Eli and Grayson come stumbling out. Eli is in bad shape, gasping like a fish, his face bright red.
“Get him to the nurse,” Cal snaps to Grayson.
Grayson helps Eli toward the stairwell. Cal reaches inside the bathroom to grab my backpack and then puts an arm around me.
“You okay, kiddo?” he asks, now sniffling from the pepper spray.
I’m shuddering, but safe, so I nod. He guides me downstairs and to the office. Once I’m seated, he texts someone on his phone before stalking into Aunt Karen’s office. The door slams hard enough pictures slide off the walls, crashing to the floor.
I shove my keys back into my pocket and grab my phone to text Terrence.
Me: I won’t be at practice.
Smash: Don’t be a slacker, slacker.
His playfulness has emotion overwhelming me. I want to pretend with him. That everything is fucking normal.
Is this how it was with Charlotte?
Ryan was hurting her and threatening her, but she would just put on that famous cheerleader smile to protect those around her from her problems.
I feel guilty for not understanding her before. How she wouldn’t just seek help or confide in us. It’s overwhelming when people are trying to hurt you and all you want to do is protect the ones you care about.
Jack.
Eli, Grayson, Paxton.
I want to deal with them on my own, but I feel outnumbered.
“Hey, Zero,” Liv says, peeking her head in the office. “Heard you got in a fight with boys and were sent to the office. I had to see for myself. I tried to tell Ericka you don’t fight with boys. You just let them tag team you at parties, but she didn’t believe me.” She holds up her phone and snaps a picture. “Now I have proof.”
I hiss at her. “Keep taking pictures of me and I will shove your phone up your ass.”
“You let them take pictures on Saturday night,” she sneers. “Just like your whore sister. Heidi told me all about what skanks the English sisters are.”
Springing from the chair, I rush her, tackling her to the linoleum just outside the office. She screeches when I grab a handful of her hair and smack the shit out of her. This bitch talks a good game, but I am not in the mood to be fucked with. As she squirms, trying to avoid another smack, I grab her phone, throwing it hard against the floor.
“Get off me, you bitch!” she screams.
“Nah, I prefer to see you cry,” I taunt, raising my hand to smack her again.
Strong arms yank me off Liv, who’s now crying. I’m no match for Cal, so I give up, falling limp in his grip. Aunt Karen is furious by the time she makes it over to us and assists Liv to her feet.
“In my office. Now,” Aunt Karen seethes. “I’ll get the boys. We’re going to get to the bottom of this.”
“You’re lucky you’re all under eighteen,” Aunt Karen admonishes. “Every last one of you could get arrested for what went on today.”