I’d expected Jace to storm over, demanding to know who my first kiss was, after I heard everyone at the party leave shortly after me. But nothing.
Sunday was uneventful too. I didn’t see Jace or the guys at all. Dad took me out for school supplies, and we picked up pizza and ice cream for dinner. It was a great day. I loved being back with Dad.
Monday morning came too fast, and now I have to face them. I’m beginning to rethink my choice of school. It wouldn’t be a problem if the truth about that kiss—those kisses—hadn’t risen to the surface so fast. I had found out they had this pact together weeks before I left. I had overheard them talking about it when they thought I was in the bathroom. I was upset at first, I thought they had left me out because I was a girl. But then I understood it enough to understand that even if they like liked me, they wouldn’t act on their feelings. That’s why I wasn’t part of their pact.
I didn’t think something like my first kiss would blow up in my face so quickly. I knew it would come up…eventually. It wasn’t like I forgot about it. I remembered that day very well. I had just hoped we were all friends again when it came out and I could approach them about it before it got to what it did on Saturday.
After dropping by the office to pick up my schedule, I’m off to class. The map the secretary gave me isn’t the best. I couldn’t understand where my locker was when she pointed it out, so she offered to ask a student to give me a tour. But I didn’t want that either. Instead, I stuff my phone in my back pocket and wander the busy halls until I find my first class—English with Mrs. Becker.
I’m the last one to class, and when I walk in, all eyes are on me. But my gaze focuses on two students in this class. “You have to be kidding me,” I mutter under my breath. How many students go here? And how the heck did I end up with double trouble in my first class of the day?
“Find a seat, there are two spares.” Mrs. Becker waves to a seat beside Roman, and the other is beside a girl with red hair.
Roman and Jace glare at me.
It’s a difficult choice. If I pick the girl, the safe spot, will Roman think I’m scared of him. That I’m not willing to fight for his friendship? But if I sit next to Roman, how much worse will my day get?
When Roman slams his backpack down on the desk beside him, I get the message loud and clear. I’m not welcome there. There’s no place for me in our group. Their group.
I sit beside the girl and open my bag, grabbing my books.
“Hi, Mila, I’m Eva. Do you remember me?”
I face the girl and immediately recognize her. “Oh, wow, Eva. I remember you.” She used to have frizzy red hair, and her mother braided it every day when we were in elementary school. I used to look at her hair with envy. I wished my dad could braid like that. It’s straight now and hangs over her shoulder, still the most beautiful color.
“I heard you were back and that there was a fight at Jace’s party over you.”
Wow, I expected something to be mentioned, but I’m not even five minutes into class and it’s happening.
“That’s not what happened. Were you there?”
I didn’t see her there, but then I was kinda focused on three boys. She shakes her head and pulls out her phone, scrolling until she finds a dark, grainy video. It’s of me standing there with Jace, Hunter and Roman looking down at me. You can’t hear too much until Roman’s deep voice demands, “Which one of us was your first?”
I snatch her phone and look at who had posted it. Summer Waters. Yeah, stupid name. Her parents were probably hoping for her to be a news anchor with that name, but it was more of a porn star name.
Mila Hart is breaking hearts again. We always wanted to know which one she was fucking. Guess we don’t have to wonder anymore. She was fucking them all. She lied to them. They all thought they were her first. #whore
My blood boils. This is why I hate social media. It’s like no one is concerned about the truth anymore. People twist the facts to suit their own purposes, not caring who’s hurt in the process. I’m not hurt, let them think what they want about me. Water off a duck’s back, I have thick skin. Hell, I needed it. I lived with my mom for four years. But others, they don’t need this shit. Online bullying is out of hand.
I still have social media accounts, of course. But, at my old school, I did my best to keep my name out of any scandals. I wanted no part of the gossip and bullying. Still don’t.
When I pass Eva’s phone back to her, she’s watching me with a gleam in her eye. “So, is it true? Did you have sex with them all and tell each one you were a virgin?”
Is she serious? It’s like she wants it to be true.
“What the fuck? No. That’s not it at all.” Heat rises to my cheeks. Not from embarrassment. From anger. “For god’s sake, I was only twelve when I last saw them. I wasn’t having sex with them.”
In spite of myself, I turn to find Roman with his arms crossed over his chest. It’s when I first notice his tattoos. Holy fuck. They’re amazing. So colorful, and even from here, I can tell the artwork was well done. A professional artist had done those, not some random guy with a tattoo gun.
Jace rocks back in his chair, watching me. As soon as my eyes meet his, he stops and crosses his arms. A devilish grin spreads across his gorgeous face. Clearly, he knows about the video and comment. Summer Waters was Britney Montlake’s best friend the last time I was here. I have a feeling they’re still besties.
When class ends, I can’t help but notice the stares and whispers. My fellow students are pointing and staring at me. Everyone knows. Fan-fucking-tastic.
“Move.” Jace shoves me to the side with his body as he exits the room. I step aside to let the rest of the students out and reach into my bag for the map. Chemistry.
I’m a few steps from the classroom when I stop in my tracks. This has to be a joke. I look down at my schedule and up again to see the three of them standing outside the classroom. Maybe they’re just talking and they aren’t in my class. Yeah right, why else would they be here?
But as I draw closer, they turn as one and stare at me. They’re waiting for me. Do they have my class schedule? How else would they know I’m in this class?
With them watching me, I’m suddenly hyper-focused on how I look approaching them. I’m wearing denim shorts and a baggy white tee. Nothing special, but at least my legs look good in these shorts. But am I walking funnier than I normally do?
Ugh. Why do I even care?
Probably because they all stand there like Greek gods. They’re each attractive in different ways, and I’m not the only one who notices. Other students check them out as they pass, and a few girls wave and giggle when Hunter winks at them.
Britney appears out of nowhere, Summer following her. Bitch. No way I’m gonna let that shit she said slide. I hate assholes, but I hate bullies more. And from what I have gathered. She is the mean girl and I won’t stand for that shit.
“Hey, Summer. I saw the video and comment. Take that shit down. You know it’s not true.” I cock my head to the side and purse my lips as her eyes widen at the sight of me. Like she didn’t expect to see me, or maybe didn’t expect me to speak up about it. She knew me before. I never tolerated bullies previously, I wasn’t about to change now.
But she straightens up, and her expression changes fast as she giggles. “No way. I have it straight from the source. It’s true. That right, boys?”
Jace leans back against the wall, and Britney plasters herself to him, her leg wrapping around his. That’s right, Britney. You better mark your property or someone will steal him. Won’t be me, though.
“It’s true,” Jace replies casually.
I grit my teeth. Does he think this is going to…what? Hurt me? Make me go cry and disappear? I live next door to him, I know his parents, his brother. Hell, there would always be rumors about me and the boys. I’d lived with them already. But now that we were older, of course the rumors would be more sexual in nature.
I’m not even upset for myself. I’m upset for him. He wants to go to college and play football. That had always been his dream. Having this online wouldn’t look good for college recruiters.
“Jace, you’re just angry because you don’t know who my first kiss is. I get it, but I was twelve, dumbass. You might want to be careful what you let spread around, because I’m pretty sure it’s illegal to be having sex at that age.”
I watch as his expression changes from one of smugness to realization that he fucked up. Yeah, boys are so dumb. I point at his school athletics T-shirt that says “Rebels of Ridgecrest High.”
“Yeah, don’t think your coach would like to know about you having sex with minors either. Might not get to play this season. But since you say it’s true and all, I guess it is. Maybe I should let him know it came straight from the source.”
Hunter straightens up, shaking his head, his hands up in defense. “Hey, wait up, Mila. It was a kiss. That’s it. I’m telling you now, I had nothing to do with that.” Hunter points at Summer. “Take that shit down now. I can’t have that on my record.”
He tries to take Summer’s phone out of her hand while Jace whispers in Britney’s ear, his eyes on me. Roman just stands there, not moving, though his eyes track me as I walk into the classroom.
“Emerson.” I smile, my chest feeling lighter at the sight of him. He’s sitting next to a guy I don’t know.
“Mila, hey, you’re here.” Standing, he looks around and then down at the guy who’s clearly on the football team.
“Hey, Leo, can you sit somewhere else so Mila can sit with me?”
I put my hand out. “No, you don’t have to do that.” I don’t want him to move just because I’m here.
But Emerson isn’t having it. “I think it’s best you sit here. All of them are in this class, and they’re not happy with you.”
I laugh, because I’m more than aware of that fact.
Leo gets up. “Hey, I’m Leo. I was there on Saturday night, so I have no problem moving.” He grabs his books, and I thank him as he moves a few seats back.
I don’t waste any time sitting beside Em. “Fuck, Saturday night was crazy. I can’t wait for the next party.” Laughing, I bump my shoulder against his.
He chuckles and then freezes. Following his gaze, I see Jace and Britney stroll in, Roman and Hunter following. Hunter’s on his phone and talking to Roman, showing him something. Maybe looking for posts about me from Saturday night. I have no doubt if Hunter’s parents see that shit online, they’ll be pissed. They’d always been set on him getting into Harvard. Which does shock me they let him go here and not Lakeview Prep.
The teacher finally stands up and tells the class to quiet down. “For those of you who haven’t been in my class before, I assign seats based on a random draw. I have all your names in here. I will draw out two names, and that will be your partner. You will sit together and do all class assignments together. I won’t change, and if you ask, I’ll deduct a grade from your assignment each time.”
I realize then that he doesn’t have my name in there. As I walked in, I forgot to give him the slip from the office. Maybe this will spare me a partner. But when I quickly scan the room, I count an even number. Fuck. I hope whoever is last, isn’t one of them.
Mr. Rayne starts rattling off names. Hunter is partnered with a girl with braces and a hot pink hoodie. I wonder how she can wear that thing. The cooling isn’t the best in here, and I would melt in those clothes.
“Jace Montero and Emerson Henty.”
“Fuck,” Em whispers under his breath. I’m surprised. Based on their interactions Saturday night, I’d assumed they’re friends.
“You come here,” Jace calls out to him, and Em gets up and mouths, “Sorry.” I shake my head. It’s not his fault.
As everyone’s name is called out but four, I keep my fingers crossed I’ll be paired with Leo or the other girl I spot in the corner. Because the only other name who hasn’t been picked is Roman’s.
“Leo Anderson and Jessa Henderson.”
Oh, fuck. I look over my shoulder to where Roman stands, waiting his turn. He knows what this means too.
“I only have one left—Roman Valentine. Who haven’t I called out?” Mr. Rayne asks.
I raise my hand and duck my head, peering up at him.
“Sorry, and you are? I don’t seem to have you on my class list.”
“Mila Hart.”
He adds my name to his class list and gestures for Roman to sit next to me.
The chair scrapes loudly as he sits down beside me. His presence alone has me holding my breath, and I don’t know why. He’d never hurt me, I know that much. At least I hadn’t been paired with Jace. I would take Roman over him any day.
I can’t resist studying his tattoos up close. I’m surprised there’s so much color. I’d always imagined, if he was to get any tattoos, they would be dark. Not so vibrant.
They’re amazing. I follow the full sleeve with my eyes, taking in the under the sea theme. There’s a shark, a turtle, a fish, and a sunken ship. A tentacle wraps around his wrist, and I find myself reaching out to grab his arm. I want to see where it leads.
A deep grumble seeps from his chest, warning me, and I snatch my hand back. “Sorry. They’re so beautiful, I got lost in admiring the artwork.”
I don’t expect him to respond, and he doesn’t so much in words. But I watch as he slowly flips his palm over, exposing the octopus holding onto a treasure chest along his wrist and forearm. I’d known all wasn’t lost with Roman.
He doesn’t hate me. Not completely.
