I laugh, because with Alice that’s all you can do. I love her to bits.
My only real friend, we met a few schools ago and somehow our friendship stuck. I’m so glad, because if I didn’t have anyone to talk this through with, I’m sure I’d go insane.
“So when do I get to see you next?” I ask. It’s been ages since I’ve seen her. I can’t wait until next year when we’re in college and we can see each other all the time. Of course, she’ll probably be dragging me to party after party—especially after spending two years cooped up in an all-girl boarding school. Alice in college is going to be freaking hilarious.
“I’m working on it. Hopefully I can get a weekend pass and come down. And if I need to, I’ll kick some sense into that guy of yours.”
“You’re such a good friend,” I chuckle.
“Don’t you forget it,” she replies. “But seriously, Jilly. Anytime you need to talk, just call me, ’kay?”
“’Kay.” I smile, feeling better already. “Love you.”
**
It’s Wednesday morning and I’m standing outside the classroom, waiting until the other students are walking in before I enter. After yesterday, I can’t handle another confrontation with him. He tenses as I walk in, as if he senses my presence, but doesn’t look my way. I ignore him and walk to my desk in the back row, my jacket wrapped tightly around me as I slump into my seat.
As much as I really don’t want to be here, I think I’d feel worse lying around at home. Besides, there’s a small part of me that enjoys the thought of him being uncomfortable that I’m in his class. Maybe I need to play on that a little more. I smile at the thought.
As I sit there and stare at a poster on the front wall of the room, I spy Jamie and his group of minions entering the classroom. His eyes lock with mine, and my body tenses. I cross my arms over my chest.
Since the day I arrived at this school two months ago, he has had it in for me. I have no idea why, and I’m past caring. I’m at the point where if this is giving him some weird sort of pleasure, then whatever. He can do his worst.
I stiffen as he and his friends reach my desk, ready for whatever he has for me today. Jamie falls into the seat next to me, his long, ratty blond hair falling over his eyes as his friends hover around us like a pack of fucking wolves. He leans in, his expression dark, his evil eyes taunting me.
“What would you do if you happened to know someone is screwing someone they shouldn’t be?” he asks suddenly.
What? Holy shit. Fuck.
I’m doing my best to keep my face expressionless, but I’m sure the shock cursing through me is evident. Does he know something? Why would he wait until now to throw this on me?
This isn’t good.
“Fuck off, Jamie,” I say, gritting my teeth.
Jamie laughs and walks off, his minions following behind. I’m angry with myself for reacting exactly how he wanted me to react. But more than that, I’m terrified that he knows. I focus on my work, refusing to look at Jamie—or Eli—for the rest of the class, praying that’s the end of it.
But I know it’s not.
Shit. I need to tell Eli.
The bell rings, ending what felt like the longest hour ever. Finally. I sit there playing with my bag as everyone starts leaving. I grab my phone out of my bag to text Eli, tucking it out of view as Jamie passes by my desk. He grins as his eyes narrow in on mine. My stomach twists into knots.
He’s playing with me.
“Scared, little Jill? Because I
would be.” He winks. “You think your life was hell before? Just wait.”
My heart pounds as he walks off, hitting desks along his way. He laughs to himself as he strolls out of the room.
I’m officially in panic mode. I grab my phone and text Eli, praying that he won’t ignore me this time, because I’m a fucking mess and I’m on the verge of breaking down.
Me: We need to talk. I think we’ve been caught
Eli: What? Impossible. I’ll come over to yours tonight.
Me: No! That’s the problem. Jamie is my neighbor. I think he might’ve seen you leaving my place.