Knowing she had it back filled her with … hope.
It was kind of weird to be full of hope just from seeing a jacket that was given to her by a woman that killed herself, but that was the way it was.
Putting her books back into her locker, she decided to trust it again. Carrying around a bag full of books was great if someone decided to attack her. Not so great for her shoulders.
Closing her locker, she stepped away and headed to class.
Whispers followed her. Even as she sat in the homeroom, she pulled out a book, one she’d started reading weeks ago, and still she heard them.
“She arrived with Axel.”
“I heard she went from bed to bed last night.”
“The whore. She’s sleeping with all four of them.”
“She’s being initiated.”
“What is so special about her?”
“Look at the black eye. I heard Axel gave her that.”
“I heard it was Draven.”
“Nah, it had to be Buck.”
“Nope, I bet she’s been cut as well. Jett.”
Ignoring all of them, she went from class to class. Whenever she passed Draven, Axel, Buck, or Jett in the hallway, they’d always stop and look at her. Draven would reach out, touching her hand.
She didn’t pull away from him or fight his touch.
Biting her lip, she found herself searching for them all.
There was no sign of Ben, but there were a few jocks around. She kept a wide berth from them. When Ben had grabbed her ass at the diner, she’d been so fucking angry. How dare he touch her. Her body was her own.
No one had a right to touch it but herself, and she wasn’t going to give herself to a damn jock. Or to anyone.
By the time lunch arrived, she was starving. The thought of heading home that evening didn’t exactly thrill her. She hated going home to an empty place.
Arriving in the cafeteria, she stood in line, waiting to get something to eat. She didn’t have time to make herself something that morning. She’d been too busy snooping around.
Within seconds, Draven had his arm across her shoulder. “We’ve got you lunch.”
“What?”
He pulled her out of the line.
“Hey.”
“You should have some faith, little Harp.”
“Will you stop calling me that?”
Her cheeks flamed as right there, in front of everyone, he marched her toward their table within the cafeteria.
No one sat with them. No one. Not even any girls they were sleeping with were allowed near their table.
In front of everyone, Draven walked her to their table and forced her to sit down.
“You guys really don’t take no for an answer, do you?” she asked.
“Only when it counts. Chick says no cock, she doesn’t get it,” Axel said.
“Are you serious?”
“Totally. We don’t joke around about sex. It also has to be safe. Speaking of which, is it true you’re a virgin?” Buck asked.
Looking from Axel, to Buck, to Jett, who was biting into an apple, she turned to Draven last.
“Am I awake?”
They all burst out laughing.
“Here, eat this.” Draven pushed her plate toward her.
There seemed to be pizza and fries, also an apple pie of some kind.
“It’s not poisoned nor does it have laxatives in it,” Buck said. “Dude, we should totally do that to the football team. That would be so funny.”
“Spiking their drink with laxatives?” Jett asked.
Buck nodded. “Right before a game. You know. Right when they have to be running they’ll be squirting all over the field. Game of shit.” Buck slapped the table and burst out laughing.
She wrinkled her nose, picking up the pizza. She couldn’t help but inspect it … just in case.
“Your food is fine,” Draven said.
“Yeah, well, fields of shit is not what I expect.” She took a tiny bite, tasting the dull tomato sauce and greasy cheese. It was good. Well, as good as school pizza could be.
“So, I hear we’re all camping out at Harper’s tonight,” Axel said.
“I’ll bring the beer.”
“Wait, what?”
“You’re home all alone, and we’re the good guys now. We’re going to protect you from the boogeyman. Don’t worry. I’ll be the one taking you home.”
“I’ve got work,” she said.
“Oh, that. You’re already fired.” Draven reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded envelope. “Here you go. Last payment.”
“I barely worked there.”
“I know, and you made a lasting impression. When the owner realized that we’d be there every single day to take you home and we wouldn’t allow anyone to touch you, she decided to cut her losses,” Draven said. “You’re jobless.”
“And my dad is out of town.”
“Oh, here you go.” He reached into his other pocket. “I knew there was something I needed to give to you.”
She took the envelope and opened it up. Like the other one, money was inside. This one had a lot more within it though.
“What is this? How long is he going to be gone?”
“Just a couple of weeks. Maybe longer. It depends on how well this promotion goes.”