Bitter (A Dark High School Bully Romance)

“Hmm, that would be kind of ideal. Lie low for a while. Let the air clear,” Rafael says, absentmindedly. He sits and stares off towards the wall for a moment, as if he’s considering if there’s actually a way to get me mono just so neither of us has to deal with me right now.

He must decide it won’t work because he just suddenly lets out a loud sigh and shakes his head.

“No. You’re a pariah.” He picks up his water bottle. “It’d be bad if I’m seen with you. For me, I mean.”

I laugh, thinking Rafael must be joking, but he looks up at me without breaking a smile.

I set my fork down, still impaling a potato, and stare at him. “Are you fucking serious?”

He shrugs. “I hear your tiny dick can’t fill a girl’s cavernous hole.”

My mouth drops open. “And you don’t want to be near me because of that?”

“Look, it’s nothing personal …” he says, trailing off as he takes in my face. “But I can’t have people spreading rumors about the two of us.”

My heart sinks. My one friend in the whole damn school doesn’t want to be seen with me.

He sighs. “I know you miss me,” he says, and I hate that it’s true. I really do. He’s been so busy that we haven’t had any time together. “But being on the board for the dance is the only thing keeping my reputation propped up.”

I stand up and snatch up my plate. “All right. Cool.”

“Alex,” he says patiently, but I don’t let him finish.

I push my chair back. “No, it’s cool. It’s fine. I should’ve known your reputation would be more important to you than my feelings. That’s how it’s always been.”

“Alex,” he says again, more softly.

“It’s fine, Rafael,” I snap. “Maybe someday I’ll be cool enough to talk to you.” I head across the cafeteria to an empty table and plop down, savagely digging back into my food.

Part of me understands what he means. It’s not just his reputation he’s worried about—it’s his safety. I don’t know how he’s been able to stave off the bullying so far, but being associated with me—the “guy” marked by The Brotherhood—was already bad for him.

But just because I understand it doesn’t mean it hurts any less.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Over the months, I’ve been able to avoid the lacrosse games by being injured enough to not even be part of the team when it comes time for them, but there’s no backing out of this one.

Thankfully, it’s a home game so I don’t have to travel on a bus full of bored, sweaty guys who hate me. I arrive purposefully late to the locker room so most of the team will be out when I get dressed; just because I have the bandages wrapped around my chest for the game doesn’t mean I want anyone looking too closely.

Almost as soon as I’m done changing, I hear a noise near the showers. It’s a familiar voice, but it sounds strange the way he’s muttering to himself.

“Heath?” I ask, confused.

I round the corner, curious in spite of myself. Heath hasn’t changed into his gear. He’s sitting on a bench outside the showers, his head lolled back against the wall, muttering as he stares up at the ceiling.

“Heath?” I ask again, more urgently, and scurry over to him.

“What?” he snaps, but his speech is … not slurred, but definitely strange. He turns his head to look at me, then just stands up. Not only has he not changed into his gear—he’s naked aside from a towel wrapped around his waist.

“What’s going on?” I ask, looking at him.

“Nothing,” he snaps again, but I realize he’s not snapping—he’s just talking so quickly everything comes out like a bark. “Why are you asking so many questions? What’s your problem, Alex?”

“Nothing,” I reply cautiously, eyeing him. “I don’t have a problem. You okay?”

“Perfectly fine!” He grins at me and does a weird little jig.

Something is definitely up.