Always (Next Generation The Skulls 1)

“At lunch.”

“Are you still my girl?”

“Simon, I will always be your girl, even when you piss me off.” She went onto her toes and kissed him. “See you at lunch.”

****

“And we just sit here?” Simon asked.

“It’s what we do,” Miles said. “Don’t worry, Tabs will be here before you know it.”

The first part of his day had been uneventful. From Daisy, he ended up in a class with Anthony, from there, Miles, and now lunch.

He always had this ideology of school with Tabby. Where he’d get to be in every single class. Of course he knew it would never happen as he was one year older than her. He was actually due to graduate in a few months. It was kind of corny, but he’d also love to carry her books. The kind of shit he saw in movies. Only, he hadn’t seen her since this morning and he did want to make it up to her.

He’d pissed her off and that hadn’t been his intention, far from it.

The Dogs’ leader wasn’t there, which, to him, meant Luke was in the same class as Tabby. He didn’t like that.

“So you’re the elusive Simon,” Constance said.

“Yep, that’s me.”

“I didn’t think you were real,” John said.

The Skulls had people like his Dean and Eddie. Thinking about his boys always made him a little sad. He’d left them and he knew he was going to have to call them soon. They’d been blowing up his phone so he’d turned it off. His dad and mom had also been trying to reach him and he hadn’t wanted to speak to them.

Neither had arrived in Fort Wills so far, so at least they were giving him space. It was what he needed, even though since his argument with Tabby, he’d been more focused on making it right with her than dealing with the revelation about his parents.

“I’m very real. Have been for a lot of years.” He took a bite out of his burger and relaxed as Tabby and Daisy walked into the room. They were hand in hand, and he spotted Luke checking out Tabby’s ass.

He tensed up.

“Don’t,” Anthony said.

Glaring at his friend, he didn’t like being told no.

“You’re not my boss,” Simon said.

“I am while you’re at this school. Don’t. Not today.”

“And you would just let anyone stare at Daisy’s ass?”

Anthony finally turned his gaze to Simon’s. “Look around you. Does it look like anyone is willing to look at her ass?”

Simon stared at him. Anthony’s face was blank, as if they were talking about the weather.

“You’re either implying that you only see Daisy’s potential, or you’ve scared every single date she might have so the only person she has is you.”

Anthony’s face didn’t change.

Simon shook his head. “I can’t do that.”

“True, but making a scene isn’t the answer.”

“Did you have your coffee this morning?” Miles asked. “You’re using big words. Ouch.” Miles winced and rubbed at his leg.

Tabitha and Daisy came over, as did Markus and Rachel.

She leaned over the table. “How was your first morning?” she asked.

He kissed her back, trying not to look in the direction of Luke or the Dogs. He’d upset her last time, and it wasn’t his intention to do it again. Even with Luke following them, Tabby hadn’t looked back or even acknowledged his existence. He couldn’t imagine having a crush on someone and them not returning it, let alone even showing any sign it was there. How long had Luke been that way?

“Earth to Simon. Hello?” she asked, giggling. She waved a hand in front of his face.

“It was good. Anthony is thrilling company.”

“I bet, there’s just something about the silent treatment that is so hot,” Tabby asked. “Right, Daisy?”

Anthony lifted his head and Daisy went bright red.

“The pizza is good.”

“It is, huh?” Tabby asked. “So is everyone fight-free so far? No sign of causing any trouble?”

“We’re all clear,” Rachel and Markus said.

John, Blaise, Constance, and Damien all nodded.

Anthony lifted his fingers as if in surrender, so did her brother.

“Awesome. We can get through this entire day without any shit,” Anthony said.

“What does it mean our parents are picking us up?” Daisy asked. “You think Lash is going to keep on punishing us?”

“Nah, I think it’s because they had to drive us in, so they can take us all the way back home,” Miles said.

Simon finished off his cheeseburger and turned to watch Tabby as she ate. Some cheese dribbled down her chin and she wiped it off.

“What are you staring at?” she asked.

“You.”

“Aw, you love to watch me eat?”

“You got it.”

“You’re a weirdo.”

“I’m your weirdo.”

She leaned in to kiss him and he relished it. This was what he’d been hoping for. He hated fighting with her. Gripping the back of her neck, he held her close, tracing his tongue across her lips.

“You two need to get a room,” Damien said.