Monsters' Crew (Crude Hill High 1)

“At least we would have been able to get her in one place. Interrogate her,” River said. “School isn’t exactly the place.”

“You want a chance to be alone with Emily?”

“Yeah. Don’t you think we have a right to know?” River looked toward me.

“How about you tell me exactly what I just said, Mr. Falls?” Mrs. Henchman said.

It wasn’t unusual to be called upon in class to repeat what a teacher said. I wasn’t paying attention. I couldn’t give a flying fuck what she was teaching.

I turn toward her. They always tried to humiliate one or more of us. It was their way of showing to the rest of the school we were human.

“You were reminding everyone of the fact you’re the school slut. You spread your legs wider than any of the girls here, and what’s more, in the eyes of the law, it’s child abuse, if not rape.”

The class went silent.

“Is that what you wanted me to repeat?” I asked.

Mrs. Henchman’s face was as red as the juiciest strawberry. A couple of months ago, she’d asked me to stay behind after class, and pretty much said if I ever needed a warm, wet, willing pussy, hers would be constantly available to me. There was no way a Monster like myself should go without. This bitch was fucking married and many people may not keep the sanctity of marriage. I did, like right now.

Since I turned her down, she’d been looking for ways to embarrass me. She needed to learn I didn’t embarrass easily. This was all on her.

“Back to your books,” she said, snapping at everyone.

One day, everyone would learn we had the real power, not anyone else. All four of us had been trained to not take shit, to be leaders, to not back down from a fight.

We were the ones with the power.

Class ended. Mrs. Henchman wanted to see me, but I didn’t stick around. There was no way I was going to give her the satisfaction.

I left the classroom first with River right behind me. Rather than head straight to the cafeteria, we waited five minutes, meeting up with Vadik and Gael.

Gael was bouncing on the balls of his feet.

“Well, how did it go?” Gael asked.

River sighed. “What is your deal?”

“You guys didn’t see your life flash before your eyes? I know I play with death every single day, but I don’t want to die.” Gael shook his head, gripping the back of his neck.

“You do realize she didn’t have any kind of agenda. She reacted,” Vadik said.

“We all know there had to be a reason,” I said. I wanted there to be one. The guys didn’t know how I’d been keeping tabs on her. She was the only girl in the entire year who hadn’t approached us.

I’d even been asked for my autograph, like I’d give something so precious.

After five minutes, all four of us headed to the cafeteria.

It was already thriving and I saw Emily the instant we entered. She was at the checkout. The woman on the register offered her a smile, which I saw her return.

She grabbed her tray and avoided everyone as she got to the table in the corner. Like always, she sat with her back pressed to the wall.

I had to wonder if the others had watched her before. If they knew how she reacted to everyone and everything. Her gaze stayed on the cafeteria, as she never once lowered her guard. Was it like this at home?

I happened to notice the darkness around her eyes. She looked exhausted.

I turn away to get my food, and one by one, I knew everyone’s eyes were on us. We had our table, and it was still bare. No one would dare sit where we did.

We had a new destination in mind.

Silence filled the air.

The only sound was of our boots as we walked across the room.

One after the other, our trays landed on the table, surrounding her.

Her hand clenched.

If she made a scene, it would be all over the school. No one here would dare share a video or even take one. Allowing evidence to leave school grounds was a death sentence.

She looked so fucking angry and cute. I loved watching her.

“This isn’t funny,” she said.

“I’m not laughing.” I grabbed my orange juice, gave it a shake, took the cap off, and drank. I enjoyed the refreshing drink.

Her jaw clenched. She wasn’t happy and I liked that. Did we unnerve her? I hoped so.

“You did this on purpose so I couldn’t leave.”

“And how are you liking it so far?” Gael asked.

“I should have let that son of a bitch kill you.” She stabbed her fork into her fries and she shoved them into her mouth. Then she picked up a napkin, wiping the corner of her mouth where ketchup had gathered.

Didn’t she realize how fascinating she was?