Monsters' Crew (Crude Hill High 1)

When the Monsters wanted something, no one could stand in their way.

“It’s not appropriate for you to take her,” my father said.

I was so going to pay for this. I didn’t seem to care. Watching my dad squirm was fun. He rarely was questioned or pushed like this.

“Are you saying we’re not good enough to take Emily to school?” Gael asked. “Because from where I stand, you’ve pretty much said we’re scum.”

My father’s face went a nice shade of puce. “That’s not what I said at all.”

“I don’t know,” River said. “I’m starting to feel dirty. I don’t like this. If you feel this way, then I’m going to have to tell my father about the way he was raising me. This isn’t a good image to have.”

This escalated so fast. I looked at Caleb then back at my dad, who smiled.

“I’m sorry, boys. You mistake me. I only mean for you to keep her safe for us. Emily means a great deal to me.”

“Oh, we’ll also be taking her out for dinner,” Caleb said. “We’ll have her back at nine-ish. Sound good?”

It wasn’t a question, not really. Caleb had already taken my hand. Much to my shame, I shook a little. Fear raced down my back at the gauntlet they’d thrown out. I didn’t even dare to look back. If I did, I’d see the threat there and I’d make this day a nightmare, wondering what pain or punishment he had in store for me. There would be a doctor’s visit, no doubt about it.

Caleb eased me into the passenger seat of his car. They’d only come in one vehicle. River, Gael, and Vadik were all crammed in the back.

“What the hell was all of that?” I asked, turning to look at them.

“You didn’t like how we got you out from your dad’s?” River asked.

“I loved it, but you know he is going to make you all pay.”

“I look forward to it,” Gael said. “I’ve already got plans for how I can hurt him. We all know he likes to fuck that art teacher.”

“Don’t remind me. It’s the only reason she’s nice to me.”

“It’s not the only reason,” Vadik said. “Regardless of how tough you look, you’re nice.”

“I’m not nice.”

“You saved me. I consider that an act of kindness.”

“Next time, do you want me to let them kill you?” I asked.

“Oh, baby, you’d be crying if something was to ever happen to me. We all know you love me the most.”

Caleb pulled away from the drive and I smiled, leaning against his plush seats, feeling free for once.

“Thank you,” I said. “For coming to get me.” I pressed the button on the window, watching it roll down.

I crossed my arms across the window and looked out, basking in the feel of the wind on my face. It felt so good, better than I imagined it would.

Tilting my head back, I took it all in, not wanting to waste a moment.

“You’re weird, you know that, right?” Gael said.

“Can we talk about the new girl?” River asked.

I looked toward Caleb, then behind me at the other three. “What about her?”

“We haven’t met her. We need to mark her as friend or foe.”

“You’re talking about Ashley March?” I asked.

“You met her?”

I told them about what happened in the cafeteria.

Gael burst out laughing. “I knew Lauren would react and try to claim her place. Damn, did anyone film it?”

“It’s not funny.” I didn’t like that he laughed at Ashley’s gravy episode. No one was allowed to film shit on high school grounds. If they did, it led to punishment.

The crap that happened at Crude Hill High could never, ever get out.

Vadik moved toward my seat, his arms close. His fingers teased my hair. “This new girl. You like her?”

“Yes.”

“You want us to be nice to her?”

“She’s off-limits for bullying. She’s not like any of us,” I said. “She’s … good.”

Gael snorted.

Even Caleb laughed. “There’s no such thing as a good person. I heard her mother is nothing more than a whore.”

“That’s her mother. It doesn’t mean she’s the same. My dad and brother might have let one of you get shot, but I didn’t. I’m different from my family. People can be different from their parents. Or are all four of you the exact replicas of your dads?”

My passionate argument was met with silence.

They all shared a look. It was like they were communicating without saying any actual words, which made me rather jealous. I didn’t like it.

“Hey, don’t do that. Don’t shut me out. You’re making my life hell at home because of this. At least let me in on the big secret.”

“Your dad’s not beating you, is he?” River asked.

I noticed he held his knife in a tighter grip. “No, he hasn’t hurt me since he’s been warned.” I didn’t bother to tell them what was going on in his office. The hours spent doing extra studying. Any semblance of a life I had was gone.