I turn back to them, using my best mom voice, “You two better knock it off, before you get caught out here sucking face.” Turning back to Spencer, he smirks at my scolding.
“Come on, Beauty Queen, let's all head to class.” He throws his arm around me and raises an eyebrow at Maddie, motioning to walk into the school.
I smile up at him as he pulls me into him. “Spence, what are you doing?” He smirks, biting his lip while pulling the front doors open.He needs to stop biting his lip so my thong stays dry, thanks.
“Claiming you for the world to see, so when you're ready to claim me back, it won’t be a shocker, and all the guys will keep their eyes and hands to themselves. You’re mine, Scar, ready or not. Mine.” I sink into him because, damn, he is hot when he is possessive.
Spencer plants a long kiss on my cheek when he drops me at my locker, whispering in my ear, “Have a good day, not-so-newbie.” I smile into his kiss, remembering the first time he called me that. Watching him walk away, I remember how he felt inside me, the way I pulsed around him, and clenching my throbbing needs before I run after him and beg him to fuck me in his car.Jesus, Scarlett, get it together.He winks at me and walks into his first period. I head towards the overhead bridge, hoping I’m not late.
Making it just in time before the tardy bell, I slouch in my seat and get ready to create happy little trees and paint like the bestMrs. RossI can. Getting lost in the zone of colors and hues all blending together, creating something beautiful, I take a step back and take in how vibrant it is. Most of my paintings are dark and mysterious. This screams, I love rainbows and happy endings, something I never thought I’d feel. Mrs. Smith walks over. “Scarlett, this is miraculous, a way to channel your inner feelings. I can feel your happiness, sweetie. Wonderful job. I like this new look.” I smile because shit, I do too.
The first two classes fly by. Making my way to the gym, I pass Ashley and Jessica standing by their locker. As I walk by, Ashley says, “Man stealer.” I turn my head towards her, and Jessica pops in, “He’s only into you because you're a charity case. For the same reason, I was into your brother. Broken people fuck better.” My heart speeds up, rattling my chest like a damn stampede running through my body. I turn around, clenching my fist as my nails dig into my palms. Trying to calm my emotions, I sauntered towards them, steadying my movements and taking a deep breath.
“Listen here, Adulterous Ashley, and Jumping Jessica. Two things: one, based on the nicknames you both have, you have zero right to talk about anyone being a ‘man stealer’ because let's be honest with ourselves, you’ll steal anything that catches your attention. Two, keep my brother's name out of your fucking mouth. Oh, and three.” I backed them up against the locker. “I do fuck better.”
Ashley chuckles. “When I catch Spencer’s attention, you better believe, I’ll be sure to tell you how good I take his cock.” Jealousy and rage burn through me; my core is on fire; flames rage out of every orifice they can. I push Ashley into the locker, hard, making a loud bang. She lifts her hand and slaps me across the face.I wasn’t going to throw hands, but fuck this bitch.Everyone in the hallway stops and watches.
Jessica steps aside, and I give her an evil smile. “If you want to keep your fake extensions and eyelashes, you'd better move, bitch, because Ashley is about to get a new makeover.” Her eyes widen into saucers, her chest rises and falls, and she steps away, slowing down.Coward, little does she understand I’m trying to protect Levi. He should never have slept with her as a ‘student’, even if she is of age; he could get fired, and I can’t have that. He’s better than this slut.I know I am strong; I have beenworking hard for this very reason —to show anyone who dares test me that I am. Not. Weak. Fighting them, fighting her, will be easy. Like taking candy from a kid, effortless.
Ashley looks up before moving away from her locker. “Gonna beat my ass, you little charity case? Mad because you know he’ll want me more than you?” She mocks me as I step closer. Lifting her hand, she tries to throw a punch, but I block it with ease.Nice block. I take pride in my skills. Bringing my arm back, I launch my fist into her face, making her fall to the floor, as blood pours from her nose.Nice shot. Getting down to her level, I lean over the top of her, pulling her hair as it wraps around my fist.
“I’m not going to beat your ass; I’m sending you a message. To keep your fucking eyes off Spencer, he’s mine, and Levi, he’s too good for either of you. The last thing they need is contracting whatever the fuck you have growing down there. I might be a charity case, but thank fuck I’m not trash.” I release her hair from my hold, just as the principal comes running over, yelling.
“That is enough! Break it up!” The bald Principal, Mr. Harden, rushes over, picking up Ashley off the floor. He looks around. “Everyone, back to your classes.” He turns to me and points. “You, office now.” I pass Jessica, still stunned, against the locker.
I wait in a small hallway as Mr. Harden tends topoorAshley. Her nose is fine, I didn’t even break it, a little blood will do that preppy bitch some good.
Principal Harden finally opens his door as Ashley walks out, before he calls me in. “Let’s go, we’re calling your father.”Fuck. A sting of anxiety and desperation comes over me. Taking a seat across from his chair, he sits, leans forward, and folds his hands. “Want to tell me what happened out there? You have not once been a problem this year. You are a great student withexceptional grades and leadership skills. This surprises me.”It surprises me, too. Mr.I nod my head and roll my thumbs.
“I passed her, and she was saying not-so-nice things about my brother and me.” He leans back in his chair.
“So, you decided to throw her to the ground and bloody her nose?” I smirk a little, trying to hold it back.
“Actually, all I did was push her a little; she threw the first punch.” Meanwhile, inside, I’m screaming,listen here dickface, I get beat at home, the last thing I’m about to do is come to school and get beat up here, too.He nods, leaning forward on his forearms.
“We don’t take to fighting at this school, Miss, and we do not allow bullying. You are both being suspended for the day. If this happens again, I will suspend you for a longer period, possibly the rest of the year. Do you understand?”No shit, I understand, I speak your language, baldass.I nod in agreement while pressing my lips together, forming a line. “Very well, I’m calling your father to come pick you up.”
“Perfect,” I mumble. I won’t be returning tomorrow; that's a damn near fact. He allows me to wait in his office, since battered Ashley is in the hallway crying like the damn sissy she is. You’d think I beat her face in; it was one lousy punch. I watch her mother come in and pull her in, embracing her in her arms and looking at her saddened face—a far cry from the reaction I will be receiving.
After they leave, Grant comes in, wearing his uniform, with his chest puffed out and eyes beaming with anger.Yup, there is my loving father, no big hugs or check-ins. Oh no, my check-in will be his fist in my face, the moment my ass touches the seat of the car.
“Scarlett, get up now.” He barks as soon as the principal opens the door. He looks at me, seething. “Tell Mr. Harden you are sorry. Show him some respect,” he barks again, his voice laced with fuming rage, ready to be released.
I turn to Mr. Harden. “I’m sorry, sir, it won’t happen again.” I give him my saddest, most bullshit eyes I can work up, following in Grant’s footsteps.
The entire ride home, he’s silent. Watching as the veins along the side of his head start to pulse, his forearms squeeze the steering wheel, and his breath is heavy. He takes off his coat and all his accessories, leaving them in the passenger seat. Stepping out of the car, he sternly points into the house.Scarlett, get your shit together, Fight. I have to fight him. Today is the fucking day.
Throughout the entire walk to the house, I am pumping myself up. Pumping my brain full of everything I hate, everything I want to take from him as he took from me. I hate him, I’ve hated him longer than I ever remember loving him. I hated him because he couldn’t love me.
The moment he shuts the door, the air shifts, the rage from his body chokes out the air, as he rushes towards me. He is stripped of his uniform. No more layers stand between him and my fists, just a plain blue T-shirt.
“You really fucked up, Scarlett.” He rolls his head around in a circle. “You not only beat up the mayor's daughter, but you also made me look like a damn fool. Acting like a damn criminal. Would you like me to teach you some manners? Maybe, just maybe, that’s what you need.” He rears his hand back, ready to send me to the moon, and I duck, dodging his blow and immediately pissing him off more. I can see his nose flaring, as his breath hitches faster, his fists tighten, while his stancestraightens. “Think you can beat me?! Think you can win this fight?!” He screams as he closes the gap between us.
Tightening his fists, I watch as the weight shifts from one foot to the next, anticipating his next swing. He goes to strike, and I block it, fire fuming in his gaze, his eyes turn mad with desire to prove himself right. I’m stuck in the kitchen, knowing my escape is near, I glance behind me, tracking my future steps. Grant steps closer, breath tight as he wields his power, “You are weak! A weak person, just like your mother! You are a stupid girl, no one will love you! Ever! Now take my god damn punishment, and understand you fucking deserve it!” He screams so loud it rattles the walls, his voice digs into the ground, permanently encasing his hurtful words, just like my soul used to do.Not anymore, motherfucker. I am strong. I am lovable, and I will fucking rise.
I look him dead in the eyes and smile. Watching his lips press together with madness, his eyes grow manic, and he is ready to pummel me down and make me pay.BRING IT ON. I take a step back, placing my weight on my back foot, taking in the ground as if it were my friend, using my breath as leverage, channeling all the rage inside and directing it at the grown man before me. He lunges for me, arms outstretched, ready to grab me. I step to the left, dodging his grab before reaching back and striking one punch directly into his eye. He stumbles, shocked at my contact.
Evil seeps from his sweating pores, and his hungry eyes pierce into me, promising total annihilation. He turns, trying to backhand me, when my arm flies up, blocking his hand, and throwing my knee directly into his rib. Without holding back, I force all my power into my leg, sending him coughing. “How’s it feel, Grant?! Tell me how it feels to be beaten in your own fucking house?” My breath is fuming with rage, and the desire to end his life, but he’s not worth the prison time. He is not wortha god damn thing. I step back, making my way to the path of safety, the front door.
