“I missed you too,” I say. I’m not sure I really did, but it feels right to say it back.
Kai seems like he has calmed down now, because he’s making gagging faces at the display of affection he’s witnessing.
He is not the biggest fan of my relationship or my boyfriend for that matter, which is appalling, because everyone at Richmond academy worships the ground that Adonis Waters walks on. He is the captain of the boys’ football team and the most popular boy in school. So, it makes perfect sense for me to be in a relationship with him.
That and the fact that we are essentially the same person. He’s rude, vicious, filthy rich, and easy on the eyes—just like me.
I first started dating him when I was sixteen. I remember vividly that I played extremely hard to get, until I saw him walking down the corridors one day and witnessed how in awe everyone else was.
Many girls fawned over his dark brown skin and those chestnut brown eyes. His short hair, that was riddled with waves, was the envy of many boys too, as was his tall, six-foot stature. I knew there and then that we would make sense as a couple.
“Can I come over tomorrow night?” Adonis asks me wiggling his eyebrows.
I know he wants to have sex tomorrow. It’s not like he didn’t try his best when it came to sex, but it was just painfully boring.
That seemed to be the recurring theme when it came to my sex life, which was very active before and after meeting Adonis. Yet, no one has ever given me an orgasm, besides myself. That must be because I know my own body the best.
That must be it, right?
“Can’t wait.” I lie easily to his face as he takes my hand and asks if he can walk me back to biology class and I agree.
Kai just rolls his eyes and walks away without saying goodbye; he is clearly still infuriated by my earlier words.
Once we reach class, I kiss Adonis goodbye, not missing the way he checks out the other girls hovering around me. Strangely, it doesn’t bother me.
I make my way back to my desk and sit down, my eyes immediately searching for Adaline. I spot her fairly quickly; she isn’t in her usual seat, but the one next to it. Her eyes are focused intently on her biology textbook and she’s swinging her legs under the desk. That would be so utterly adorable if it wasn’therdoing it.
I force myself to look away when I notice Professor Khalid walking back into class. As soon as he enters the class, he starts teaching immediately.
I spend most of my time in this class just doodling on my notebook, I did this in most classes, but mainly science. I’m just not fond of science or any subject that isn’t Art.
The only reason I’m even taking biology is because every student at Richmond is forced to take all core subjects.
Art is theonlysubject I adore. I could melt into a void of nothingness and be content as long as I grasped a paintbrush in my fingertips. I would have made a career out of it too, but my mother would never allow it.
A few years ago, she would have. She used to love seeing me paint and draw, but now all she wants is for me to follow her rules; join the family business and not push the envelope any further.
The ringing of the bell snaps my brain back to reality. Everyone is packing their bags away like rabid animals before professor Khalid bellows very loudly, “The bell doesn’t dismiss you, I do!”
Everyone in class audibly groans at his words and waits till he dismisses everyone. I do the same and sling my bag across my shoulder as I make my way out of this hellhole.
“Juliette!” he calls out, stopping me when I’m just about to leave the classroom. “I’d like to discuss something with you before you leave.”
I sigh and roll my eyes, knowing that he was about to lecture me about my grades again.
When I reach his desk, he sighs and pulls out our recent biology test scripts. Mine has a massive F written on it. I look around instantly, suddenly feeling very self-conscious. Thankfully, no one is here.
“This is your what? Fourth fail this month? This is abysmal, Juliette. I cannot keep letting you get away with these grades,” he says sternly, massaging his temples as my palms start sweating at his words. “You know how this works, if you fail any of your core subjects, you will be removed from the cheerleading team …”
“No!” I protest loudly. “I’ll take the test again.”
No. No. No. I’m not getting removed from the cheer squad. I’ve built that team from the ground up and it would have crumbled into nothing if not for me! It’s our last year at Richmond; last year to win any major tournaments as usual. If they lose me, we can kiss our five-year winning streak goodbye.
“It’s not just thistest, it’s every test since the beginning of the year.”
“But—”
“Enough!” he cuts me off again and I narrow my eyes at him, but he doesn’t look scared in the slightest. “I’m giving you one last chance. I’ve decided that I will be assigning you a tutor.”
