“What the fuck is this?” he asks, sliding his cell phone across the desk.
I pick it up. It’s a video of the fight at Jake’s. This will be all over school on Monday morning.
“I told you to stay the fuck away from her.”
“And I told you that I do whatever the fuck I want.”
John opens a drawer to his right and pulls out a nine-millimeter, pointing it right at my chest.
“Is that supposed to scare me?”
“You will not make a mockery of this family.”
“What family?”
“I will not have little nigger grandchildren tainting this bloodline.”
“The next time you point a gun at me, you better use it,” I say, leaving his study.
The threat is left hanging between us.
Montgomery Academy is abuzz with gossip about Saturday night when I arrive at school on Monday. The entire student body has seen the video by now. Students whisper as I walk past them in the halls. I hear a few students hurl the words ho, slut, whore, and other degrading words my way.
Sticks and stones bitches, sticks and stones.
I make it to physics class ahead of Maverick. Mr. Barnes has not arrived yet, either. Great, I get a few minutes reprieve before I have to face him. Something tells me there will definitely be a confrontation. Finally, a pissed off Maverick makes an appearance. He has bruises on his face, but something tells me they’re not from the fight on Saturday night, but from fighting at the warehouse. Maybe Maverick is the way he is because of his mother’s suicide.
He sits in his chair, turning his full attention on me. “Stay the fuck away from him.”
“Do you honestly think I’d listen to you? You have no control over me.”
He moves so close to my face our noses touch, his warm breath fans across my lips.
“If I see or hear of you being near that asshole again, you won’t like what follows.”
“And do you think I’ll just sit back and take it?”
“Spread the word everyone,” Maverick shouts to the class. “Cocoa is a fucking attention-seeking whore who will open her legs for anyone. She’s been on my dick since we met in August.”
With that announcement, he turns away from me to ignore me for the rest of the class.
I’m not sociable at lunch today. I barely talk or acknowledge anyone. I know the students nearby notice my constant glances at the table where Cocoa is sitting. I don’t care what anyone thinks about my behavior. Not once has she broken down, cried, or gone to school officials about the things I’ve done to her. I’m curious to see how she’ll react to the battle I started with her in physics class today. She didn’t seem fazed by the announcement I made in class, or she has the best poker face I’ve ever seen. I know everyone is wondering why I went to Jake’s house on Saturday to get her.
“Mav, are you okay?” asks Nix.
Fuck no, I feel like I’m about to explode. It’s like my body and mind are at war.
“I need to unwind. I need to go to the warehouse after practice tonight.”
“You need time to relax your body, the game is on Friday,” says Dee.
I feel like a live wire burning from the inside out, and I need a release.
“I’m going.”
Thursday is pep rally day. Students are gathered in the gym for the introduction of the football players. Excitement is in the air. The homecoming dance is tonight and will be held in this very gym. I have to admit that I’m excited, too—even though the week hasn’t been stellar for me, with the name-calling and me being branded a traitor for going to Jake’s party. I’m happy Jamal, Kate, or Lucy weren’t seen there. I don’t want to be the reason their peaceful existence is shattered even more.
Maverick must’ve really fucked Jake up because he hasn’t returned any of my phone calls. I guess he doesn’t want anything to do with me now. Getting your ass handed to you in your own house has to be embarrassing. What makes the whole thing that much worse is that the Wildcats and the Jaguars will be playing each other tomorrow. Lucy is on photography duty for the pep rally, homecoming dance, and the first game of the season tomorrow after school. Kate and I will work on the article on Monday and Tuesday, and thenI will edit everything. I hate missing tutoring Kayla tonight, but there won’t be enough time for everything.
