I will not allow Maverick to ruin my night.
I got to school yesterday, guns blazing, ready to face Maverick head-on, but surprisingly, he acts as if I don’t exist. The sudden change makes me edgy. I figure he has something up his sleeve, but the day went by without a hitch. Now, it’s Tuesday and still nothing. I’d be happy to never say another word to him again, but we have an assignment to work on.
Mr. Barnes has his back to the class, writing equations on the smart board. I glance at Maverick. He slumps in his chair, staring straight ahead, though it’s obvious by his bored expression he isn’t paying attention to what’s being said.
“We need to talk about our project,” I whisper.
He doesn’t answer me.
“This isn’t a game. If I flunk this class, it’ll ruin my chances of getting into a good college.”
“Not my fucking problem.”
“You asshole, not everyone was born with a fucking silver spoon in their mouth. Some people have to work hard to succeed in life.”
“Do you have a question, Ms. Matthews?” Mr. Barnes regards me reproachfully.
“No,” I mutter.
“Then mouth shut and eyes forward. One more disruption and you’ll find yourself in detention.”
The class erupts in snickers, further inciting Mr. Barnes’s ire.
“Quiet!” he booms. “Or detention slips for everyone!”
The fuckers quiet instantly. This isn’t over. I’m confronting Maverick after class, consequences be damned. Finally, the bell rings and Maverick shoots from his seat. I quickly follow on his heels, determined to finish our conversation. I will not get a failing grade because of him.
“Maverick!” I yell.
The hall is teeming with students, bustling to their next class, but I don’t give two fucks who witnesses our showdown. I’ve had enough of his bullshit. Maverick stops and I barrel into him. He whirls around, baring his teeth.
“Only speak when spoken to, gutter trash. You do not address your betters unless you are summoned first.”
He continues on to his destination.
I grasp his shoulder. “We need to—”
He latches on to my throat and slams me against a locker. The jarring impact causes my teeth to clack together.
“Touch me again and I’ll break your fucking hand!” he shouts.
He releases me, then stalks away. Kids gawk, not even pretending they weren’t avidly watching the latest soap opera drama starring Maverick and me. I stomp down the hall, pissed.
I slam my tray on the table and plop into the chair. Jamal, Kate, and Lucy eye me warily. No doubt, they heard about the confrontation with Maverick. The encounter left me frazzled, making it difficult to concentrate in my other classes. I was relieved when the bell rang for lunch.
“What the hell happened?” Jamal asks.
“Just a misunderstanding,” I say vaguely. “It’s not worth rehashing.”
“A misunderstanding?” Lucy squawks. “He choked you.”
“Something’s going on between you two,” Kate states, twirling her fork in her pasta.
“There isn’t,” I deny.
All three give me a yeah-right look.
“Oh no.” Jamal peers behind me.
