She calmly looks at me, and for the first time, there is sympathy in her eyes.
Ms. Johnson sighs. “I understand more than you think I do, Alex.” She pauses. “But it’s time you understand that rules apply to everyone, even you. Fix your grades or face the consequences.”
My career is riding on this. Not pissing off my father is riding on this. My emotions shift to something deeper than anger—something more akin to fear. “Please fix this,” is all I say. My hands clutch into fists so tight that my nails bite at the flesh of my palm.
“You’re the only one that can control how your future turns out.” She shifts in her seat, and I can tell she’s trying not to be fazed by the look on my face.
I don’t mean to take my frustrations out on her. It’s not her fault; she’s simply doing her job, but I can’t end up on probation. It’s out of the question.
Ms. Johnson glances around me, her sights fixating on the waiting area. “Samantha?”
A second later, the sweetest voice fills my ears. “Yes, ma’am.”
Ms. Johnson swallows. “I’ll be with you in a second.” She pauses and looks at me again. “Mr. Williamsburg was just leaving.”
“I’m not in a rush. I just need to correct my schedule and get my meal card,” the girl answers.
With my nostrils flared, I grunt and punch the desk. “Whatever.”
With that, I stand sharply, turn, and exit her cubicle, nearly running smack into the girl. Deep brown eyes and a cascade of curls peer up at me. She’s cute—reallycute, actually—but I couldn’t care less right now.
Whoever she is—thisSamantha—has heard everything that was said. Which means she knows what the people around menever could. The whole point of meeting in the morning is so that no one finds out. It’s the safest way of keeping my shortcomings away from not just my father but from the coach.
“Sorry.” Samantha attempts to go around me.
Her shoulders go rigid as she stares at me, her eyes widening when I step over to block her path. I don’t know why I do it; maybe there is some sick part of me that likes the flicker of fear that flashes in her eyes.
“Watch where you’re going,” I say while bending down so that we’re face to face, so close I can smell the vanilla on her skin.
Something clicks because that flicker of fear is short-lived. I see the moment the defiance builds in her chest. But it’s her response that solidifies it.
“Likewise, asshole,” she spits.
I continue to tower over her, watching her chest rise and fall rapidly. It’s the briefest distraction from the mixture of anger and humiliation running through me.
“You should get to class, Alex,” Ms. Johnson says from behind me.
My attention remains on this interesting girl in front of me. She’s clearly new to campus because she isn’t reacting to me like most do. She obviously has no idea of my status, so it wouldn’t be fair to hold that against her.
Instead, I opt for a warning. She may be new to this school, but she better quickly figure out the lay of the land. I scan her from head to toe, noting how out of place she looks.
“Watch that mouth, if you know what’s good for you,” I warn. My eyes drop to her plump lips for a moment before returning to the venom in her brown gaze.
Without a response, Samantha steps around me toward Ms. Johnson, but not without the last word.
“Jerk.”
CHAPTER SIX
SAM
An old counselor once told me that no one is born unlucky. It’s all just a series of events that happen as a result of choices made. By her standard, it’s simply a little cause and effect. But I called bullshit the moment the words slipped past her thin lips.
My life has been nothing but the unlucky event of being stuck in a never-ending loop of poverty, neglect, and despair. I’m reminded every day that no matter what I do or how hard I try, something will always go wrong.
Like today.
It’s only my first day of classes, and I’m late for the first one of the morning.So much for a fresh start.
