In his stunned state, I was able to yank my arm free. But as soon as I went to turn away, he grabbed me again and tried to drag me into the empty classroom across the hall.
Like hell I was going to be alone with him. I was done being hurt by other people. I started screaming at the top of my lungs and dug my nails into his hand.
He grunted and grabbed my hand that was clawing him. Anger burned in his eyes; the golden boy was nowhere to be seen. “I just want to talk,” he growled, clearly lying.
“No!” I yelled as I tried to dig my heels in.
A tattooed hand fisted Brandon’s blazer and a tattooed fist collided with his face. Brandon went down and took me with him. I wasn’t on the ground for long before Roe pulled me back up.
“What the fuck?!” Brandon roared as he clumsily got to his feet.
Roe pushed me behind him.
Brandon looked from Roe to me. “So this is the guy you’ve been cheating on me with.” He was creating a narrative to make him look good to everyone who was now gathering around us. He chuckled. “You’re fucking the charity case?”
Enraged, I tried to step forward, wanting to claw his fucking eyes out. Roe’s arm in front of me stopped me.
For years, I’d let shit slide. I’d stood by and said nothing as other people got hurt. I couldn’t do that anymore. If I couldn’t get back at him physically, I was going to take him out with words. “It’s better than being with someone who needs Daddy’s money to overcompensate for his small dick.”How do you like that narrative, you fucking asshole?
Some people gasped. Others snorted.
Brandon couldn’t handle it and he charged at us. Roe stepped forward and easily took him to the ground. Roe punched him once, twice.
“Hey!” someone said as they pushed through the crowd. It was Oliver, Brandon’s best friend and teammate. He pulled Roe off Brandon and held him in a headlock as Brandon got to his feet.
They were going to gang up on Roe. My stomach filled with dread and I quickly glanced around for a way to stop what wasabout to happen. I spotted a member of the golf team, his golf bag in front of him. I ran over and grabbed his 9-iron club.
“Hey!” he protested.
Brandon punched Roe in the stomach. Oliver released him, and as he slumped forward, Brandon punched his face. Oliver stepped out of the way as Roe fell back against the lockers.
As I came up behind Brandon, I yelled, “Hey!”
Brandon turned and I swung. I hit him across the face. He spun and hit the ground. Oliver came at me, but not fast enough. I lunged out of the way and swung as he passed by. I hit him in the back with the club. It wasn’t hard enough to take him down. So when he turned, I swung again, hitting him in the face. He spun as he went down. Neither he nor Brandon got back up.
“Ms. Kendry, please put the club down,” an authoritative voice said.
I turned to see Principal Beaumont. He was a white-haired man who wore tailored suits that cost more than his annual pay could afford. He rarely came out of his office unless it was for assemblies, award ceremonies, sporting events, and of course fundraising. He and a few other teachers were taking in the scene. Normally they’d ignore this kind of thing; it wasn’t easy to police rich kids.
I dropped the 9-iron to the ground and plastered on my best fake smile. “Can I help you, Principal Beaumont?”
“I heard there was a fight,” he said.
“There was.” I gestured to Brandon and Oliver. “These two were ganging up on the scholarship student.” I felt bad for distancing myself from Roe, but this matter had to be handled delicately. “Such bullying is very unbecoming of the school my family founded and continues to fund.” That last part served as a reminder and a warning. “I put a stop to it.”
“Ms. Kendry, beating other students with a golf club was not the way to handle things?—”
“And where were you, Principal Beaumont?” I glanced around to make my point. “Or any of the other teachers, for that matter, when this incident was happening? I would hate to inform my grandfather how unsafe this school has become.”
Principal Beaumont glanced at the other teachers with pursed lips. “I think it would be best to continue this conversation in my office, Ms. Kendry.”
“Of course,” I said, and went to retrieve my bag.
“Everyone else get to your classes. Mr. Walker, if you are feeling fine, please continue with your day,” Principal Beaumont said, which was what I wanted, but still pissed me off at the lack of justice Roe was going to get even if I did lie. The thing was, the school couldn’t side with Roe against other students.
As students dispersed, the teachers went over to Brandon and Oliver to help them up.
Roe came up to me as I scooped up my bag. His lip was split and that made me want to hit Brandon with a golf club all over again.
