Shameful Hearts (BOOK 2)

My Best Friend's Brother

Rebecca's POV

7 Years Ago

Some girls had it all: the perfect look, the ideal relationship, and the perfect life. Sadly, I ain't one of those girls. I'm one of many black girls who lived a dull and uninteresting life. I looked like shit every day, no matter how many times I keep telling myself I'm beautiful. And don't get me wrong, it's not like I was fishing for compliments. I'm a dauntless teenager, but I did have my insecurities like everyone else on this messed-up planet we called earth.

"Okay, everyone, stretch!" My gym teacher Ian Hendrix said. My classmates and I lined up horizontally in front of him and stretched before running. Every girl in this school knew that Mr. Hendrix was man-candy. He's a snack from head to toe. A delicious, gorgeous snack that is.

"I would stretch all day for you, sir." My best-friend Ellie said with a flirtatious smirk.

He slightly giggled and said, "Quietly, please." Then proceeded to watch us stretch accordingly. Knowing Ellie as cheer captain, she could be quite ambitious. Okay, REALLY ambitious. She was never afraid to get what she wanted when she wanted it-one of the things I loved about her. And I, on the other hand, was the complete opposite.

She turned around and bent over to stretch, only to get Mr. Hendrix's attention on her flat rear. I laughed slightly whilst he rolled his eyes, turning his head to look elsewhere.

"Okay, five lapses before the bell. Go, go, go!" He clapped. Everyone started running, but I stayed behind with my hands on my hips.

"That goes for you, too, Valentine."

"Come on, Ian. You're not really gonna make a little girl do five lapses, are you?" I smirked.

"What'd I tell you about calling me that? Listen, Rebecca. You and Ellie can joke around all you want. But it won't be any more of a joke when both of your parents are involved, now would it? Now start running." He blew his whistle, startling me, and headed into his office. I gave him a fixed stare, narrowing my eyebrows, and started running.

He was a dick, I know. But his anger just turned me on even more. Mr. Hendrix was a married man, but I had him wrapped around my finger and right where I wanted him. Who could say no to my charm and charisma? Everything that happened in this school seemed to just fall into the palm of my hand pretty easily. Sure, I didn't walk around with pompoms and pep, but some people still saw me differently, whereas I'm an average teenage girl.

"Hey, you coming over tonight? Ashley's having a sleepover, and I have to babysit." Ellie said, catching up to me.

"What about your brothers?"

"They can't. Chris had already made plans with his fucked up friends, and my mom's taking Ashton to the hospital."

"Again?!" I asked, shocked, and concerned.

"He had another manic episode last night and got rushed to the hospital. I think he's off his meds again."

"Oh my god. Is he okay?" I paused.

"Yeah. He's not even supposed to be in school today. My mom begged him to stay home, but Ashton's already way behind in the lessons, so he came anyway. Lucky bastard gets to have the day off, living the sweet life at home but chooses to be in school. Can you even believe that we're related?"

"You do know he's bipolar, right? And don't act like Chris didn't stay up all night last week to keep an eye on him." I snorted.

"Hey, I'm just tryna protect my little brother. It's like me and my mom are the only ones worried about him. Chris just does what he's told cause it's easier than having the initiative to do it himself."