Devil's Advocate (The Big Bad Bullies series) Book 1

Chapter Three

Tatum...

Who the hell does he think he is?

And what the hell was that kiss on my cheek?

I try not to think about it for the rest of the day, but as soon as I step into my house, I touch my cheek where it burned earlier from his kiss.

Why is he affecting me so much? I barely know the guy. I've been avoiding him and the others all year on purpose. I can't start anything with them now.

Especially since I'll be at Stanford in three months.

Mom isn't home, big shocker, so I ordered buffalo chicken pizza for myself.

My phone buzzes beside me and when I look at who texted me, my whole body freezes.

How the hell did he get my number?

Brooks: What're you up to, Tatum?

Me: How the hell did you get my number? And how the hell do I have YOURS?

Brooks: I have my ways. Never doubt my capabilities.

Me: It's creepy as fuck, you're creepy.

Brooks: You haven't even seen the worst of it, my dear.

What does that even mean? I decided not to answer but I think that provokes him more.

Brooks: Ignoring me?

Me: Yes. Good night, Foster.

Brooks: So why have you chosen to attend Stanford?

That's such a random ass question. How does he even know I'm going there? Only my mom and my friends know.

Me: Because it's been my dream school ever since it became my dad's and I's thing we bonded over. He always wanted to go there but pursued mechanics instead. So I want to make him proud and show him I did it.

I don't know why I'm opening up to him right now, but it's nice to talk to someone about my dad since my mom never mentions him.

Brooks: I'm sorry about what happened to your father.

Why is he being so nice to me?

A tear rolls down my cheek.

I wipe it away like someone's watching, and I don't want anyone to see me weak. I don't bother answering him and he doesn't text me again for the rest of the night.

---

The last two days of school fly by and next thing I know, it's Wednesday and time for graduation.

I'm standing in my cap and gown, taken back by how grown up I look in the mirror. I wore makeup for the big occasion. Nothing too drastic, only some mascara, blush, and lip gloss.

My mom actually got off work for once to see me graduate.

She drove us down to Mercy's stadium for the ceremony.

She pulls into a spot farther away than I would prefer. But I don't mention it. She puts her car in park and turns to look at me.

"I'm so proud of you honey." she says with teary eyes.

"Thank you mom" I look away because how can I even believe her...

She hasn't ever noticed how well I did in high school. She was too busy in her own world to see how much effort I put into my grades and getting into an excellent school.