Destiny's Witch (BxB)

Chapter 10: Taming the Jock

Perry

Finding Ms. Sanders' body in the stacks was a shot of adrenaline directly into my veins. The sight of her de-sanguinated body is enough to make my skin crawl. It is clear she had been dead for quite some time and Alan confirms the theory.

Sheriff Alan showed up with his crew not long after Ms. Sanders' body was found. In full sheriff mode, he worked quickly to shut down the library and get to the bottom of the attack as quickly as possible. Under the guise of checking on me, he was able to give me information regarding Ms. Sanders.

According to preliminary evidence, she was completely drained of blood and, as stated, she has been dead for days, possibly weeks. The coroner also found a small chaos symbol etched into the back of her neck.

Principal Madrigal informed the students who saw Ms. Sanders' body they would be released for the day. Alan offers to drive me home and, remembering the inquisition he subjected me last time we were alone, I choose to get a ride from Nate.

Nate and I spent the afternoon at my house watching movies before meeting Eva and Charlotte at the Mortar and Pestle. Nate recounts the story of finding Ms. Sanders' body, leaving out Erin's role in the argument with Lucas leading up to the incident. He knows as well as I do that neither girl was happy about his relationship with Erin.

The girls are upset, having liked Ms. Sanders. Charlotte questions if she was wearing the cute blue peasant top she had noticed her in during the summer.

Nate, Eva, and I ignore the question.

Charlotte persists about the peasant top, denoting how it gave her a much needed lift in her breasts. She details how the top was almost better than a surgery.

A sudden rush of nervous energy beside me turns into something warmer. The energy is uncomfortable and mildly sexual. I look to Nate as he squirms beside me.

Luckily, the energy is interrupted by a commotion near the entrance of the cafe. It is no surprise to find Jason at the center of more chaos. He is at odds with Zachary.

Zachary, as I know him, is just as cruel as people say David is. He is less popular, being decidedly less likable. David, despite his brutish behavior, has created a balance whereas Zachary is usually at the center of something heartless without having a specific redeemable quality.

In his argument with Zachary, the venom flies as Jason accuses the tan jock of making an inappropriate joke about Ms. Sanders. Zachary's perfect teeth are on display as he further jokes about Jason having a crush on her.

Eva stands, as we all follow her, and we head over to the commotion as Jason's fury reveals itself. I become aware of the presence of David, Parker and a few other members of the football team.

David is watching me instead of the spectacle unfolding in front of him. I glance over at him, missing as Jason lunges at Zachary, who easily overpowers him, sending him to the ground. Eva rushes to help her brother up as Zachary pushes her out of the way. He raises his fist to punch Jason.

With no regard for my own secret, I reach out and grab his wrist. Zachary's large arm flexes as he tries to swing his fist down on Jason. I make it appear as if I struggling as I push him backwards. He stumbles back against the counter, knocking a few CDs off a stand.

Zachary's green eyes are open in shock before anger overtakes his face again. He moves towards me as David steps in front of him, calming him as a friend.

Zachary blows past everyone and slams the door behind him. I mouth "thank you" to David as I turn my attention to Eva, who helps Jason to his feet.

"Why'd you do that?" Jason asks.

"Cuida tu lenguaje, Gentry." David inserts.

"Mind your own damn business!" Jason says.

"Jay! Perry helped you out. And so did David. What were you thinking?" Eva asks.

"Just...screw off!" Jason says.

Jason storms past us with Eva at his heels. Most of the jocks leave, with only David, Parker, Charlotte, and Nate standing with me.

I can sense the pain in Jason. I only wanted to help him. It feels like in helping him, I made whatever is bothering him worse.

"Idiota! Kid's out of control. You helped him out." David says.

"Yeah, well, so is the meat head making comments about a dead woman." Nate says.

"Jesus, do you always have to be a little priss?" David asks. "You really need to get laid, Newman."

"Okay, guys, enough." Parker says.

"He started it. I'm just trying to—"

"Get brownie points with Perry? Sorry, I don't know what your play is here, but you're not fooling anyone." Nate frowns.

"You really want to know my play?" David asks.

"Okay!" I interrupt, "whatever blood feud the two of you have going on, keep me out of it."

"How are you not seeing he's up to something? What is it? You want him to do your homework? You want him to make you feel like you're not the Chad you are?" Nate asks.

"Is this about Erin? Cause she literally wasn't even that good." David says.

"Ooookay, I'm out. Have fun with whatever this is." I say angrily.

I walk back to the table as quickly as I can and grab my bag before I storm past them, ignoring their calls. I cannot decide who I am angrier with.

Nate is out-of-order, but so is David. Nate's complaints about David are valid. It makes me question why David cares in the slightest. His mixed signals are giving me whiplash, and the last thing I can deal with right now is a pissing contest between my best friend and my—David.