Ain't Shady Baby, I'm Hot

19

"Xena, you have assigned seating." My jaw dropped as I looked at my mother who was bent over a stack of papers.

"Seriously? Why?"

"Because I wanted to make a seating chart. So don't complain and let me live." I couldn't help but laugh at her. Especially when I saw her librarian glasses on. "We will see who is laughing shortly, Xena Lee." I stopped laughing immediately.

"Mom. What did you do?" My voice dropped to a whisper as I made my way over to her desk.

"Just made a seating chart. That's all." I gulped. My mother could be quite the wicked soul. I slowly blinked as she pulled out the seating chart from a Manila folder. My eyes attempting to read her cursive handwriting upside down.

I found my name easily. The cursive "X" being the only one on the page. Though after I found my seat mate I regretted finding them both.

"You've got to be kidding. You have to change it." I begged as I set my hands on the table, just in reach of the paper.

"I can't. And I won't." I looked from the paper to my mother and saw the smirk on her face. She had done it on purpose.

"You'll have to." I started getting ideas, a smirk slowly crawling on my face, "soon, you'll have to."

My mother stood up tall, her arms crossed and an eyebrow raised.

"We'll see about that, Xena. We'll see about that."

"Is this World History?" We both turned to see a few students standing in the doorway, their eyes watching our interaction carefully.

"Oh yes! Hi! I'm-" I tuned her out as I grabbed my bag and went to my designated seat. Once pulling out my journal and pencil I proceeded to glare down at the scratch piece of paper I was doodling on.

"Well, this class will be fun." I rolled my eyes not looking up as my table-mate slammed his notebook on the surface.

He pulled his chair out before sitting to where his legs were in my space. My doodling became a dark graphite grey as he leaned closer to my ear as if he were going to tell me a secret.

"Two can play whatever game it is you're trying to play, Xena. And this is my school." My fist clenched around the pencil as I kept myself from swinging.

I settled for a smirk as I turned to face him, his own pride showing on his grinning face.

"I wouldn't be so sure." Then that was it. My mother called the class to attention and began her lesson. Once again it was the syllabus. Occasionally, Rafe would attempt to disrupt me or rile me up- but with enough constrain I managed to make it through the class. And I only happened to drop my pencil twice.

"Same time tomorrow?" I asked Rafe as I pulled my backpack on, a teasing grin on my face as I left before he could respond. A laugh escaping my lips as I heard a clatter as he fell to the floor. His shoelace somehow tied around the desk.

"You're gonna pay for that." He shouted, those still in the class stared at the exchange. Laughter rising as they watched the Kook prince struggle to rise.

I spared a glance backwards and gave a small taunting wave before disappearing into the hallway, a large smirk resting on my face as I went.

Oh the game is on.

______•*•*•*•______

The week continued similarly. Same with the month. Then the entire fall term. We would meet in the parking lot, hash things out. One of us would be standing and watching and the other would walk away triumphantly.

Then we'd end up crossing paths again and he'd take small taunting digs while I had to act civilized because staff was around. Or my Ma.

And everyday, during fifth period we would sit right beside each other. Shit talking through whispers and messing with one another when possible through the class.

Then, when it was all over. He would go to his athletics class, and I mine, and there we would get out any frustration from the day.

Then if there was any left, I'd go to the gym and box it out. Sometimes even running on top of it.

The Pogues absolutely were loving it. I've only told them when I've gotten Rafe good or any other Kooks who happened to be in my way. Between pranks, shit-talking, and any other form of embarrassment - I was involved in an all out war with Rafe. By the time he graduated next semester, the island wouldn't even remember his name.

But mine, mine they would remember. In a good and bad way. But I didn't mind. I had good things going for me.

Good grades. Great friends. A surprisingly awesome basketball team. And a chance at the semi-pro boxing title for my division and weight class.

I've already gotten offers into three university programs, had a pro manager reach out to me, and I got a job as a self-trainer/floor attendant for the gym.

"Hey, Kie, I've got to go. Murphy called in an emergency. He's got to leave the gym as soon as I get inside." I told her as I lock up my motorcycle.

"Ugh fine. But you're coming to the Christmas party this weekend! You haven't hung out with us since Thanksgiving!" I scoffed as I grabbed the strap of my backpack.

"You're so dramatic. I was literally at the Château two weekends ago."

"Thanksgiving!" I chuckled at the girl.

"Goodbye, Kie."

"We will all come hunt you down if necessary!" I smiled as I heard JJ pipe up from the phone.

"I'm certain you will JJ. I expect an Uber service to the party. I'll drive back." I told them as I opened the gym door.

"Oh hell no. Me drunk is still a better driver than you." John B shouted into the phone making me jerk it away from my ear.

"Hey, I've driven the Twinkie before and it was fine. The rabbit jumped into the hood." I groaned. The one time I drove the Twinkie it was dark and they were intoxicated and I happened to hit a small bunny. They never let me forget it.

"She's from Texas, she's a hunter by nature." Pope narrated.

"It was just a poor defenseless little guy." Kie whined, her instinct to protect all animals has been the reason the guys keep bringing it up.

I rolled my eyes moving behind the desk giving Murphy the "go on" motion as I clocked in. He gave me a pointed look telling me I better get off my phone.

"Guys, as much as I'd love to hear you ridicule me some more, I've got to go. Murphy ain't leaving and he's giving me the stink eye."

"HI MURPHY! WE LOVE YOU!" JJ shouted, the phone leaving my hand as he broke my speaker.

"JJ, you're the reason my employee is distracted?"

"What can I say, I'm just that hot."

Everyone on both sides of the phone groaned at his comment.

"Okay. I'm going now. Bye y'all."

"Bye X!" Pope

"Bye T!" John B

"Bye babe." Kie

"Bye wifey!" JJ

I hung up laughing at the range of partings. Murphy let out a chuckle too.

"You've got an interesting group of friends." I smiled.

"Thank you, Murphy. Now get out of here. I've got this taken care of."