𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐅𝐔𝐋 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐎𝐒 | SPINOFF

CHAPTER EIGHT

AVERY
RAVEN

After being scolded, yelled at, and grounded by someone who wasn't even our mother—it was hilarious—we all showed up to English class exhausted. Stella and I were hungover. Marcella looked lightheaded. The only one who seemed normal was Lily, bouncing in her seat like it was the best day ever.

"Why's she so positive? My head's killing me," Stella whined, rubbing her temples. I agreed silently. How could anyone be that peppy?

Not to mention, Professor Lincoln was still mad at me for yesterday. I'd walked out of his class without permission, so guess who had detention? Me. Lunchtime was going to be a blast.

"Will you ever shut up, Stella? You're making my headache worse," Jaxon groaned from behind us.

"Can everyone just shut up?" I whined, dropping my head on the desk. "I'm this close to leaving this class again."

Marcella leaned over, clearly not feeling great either. "I actually want to."

"Nooo, I want to stare at our hot teacher," Stella chimes in, eyes brightening at the idea.

I roll my eyes. "He's not that hot. Like, an eight out of ten on a good day."

Jaxon muttered something about us being weird, and Grayson just grunted. It was typical of them, really.

Stella turned to Jaxon, still curious. "Why does Dean suddenly hate me? He said I'm the reason his brother is in the hospital. Is it because he got too hard after I kissed him?"

Jaxon chuckled. "Or because Grayson beat his ass up. Don't know."

I was barely listening. "I got drunk for the first time at fifteen. Is that a world record?" I asked, feeling like that was an accomplishment, somehow.

"Definitely fucked up. Wonder who gave you those drinks," Damon muttered, clearly unamused.

I pointed at Stella, and she nodded proudly.

Lily, ever the teacher's pet, scolded us. "Guys, shh! We're trying to study here!"

I shot her the middle finger, mimicking her in a high-pitched voice. "Guys, shh! We're trying to study here!" I stuck my tongue out. "Loser. But I still love you, Lil."

Lily smiled, but Marcella gasped dramatically. "Wow, okay."

"Come on, Avery," Stella teased, placing a hand over her heart. "I've been the one protecting you for years. Who do you choose, me or Lily?"

I pretended to think it over, then shrugged. "Myself. I'm the best one here."

"That you are," a familiar voice interrupted from behind me. "But let's see if you still hold that title after you finish your essay."

I jumped at the sound of Professor Lincoln's voice, blushing. Great, I thought, realizing he heard everything. "I swear I'm not that childish. I can be mature."

Professor Lincoln chuckled. "Okay, love. Do your work. And don't forget you're staying in for lunch today. Punishment for yesterday."

Stella, always bold, piped up. "Can you punish me too? I take it rough," she winked.

Lincoln just rolled his eyes. "You'll be sent to the principal's office instead, Stella."

She pouted, then shrugged. "The principal is Marcella's dad. We're like best friends. We'd gossip and shit talk students. Bonus: he's hot."

Marcella and Jaxon both cursed her out, but Stella just shrugged, unbothered.

"Alright, enough," Lincoln said, walking away. But as he left, I turned to Stella and whispered, "He is kinda hot, though."