Prep School

Chapter 55

I rub my eyes. They feel puffy and there's a trail of crust leading down my cheek. I rub at it, confused. I get out of bed, stretching. My hands sting and itch under my bandages. My chest hurts, like its bruised. I pull up my shirt and I press my fingers against my ribs and stomach. I don't see any bruises, but wherever I press, I feel needles of pain. I shrug to myself and head to the bathroom.

I jump out of the car, walking up the stairs and into the hallway. I pull out my stuff and try to carry it to English. Key word: Try.
I try to pick up all the books I drooped, but my hand stings and crumples under the weight. I stare at the books and sigh.
"Hey! You need some help?"
I turn and see a guy from some of my classes. Chris, I think. He comes up to me, his blonde hair swept to the side and smirking.
"No, I'm fine."
He smirks. He takes my hand. I snatch it away. "I said I'm fine.'
"Ooooh, feisty aren't we?" He licks his lips.
I push past him, clutching my books. He grabs them from me, grinning. "Please Princess. I got this. You can thank me later."
I growl under my breath. "Asshole."
He smirks and walks away with my books and into my English class.
I stomp after him.

"Why were you with him?" Gianna looks at me, eyes wide as we walk to Math. "You didn't tell me earlier."
She point at Chris, who's walking, surrounded by girls and his friends. He sees me and Gianna and winks.
I frown and turn towards Gianna. "That ass stole my books. He was all like 'Princess, let me help you. You look like you need some pieces of schist interrupting your life.'"
Gianna giggles. "Why'd he help you anyway?"
I shrug. "How am I supposed to know?"
"Hey, I was gonna ask you earlier, but what's with the bandaid?" She points to my hands.
"I, uh, had an accident."
She raises her eyebrows. "Must've been one hell of an accident."
I nod. We walk into Math, sitting at our seats before Harmswell can call us out.
Another person walks into the room.  An adult. He walks to the front of the room, nervously twisting his hands.
"Um..... Hello class. I'm going to be your, uh, substitute for today. I'm, uh, Mr. Johnson. I would like you all to be quiet and do,um, what you would usually do."
His argyle sweater is wrinkled and he pulls at it. His milky blue eyes dart around nervously.
Gianna and I glance at each other and shrug.
We pull out our notebooks and Cace and Zane jump over.
"Hey."
I smile. "Hey."
Suddenly, Chris pops his head through the front door.
He smirks. "Hello Princess. Fancy seeing you here." He bites his lip.
I glare at him. "This is my class."
He winks. "I know."
He leaves and I huff.
Zane looks at me, his eyes dark. "Who's he?"
Gianna pipes up. "That's Chris. He's got a special interest in Aria now."
Zane glares at the door. "My fist is taking a special interest in his face."
I look at Zane. "He just started this. He'll probably be over it by lunch."
Zane shakes his head. "Whatever. Let's just start working."

After lunch, we all head up to History.
Thatcher's standing at the front of the room, holding our posters from last class.
"Presentation time!"
He hands out our posters and the first group steps up to present.
When he calls our names, I start off, reading the title. Gianna and Cace carry on and Zane explains the drawings. Sofia holds the poster.
I look out at my classmates as I talk. Almost all the girls are staring at either Cace or Zane. I scan the class and I spot Chris. I look away, but not before he shoots a wink.
Zane glances at me, his cheeks pink.
I reach over and gently squeeze his hand.
He squeezes back, but he still glances at me, his cheeks pink.