Tragic

Chapter Eight: Selfish

Hunter

Standing outside my new classroom on Monday morning, I take in the typical high school chaos. To be honest, I don't miss it. One of the main reasons I became an English teacher was so that I could have something to fall back on in case my writing didn't pan out. So far, I made a good choice. I haven't written shit since college.

There's still almost ten minutes before class starts, but for some reason the teachers are supposed to monitor the halls for suspicious behavior. Couples being inappropriate, harassment, violence—that sort of thing. The first thing I actually notice is Elliot sauntering toward me, hand in hand with the tool-bag from the hot tub. She's been a ghost since our confrontation outside of the guest house last week and has apparently been spending quite a bit of time with Judah 2.0.

She struts beside him like she owns the place. Actually, she kind of does. It's amazing how heads turn to watch her, people go out of their way to say hi to her. Elliot Monroe stands on a pedestal whether she wants to admit it or not. Every move she makes is thoroughly scrutinized and I'm starting to wonder if she doesn't actually mind playing into it.

They stop at what I assume is his locker, and she leans seductively beside it. My eyes travel down her tight, pink sweater and skirt so short it should be illegal. Actually, I think it kind of is. I can't torture her as the guy she can't touch, but that doesn't mean there aren't other ways to get at her.

I take a step toward them, and she gives me a smug smile before pretending to pick at her nails.

"Miss Monroe, I don't think that skirt adheres to the dress code."

She looks up at me and then down to the small strip of denim covering her ass. "Oh, sorry." I watch as she proceeds to pull it downward, further exposing her perfectly toned midriff. The gleam of the ring in her naval catches my eye and sends a chill straight to my cock. 

I'm in so much fucking trouble.

"Is that better, Mr. Graham?" she asks, interrupting my impure thoughts.

I clear my throat. "Try to be a little more conservative next time."

"Yes, sir," she replies with a smirk.

I don't care if she was trying to be sarcastic or not, I like the way she said that. I walk back toward my classroom, just as the apparent new boyfriend takes off for class. He kisses her on the cheek before leaving, which I catch out of the corner of my eye. I also notice her eyes on me, not him.

I go back to pretending to prevent teen violence when the yappy little redhead appears at her side. Cameron Grey is the epitome of the obnoxious follower. She's always at Elliot's side complimenting her and telling her how amazing she is, all the while looking for a way to take over the throne. High school girls are bitches.

"So, I hear you and Dylan are like the new 'it' couple. I can only imagine how much Judah is going to flip his shit when he finds out," Cameron remarks.

I hear Elliot let out a sigh, but I don't turn to look at her. "Judah doesn't get to decide who I can and cannot date. Especially not now."

Date? She's already dating this guy? I know she's trying to prove a point, but really, how far is she going to take this?

"Don't you think that little display of everlasting devotion he left in your locker should make you believe otherwise?"

Elliot's looking at me again, and I pretend not to notice.

"I don't care." She slams the locker shut and continues speaking in a marginally louder tone. "The things Dylan can do with his tongue are worth the fight."