The Skylar Experiment : The "X" in Apex

Chapter Eleven - The First Week

TW : mention of sexual assault

also a longer chapter ahead

The routine established itself quickly among the chaos of the first week, bringing in an equal mix of unwelcome as well as cheerful events.

For lab periods, Mr. Santos paired me with none other than him. We tried to object as his usual friends snickered across the row, but the teacher was particularly ruthless that day.

"Sir, this girl tried to assault me on day two," Luc plainly said in front of the whole class. "I feel like my safety is being disregarded."

He straightened a pile of papers, and I did my best to keep calm.

"Can she reach your neck?"

Luc sized me up with a glance.

"Then I'm not concerned," Mr. Santos responded. "It's time you shared Ben with the rest of the class and I'm sure you two can talk it out safely."

That was that. In one morning, Luc lost his trusty lab mate and realized we'd have to work on assignments together. His face was the human version of a wet cat.

He turned his back to us, slowly making for our new table. "This school is a fucking circus," he muttered loud enough for Mr. Santos.

The man assessed my horrified expression.

"You are well-matched in terms of biology grades. I try to place students of equal capacity together."

I watched the guy ignore his friends and arrange glassware through snippy gestures. The devil worked hard but this teacher worked harder.

The second worst instance was almost getting sent home over some godawful dress code. I didn't recall reading anything about tube tops under a zip-up jacket, but I was fried when the monitor intercepted me.

Sam had an extra shirt in her locker which avoided me the pointless trip.

Ridiculous.

One afternoon, a girl popped out the building's back door in a one-piece swimsuit and shorts. She set her sights on us.

We hung out often around the sunny field, watching teams tackle laps together. Adam would wave at us, whipping sweaty hair out of his face.

"Here comes Anya," Emma warned, hiding her face in her latte.

I forgot the name but I remembered her face, the blunt short hair and that all-muscle body, perfect for powerful kicks and strokes.

"She's not going to go all territorial on me, is she?"

Her sandals clacked closer and closer, and we all turned our heads away from the field.

"Not unless you steal her spotlight or become captain," Jen replied. "She really wants that on her college application."

Anya stopped before us, facing the sun forward. She hadn't gotten in the pool yet, judging by the dry hair and suit. "Hey there. What's your name, again?"

I nodded up at her, shading my eyes. "Riley. What's up?"

"We have a spot on the team this season. I was wondering if you'd like to join. You're the kind of person we could use to win this year after Chloe graduated." Her fists fell on her hips. "Coach Langdon hopes you'll say yes."