Beyond The Pale

alex & the guys

Alex's POV

After we left Monet's, we all headed to our friend Bryce Walker's house. He was having a back to school party, and we wanted to get there early so we could help him set up everything. Plus, we had to fill him in on the badass new teacher joining the shit show that was Liberty High. I rode in Clay's car, with him and Justin, talking about everything from Raina to our schedules for school, and as we pulled into Bryce's, we'd found Ms. H on Instagram, so we could show our friends who we could honestly look forward to seeing everyday. Jessica and Zach had to pick up our friend Scott, and then they were meeting us at Bryce's, but our friend Jeff and his buddy Monty had already beaten us to Bryce's.

We all piled out of the car and went around back to the pool house, where we could hear laughter and pre-party commotion. I was so excited for the party, but sad summer was ending. After Hannah died and the trial was over, everyone involved seemed to band together, joining an alliance so strong it was scary. Sure, we'd not been the best of friends in the past. But over the summer we had became super close, and as our senior year approached, we couldn't wait to see what was in store for us.

"Hey guys," Bryce welcomed us as we let ourselves into the pool house. He had kegs set up everywhere, liquor galore, and snacks for days. Bryce was loaded, his parents were the rich traveling type. Never around but always close in a way, their credit card never leaving Bryce's wallet. "Dude," Justin gathered Bryce, Jeff and Monty around the bar and scrolled through Raina's Instagram feed. No doubt she was young, by her Instagram bio we discovered she was only 24, but she still looked our age. It was a shock finding out she'd be teaching us this year.

"Dang, Justy, your new piece is a looker. Who is she?" Monty asked, and we all exchanged a sly smile before he told them the news. "She's the new senior History teacher dude. We just met her at Monet's. She's a fox isn't she?" Justin continued scrolling, and they were all so distracted with Raina they didn't hear Jess, Scott and Zach come in.

"What's so interesting?" Jess asked, and they all turned red. "Um, just.." Justin sputtered, obviously embarrassed, but Monty spoke up with a laugh. "The new teacher dude! She's so fine, holy shit. And she has a kid? MILF alert! Call me 'daddy' from now on guys. I've found my life partner." I laughed so fucking hard I could've coughed up a lung. "Dude, no lie," Bryce agreed, "she is gorgeous. Is she cool?"

"Hell yeah she is. She's coming to my house for dinner tomorrow night. She needs a baby sitter and now that mom isn't working at the hospital, she needs something to do, ya know. We hung out with her at Monet's for like an hour. She's really sweet. Seems legit too." I replied, earning nods of agreement from everyone that had been with me earlier. She was going to be an awesome teacher.

"I have a picture of my schedule, what's her name?" Bryce asked. "Raina Hadley." Jess responded, and from where she was sitting on the couch I could clearly see her phone, it looked like she was on Raina's Instagram, following her and sending her a message. No doubt to tell her every senior guy in our circle was going to try to get in her pants. Typical.

"Damn I have her first period with Monty and Jeff." Bryce said, and we all laughed. "Clay, Justin and I have her first too. She seems awesome. It's gonna be a great year." I said cheerfully. After the shitty junior year we'd had, we deserved to go out with a bang. Little did we know how big of a bang senior year was going to be, because nothing we could've ever imagined could prepare us for how things actually turned out.

Once the party was in swing, I noticed Monty was being especially quiet. It was unlike him. "Dude, you okay?" I asked quietly, and he nodded, gesturing towards his phone. "Just checking out my girl again. She followed me back. Should I tell her I'm her student or make a move?" I laughed in his face. "Definitely do NOT make a move. That's like illegal or something. If it's not, it's at least taboo as fuck. She can't date you dude. You're underage." He shook his head, pulling out his wallet dramatically. "I got held back remember? I'm 19, dude. I'm a grown up."

We both laughed and I talked him into coming to take a shot with me. "Come on Mr. Grown up De La Cruz. Alcohol and fun awaits."

This chapter was super short and I apologize but I really want to get the ball rolling ❣️❣️❣️ I'm so excited!