Coach’s Pet

Chapter 1

Chapter One

CHARLIE

I t’s the first day of school, and I’m already in trouble. This is bullshit. It’s not my fault Parker doesn’t watch where he’s going. You would think that as a star football player, he would have better footwork. Still, I have no regrets over tripping him. Maybe a busted nose will help him learn not to run his mouth so much. Doubtful. He’s an idiot.

I drop down in one of the seats in front of the principal's office and wait for my turn. Now I get to find out what my punishment will be. I wouldn't be upset if I got in-school suspension. That way I could focus on completing my assignments and avoid having to endure endless boring classes. One more year , I remind myself. One year and then I'm leaving this place.

A bubbly blond girl walks into the office, and Principal Vale's secretary gestures for her to come over to where I'm sitting. She’s dressed in our typical Legend Prep attire, which includes a pleated skirt, black shoes, and a white top. However, she’s got a bright pink cardigan that’s buttoned all the way up and matches her glasses.

The blonde's head swings my way to see where the secretary is pointing. When she spots me, a smile forms on her face, revealing deep dimples.

“Morning,” she chirps, taking the seat next to me.

“Morning.” I take out my phone and pull up my Kindle app so I don’t have to make small talk.

“I’m new here.”

“I figured.”

“Oh.” She sinks back in her chair. “Did I do something to make it obvious?” The blonde shifts in her chair and fidgets.

“No, I just know everyone here.”

“Right.” Her smile returns. “Well, it’s wonderful to meet you. I’m Tinsley.”

The name is fitting, and it only takes me a second to realize who she is. This is the girl Parker was making the rude sexual comments about in the hallway. The same comments that had me sticking my foot out and tripping his gross ass.

“Charlie,” I tell her, and she somehow smiles brighter.

“Charlie? That’s a cool name.”

“It’s better than Charlotte.” That’s my given name, but I changed it a long time ago.

"That's a beautiful name as well, but I believe Charlie is a better fit." Tinsley is still smiling; it’s so cheerful it’s almost contagious. Almost . “Not that you look like a boy,” she adds when I don’t respond. “Just, you know, the black nails, hair, and, ah, boots.” Tinsley is getting flustered, and her cheeks are turning pinker with each word.

I glance down at my combat boots. They’re black, so it follows the school dress code even if Principal Vale hates them. I'm sure he would prefer me to be dressed in Mary Janes, much like Tinsley. There are even bows on hers. I have to admit they are cute, but they fit her style. Not mine.

“Tins,” I cut in before she gets more embarrassed. “It’s all good. I get it.” I even manage to give her a half smile.

She huffs out a small breath in relief. “Thanks, sorry. I guess I’m nervous.”

“You’re a senior?”

“Yeah.” She nods her head quickly. “New school senior year.”

“That would suck balls,” I say, and she snorts a small laugh.

Fuck, I kind of like this girl. I can tell she’s not one of the preppy popular girls. Not that they’d let her in their group with how territorial they are. But I also don’t see her fitting in with the theater crew either. As sweet and adorable as she is, she’s going to be a lone wolf here at Legend Prep. People have already established their own cliques by senior year. Her family's wealth won't be a factor either.

"Are you waiting for Principal Vale too?" she asks.

"Yep."

“Are you in trouble?” she whispers, glancing around as if it’s a secret.

“Yep.” I pop the P this time.

“For what?” Tinsley whispers again.

“For being someone's karma.” Tinsley’s brows pull together. She looks like she’s going to ask another question, but Principal Vale’s office door opens, stopping her.

“Come on, Charlotte, let's get this over with.” I stand from my chair and let out a sigh.

It’s the first day of school, and Principal Vale already appears worn out. I’m sure he got an earful from Parker’s parents. I hate that douche.

“Charlie,” I correct him.

It’s pointless because we’ve had this same interaction a million times. I should let it go, but I’m too damn stubborn. Which always ends up kicking me in my own ass.

“Come on.” He motions for me to enter his office, and his secretary Meghan hurries in before me. I don’t miss the way Principal Vale’s eyes drop to her ass. I’m pretty sure they are hooking up and have been for years.

“Later, Tins.” I wink at her before heading into Principal Vale’s office and dropping down into one of the chairs.

“I’ll be right with you, Tinsley,” Principal Vale tells her before closing the door.

“Miss me?” I ask the principal as I take the lid off the candy jar on his desk and grab a chocolate kiss. Principal Vale picks up the jar and moves it out of my reach.

“It’s the first day of classes,” he says as he takes his seat behind his desk. Meghan sits off to the side, merely here for protocol. “Do I really need to call your uncle already?”

“Please don’t.” I sit up straighter. “He’s busy anyway. Probably won’t answer.”

“I’m sure he’d be happy to call back.”

Damn it, he would. “Can’t we just do the normal in-school suspension routine?” I suggest, not wanting to bother my Uncle Callum.

He’s been raising me for the past five years since I lost both my parents. Uncle Callum doesn’t need to be burdened with my problems. I actually really like him, and he tries with me. That’s more than I can say about my own parents.

“The normal routine doesn’t work with you,” he says, and I clench my teeth. “You could apologize to Parker.”

“Over my dead body.”

“As I assumed." He lets out a long sigh. “Honestly, Charlotte, I’m thinking that maybe Legend Prep isn’t the place for you any longer.”

Oh shit.

“You’re kicking me out?” Can he do that? It costs out the ass to go here.

“I don’t want to.”

“Then don’t,” I suggest. One more year and I can be done. “I’ll be good.” Principal Vale lifts an eyebrow, and Meghan stifles a laugh. “Okay, I’ll try to be good.”

He shakes his head, not buying it. It’s hard to be good when there are so many assholes around here.

“If you could show me you wanted to stay here and be good, then maybe we don’t have to call your uncle.”

"Okay, but how do I do that?"

Principal Vale stands up, and I watch him walk over to a closet door. After he opens it, he turns around and I see the giant beaver head of our school mascot. He places the massive beaver head down on his desk and straightens.

“I’m not sure if you’re aware, but Bennett broke his arm.”

“No, I wasn’t.” I don’t keep up with these people. I spent my summer reading, killing noobs on Apex Legends, and in the garden. Bennett is nice enough, and it sucks he broke his arm, but what does that have to do with me and my predicament?

“He can’t be the beaver this year, and you know how loved the mascot is, especially at the football games.”

I don’t go to football games, but I know how much football is loved in this school. It’s insane. With it being a private prep school, I’m pretty sure they recruit some of the players. I have no idea if it’s legal, but I didn’t care enough to pay attention. Although I don’t go to games, I’m forced to go to assemblies where I’ve seen the beaver mascot.

“Please don’t say what I think you’re about to.” I swallow hard.

“It’s not so bad. It might even be fun.” Meghan speaks up for the first time, and I shoot her a death glare. She presses her lips together and sits back.

“I could call your uncle,” Principal Vale offers.

“No!” He’s not even in the state right now. He’s on a work trip, but Uncle Callum would come back if he got a call about me.

“Then what’s it going to be?” Principal Vale taps the beaver head.

“Did you at least have it dry cleaned?” There was a teen boy in that thing. God herself doesn't know how bad it might smell.

“Yes.”

“Fuck me,” I mutter.

“Charlotte,” Principal Vale snaps.

“Sorry,” I lie. “Fine.”

I pop up from my chair, ready to get this over with. What choice do I really have? As much as I don’t care about anyone in this school, I do care about my uncle. I hate it, but I can’t stop it. He’s the one person I don’t want to disappoint.

“Excellent choice.” Principal Vale hands me the giant head.

“Were you chatting with Tinsley Moore?” Meghan asks me.

“We exchanged some words.” I shift the beaver head around in my arms. This thing is heavy.

“Then you wouldn’t mind showing her around?”

“I’m already doing the beaver thing.” Now they want me to do their job too?

“That might not be the best idea,” Principal Vale says and takes my side.

“What does that mean?” He shrugs at my question as if I should know the answer. Maybe I kind of do, but it’s rude for him to point it out. ”I’ll do it.”

I shove the head back at Principal Vale.

“All right,” he says and takes the head. “But I’ll see you after school. Come get the costume and meet Bennett in the gym. He’s going to help you practice.”

“Great.” I roll my eyes before walking out of the office. Tinsley is still sitting in the same chair. “Come on, Tins.” I nod my head toward the door. “You’re with me.”

“Really?” She pops up from the chair with that bright smile of hers. Too bright.

“Yeah, really.”

“Awesome!” Tins practically hops after me to catch up.

I have truly kicked off this year with a bang. There’s no way things could get worse.

Right?