5. Jake
The late morning sun is on my back as I stare down at the text I just sent to Cherry, a smile trying to fight its way onto my face.
Jake: I know I haven’t seen you today, but I just know you look great.
I watch as the dots jump and bounce as she types. I never know what I’m going to get with Cherry. She can be sweet, but mostly she’s sarcastic and snarky and it makes those moments when she reveals her heart that much sweeter. I never tire of being around her because she doesn’t give a fuck who I am, she’s just herself and I’m low-key obsessed with her.
Cherry: Of course I do, when do I not?
I shake my head, a chuckle moving through me as my fingers move over the screen.
Jake: True story. You always look sexy as fuck.
Cherry: Are you flirting with me, Casanova?
Jake: Always.
I smirk, imagining her smile as she reads the last one, the roll of her eyes, but the pleased look that makes them twinkle with delight. She’s breathtaking and she has no idea just how much she consumes me. Since Cherry and I became friends, the one thing I’ve learned is that her walls are a mile high. She likes me, she wants me, and our connection is something I’ve never felt before and it scares her to death.
Cherry: Dream on…..
Jake: Every night and twice in the shower.
Cherry: Really, Jake, you’re a sex addict.
That’s hilarious because if she only knew I hadn’t laid a finger on anyone else since the day we met. In fact, if this continues, I’m going to get a repetitive stress injury in my wrist from jerking off.
Jake: Correction, I’m a Cherry addict.
Cherry: Go to your lecture. I have a paper to write.
Jake: I’ll see you later?
Cherry: Maybe. Depends how this paper goes.
Jake: Then stop slacking and get to work, Blossom.
I turn my phone to silent and slip it into my pocket as I adjust my rucksack on my shoulder. Time to put on a show and hopefully, while I’m at it, have a word with a few people about the attitude I’ve seen toward Cherry. I know Lorelei is behind it and it’s time they realized she’s under my protection and they’ve fucked with the wrong girl. If I have to get my hands dirty and crack a few skulls, then so be it. It’s all part of the game.
Head up, I move through the hallways of Langdell Hall as I head to my next lecture. I get head dips in greeting from some, and others avoid my eyes. The respect I get around here is still so strange to me, but it’s a role I play and one I’m damn good at. Power is a delicate balance and every day there’s someone waiting to shift it to their favor, to challenge mine and Hunter’s position here, but one I work twice as hard to keep while he’s away dealing with his broken leg.
Name alone isn’t enough in this new world, it requires a balance of respect, fear, and adoration. I keep my circle incredibly small. In fact, until Cherry, I’d say the only person I trust in this place is Hunter. Everyone else seems to want something from me.
A favor, prestige from being seen with me or Hunter, and some just have this weird hero worship which I’ll never understand, but I play the game and I play it well. People move aside as I stride down the middle of the hall before slipping into the lecture hall.
I stop short as the room falls silent, excited murmurs falling away as I look at the boy sitting in my seat. It’s a dumb thing but nobody sits there, it’s where Hunter and I sit and every fucker knows it or is told. I lift my chin, slowing my gait as I walk up to the kid who’s smirking and joking with his friends.
I don’t know him, so he’s probably a transfer, but that’s no excuse. He knows what he’s doing, and he fucked around so now he’s going to find out. There are no second chances or giving someone the benefit of the doubt. That’s just a weakness in our world, and I’ll never let myself be weak again.
He doesn’t even look up as I approach, further disrespecting me, and my blood flushes with heat as I drop my bag, at his feet, and plant my legs wide. “Move. ”
Finally, the asshole looks up, his gaze running over me arrogantly, as if he’s trying to provoke a response and he’s going to get his wish.
“No, I don’t think I will.”
The murmurs behind me grow and I crack my neck as he once again turns back to his friends, dismissing me. He’s got balls, I’ll give him that, but his friends seem to notice what he hasn’t yet, and that he’s a big dog but he just picked a fight with a fucking Tiger.
“Move or I make you, and you don’t want that.”
I feel people at my back, wannabes and hangers-on who want to believe they’re my friends and I let them, but we all know I don’t trust them.
“You should move, Brian.”
Brian thrusts back his chair and faces me. I have at least two inches on him and at least twenty pounds in muscle but he doesn’t seem to notice.
“I don’t see no name on the chair, asshole.”
A few people suck in breaths of shock behind me and I can feel my pulse pumping my blood faster as the thrill of stalking ignorant prey moves through me. “I don’t need a name tag, asshole. Everyone knows who I am and everyone knows this is my seat. So move.”
“No, I’m not moving for some pussy hanger-on who fucks freaks with pink hair.”
I can take insults toward me with no emotion at all. I’ve learned to let any jabs slide off me because I know who I am, but nobody, and I mean nobody, gets to bad mouth Cherry and get away with it. Not ever.
I shake my head and look away before my hand darts out and I grip his throat tight. I step forward, backing him up as he struggles to loosen my grip on his throat, his feet falling over the bags at his feet.
“Now listen to me once because I’m not going to repeat myself. Nobody, not anyone in this fucking room, gets to speak about her like that. She’s worth a hundred of you and every person in this room. Do you get me? ”
Brian is turning a funny shade of purple as he tries to speak before giving up and nodding.
“Sorry, I didn’t catch that?” I cock my head, releasing my grip slightly so he can suck in a breath and answer me.
“I understand.”
I turn and look around the room, my gaze zeroing in on Lorelei and her friends as she watches me with lust in her gaze, which makes me sick. “Do I make myself clear? Cherry Baker is off-limits. You fuck with her, you fuck with me and I think we all know nobody wants that.”
Nods of assent mix with murmurs of agreement and I know I just got my point across, but I still feel this simmering rage that anyone would dare to take a swipe at her. Come at me, I don’t give a fuck, but not her.
Releasing Brian, I step back and then let my fist fly out at lightning speed, catching the asshole with a jab to the nose. He gasps, clutching his nose as blood pours from him and his eyes water.
“Motherfucker, you broke my nose.”
“No, you did that when you decided to try and be the big dick and challenge me by going after someone who matters to me.”
“You won’t get away with this.”
Clearly, he has memory issues because not thirty seconds ago he was nodding like a dog to everything I said.
I look around as the door opens and Professor Ackerman walks into the room. I don’t try and hide what I did, I own everything I do. His eyes scan the scene in front of him before he shakes his head and focuses a glare at Brian and his cronies, who are looking smug, thinking I got caught.
“You, what is your name, boy?”
“Brian Wills, sir. This boy just attacked me completely unprovoked.” His voice is nasally as he speaks through the blood and broken bone.
Professor Ackerman walks closer, his eyes landing on me as his lips purse in displeasur e, before he focuses back on Brian, his gaze moving over him before dismissing him.
“But he attacked me.”
Ackerman claps his hands behind his back and sighs. “Mr. Wills, do you really think I care about silly student squabbles? I’m here to teach the next generation of lawmakers and leaders of this country and if I have to referee ridiculous petty fights between adults, then I fear this country is doomed. Now get out and decide if this course is for you before you come back. You’re bleeding on my floor. Get yourself to medical and don’t come back until you learn to conduct yourself and learn the rules, Mr. Wills.”
Brian glares at me and I smirk, holding his stare until he drops his gaze and rushes from the room.
“Mr. Marshall, see me after class.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Now open your books. Today we’re learning the nuances of a plea bargain.”
People groan as they take their seats and get to work. The lesson is boring and I’m lost in thought as I half listen and take notes. I might rule this school but I also work hard because I want to be the best at what I do. I want to prove to Mr. McKenzie that I’m worth his time and belief in me.
As Professor Ackerman wraps up, chairs begin to scrape and he has to raise his voice over the noise as students begin to pack up. I smell the sickly sweet scent of her perfume before I can avoid her.
“Hey, Jakey.”
“I don’t have time for this, Lorelei.” I’d planned to talk to her but all I want to do now is talk to Cherry and tell her what happened before it spreads around school. Knowing Cherry, she’ll be pissed that I did what I did. She won’t appreciate me standing up for her, or laying claim to her, but I’ll never be okay with someone bad-mouthing her and she needs to learn that about me. I’d rather it was me who told her though.
“How about you come over later and we can talk?” Her fingernails dance ov er my shoulder as I clench my teeth to stop the shiver of disgust from rolling over my body. She’ll more than likely take it as desire.
I turn, letting my gaze rake over her, and Lorelei preens, lifting her shoulders and shoving her tits in my face. “Lorelei, I need you to hear me.” My voice is low, sweet even as I lean in and she follows. “I will never be yours. I don’t want to fuck you or speak to you or even look at you and if I hear that you’re bad-mouthing Cherry again, I’m going to ruin you. Do you get me?”
It’s like it takes a moment to register my words as her smile falls and her lips pinch in anger. Her expression loses the sweet doe-eyed look and the hardness beneath is revealed. Lorelei likes to come across as cute and sweet but she’s rotten to her core, the fake sugar she laces her act with having poisoned every little thing.
“Whatever, Jake. You’re making a huge mistake but if you want me to play nice with your little pet, I will for now. I have bigger fish to fry, anyway. Hunter will be back soon and I can move on from the likes of you.” She gives a little sniff and tosses her head in the air as she prances off on her four-inch stilettos.
I’d wish her luck in going after Hunter but she doesn’t need luck, she needs a goddamn miracle.
“Mr. Marshall, have you finished?”
I spot Professor Ackerman waiting for me at the podium where he stands for his lectures, his expression bored.
“Yes, sir.”
I move toward him, ready to take my punishment. I might lord it over the students because that’s how it works here but I have respect for most of my teachers.
“Marshall, I understand that you have a position here you wish to maintain but in future, keep your issues out of my classroom. You’re an exceptional student, with the potential to go to the very top of any profession you choose, but I will not tolerate you disrupting my class. Do you understand?”
“Yes. It won’t happen again. ”
“Good.”
He lifts his chin to the door, dismissing me and I rush out, wanting to get to Cherry and not just so I can get my side of the story over first but because the air in my lungs feels easier when I’m around her.