Chapter 46
CHAPTER 46
MADDIE
A fter school, while Alec was at hockey practice, I sat in Beans ’n’ Cream Café with Vera, Imani, Allie, Nicole, and Piper. We had spent time with Imani and Allie regularly outside of school, but Nicole was another story.
She had been a bitch to basically all of us, up until a couple of months ago. I especially didn’t understand why Allie kept inviting her to hang out with us since Nicole had tried to steal Allie’s man multiple times throughout high school, but I couldn’t complain. Nicole wasn’t that bad.
“Listen,” Nicole said, leaning closer to me, “if you ever need me to kick anyone’s ass, just say the word. I saw you coming out of a classroom with Sandra this morning, and you looked pissed.”
“Thanks,” I said, sipping my hot chocolate. “But I think I can handle myself for now.”
“Yeah, I can get Poison on her ass too,” Imani said. “Say the word.”
“Poison will make her pay,” Allie said. “Like an astronomical amount.”
“I doubt that she is as desperate as Jace.” Imani giggled, referring to Allie’s stepbrother boyfriend. “Or as dumb.”
A laugh escaped my mouth. “I heard that they made Jace pay two million for a file.”
“Two million,” Imani corrected, grinning and giggling at Allie.
Allie shushed her. “Okay, okay. He was a bit desperate, but for good reason.”
When we quieted down, Piper nudged me. “Is that Sakura Sato with Mr. Avery?”
All the girls glanced over at the register, watching Sakura Sato, the school’s valedictorian, and Mr. Avery, our Literature professor, order coffee together and … being way too handsy to be coincidentally spotting each other in public.
“Don’t be mean,” Vera said in a hushed tone.
“I’m not,” Piper said. “Just curious.”
“I think they’re seeing each other,” Vera hummed to the girls. “Blaise told me.”
Everyone at the table snapped their heads toward Vera.
“What do you mean, they’re seeing each other?” Imani asked. “As in fucking?”
“Well, yes …” Vera started. “But I think they’re actually in a relationship.”
“Sakura?” Nicole asked, jaw hanging down. “Sakura Sato? She’s so sweet and quiet.”
I frowned. “I don’t think she has that many friends.”
“Well, let’s change that! Besides, I want the tea,” Imani said, leaping up and waving her arms across the Beans ’n’ Cream Café in an attempt to get their attention. “Hey, Sakura!”
Sakura leaped back from Mr. Avery and twirled around, her cheeks flushed. “Oh, hi!”
Mr. Avery and Sakura exchanged a glance and some hushed words, and then Sakura took her jasmine tea and walked over to us.
She smiled softly. “Hi.” Her voice was so quiet that I was sure she’d win a yearbook superlative for it.
“Wanna have coffee with us?” Imani asked.
“Oh, um”—she glanced over her shoulder at Mr. Avery—“I actually have plans tonight.”
“With Mr. Avery?” Nicole asked.
Sakura’s cheeks flushed, and she nervously tapped her fingers on the hot cup. “N-no.”
“It’s okay.” Vera grinned. “Piper is fucking a teacher too.”
“Vera!” Piper exclaimed, slapping her playfully.
Sakura’s cheeks darkened even more, and she shook her head. “It is nothing like?—”
“I’ve slept with a few teachers in Redwood myself,” Nicole said. “Imani gets fucked by three gangsters every day. Allie sucks her stepbrother’s dick in the locker room. Vera has done it on school property. And Maddie is screwing around with her brother’s bestie. We don’t judge.”
“Sit with us,” I said, scooting over so Sakura could sit down.
While she hesitated, she eventually placed her drink down on the table. “Give me a sec.”
After she hurried back over to Mr. Avery, they exchanged another few words, and then he kissed her. My mouth dropped open, and I slapped Vera in excitement underneath the table. She stiffened and peered over her shoulder at us, her hair in her face. Then, once he left, she walked back to us.
“It’s not what it looks like,” she whispered.
“Mmhmm,” the girls said in unison.
“Really,” she said. “He’s a lot sweeter than he is in class.”
“Mr. Avery is a grump in class most days,” Allie said.
“He’s great in our class,” I said, smirking at Sakura. “Now, I know why.”
She giggled nervously and sipped on her tea. “I don’t want to bother you girls.”
“Stop it,” Imani said. “You’re not a bother. We were just talking about how stupid Jace Harbor could be sometimes.”
Allie shot her a look. “More like how Poison takes advantage of everyone they can.”
“Hey.” Imani laughed. “Take that up with Poison. Not with me.”
“They charge way too much for some of their stuff,” Allie said.
The door clattered, and I glanced over my shoulder to see Carter—the damn asshole quarterback who messed with literally everyone and their parents. After I had finally gotten it out of Alec at lunch what had happened and with whom, I had been in shock all day, especially about Jamal Simmons. But I could definitely believe that Carter was stirring up shit at Redwood.
Like usual.
“Why don’t we start our own gang?” I offered. “Hurt all the people who have wronged us.”
Alec would literally kill me if he knew that I’d even suggested the idea, but I was so tired of all this shit. Every day, something happened in the shitty town of Redwood, and everyone else at this table was sick of it too.
“A gang?” Vera giggled. “I’m not sure I’m fit to be in a gang.”
“Poison won’t like having competition.” Imani chuckled. “I’m in.”
“Me too,” Nicole said. “I’ve been wanting to take care of a few people.”
Allie grinned at Imani. “I guess I’m in too. I really want to sock Carter in the face.”
I glanced over at Carter, who stood in line. “You’re not the only one.”
“Looks like we’ve found our first …” Nicole said.
“Our first what?” Allie asked.
“You know …” Nicole paused, then looked over at Imani. “I don’t know what they call it.”
“What’s Poison call it?” Allie asked her best friend.
“Piece of business?” Imani offered.
I watched Carter exit the café with two coffees and grabbed my keys. “Come on, girls. We have business to take care of.”