Chapter 3
Three Months Later
There was so much blood. I can hear their screams. I couldn’t help them.
Be careful who you trust. I’ll eradicate this bloodline. I’ll find you, little one.
I sit up in bed, covered in sweat. It’s been three months and the nightmares haven’t subsided much; they just happen less frequently. I look over at the clock on the dresser, seeing that it”s twenty minutes to five, so I flop back down on my pillow. It”s almost time for our wake-up call from the staff. I can’t wait to get out of here. I was told yesterday that Ms. Stacey was stopping by to see me. Rumor has it that she’s bringing in a new guy today. Andy, Anty, Alvin—something with an A in it.
”Lux, are you okay?” I turn my head, looking at Melissa; she’s the newest staff member.
“Yeah, I’m good. Just a nightmare.” I respond, rubbing my eyes.
“If you need me, I’ll be downstairs.” She turns and leaves as I lay my head back down on my pillow, thinking of what I’m going to wear today. Teal Converse! I hop out of bed, gathering everything I’ll need to get ready.
“Lux. Can I borrow those white jeans?” Turning my head, I see Jojo standing there.
“You know you can borrow anything I have.” I smile at her, watching her head towards my closet while I finish putting on my sweet peach lotion and body spray.
“You know, if you were into girls, I’d claim your ass. You always smell good, and now I want peach cobbler.” We both started laughing.
“Speaking of smells.” I giggle, reaching into my bag and pulling out the little shopping bag from Logan’s.
“Huh.” I hear her say as I turn towards her, holding out the bag.
“For me? Let me see.” She reaches towards me, taking the bag from my hands. “Thank you.”
“You”re welcome. I also made sure to get you the matching set.” I said as I continued to lace up my converse. “Strawberry shortcake! You”re the world’s best friend.” She runs over, squeezing me tight as she hugs me, kissing me on the cheek. Both of us laughed.
Everyone gathers in the meeting room of the house. I head over to the corner spot by the window; it”s been my go-to spot since the day I got here.
“Listen, it”s Friday. Lets get through the day without any drama. Then this weekend, you can sleep in. As long as you have at least a level two.” The girls start cheering as a few of the girls make bitchy remarks.
“Alright ladies, let”s head out.” The staff calls out as we all stand up, and we all start heading out the door and down the driveway towards the school.
Standing in line, waiting to get inside the brown double doors. We wait to be searched and let in. “I can’t wait to see this new guy.” Tarah says, standing in front of me. Some of the girls start agreeing with her.
“Hey, my brother asked about you again,” she says, looking at Jojo.
“Every time I talk to him, it goes well, but as soon as we are face-to-face he gets nervous and throws up. So no, thank you.” She shakes her head, sighing. Tarah places her hand on her shoulder, responding,
“I know, but I still have to tell you. I love you like a sister, and I get it completely.”
After finally getting searched and into the building, we all headed off to our lockers.
“The boys should be here any minute. How do I look?” I hear Melanie ask. The girls act so crazy sometimes. You would think they would give up after trying for months and getting nowhere. I hear them before I see them coming down the hallway. Turning around, I place my back against the locker and look their way. Their lockers are all across from ours. They stop and glance over.
“Alright ladies. Get to class!” Melissa says this as she looks at us with pleading eyes not to go off on her.
“Yeah ladies. You heard her.” Ken says with a wink, causing everyone to laugh as we head to class. Walking inside, I head to my seat in the middle of the room as we take our seats. There are more boys here than girls, so we always get to go first in everything when we share co-ed locations.
“We will be working with partners today, in teams of two, so make sure you don’t partner up with your friends.” Mr. Moss says this, looking around the room at us all. Just then the class door opens, and all eyes fall on him.
This must be the new guy because I’ve never seen him before. He is about five-eleven and has bright red hair that is slicked back. I look him over, noticing he’s wearing converse on his feet. Hell yeah. My kind of guy!
“Class, this is Atticus. Our new student,” he says, turning back to him.
“OMG! He is hot!” comes from next to me. I already know that voice, Jojo. Turning, I look over at her with a smile on my face.
“That he is.” I respond, looking back towards where he stands.
“I’d let him do things to me,.” she says, fanning her face. Just then, someone whistles. I turn my head towards the back of the class, seeing Cade’s stupid fucking face looking at me.
“Lux, I want you to work with Atticus on this project,” Mr. Moss says, then looks around the room.
“I thought I said work with someone outside your friend group if you can. Come on, get in those groups.” Mr. Moss tells the class.
“You’re so lucky, babe. You get to work with Mr. Hottie.” Jo looks over my shoulder and smiles.
“I’m going to go buddy up with Will.” She gives me a hug and heads his way. I turn back in time to see Atticus sit down in the empty chair.
“Hey.” Looking over at him. I hold out my hand and say, “I’m Lux.”
“What’s up? I’m Atticus,” he states, placing his hand in mine. We smile at each other. After we get our assignments and directions, we plan out our project. It’s a three-week project, so we work on our outline for the rest of the class.
“How long are you here for?” I look up and see him looking at me, waiting for a response.
“Until they find me a place to go.”
“Okay, if your outlines are done, you can have the rest of class to mingle.” Mr. Moss says this as he turns to erase the whiteboard.
“So how long are you here for?” I ask.
“Same as you. As long as I stay out of trouble.” His eyes shift to look behind me, and I get a sense of unease.
“What do you know about a guy named Cade?” he looks back at me.
“I know he is a huge dick and we mutually hate each other. Why?” Looking at him with suspicion. It would be just like Cade to set me up and not in a good way.
“When I arrived last night, he and his friends were beating the shit out of some kid. Crazy part is the staff didn’t do anything.”
“Well, if you want to stay off his radar, talking to me won’t help. So, it”s best if you keep your distance.” I go to stand.
“Wait. Where are you running off to? I don’t care, I can handle myself. Besides, I want to get to know you.” He motions for me to sit back down. Before I even have a chance, I hear my name being called. “Lux!”
Ugh, what does he want now? Does it make me a bad person that I hope someone kicks his ass.
I look over in Cade’s direction, “Yeah?”
He stares at me and I already know what he wants but I”m not his dog so I stare right back.
“Come here, Lux.” he commands in a gruff tone.
I turn and look at Atticus, “I’ll be right back.” I smile reassuringly.
I walk towards him, stopping in front of his desk. “Yes?”
“Making new friends?” He looks over at Atticus and when I turn my head I see Atticus staring Cade down right back with a look of.. Jealousy?Interesting.
“Maybe, what do you want?” I stand there and fake yawn like I’m bored.
“I heard you have a pass at the end of the month.”
“If I’m still here.” I notice the way he and Stone look at each other.
“I’m sure you will be.” Is that a smirk?
“Got plans for it? It”s for the whole weekend, right?” I don’t respond, walking back over towards my seat.
“Class, I’ll be right back.” Mr. Moss says, stepping out of the class.
“Fuck yeah, Lux! You can suck my dick anytime! I have a few friends who could use your services too!” Stone yells causing me to stop mid-step. I lock eyes with Atticus before turning around to respond.
“As much fun as that might be for you, it wouldn’t do anything for me seeing as how I’m sure all our pussies require at least seven inches. Plus, let”s not play games. You nor your friends could ever get claims on me.” I blow him a kiss and walk back over to Atticus and sit down.
Jo comes and sits down beside me.
“Oh Luxie, I’ll give you all the inches you want.” Stone throws back.
“Luician!” Mr. Moss shouts to Stone.
Stone pushes back from the table, stands up and storms towards the front of the class. Walking up to Mr. Moss and punching him in the face.
“That’s not my fucking name. Don’t use it again.” He growls, before the staff rush in, grabbing him off.
“Girl. You know that will cost you later. Don’t worry I got your back.” She makes punching moves in the air as we laugh.
“I’ll be alright. It isn’t anything I haven’t heard before.” I turn to look over at their table and what I see sucks all the air from my lungs. Cade is staring right at me. I see him motion over Chelsey, whispering something in her ear, and they both turn to look over at us. A sinister smirk forms on Cade’s face. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. I’m totally fucked. Now it makes even more sense as to why Chelsey did what she did months ago. She’s the dog, the only one willing to do all his dirty work. Dumb bitch.