Chapter 7 #2
I’d rather help my dad. Charlotte’s my only friend, and I only see her at school.
She spends all her free time at cello lessons, choir practice, and doing rich people stuff her parents make her do.
She takes etiquette classes every Saturday, which her dad said is necessary for her to be successful in the business world.
I’m so glad my dad doesn’t pressure me like that.
That’s one good thing about not being rich.
You don’t have all that pressure to keep up with the other rich people.
My dad doesn’t care what I do as long as I’m happy.
Half an hour later, the pizza arrives, and I insist we eat in front of the TV instead of at the kitchen table.
I don’t want my dad asking me any more questions about my grades or being valedictorian.
He says he doesn’t care about that, but I know he’d be disappointed if I’m not the one giving the speech on graduation day.
He wants this as much as I do. He just doesn’t know what’s at stake right now, what Briggs is willing to do to take it away from me.
I don’t know what to do. I’m not someone who backs down, especially to bullies like Briggs, but I can’t let him destroy me. And unfortunately, he has the power to do it.
* * *
The next day at school, I pass Briggs in the hall.
“Hey, Ella,” he says, giving me a smirk. He’s wearing a tight, black t-shirt that clings to the muscles along his chest and shoulders. I catch myself staring and scold myself for even looking at that monster. I quickly look away, continuing down the hall.
All day long, I check my bag, searching every part of it to make sure he didn’t put anything in it, not that he’s had a chance to. I haven’t let it out of my sight. I even took it with me when I went to get a beaker during AP Chem lab. There was no way I was leaving it next to Briggs.
Even though Briggs said he’d leave me alone this week, I don’t trust him.
I’ve been on edge all day, thinking he’s going to do something.
During lunch, I searched online for security cameras I could put in my locker that would link to my phone, so if Briggs or his friends put something in there, I’d have proof.
“Are you okay?” Charlotte asks as we’re leaving school.
“I’m fine.” I give her a smile. “Why do you think I’m not?”
“You’ve seemed nervous all day. Is it because of Briggs?”
“Briggs?” I ask, as we walk to her silver Mercedes, a gift from her grandparents for her sixteenth birthday.
“Didn’t you see how he was staring at you all day?”
“No. I didn’t notice.” I actually did, but I ignored him. He was trying to intimidate me, but I wouldn’t let him. I wouldn’t even look at him.
Charlotte gasps. “What if he’s going to start bullying you again?”
“Then I’ll tell him to go to hell, or I’ll ignore him like I did before. You need to stop obsessing about Briggs, and stop being afraid of him. He’s not going to bother you. I’m the one he hates and he’s left me alone for over a year.”
She stops at her car, her eyes widening as she looks behind me. “He’s coming over here!” she whisper-screams. “I have to go.” She opens her car door.
“Charlotte!” Briggs yells.
She freezes, looking like she’s about to be murdered.
I don’t know why she’s so terrified of him.
He used to tease her, but that was over a year ago, and it was nothing compared to the shit he did to me.
Sometimes I wonder if her fear of him is really because she’s attracted to him, and that’s why she gets so nervous around him.
“Hey, Briggs,” she says in a breathy voice, giving him a quick glance before looking back at her car.
“What are you doing on Friday?” he asks, ignoring me as he walks up to Charlotte.
“I have a cello concert.” She shoves her glasses up as she turns to face him.
He nods. “That’s right. I forgot you played cello. Just come to the party after the concert.”
“What party?”
“The one at Deke’s house. People will start getting there around nine. You should come.”
Deke is one of his rugby friends, another rich asshole, but at least he doesn’t bother me. I don’t think he’s ever spoken to me.
“Why do you want her at the party?” I ask, getting between Charlotte and Briggs. “So you can throw her in the pool, knowing she can’t swim?” I glare at his perfect face. “Get away from her.”
“What are you, her bodyguard?”
“I’m her friend, and I know your invite is just some trick to get her to show up so you can do something to her.”
“Why don’t you come along and find out? Oh, that’s right, you can’t. You have to mow lawns on Friday night.”
“Go.” I lock eyes with him. “Now.”
“I’ll go when I feel like it.” He folds his arms over his chest, his eyes going back to Charlotte. “What do you think? Will I see you there?”
“I don’t know,” she says, sounding breathless. “I have to go.” She gets in her Mercedes and jerks the car in reverse before taking off.
“What the hell was that about?” I ask Briggs.
“What? I can’t invite her to a party?” he says with a smirk.
“Asshole,” I mutter, going around him, heading to my truck.
He catches up to me, coming in front of me and grabbing my shoulders, his face back to the cold, threatening look I’m used to with him. “You want to mess with me? I won’t just come after you. I’ll come after your friends. Or friend. I forgot, you only have one.”
“Leave her alone,” I say through gritted teeth.
“I will if you cooperate. If you don’t, she’s fair game.”
“You said you’d give me a week. Friday is still part of this week.”
“Friday is just a taste of what’s to come. Nothing will happen to her on Friday. It’s just a way for me to gain her trust so that next time—”
“Just stop!” I shove his hands off me. “You are not hurting her. In any way. You hear me? I will not let you involve her in this.”
He leans down to my face. “I’ll do whatever the fuck I want. And your little friend will go along with it because she wants me, like every other girl. She’ll think she’s living out her fantasy. Until it ends.”
“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”
He backs away, smiling, then turns and walks off.
“For the record, she doesn’t want you, asshole! She hates you!”
He ignores me and keeps walking.
I’ve always hated Briggs, but now I hate him even more. He can come after me, but he can’t come after my friends.
I didn’t think he’d take it this far. He’s playing dirty, turning this into a dark and twisted obsession to win. And the game hasn’t even started yet.