Chapter 4
Chapter Four
She hates me, or at least she wants me and everyone else around us to think she hates me.
Which only makes it more fun to play the game that we’re close friends.
I asked Constance to look out for her. She quickly told me to go fuck myself and insisted that I’m not the boss of her.
She then said that she likes Zara and was planning on looking out for her anyway.
Constance being Spencer’s twin sister gives her a lot of fucking leeway with how I let her talk to me. Anyone else would find themselves on the other end of my wrath.
On my way to the table where all my friends sit for lunch, I pause at the sight of a long blonde ponytail wrapped in a huge pink bow.
She’s here. Constance is next to her. I contemplate turning around and walking away.
I’ve bothered her enough in class. Word has already gotten around to everyone that I know her.
I won’t have to threaten anyone. They just have to know that she’s one of us.
And having her sitting at our table for lunch lets the whole fucking school know where she belongs.
At the top of the pecking order, like the queen she is.
I’m about to turn around when Zara’s face shifts towards me.
Her smile drops, but it’s not because she’s seen me.
She hasn’t. It’s because she’s taking a reprieve from pretending.
I’ve seen her do this many times when she thinks no one is watching.
I count to five, and sure enough, the smile is back on her face as she returns her attention to Constance.
I feel a pang of something in my stomach. Guilt, I think. I know she wants to be alone. She hates crowds. She hates having to put on a happy facade. What I don’t know is why?
Why is someone like her, a girl who has everything she could ever want at her fingertips, not happy? And why am I the only person who’s noticed just how fucking sad she is all the time?
I’ve never allowed myself to contemplate it too much. The last thing I need is to be dragged into her sadness. No matter how much it calls to me like a damn siren. But now, the more I think about it and how much it doesn’t make sense, I want to fucking know.
That has all the worst things possible running through my mind.
Growing up in the world I have, where darkness isn’t a shadow; it’s a way of life.
Where nightmares are real and actual monsters walk around this city and wouldn’t hesitate to hurt a girl like Zara…
That all has me nearly losing my lunch before I’ve had a chance to eat it.
Assholes love to take something shiny and good like her and squash every bit of light from their souls. I was twelve when I first discovered the horrors of the world. When my father and uncles took down a sex trafficking ring that was operating in our city.
It didn’t take long for word to get back to my Uncle Gio, and although my family deals in the darker shade of life, we don’t trade in sex or people.
Pissed off at the thought of something sinister happening to Zara, I stomp my way towards the table, filling the empty seat on the bench, sandwiching her between me and Constance.
I wrap my arm around her shoulder and lean in. “P, you ran off so fast I lost you.”
Zara’s body stiffens. She turns to me with a smile on her face but I see the fire in her eyes. She’s annoyed. “Looks like you found me.”
“Always will,” I say, dropping my arm.
Before Zara can say anything else, more people arrive at our table, one of them being Cynthia. She sits next to James and kisses his cheek. He ignores her, and she clearly doesn’t like that.
Cynthia turns her icy fucking glare to me when I chuckle. She’s not stupid enough to say anything. Instead, she hones her gaze on Zara. “You’re new.”
“I am,” Zara replies.
“This table isn’t for new people,” Cynthia says.
I’ve never lost my shit at this girl, out of respect for my friend. But fuck if I’m going to sit here and let her be a bitch to Zara.
“Fuck off, Cynthia. I invited her,” Constance says.
“We don’t let new people in,” Cynthia repeats.
“Yeah, well, she’s with Ares, so take it up with him,” Constance retorts, making the entire table go quiet.
“Actually, I’m not with anyone, and you can take it up with me. But don’t worry. I’m leaving. There are way better ways for me to spend my lunch break than sitting with a bunch of bitches.” Zara stands and awkwardly steps over the bench seat.
“You know you’re a cunt at the best of times, Cynthia, but she’s off fucking limits to all of you. You see her, you turn and look the other fucking way,” I grunt as I jump up and follow after Zara.
My strides meet hers. “Where is the library?” she asks.
“Over here.” I point to the right and lead the way. “You know you can sit wherever the fuck you want. Ignore Cynthia. She’s just pissed because James dumped her stupid ass again.”
“I’m not bothered by her,” Zara says quietly.
I want to ask her what she is bothered by. But I know if I do, she will shut down and lock me right back out. I’ve asked her why she looked sad before and she got so angry at me each time.
It’s her way of avoiding shit. To get angry and storm off. She doesn’t want me to know, but I’ll find out. Now that she’s in my domain, I’ll be seeing her every day. She won’t be able to hide from me.
Pushing through the doors of the library, I look around. I’ve been here a couple of times. I have a feeling I’ll be spending more of that time in here now, though.
“Thanks. You can go back to your friends,” Zara says.
I look over at her, contemplating what I should do. Leave her? Or stick around?
“Sure, have fun, P.” I smile and walk out the door, stopping until I see her walk farther into the library. Then I walk back through, following her at a distance.
I wouldn’t say I was spying, more… keeping an eye on her. It was an order from my uncle after all. Really, I’m just being a good soldier for the family.
Zara ends up right at the back of the library, in an empty study room.
She looks around before opening the door and disappearing through it.
What the fuck is she up to? I walk up and peer into the little window.
Zara is sitting on the floor, even though there are perfectly good chairs in there.
Her knees brought up to her chest with her arms wrapped around them.
And then the first tear falls. She wipes it away before another one follows it. She’s fucking crying.
I knew she was sad. I know she has secrets, but seeing her cry is… It fucking hurts. I want to go in there and pick her up, hold her to me and give her promises of making it all better. Whatever it is.
I can’t do that. If I do, she’s going to run. Instead, I walk away again.
I’m waiting at the front of the school, leaning against my car, when my uncle pulls up next to me. “You coming back to school?” I ask when he steps out.
“Whoever told you that you’re funny lied,” Uncle Marcel says.
“I’ll be sure to tell my dad you called him a liar.” I laugh. “What are you doing here?”
“Picking up Zara. How was her first day?”
“She was fine.” I shrug, knowing she was anything but. “Why are you picking her up?”
“Her father asked me to. He got held up in a meeting.”
Zara approaches us with a bright smile on her face. “Uncle Marcel, are we getting ice cream?” she asks.
“How often do you pick her up from school?” I look to my uncle, not hers, seeing as they have no real relation.
“At least once a week,” Zara answers for him.
“And you take her for ice cream? You’ve never taken me for ice cream.” I point a finger at my chest.
Uncle Marcel rolls his eyes. “You wanna come for ice cream, Ares? Follow us.” He opens the passenger side door for Zara.
“Ares is way too cool for ice cream dates, Uncle Marcel,” Zara says.
“Aw, you think I’m cool, Zara? That’s sweet,” I mock her.
“No, I think that you think you’re cool. There is a difference. Big one,” she throws back at me right before she gets into my uncle’s car.
“Whatever it is you two are shitty at each other about, fix it. She needs a friend here, Ares, not an enemy,” my uncle says as he rounds the front of his vehicle.
“Sure thing.” I give him a salute. I consider getting into my car and following them for fucking ice cream. I choose not to. I’ve seen enough of her today. She’s clouding my fucking brain. I need an escape, and I know just what it is.
I send a quick message to James, Spencer, and Dan.
Me:
My house.
It’s a simple request, for them to come hang and get wasted.
James:
Be there around five.
Dan:
On my way.
Spencer:
I need to drop Constance home first. Then I’ll come around.
I jump into my car and pull away from school. It’s going to be one hell of a fucking year if Zara stays.