Chapter Five
Amelie
I’m rudely and suddenly woken from a dream of joy riding with Aadi and Smalls, by a strange shrill noise that seems to be drilling into my skull.
“Susan, shut the fuck up!” I yell a moment later when I realise where the god-awful sound is coming from. She doesn’t listen though, so I roll over and hit snooze on my alarm.
I quickly bring up the school map and happily see that my bedroom window looks out towards the sports oval she was talking about. Easy.
I get out of bed, cross to the window and open it. I then pick Susan up, apologise to her, and fling her as far out of the bedroom window as I can. I have no idea if it works, but when I slam the window shut, it doesn’t matter because I can no longer hear her. Hallelujah!
I climb back into bed, roll over, and promptly fall back to sleep.
Banging wakes me from my slumber. What the hell’s a girl got to do to have a little sleep around here? I pull the covers up over my head and hope whoever is on the other side of the door gets the memo.
“Open up Amelie, I know you’re in there.” I sigh with relief; it’s Elsie. I was expecting it to be Kalen or the twins coming to force me to go to detention.
I reluctantly roll out of bed and stomp to the door, swinging it open to find an overly peppy Elsie staring back at me. She smiles and lets herself into my room.
“I went to spring you from detention but imagine my surprise when you were not there.”
“Were you really surprised that I wasn’t there?” I say closing the door.
“Only you would skip a detention with Mr Knox.” She laughs, shaking her head as she makes my bed.
“Are you really making my bed?”
“Yes, if the only thing you do in a day is make your bed, at least you can say you accomplished something.”
“Or...I could get back in it and say I accomplished sleeping all day.”
“Nonsense, get dressed, we are going for breakfast.”
I throw on an oversized hoodie and a long pair of yoga pants, and run my fingers through my hair. “Done.” Elsie looks at me like I have lost my mind. “It’s breakfast Elsie, not a fashion parade.”
She shrugs and we both leave to go for breakfast. Back home, a strong black coffee was the breakfast of champions. I hope to get some today. I can’t imagine a school for criminals banning coffee; there would be complete and utter carnage.
Without Susan, I have to rely on following Elsie. One thing I have never been good at is directions; I could turn left into a street and still not know how to find my way out. Which really made it hard, running from trouble. Hiding usually worked well in those circumstances though.
We walk side by side and Elsie talks about everything she has planned for the day, I only catch ‘makeover’ and ‘library’. I tune out after that.
I wonder what Aadi and Smalls would be doing right now.
It would be about six at night. Smalls would probably be fixing up someone’s car, Aadi would be telling him to hurry up and get dressed so they could head out and get pissed.
I’m going to miss hanging out with the guys, drinking and getting into trouble.
Smalls would death-glare any guy that even looked my way, and Aadi would just laugh when I had a tantrum about never getting laid.
I always had to be sneaky about spending time with guys.
Anyone that would come near me really had to have a death wish.
If Smalls found out, he would make sure they never walked again.
Helped my cause somewhat, because I never wanted a permanent guy; no-one would ever measure up to the connection I have with Smalls.
He is my ride or die. It’s fucked, I miss them so damn much that my chest physically aches.
I wonder if I can find a way for them to come visit me?
I doubt I would get away with four return airline tickets on the new stepdaddy’s credit card.
..but I’ll save that thought for when I get really desperate.
I take a mental note to find a way to make my own money; there has to be a way to scam some of these rich pricks out of their money.
I just have to think about it. Four grand would cover the cost of flights but I doubt the incubator would host. I’m good at manipulating people, so it might pay to see how far I can push stepdaddy to see if I can get him to agree.
I just have to figure out what his deal is, I’m not stupid enough to believe this whole saint who saves kids bullshit.
I just don’t get that vibe from him. Where I come from, reading a person accurately can be the difference between life and death.
I wouldn’t say that we have gangs... they may like to label themselves that, but it’s nothing like you see on tv.
We just stick to ours. We protect what’s ours.
If I were in Australia right now, Smalls would have taken me from the court and we would be in hiding until it all blew over.
My father knew Smalls would protect me, so he kept him busy whilst they loaded me on a plane.
It wasn’t fair. I didn’t even get to say goodbye.
My anger boils.
I thought I wanted to find a way to ditch this place and get home as soon as I could, face the consequences when I was back on home soil.
But now I’m not so sure. My being here is all her fault.
I want to tear her life apart; let the dominoes fall at her feet and be there to laugh in her face. An eye for an eye, that’s our code.
“Um, are you okay?” Elsie asks as we stop at the dining hall. “You look like you’re about to go on a murder spree and become the UKs next best serial killer.”
“Something like that,” I laugh. “I hear you have quite the long list for me to compete with.” Elsie freezes and goes ashen at my joke. “You know, the UK and it’s serial killers?” I prompt her when she doesn’t react.
“Oh,” she laughs stiffly. “Come on, let’s get you some coffee before the blood spill.”
We both make our coffee from a fancy machine, and find a table in the corner. The room is fairly empty, so we are either late to breakfast or early. I don’t care, it’s peaceful.
“So what do kids do around here for fun on a weekend?”
“It depends: some who live locally go home; if you have a leave pass, you can head into town - though you need a parent note or you have to at least be eighteen. Some are not permitted to leave by the courts. Usually there is a party somewhere, but most get broken up quickly - unless it’s a Knox party.
I think the headmaster turns a blind eye, his precious boys can’t do any wrong. ”
“Makes sense. What can we do today to pass some time, besides a makeover?” I scowl at that idea. I do not need or want a makeover. There’s no way - as cool as she is - that I want to be styled over by Miss Perfect Preppy Barbie.
“We can go to the pool and watch the swim team. Marcia Brown looks exquisite in her bathing suit and I’m sure you could find some lad to occupy your time.”
We both laugh. Eyeballing the swim teams’ junk seems like a half decent way to pass some time, so I’m down for that.
At least I can try to forget about my dreaded dinner at the Knox residence that’s looming over me tomorrow.
I’m not looking forward to anything other than seeing my stepbrothers’ shocked faces when they ‘meet’ me.
After our coffees, Elsie grabs a few pastries whilst I refill my cup, and then we head off to the pool.
I’m not sure what I was expecting, but not an Olympic sized indoor pool.
Elsie explains they have an outdoor pool for when the weather permits, but the indoor is mostly just for the swim team.
I guess it makes sense for the headmaster to want to channel the kids’ energy into something more purposeful than criminal activity. Keep them busy, keep their noses clean.
We find a cosy spot on the stands as a few students take to the pool.
Taking a sip of my coffee, I see Kalen walk out of the changing rooms. The scalding hot liquid goes down the wrong pipe and I start a coughing fit.
Elsie pats my back as my eyes connect with Kalen’s.
His smile lights up his face, and I swear he flexes his muscles before blowing me a kiss.
Hot damn the boy can fill out a speedo. His body is lean and ripped, the perfect swimmer’s physique, and apparently, my new favourite view.
He has a tattoo on his ribs, but from here I can’t make out what it is.
“I thought you may enjoy the view,” Elsie says and giggles.
“Oh damn, did I oogle out loud?”
“With a little dribble.”
“Who would have thought he would fill out a Speedo like that? It should be classed as indecent exposure… Nothing, and I mean nothing, is left to the imagination.”
“I can’t say it does anything for me, but I can appreciate the view… Oh look! There is Marcia.”
“Holy knockers,” I laugh.
“What I wouldn’t give to suck on those.” Now it’s my turn to laugh at her.
We spend the best part of an hour watching them swim, before Kalen jumps out of the pool and heads towards us.
My eyes drop to his speedo, and Kalen notices, which makes his cock stir.
Immediately, my eyes jump back up to his face, though they still manage to find the time to take in his golden sun-kissed, water dappled body. Christ on a bike, I am so fucked.
“Enjoying the show?” he asks.
“I am actually. Who would have thought you’re a real boy?”
“I can give you a private show back in my room, and show you how manly I really am.”
“Pass, I’m not blind. I can enjoy the view without touching. I’m loyal to my people back home.”
“So you have a boyfriend back in Australia?” He tries to use an Aussie accent and fails miserably.
“Something like that.” I don’t, not really, but he doesn’t need to know that.
“And you think he will wait three years until you’re out of here? I’m sure your pussy is good, but it can’t be that good.” He laughs at himself.
“Kalen, the only pussy you get is loose pussy; even your monster cock would get lost in it...Just like throwing a sausage down a hallway.” I laugh at myself remembering how Aadi used to refer to the group whores that would sleep with anyone.
“Who is throwing sausage?” Elsie asks, confused.
“Don’t worry. Is there something you wanted, Kalen?”
“Yes, actually,” he says, holding out another slip.
Where in the hell did he pull that from?
It’s like he has a stash in his budgie smugglers.
As my eyes inadvertently drop down to his package again, I get a much better look at his rib ink.
It’s a tattoo of some sort of Celtic knot.
It seems vaguely familiar but I can’t place it.
I guess if you’ve seen one Celtic Knot, you’ve seen them all.
“What did I do this time?”
“Here at Knox Academy we hold ourselves to a higher standard, not just in school time, but outside of it too. Dress appropriately next time.”
I take the slip, and whilst it’s a warning slip this time and not an actual detention slip, I rip it into as many pieces as I can all whilst maintaining eye contact.
“Stick this up your ass! This is all I have. We don't all come from a place that requires nice winter outfits. It’s hot as fuck where I live. And in case you didn’t notice, I’m not the spoilt rich kid of a loaded headmaster!
” I throw the papers at him as I stand and Elsie follows suit.
Kalen doesn’t say anything, he just watches us leave.
“Holy shit, you’re going to be in so much trouble. Skipping detention and refusing a warning. And you’re only on day two!”
“Maybe they’ll send me home,” I say hopefully.
“Doubtful.” Elsie scowls, her face falling. “They have ways to get you to comply. Trust me when I say that. There isn’t much you can do to get kicked out of here, which is the point of being sent here. You should see how many times Branson has tried to get himself kicked out. He is inventive.”
“I met him actually, he seems cool.”
“I wouldn’t exactly say he is cool...more like scary as fuck. He is hostile, and a complete loner.”
“My kind of guy.”
We say our goodbyes and head back towards our own rooms. Elsie has to go off campus, but I don’t have a pass yet, and I’m unsure if I’ll be able to get one. Sleeping the day away sounds like a good way to pass the time, so I go the long way back to my dorm to see if I can find Susan on the way.
I don’t find Susan. I’m actually a little bit sad about that.
Annoying as she was, she was someone to talk to.
Maybe someone has handed her in and will bring her back to me.
I head into my dorm. I need to come up with some plans anyway.
I need a phone, this once a week crap won’t do.
I need to have family support to get me through this, and I won’t let my incubator set down rules.
She hasn’t in almost a decade, so I’m not about to let her start now.