Page 28 of Mayhem

I asked what happened between Grace and Naomi last night. The last time I saw them, they were dancing together, looking close. Evie giggles, telling me that as the night progressed, they got closer and closer. At the end of the night, they were kissing in the back of Evie’s car, and Grace spent the night at Naomi’s house.

My heart feels so light and happy for them. I have seen them avoid their feelings since I have met them. Knowing they finally let those feelings out and show each other is inspiring.

I could learn a thing or two from them.

Serena

September is almost over. The last couple of weeks have been weirdly quiet. Evan went from calling me every day, begging me to take him back to radio silence. I guess he has been too busy focusing on Cleo and the pregnancy. Cleo has been posting so much about the pregnancy online that I deleted every social media app off my phone.

Evie and I have been spending most of our time together. She has become the best friend I have always wanted. We do everything together. I never feel like I need to compete with her. Evie has always made me feel seen and needed. We bring out the best in each other. She is a rare find in a friend. Grace and Naomi officially started dating. They are so happy together.

The Kings are a completely different story. They have been acting weird with me lately, but that's not new. Since the moment I met them, they have been alluring and desirable but also bat-shit crazy in a good way. I thought they would try harder to get my attention now that I am single. It’s been the opposite.

Midas has gotten into this new routine of avoiding me and flirting with any girl near me. At first, he was only avoiding me. I thought he was giving me space, letting me get over my disastrous relationship. Then he started flirting with other girls in front of me. Odin and Zeus never stopped it, but they were visibly pissed when he did. After a few days of that, I started ignoring Midas more than I was before.

Ignoring is easier said than done when it comes to them. I have had the misfortune of hearing details about things I wish I didn't know. I was in the bathroom when a group of girls came in. I had to listen to them go on and on about how fantastic the Kings are in bed—all the things they have done with them and all the things they wanted to do. One girl kept going on and on about how she wanted to take all three of them simultaneously. I swear they knew I was in there and wanted to rub it in my face.

Zeus and Odin, on the other hand, have been incredible. Zeus apologized to me one day after school about the whole tattoo studio fiasco. He told me that didn’t mean what he said. He was just in shock when he saw me there and panicked. I don't understand why he panicked, but at least he apologized for it. Zeus also told me that the studio is owned and operated by members of the MC and to stay away. I was still hurt when he apologized, never expecting that reaction from him, but I forgave him. He smiled at me and picked me up, spinning me around. His smile and happiness instantly brightened my world. Since then, we have gotten close. He is a great friend, even though my heart still wants more.

Odin has been by my side as much as possible. I can't turn around without him being there, not that I have a problem with that. He waits for me every morning and follows behind me to school. He has tried to get me on his bike again. I always turn him down, but that doesn't stop him. He has been sweet and patient with me. He has never pushed me for anything. We haven't kissed since that one morning. He has just become a good friend.

Zeus and Odin act more like what I expected a boyfriend to act instead of just a friend. Zeus surprises me with my favorite coffee when I don’t go to the café myself. When girls openly flirt with him, he ignores them and gives me all his attention. They are trying to become friends with my friends. Zeus isn’t much of a word person- he is more of an action type of guy- but he still tries to engage with them. Odin talks non-stop, trying to get to know them. The first time was a little awkward. Evie, Grace, and Naomi have never spoken to any of the Kings, too frightened by the rumors they have heard, but they quickly warmed to Zeus and Odin.

Zeus has also been spending some time over at my house. My mom was a little wary the first time he came over, but she softened to him quickly. He has been the sweetest guy I have ever met. I find myself picturing what it would be like to be with him. Zeus and Odin already spoil me and care about me more than Evan ever did. I keep trying to build the courage to ask him one of them out, but it doesn’t feel right only picking one of them. I haven’t evaluated those feelings too much, knowing I need to at some point. For now, I am just enjoying this small slice of heaven.

It’s the last period of the day, math with Mr. Labeau. I walk into class and sit next to Evie. She is looking down at her phone, grinning like a loon. I lean over, looking at her screen. She is texting a guy. I pull back and wait for her to put her phone down. She looks at me, still smiling, while I raise my brow.

“Remember that guy I told you about?” She asks, her voice hushed so no one else can hear. I nod my head. “Well, we got paired as lab partners in Biology. He was texting, asking if I wanted to go to his house after school to work on a project.”

I grin widely at her. Evie has liked this boy for as long as I have known her. I am so happy she finally has an opportunity to do something about it. I open my mouth to say how delighted I am for her when someone clears their throat. I look up at Mr. Labeau.

“Ms. Gold, can you come here for a moment?” Mr. Labeau asks.

I look over at Evie. She shrugs her shoulders. I get up from my desk and take the five steps to his desk.

He is sitting down behind his desk, our eyes almost still level to each other. I stand awkwardly in front of him. My hands play with the zipper on my leather jacket.

“I just wanted to check in with you. See how you are doing in a new school. If anything is ever wrong, I want you to know you can come to me. I will help in any way I can.” His voice sounds so genuine.

I tilt my head, wondering why he is asking me this. He isn’t the school guidance counselor. He is just my math teacher. Why would it matter to him if I am adjusting to the new school, and why ask now, a month into the year?

“Oh… ah, I have been all right,” I respond, not knowing what to say to him.

Mr. Labeau looks behind me, scanning the room before standing up. He reaches out and pushes a strand of hair behind my ear. My body stiffens, and the unwanted contact makes me feel so unsure. He has a serene smile as he looks at me, but his eyes say something else. I just can’t put my finger on what it is. His fingers linger on my cheek until I take a step back. As if he is falling out of a trance, he shakes his head slightly and sits back down in his chair.

I turn to go back to my chair when I see them. The Kings are all in their seats. Their eyes are full of malice as they look through me to our teacher. No one else is in the class yet, thankfully. I sit in my chair, turning my head around to see them. Midas looks like he is ready to kill Mr. Labeau for touching me. Odin looks like he is ready to grab me and run. Zeus looks blank, but there is a fire in his eyes.

Everyone says that the Kings are scary and dangerous. This is the first time I believe them. They have never given me a reason to consider they could do anything wrong, but the power and violence that swirl around them is terrifying.

I turn back around, and Evie is looking at me weirdly. Her head snaps back and forth between the teacher and me, wondering what just happened.You aren’t the only one.I wish I had an explanation for what just happened, but I don’t. The only other time I have ever spoken to Mr. Labeau was at the lake that one day. Besides that, he has only ever spoken to me in class when he wants me to answer a question.

I look over my shoulder again and take the Kings in. Midas is still glaring at the teacher while Zeus is looking down at his phone, typing furiously. Odin is the only one that notices me. He winks and smirks at me. Of course, my body instantly reacts to him, thinking about that video again. I clench my thighs together, hoping for some small relief. I turn back around, hoping Odin didn’t notice anything. My phone vibrates in my pocket. I pull it out, smiling at my phone when I see his name.

I turn around and give Odin a genuine smile. He flirtatiously winks back at me. I shake my head, the smile not leaving my lips as I turn back around. Mr. Labeau is staring at me but quickly looks down at his paperwork when he sees me looking back.

The bell rings, and the class rapidly fills up as students rush in at the last second. When everyone is seated, Mr. Labeau starts his lesson. Math has never been my favorite subject. I try to focus on what he is teaching us, but my mind wanders, daydreaming about what I want and desire. Three faces come to mind. As the class drags on, I can feel the King’s stares on the back of my head.

My phone vibrates a few times in my pocket during the class, but I ignore them. I desperately want to look at my phone, but every time it vibrates Mr. Labeau’s eyes zero in on me. He keeps looking at me through the class when he thinks I wouldn't notice.

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