Page 40 of King

When I open the box, the phone's already on. No lock or passcode. The standard background is there with the standard apps. It looks untouched but my sister’s phone number is already in the contacts. That's along with the info for an “STD Clinic,” Planned Parenthood and “Emerald Stripculb.”

Looking over my shoulder, I scan the near-empty hallway. I shouldn’t take this phone. Knowing these assholes there's a chance it's already bugged or worse. Placing it on the shelf, I'm about to close my locker door when it lights up, vibrating against the wood.

If curiosity killed the cat then I’m pretty much dead because I give in to it, looking at the screen.

The name pops up as ‘Unknown’ but there’s a text attached.

Unknown: Had enough? - Your King.

So this is Damien’s doing. Why am I relieved about that?

He’s no better than Lea. He’s worse. But he does owe me a new phone and this might be him owning up to that.

“Jo?” Allie’s voice pulls me away from the screen. I turn to see her and Nate looking at me, concern on their faces.

They’ve been fighting this battle with me. When I’m too exhausted to defend myself, Allie has quick words or Nate’s there to swoop in and save me. If it wasn’t for them, I’m not sure if I could hold onto my sanity.

“Yeah.” I smile at them, ensuring them that I’m alright— for now anyway.

“You look like a zombie.” Nate scrunches his nose.

“Had an early shift at Mocha.” I sling my backpack over my shoulders. I didn’t work this morning but I don’t want to explain why I'm so awestruck.

“That reminds me!” Allie’s face lights up. “How was your first payday?”

Right. This is why I’m glad to have them. Allie reminds me that I got my first paycheck from MOCHA and it’s looking to be worth it. I joined the payroll right on time. Seeing the fruits of my labour makes me realize that this job isn't so bad, despite working for Lea's mom.

This brings me so much closer to being able to take Willow and be on our own once I’m eighteen. And that alone is worth going through all this. MOCHA pays much more than any cafe, restaurant or bowling alley would back in The Grove. And with the tips? I’m off to a really good start.

“Pizza’s on me today.” I force a smile.

“Okay, sugar mama!” Allie puts her arm around me, leading me to the school parking lot.

The three of us have been eating off campus after the cafeteria attack. Since Allie drives to school, we either grab a few slices of pizza at this gourmet spot downtown or Nate’s cook whips up some lunch in his garden.

I should start looking on the brighter side of things. Eden Gardens has its highlights. Like these two.

As we walk I take the phone out of my backpack, typing a reply to the number I now know is Damien’s. I read his text again before hitting send.

Unknown: Had enough? - Your King.

Jo: Not a chance. Your worst nightmare.

Friday afternoon’s art class is my zen.

The teacher, Miss Marley who prefers we call her Clara, is the least stuffy of them all. Her blue pixie compliments the tattoos scattered about her long arms. Beatles shirt tucked into her jeans. When she sees me staring she explains the tattoos are her kids’ artwork with a huge, toothy smile.

The class is something from my dreams. Each desk has an easel next to it and there’s a huge sink below a shelf of top-of-the-line brushes in the back. When Clara shows me the supply closet I’m even more amazed. It’s endless quantities of paint in all varieties and colours, shelves with clay, markers, and crayons.

Once I’m over my shock, Clara explains we’re diving into learning about Renaissance art. She believes there's no better way to learn than to try an oil painting of our own. Clara plays some music from the time and for half of the class, allows us to get to work on our own.

When we start, I’m in my element, zoning out with the strokes of my brush. It feels like I'm at the spa, one for my brain.

“Wow, Joelle.” Clara's plum lips turn into a smile when I swivel on my stool.

“Jo,” I correct her.

“Jo,” she repeats, her eyes on the scene I’ve created.

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