Page 87 of King

When I arrive at school the next day, Willow is waiting for me on the front lawn. There's a look of worry on her face and I'm guttered. My stomach sinks. I’m the one who helped put that look there.

“Jo!” Willow runs to me the minute both my feet hit the ground. She wraps her arms tight around me and I do the same, squeezing her.

“I’m so sorry,” I say, resting my chin on her head.

She breaks my hold to take a look at me. “Are you okay? Are you hurt?”

“No.” I shake my head. “You shouldn’t have to worry about this stuff. I won’t be so stupid next time.”

“Jo!"

His voice makes my body tense but I ignore it. I have nothing to say to Damien King. Not after last night. He didn't care when I was shaking, scared and worried. I don't want any part of his world.

Ushering Willow along to her friends, I tell her we’ll catch up after school. Without turning to see him, I head towards the school doors a few feet behind her.

There's a grip on my arm but I pull away before he can tighten it. I turn to walk away and Lea’s now at the top of the stairs. Great.

“Don’t walk away from me, Medusa,” Damien calls from behind me. “You’ll regret it.”

I spin on my Docs and let spitfire reign, “Are you fucking threatening me right now, Damien? What more can you do to me? See that? That’s why you need to leave me the fuck alone.”

“Jo.” He’s drawing a crowd, but he doesn’t seem to care. Neither do I. “Will you stop and listen to me?”

Damien’s coming up fast behind me, his boots pattering on the steps before he pulls my hand. I pull away and people gasp and whisper. “Just … stop,” I sigh.

My heart almost breaks when I see that same expression he gave his dad in the hallway that day. Like a little boy lost and forgotten. It makes me freeze but I know it’s not worth it. I turn around anyway, and his hand goes limp as I pull away once more.

Whispers and chatter erupt around me but I’m beyond the school doors before I hear Lea say, “At least you got her out of the picture."

“Finally,” I hear Damien’s voice and I can’t help but stop in my tracks. I know he’s saying this extra loud to get under my skin but it does its damage. “A real woman to admire. Not that slut from The Grove.”

I fight back a tear and swallow that lump. That’s all I’ll ever be to these people. That slut from The Grove. Or that whore from The Grove. It’s like I have a scarlet “G” forever painted on my back.

There’s one thing though, I won’t be a fucking pawn in their games anymore. As much as I hate Nancy, Eric and everything about Eden Gardens, it’s my ticket to a better life and I need to stop fucking that up.

I spend most of the day in the library hoping that by staying away, the chatter and gossip will go with it. This morning the whole school was talking about me yet again. Either about my arrest or what happened on the steps with Damien.

I’d never seen him beg any girl like that before, despite what he said to Lea. There might be something behind that cold facade. Should I be blaming Damien for what I agreed to? For what Lea’s bratty ass decided?

I have art last period and I’m excited to talk to Clara about this scholarship thing she keeps on mentioning. If I'm serious about making our lives better I need to start acting like it.

When I get to the art room, the students are all lined up like a row of ducklings heading out the door.

“What’s going on?” I ask Clara.

“Assembly.” Clara rolls her eyes with a sigh, “I think it’s a waste of time, but what do I know? I’m an art teacher.”

“What for?”

“School conduct,” Clara says. "Hey, is everything okay with you?"

Shit, has Clara heard about my arrest too?

I try a reassuring smile that I hope doesn't come off as weird as it feels. "Yeah, I'm okay."

"If you need to talk about anything, let me know."

I follow the line down to the auditorium and once inside, there’s already a projector screen on display. The room is like a mini theatre, with rows of cushiony seats. Balconies for performances and a grand stage with a huge display of lights above it.

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