Page 59 of Fighting the Odds

All hopes of getting out of the locker room before any other girls show up are shot to hell as I’m pulling my shirt on.

“Well, if it isn’t the skank. What’cha rushing off to?” Savannah’s nasally voice echoes.

“Class, just like everyone else.” I don’t look her in the face as I sit down and pull on my sneakers, tying them.

“I bet.” She clucks her mouth as she steps closer, stopping in front of me and leaning down, jabbing me in the chest with her pencil-like finger that’s as sharp as a talon. “Stay away from Wes, slut. He’s mine and there’s no way I’m letting you corrupt him with that disease ridden cunt of yours.”

“You can have him. In no way do I want him.” I take hold of her finger and push it away, standing up so I can look her in the eyes.

It’s true, I don’t want Wesley Johnson. There was a time I did. A time when he was the only boy I ever had eyes for. Then he ruined everything.

I pick up my bag, but as I go to leave, she steps in front of me. Leaning in, she whispers, “I’d listen to what I said. If I catch you around my fucking man again, you’ll pay for it.”

Not wanting to listen to any more of her warped imagination, I bump her with my shoulder, knocking her out of my way and rush from the locker room.

Why the fuck did I come back?

“I’d heed my warning, whore. Just remember, if you don’t, it won’t go well for you!” she yells at my back.

All her minions laugh like she just told the funniest joke. I just want to huddle in a corner with a blanket over my head and cry.

“Hey Sierra,” Wesley’s deep voice rings through the gym, as laughter follows.

I don’t stop, though; I keep going. One more class left, and today is done. The only bright light is that Cyrus is going to be out there waiting for me.

My mind drifts back to what he said about Rico coming to the school, but I haven’t seen him. I thought for sure I would’ve been called down to the office. But it never happened. Maybe they didn’t need me. I’m sure he probably has some type of paperwork from the courts.

I’ve barely stepped inside the door of the library when Mrs. Pearl notices me, a scowl firmly in place.

“Nice of you to come back, Sierra. Put your books down and meet me in my office.” Her words are sharp and cold as her nose scrunches in disdain.

I’ll never know what I did to make her hate me, especially when I work my ass off for her doing everything she asks. She turns and heads to her office and I fall in step behind her.

“Close the door behind you,” she orders as she takes a seat at her desk.

“Sierra, the year has barely started and you’ve been nothing but trouble and missing days. I’ve asked the principal to remove you and put someone in your place who is more dedicated. For whatever reason, he declined my request and I’m stuck with you. Just know I will not be putting up with any more of your shenanigans.” She goes on and on, belittling me long after the bell for class to start rings.

I just take small, deep breaths, trying my damndest to not let her words get to me. She’s just an evil, unhappy woman who wants everyone to be as miserable as her.

“Are you even listening to me?” she barks, pulling me from my thoughts.

“Umm, yes ma’am. I will do better. I’m sorry I was sick and had family issues that prevented me from coming to school,” I snark. It’s not me, but damn, she’s being a bitch.

“Very well. I need you to re-shelve the books, and there’s a new shipment that needs to be scanned and put out as well. I expect it all to be done by the end of the class period.”

“Understood. May I be excused?” She waves her hand at me. I stand and rush from the room, shutting the door as I go, only to come face to face with Wesley.

My heart races at seeing him. The way he’s perusing my body with his eyes. Like he knows me. He did once. I even thought I knew him, but it was all a dream. This boy before me is not the one I knew as a kid, who I called my best friend.

“Well, if it isn’t my favorite person,” he croons, but it’s not a happy voice, it’s one of pure evil.

“I’m not that anymore, if I ever was. I need to get to work, so I don’t have time for you.” I push past him, taking hold of the return cart and pulling it behind me.

I turn down an aisle, breathing a sigh of relief when I look over my shoulder and see he hasn’t followed me. Up and down the aisle I go, putting book after book away until I hit the last one, which is also the farthest from Mrs. Pearl’s office.

I’m bent over, sliding a book on the shelf when someone steps up behind me, pressing their hard body against mine.

“You like how my cock feels on your ass. Bet your panties are soaked, imagining me inside of you.” Wes’s voice is husky and full of need as he takes hold of my hips, gripping them tightly, as he pulls me back firmly against him.

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