Page 1 of Alistair

CHAPTER ONE

Alistair Thomas Fitch stared at the complicated formula on the screen in front of the class. He knew that sooner or later, the teacher would call on him. No matter how hard he tried to be unseen, it never worked.

“Alistair? Which gas can be combined with this formula safely?” The teacher waited patiently, smiling at him. Alistair was an introvert, and if you rushed him, he would panic and simply not answer. If you moved on to someone else, you’d only embarrass him.

“No rush, Alistair. I know you have this,” smiled Mr. Crombie.

“Neon, sir. I think it’s neon.”

“Very good, Alistair,” he nodded.

Alistair let out a long, slow breath, and his friends all smiled at him. The Belle Fleur boys, as they were known, always stuck together and supported one another.

Although quieter than the others, Alistair was the smartest of them all. His father, Patrick Fitch, was a beast at six-feet-two and two hundred and fifteen pounds. His mother, a tall, shapely Creole, was gorgeous. Even Alistair knew that.

The mix of his father’s black Irish heritage and his mother’s Creole beauty made Alistair simply magazine-cover-worthy.

His father, a former Marine, worked with the Voodoo Guardians team, while his mother, an expert in Mayan art, worked with the art department at Belle Fleur. The colorful part of his family was his great-grandmother, Ruby.

A former prostitute, strip club owner, and sex toy shop entrepreneur, she was the kindest, sweetest woman he knew. He knew that she had done what she needed to do in order to support her children and, eventually, her grandchildren. She was unstoppable, and he adored her. The wisest woman in the whole world.

Well, maybe tied with Mama Irene.

He was a lucky guy, and he knew it. Friends, family, and the prettiest girls in the school dating his buddies. Alistair never let on that he had a crush on a few of the Stanton sisters, but then again, he didn’t know if it could ever be more than just friends.

“Well done, everyone,” said Mr. Crombie, dismissing the class at the sound of the bell. “Enjoy your long weekend.”

Grabbing their things and shoving them into their backpacks, the crew walked together back home, following the younger kids to be sure they got home safely.

Alistair heard someone calling his name but refused to turn around. He knew exactly who it was.

“Alistair! Alistair Fitch, I’m talking to you!” screeched the girl.

“Uh, Alistair? Is there a problem,” asked Sebastian.

“Yeah. A big problem with her,” he frowned, turning to see the girl. Josie Blanchard was walking toward him in her tight jeans and sweater, both two sizes too small as far as he was concerned.

“Hey, Josie. What’s up?” he asked casually.

“What’s up? I’ve called you like six times. Don’t you know how to call people back?”

“I do. But I call people back when they have something important to talk about. I didn’t appreciate your messages.”

Now, his friends were truly interested in the conversation. They all took a step forward, staring at the girl they knew all too well.

“Are your friends here to protect you,” she smirked. “It’s not like I want your dick right now. I’m offering something because I heard you were pretty impressive.”

“How would you hear that, Josie? Don’t believe lies,” blushed Alistair.

“My brother saw you in the showers,” she smirked. Alistair stared open-mouthed at her, his friends all frowning as she spoke. “Let’s just say we help one another out.”

“That’s sick!” said Brix. “You guys can get expelled for that.”

“Oh, and I suppose you’ll run to your families, who own the school, run the school, pay for the school, and tell them,” she sneered.

“I won’t run to tell anyone,” said Brix, “but stop doing it. It’s not right!” Alistair gripped his friend’s shoulder, smiling at him.

“You’re all so stuck on yourselves,” she sneered as an audience began to gather around them.

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