Page 10 of Baby Duke

Trent smirks and I hand him the joint after having another hit.

"I always like to keep things interesting," He winks. "So, Roe, tell me about yourself. Katie says she didn't even know you existed until recently."

I shrug, "not much to tell. Moms dead. Dads dead. Juvie is my home away from home."

Trent whistles, smoke dancing out from between his puckered lips. He passes the joint back. "Juvenile detention, huh? Can not say you hear that much around this neighborhood. What's it like?"

"It's a roof over my head and food in my belly," I say, letting the smoke spill from my lips lazily. "The guards are perverts, of course. Easy to bribe if you got a set," I indicate my breasts. "What's this fancy school like, anyhow? Can't be all bad."

Trent smirks. "Well, it ain't juvie, that's for sure."

I snort. Yeah, I could figure that one out myself.

"Nah, it's a decent school," he continues. "The curriculum is top-notch, the teachers are the best of the best, the food is to die for, and the sports center is Olympic grade. Now, the students…"

He pauses, but I can sure as hell fill in the gaps.

"The girls are whores, and the boys are misogynistic psychos?"

At that, Trent bursts out laughing. "Oh, man, I can't wait to see you standing up against the Dukes."

I take the last drag and flick the bud out the window. "Those douches can suck a big one. I already got more than I bargained for last night, in a freaking public bathroom, for fuck's sake."

Trent's good humor vanishes like a bucket of cold water. He looks at me out of the corner of his eyes, shoulder stiff and lips puckered in a frown.

"So, you've already met them, then?" he asks cautiously.

"Unfortunately." I huff unenthusiastically. He seems to relax slightly at that. "Not a fan either, I take it?"

Trent shrugs his shoulders. "That's a story for another time, Roe. We're here."

He throws a tight smile at me, obviously trying to ease the tension. I take the bait and peer out the window.

"Holy fuck! I thought we were going to school, not the freaking White House!"

This place is ridiculous! Tall, white, and gold fences surround the school, with huge shields labeled DBH set into the gates. They even have security guards checking student ID's before allowing entrance!

And the buildings! Three-story stone buildings with dainty designs fit for the Queen were spanning out in neatrows. Giant, golden letters on black plaques announce the building names, no surprises there when I spy Mazzuchelli, Lawson, and Leacher upon three of said buildings. Fucking honorifics.

There were hedges, palm trees and flowers in every color, hell I even noticed a giant water feature spraying glistening droplets into the air.

What a blatant disregard of taxpayers' money.

Trent has lost all signs of his earlier unease and is clearly humored by my reaction to the school.

"Bit of an overkill, don't you think?" I ask, leaning over him to catch a view from his window.

Leaning into his seat to give me more room, Trent says, "You could say that. You will find the parents around here are vicious when it comes to their children. Nothing but the best for the future leaders of the world."

We have reached the guard station by now so I keep my questions about his own parents to myself.

"Mr. Williams," the guard greets, leaning down to look through the window. His bushy eyebrows rise when they spot me. "Who's the lovely lady?"

"Henry," Trent replies with an easygoing smile. I suppose you would become acquainted with someone who checkedyour car every morning. He nods his head towards me, "This is Roe. New student."

"Nixon," I add.Please do not diminish me to using my full name.

Fortunately, Henry's eyes light up in recognition. "Apologies, Ms. Nixon. Mr. Williams. Please proceed."

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