Page 4 of Race to Me

“Not anymore. Trust me; he’s bad news. You can do the project yourself and stay away from him. He’s trouble, Skyler.”

I roll my eyes, slamming my book to my forehead a little too hard. “He has the fucking paper, though.”

Brett shakes his head, saying, “I can get it back for you.”

“I got it, Brett.”

Tossing his head back, he throws his hands up. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you. Let me walk you to your next class, what is it?”

I scan the paper, “Mrs. Parks, Accounting, room 208”

“I got it.” He smiles, placing his hand on the small of my back and guiding me towards the glass doors that lead to the courtyard. “I had her last year. she’s awesome.”

I exhale in relief as we walk across the courtyard, thankful he’s familiar with my new teacher. I bask in the sun for a few sweet moments before being rushed into a crowd of moving bodies while we travel the long hallway.

Brett stops at room 208, gesturing to the open door. “I’ll meet you here after to bring you to lunch.”

∞∞∞

I didn’t get the chance to meet Mrs. Parks; the poor lady got sick the first week of school. But our substitute didn’t even give us homework, so I’m happy about that. When I exit the room, I’m greeted by Brett, and my stomach growls as we make our way to the lunchroom.

Kate soon comes into view, sinking her teeth into a Fuji apple that’s as glossy and red as her hair. “I’m starving” She sighs, ushering us along.

My mind wanders off, thinking about the project and the rest of my day. I have gym left and then practice after. I wonder if I’ll be able to find Foster before the end of the day.

“Earth to Skyler.” I return to the real world, where Kate’s hands are waving in my face.

I can’t help but laugh, saying, “Sorry, just worrying about classes.”

“I was telling you that tomorrow we can meet up, so we can take turns taking you to your classes.”

I playfully roll my eyes. “You guys don’t have to babysit me. I’ll be okay.”

Brett chimes in, chucking my chin. “We just want you to be comfortable.”

“I’m not a lost puppy.” Well,I am. But I don’t want to bother them.

He looks to Kate, adding, “She’s not a lost puppy, but within her first hour here, she’s already buddy-buddy with the school shit show.”

“Ghost?” Kate inquires, and Brett nods his head. Her eyes widen. Looking over my face, she snorts. “You can’t be serious.”

Her laugh concerns me. “What’s so bad about him?” Besides him not caring about the project but still taking the paper from me, inadvertently making me go insane.

“Ghost is ... well, Ghost. I don’t have an issue with him, but you found the one person here that doesn’t justadoreBrett.” She fake swoons, throwing the back of her head against Brett’s chest. He rolls his eyes at her dramatics.

“What?” I ask, not believing it. Even someone as ... I don’t really know how to describe Foster, but everyone loves Brett.

“He doesn’t give a shit about anyone or anything besides his precious motorcycle.” Brett sneers.

Kate playfully hits his arm, “You’re going to have to let go of your hatred for him, dude.”

He scoffs, and my eyes widen in inquiry. Kate elaborates, “Freshman year, Brett backed into his bike.”

I look to Brett, asking, “Why does that make you hate him?”

Kate snickers. “Ghost beat the shit out of him for it. Brett’s never let it go.”

My mouth forms an ‘O’ as we enter the lunch line. The heavenly scent of greasy, cheesy pizza fills the room.

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