Page 43 of Boys Like You

The further we walk, it seems they start forming a barrier around me. Mercer leads the pack, Rocky and Rory stand each side of me, and Maximus and Levi fall behind.

Since this morning was hectic, the warning bell goes almost instantly, which suits me fine.

When people see Mercer coming, they step aside, even girls. I was expecting the opposite reaction; I was worried I would have to watch girls hang off them constantly.

When we get to form class there are four rows of six seats. Mercer leads us straight to the back row. A tall kid with really tanned skin has taken one of the seats.

“Find a different seat,” Mercer demands. The kid looks at him but doesn’t respond. “I wouldn’t test me today, Saul, I haven’t had a fight in a few days.” He keeps talking and I tune out. What does he mean he hasn’t had a fight in a few days? When was his last fight?

Not wanting to cause a scene on my first day, I grab Maximus’ hand, the only one of them now not arguing with this Saul kid and sit in the completely empty second to last row.

“What are you two doing?” Rory asks. I look back and they are all staring at me.

“I’m not arguing with an idiot who clearly is just sitting there to get a rise out of you. And I’m pissed at Mercer right now, so will you all just sit down?” I snap. I don’t mean to snap but I’m anxious as hell and the fighting isn’t making it any easier.

Mercer sulks and takes the empty seat beside me.

“Why are you pissed at me?” he whispers in my ear.

“You fight.” I don’t give any further explanation.

“And you don’t want me to?” He eyes me curiously.

“I would never stop you doing anything you wanted, you just never invited me to watch.” His husky laugh fills the room.

“Mr Cole, something you wish to share with the class?” the teacher asks, putting a pile of paperwork on his desk. He must be mid-thirties at best. He’s somewhat decent looking. He isn’t buff but he definitely takes care of himself.

“Sure, if you want to listen. Our girl JD here was pissed at me, you know, because I fight.”

The teacher interrupts Mercer. “So she didn’t want you fighting, sounds reasonable.”

“It is reasonable, but that isn’t why she’s pissed.”

“No?” the teacher replies, his voice full of sarcasm.

“Nope. She’s pissed because I didn’t take her to watch. It was a good show, Mr Doyle, you should come watch me sometime.”

“As fun as two teenagers punching each other’s teeth out sounds, I can actually do fun, legal activities.” He takes a seat at his desk. “Okay, now we have story time out of the way, we have a new girl, JD. Everybody make her feel welcome.”

“I can make you feel really welcome,” Saul says, leaning forward in his chair to whisper in my ear.

“Touch her and you die,” Mercer snaps, standing from his chair. I grab his arm and pull him back into his seat.

“Don’t entertain him, he’s baiting you.” I keep a hold of his arm, until the end of roll call when we’re dismissed.

The guys all head off to their classes. I have English first with Mercer. He links our arms and we chat about when his next fight is. I don’t want to see him hurt, but I’m excited to see him fight.

English goes by fast. I’m glad they are starting a new block of work; no need for me to be lost.

Chemistry has been fun; Maximus has a crush on a girl in the class but refuses to show me which one. I know I’ll figure it out though, I’m good at reading people.

There’s been a lot of staring from the others, maybe because Maximus is sitting next to me, or because he is interacting with me. I’m not sure which.

The lunch bell goes, we pack up our textbooks and get ready to leave when a short girl with a pixie cut walks past, her face beet red. She stops at the front of our table.

“Hey, Max.” I look up at her, but Maximus just ignores her, continuing to pack his stuff in his backpack. I thought I was cool with him hooking up, but now that she’s standing in front of me, I feel weird.

“Hi, I’m JD.” I hold my hand in her direction. She seems standoffish.

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