Page 41 of Greased

Her cheeks redden out of what I’m sure is both anger and embarrassment before she takes off out of the room, stomping off like a child. Meanwhile, Dawson clearly couldn’t care less and just wipes the lipstick off his face. Without even a second glance my way. He turns around, sits down in his seat and opens his textbook.

Offering him the same courtesy he offered me, I turn my back on him and take a seat right behind him with Wyatt following close behind me. The other guys all filter in around us looking at me like kicked puppies.

Scarlett, one, Boys, zero.

Maths is the same as back home. Boring as all fuck. Wyatt flirts with me the entire lesson and I sure as fuck go along with it. If anything, I go completely over the top. He loves it too by the heated look in his eye. Unfortunately, it still does nothing for me. It sucks because he seems like a really nice guy. The kind of guy that maybe I should have fallen for. Instead it had to be the five knuckleheads that demanded it.

I can’t even blame it all on them. I did this to myself as well. Stupid heart.

Not only do I have Wyatt’s attention, I have the other guys’ as well. And a few other men looking at me like I’m a snack.

Dawson would never admit it, but I have him by the balls too. His shoulders are tight the entire lesson and each time I laugh, he clenches his desk. It makes me want to be even more abrasive.

Fuck him.

“So Scarlett,” Wyatt begins. I turn to him and instantly notice the confident flirting demeanour is gone and in its place is a nervousness I didn’t think Wyatt would be capable of. He runs his fingers through his hair before taking a deep breath.

“I don’t want to overwhelm you seeing how you’ve just gotten back but I feel like if I don’t jump at the chance now, I will miss out.” He gives a nod towards the guys.

“You seem like a really cool chick and only an idiot wouldn’t be able to see how gorgeous you are.” He coughs and rubs his hand behind his neck.

“Come on Wy, don’t choke on me now.” I tease making him laugh, some of that nervousness fading.

“I was just ah… wondering, if maybe, you might want to go out for a couple of drinks at Pinks’ tonight with me? I mean it's completely fine if you aren’t inter-”

I stop him before he continues rambling, “I would love to.” I give him a big smile.

He turns to me shocked, like he thought I was going to reject him “Wait really?”

“Yeah of course. I mean I have to head to Pinks’ anyways to meet up with Shelly to talk about initiation and I know for a fact that I will need a stiff drink after today.” I laugh expecting the worst for what's to come this afternoon.

“Initiation?”Wyatt questions. “You mean you still have too…” He trails off waiting for me to confirm.

“Yeah.” I blow out a breath, “Rhodes was hoping that there would be a way around having to see his sister shaking her ass on stage but neither of us are that lucky unfortunately.”

The cocky flirting is back in his expression. He licks his lips like he is already imagining me on stage in a thong and heels, “I’ll be making sure I have front row seats.”

I laugh, thankful for his relentless flirting. I didn’t know I needed it until now. It helps to make me feel not so awkward about the fact I will quite literally have my entire ass out in front of a club packed full of men. Absolutely not daunting whatsoever..

All too soon, the bell rings and we pack up and high tail it out of the class.

“What class do you have now, Scarlett?” Wyatt asks as the other guys all filter in around us, Dawson included. Fuck knows why, nor do I care to find out.

“Ah, I think I have History now.”

“Damn. Well, make sure you save me a seat at lunch.” He winks before turning around and walking off in the opposite direction.

I take a look at my schedule and confirm that I do in fact have History and I wasn’t just taking a stab in the dark.

“We have got History too, Star. We can walk you there if you like?” Dacre asks meekly. That beautiful, soft person I began to fall in love with back home showing through. I have to work hard and keep by my mantra as he unknowingly chips away at it. Damn him. Damn him for softening me. I take a moment before I answer, needing to add a few more bricks to my wall. The devil on my shoulder refuses to bow down to them.

“That would be good.” I nod, now confident in myself not to fall to pieces.

We take a couple of different turns, down hallways and up a staircase, ending up at yet another door. The stares and whispers follow us but we all stay silent. I don’t allow the questions that hit my ears affect me. I don’t need their opinions of how and why I’m here and why these five guys are following me around to throw me off course.

Dawson is still brooding behind us, but I just choose to ignore him and brush him off just like he did to me last night. That same unrelenting anger I feel towards him helping to fortify the walls around my heart I have been trying to keep built.

I need the strength. It would be too easy to let them fall. To let them back in. Each time I feel them droop, I remember just how broken I felt. The touch of abandonment never really goes away and right now, it helps to fuel my resolve.

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