Page 548 of Filthy Elites

The whole science fair thing was thrown at me without any notice, and my mind wanders in various directions. I seriously need to think about it, especially since everyone else has worked on their presentation for three months already. I have a couple of months to get ready. I research ideas online, frustrated nothing comes to mind.

When Bella announces we’re at the end of the session, I’m surprised. The time has flown so fast, I would have sworn we spent less than twenty minutes in the room, not two hours.

We head out together, and I can’t help wincing as I watch Oscar awkwardly flirt with Sandra. “Why does your experiment stink like feet every time?”

“I think your mouth is just too close to your nose,” she shoots back.

“She’s got you there,” Benjamin quips.

I smile because it feels like I have something close to friends again. At least, they could potentially become friends, unless Chase ruins that for me, too.

I’ve avoided him as much as possible today, sitting right at the front of my calculus class. Ms. Santos took it as a chance to make me participate, but that was worth it. Chase was right at the back. I could feel his stare, but he couldn’t do anything to me from that distance. I had lunch in the library, sneaking in a cereal bar and an apple. In PE, he was running with the guys while I played volleyball against his not-girlfriend, Jade, who kept aiming the ball at my head. Still, I know that eventually, he’s going to catch me. Make me pay for sassing him yesterday.

Something has to be done about him. He’s not like Vince, who wasn’t directly doing much to me. He stole my friends and turned the school against me, but that’s not a crime. Chase is actually bullying me, because he hates that he wants me, and because he believes he can with impunity.

The main problem is that I fear he’s right.

To make him stop, I have to prove that attacking me has consequences. Chase isn’t used to paying for his actions. I doubt running to the faculty for help would do much good, given the fact that his father’s paying for my tuition. Besides, it’s not my style, and my goal isn’t to get him kicked out of school. I just want to even out the power balance.

Perhaps I could turn to Mr. Archer himself. I don’t like that idea, though. Too much potential backlash for me.And if Chase is to be believed, Grandaddy Dearest holds all the power anyway.

I’m ruminating over the dilemma when I hear laughter at the end of the modern, sleek hallway we’re walking in.

Seconds later, they appear. All seventeen members of the football team. They’re a sight to behold, every one tall, well built, and wearing their blue letterman jackets. Chase’s at the front, right next to the captain, Camden.

Oh, shit.

“I need to go.” My throat feels dry when I speak.

Bella looks between the seventeen boys and me, frowning. “I thought we were going for ice cream?”

Shit, shit, shit.

I should have guessed their practice is at the same time as the science club.

“Another time. I forgot I need to…” I’m not much for lying, or I would have finished that sentence. Instead, I attempt a weak smile, wave, and run away.

It’s not until I reach the parking lot at the front of the school that I realize my mistake, spotting Chase’s shiny Jeep.

I’m on foot, and we’re heading in the same direction.

I start to sprint, wishing I’d opted for more practical shoes than my Timberlands. They’re comfortable, but the three-inch blocks aren’t exactly made for speed. Not that my choice of shoes would mean much given the fact that he’s driving.

I’m rushing up the road leading to the hills, willing myself not to glance behind me to see if he’s following, when his light blue Jeep flies past me.

My jaw falls open. He doesn’t so much as spare me a glance. His attention is entirely focused on the girl on the passenger side: fucking Jade.

I can’t believe that asshole. I just can’t. Especially after his tantrum yesterday, simply because an old friend gave me a ride.

When I get home, his car isn’t in the courtyard. The Archers have a garage, but Chase always leaves his car in front of the house, ready to roll out at a moment’s notice. And it’s not there. I took over half an hour to reach the house on foot.

I refuse to analyze why, exactly, I am so fucking angry at him.

Fuming, I get my ass inside, flinging the door shut on my way in.

“Well, that’s quite the welcome after three days. Who pissed in your Cheerios?” Audrey’s lounging on the pink chaise in the front room, in her dressing gown, with wet hair and blue foam nail separators between her toes.

I grunt, joining her, and throw my bag on the plush fur rug. “Don’t get me started,” I reply, taking her pink nail polish from her and applying it to the seven toes she hasn’t done yet.

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