Page 28 of Beautiful Defiance

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LEIGH

As soon as I step inside my first class, I’m told the principal wants to speak with me.

To my surprise and annoyance, Seven is sitting across from the principal. I grab the seat next to him.

“Good morning, Leigh. How are you today?”

He dips his head and glances at me over the rims of his glasses.

“Fine.” I wait for him to say his piece. He clears his throat a few times before he does.

“Leigh, it’s come to my attention that you have quite the rap sheet. Something that wasn’t brought up when your guardian enrolled you in our school.”

I sit tall and don’t chance a glance at Seven. It’s bad enough that the principal is bringing up my past offenses in front of my enemy. Shitty enough, too, that Thomas lied to me.

He said he told the principal about my troubles with the law, including my brief time in juvenile detention. He lied to me and Principal Staudinger. Now I have to cover for him and figure out who gave me up. My guess is either Hannah or Henry. Those two hate my guts.

“I haven’t let it affect my schoolwork. I’m getting straight A’s.”

“And you should be proud of turning your life around. I called you to the office to ask for your help.”

He wants my help? I should be flattered, but I’m more suspicious than anything. I mean, there’s a reason Seven is sitting next to me.

“What would that be?” I ask.

“Seven’s grades are suffering, and if he doesn’t improve soon, I’ll have to ask the coach to bench him. He also missed two practices.”

“That’s my fault. I was sick, and Seven stayed with me while I was in the hospital.”

He looks from me to Seven with disbelief. Seven’s partying and those fights of his on and off the field isn’t helping his cause.

“It doesn’t change the fact I’ll have to keep him out of the game tomorrow and possibly next Friday.”

“Are you asking that I tutor him?” I cut to the chase. I’m missing math class, and math isn’t my strong suit, contrary to the belief that Asians excel in math.

“Yes, that’s the point I’m trying to make. I heard you two are neighbors. Leigh, why don’t you stick around for Seven’s practice? Make sure he shows up. He can give you a ride home afterward, and you two can get studying time in. How about it?”

This can go one of two ways.

I refuse and the entire school somehow finds out and I’ll never live it down, certain I’ll be harassed until graduation and even beyond. I accept and will still get harassed by the girls for taking up Seven’s time.

I begrudgingly accept. No matter whether I swing for refusing or accepting, there is one common goal—Cambridge High winning the championship with its king at the helm.

“Good. You can start next week.”

The principal dismisses us. I hurry to class, barely glancing at Ginger, the pretty and quiet blonde from my pottery class, as she looks from me to Seven keeping up alongside me. He’s not in a hurry because he’s worried he’ll miss something important. He’s matching my speed-walk, our fingers grazing, because he has something to say to me.

“I don’t like this any more than you do.”

“Not my fault you partied too hard and now you’re failing your classes.”

“Do you want us to lose the championship? Hand the win over to the bastards of Delridge?”

“I didn’t grow up here, so I couldn’t give a care, Seven.”

“Wrong. You see, I think you care too much. Want to be a part of something bigger than yourself. Admit it, Defiance.”

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