Page 16 of The Protégé

“Out,” I said.

“Where? I heard your dad tell you to stay in the library to study.”

I flick him an annoyed gaze. “I don’t need to study. But you do.”

I’m an excellent student with an excellent memory.

Why are my cousins so annoying? They should both go home.

Jasper flicks me an annoyed look. “I heard you cheated on your math exam.”

I’m surprised more kids didn’t beat the shit out of him. They’re probably afraid my aunt and uncle would sue them.

“Unlike you, I don’t need to cheat or pay another kid to write my essays,” I mock.

Dumb fuck.

“Your mom’s into weird shit.” He laughs. “Bet her death was written in the stars.”

Rage surges through me. I drop my backpack on the floor, walk over, and punch him in the face. “You talk shitabout my mother again and I’ll break all your teeth. Then I’m going to tell the dean all the essays you’ve submitted this year were by other kids you paid off.” I seethe as anger pumps through me. “I’ll even name them.”

“You wouldn’t dare!” He holds a hand to his face while pointing at me.

“Try me!”

Jonah jumps up from his seat to stand in between us. “Stop it!”

“Your mom was nothing before she married Uncle Rex!” Jasper shouts.

“At least my mom isn’t fucking her accountant or hersecurity guard like your mother.” I try to reach for the asshole, but Jonah stops me.

“Just go,” Jonah told me. “I’ll take care of him.” He whirls around to his brother. “Shut up! Dad’s gonna hear you.”

I leave the room, seething. Jasper is such an asshole. He probably gets it from his mother. I don’t understand why Uncle Ray doesn’t divorce her. Maybe he has a mistress on the side too.

I hurry into the backyard, escape through the garden to the park, and call The Condor to let him know I’ve arrived. While waiting for him, I kick a rock, imagining it is Jasper’s head.

I reach into my backpack, open a bottle of lavender oil my mom got me before she passed. Whenever I sense a panic attack, I’ll sniff it and look around me to find three things, starting with the color red. I continue the process until I’ve used up all the colors in the rainbow.

It’s her method to train my brain to calm itself. I miss her so much.

“Hey, buddy,” he says with an accent. He drops beside me on the bench and slings an arm around me. “Sorry about your mother. She’s watching over you.”

Not sure if I want her to, especially with the things I’ve been doing.

Sorry, Mom.

“Everything okay?” His brown eyes search mine. He’s grown his brown hair long past his chin. I almost don’t recognize him.

“What’s with the beard?”

He laughs. “New trend.”

“Yeah, right.” I don’t believe him. “You’re in disguise. What are you planning? Can I come?”

He studies me. “Would that make you feel better?”

I nod fiercely. “Yes.”

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