Page 11 of Happenstance
This son of a…
“I did no such thing!” I shrieked.
“Look, I’m sure there are plenty of guys you can find into butt stuff.”
Snickers filled the room as my jaw dropped. He did not just say that.
“Miss Crawford, kindly leave Mr. Kessler alone.”
I stared at the teacher, shocked. “But I wasn’t–”
“You heard the man,” Mason interrupted me.
I spent the rest of class plotting Mason Kessler’s death. Even had the tombstone picked out. A nice wooden cross. Blessed in holy water to keep his evil spirit in the ground.
By the time lunch came,I was more than ready for this day to be over. Thanks to Mason, I wasn’t just the school slut, I was the girl that liked butt stuff. On the upside, I had about twenty detailed plans on how to rid the world of the youngest Kessler. I just needed to get my hands on a hive of bees, and a woodchipper.
I sat back and closed my eyes, enjoying the gentle breeze toying with my hair. Out here, it was just me, the fresh air, and the sun. Peaceful solitude. The only thing I missed was Harper. I could’ve brought her out here with me, but then I ran the risk of the football team starting a search. I understood why. The last time Harper didn’t show up for lunch, it was because Mason had trapped a claustrophobic Harper in a locker.
Guilt welled up in my gut as I thought of my friend sitting in the cafeteria, with no one to protect her. Yes, Riley and Shelby were there, but Harper wasn’t comfortable around them. Riley scared her. Heck, Riley scared me sometimes, and Shelby was too touchy feely.
They were both incredibly loyal and sweet in their own ways. That wasn’t the problem. The only person Harper was comfortable around was me. And now, I wasn’t comfortable around her. I sniffed and wiped away the tear rolling down my cheek. It felt like I had lost my parents all over again.
“Well, this is a first.”
I jumped back and turned my head to see the new assistant coach, Luke Lannister. I didn’t personally know him, but Shelby said he was nice. Which Logan was not impressed about. That boy gave jealousy a new name. He once went after a guy just because he talked to Shelby.
Mr. Lannister tipped his chin at my bag. “Don’t you guys usually eat in the cafeteria?”
“I’m sorry,” I sat up and started collecting my things. “I’ll go.”
Should’ve known someone would have a problem with me eating out here. Ashworth was a strictly by the books school. Students belonged in desks, and food in the cafeteria.
“No, no. You’re fine.” I couldn’t help but notice the way his light eyes sparkled when he leaned in and whispered, “I won’t tell anyone.”
That made me eye him. Ashworth was all about image. An orphaned scholarship kid didn’t exactly help their reputation. They’d like nothing more than to kick me out. Yet another reason to hide my current predicament. Last year, Krissy Smythe got pregnant and was sent to a more‘appropriate’school, and shewasfrom a prominent family.
I guess Mr. Lannister sensed my apprehension, because he quickly added, “It’s kind of nice to have someone normal to talk to.”
“What do you mean normal?”
“No offense to the staff here,” he sighed and propped his elbow up on the bleachers, “But I doubt any of them has had to live off peanut butter.”
I couldn’t help but snicker.Okay, maybe he wasn’t as bad as the rest. “You can’t forget the jam.”
“I’m more of a honey guy, myself.”
“No thanks,” my nose scrunched up, “Too sweet for me.”
“Ah, you’re more of the salty snack type?”
“Give me a bag of chips over a chocolate bar any day.”
My heart fluttered a bit when he smiled. He was probably only a couple years older than me, and definitely handsome, with his thick chestnut hair and bright blue eyes, but so not someone I would go for. Not to mention that he was technically a teacher, and I had enough rumors floating around about me. It was still flattering, though.
He looked up, squinting against the bright sun. “Can I ask you a question?”
I shrugged.
