Page 2 of Devil's Bargain

My stomach growls.

“Look in the glovebox.”

I open it. Inside is a snack bar and a packet of chips. I give her a look. “You brought me snacks?”

Now it’s Nina’s turn to look anywhere but at me. “You don’t have to eat it.”

As I reach for the snack bar, my blonde hair falls forward to hide my face and the tears that blur my eyes. I unwrap it, cringing at the loud crinkling sound. I haven’t told Nina about my home life, but she knows.

Where we’re from, it’s part of life. Her home life is not much better, but at least she’ll still have a roof over her head next week.

I take a bite and moan silently as my stomach growls. God, I’m hungry!

“Do you want to talk about it?”

I take another bite. “No.”

She flicks the blinker and pulls into the school parking lot.

“Look at that!” I snigger when I see the flower on the side of Jamie, the star receiver’s, parked car. Our friends, Dallas and Steph, spray painted it a couple of weeks ago and Jamie’s parents still haven’t let him take it for a new coat.

“Here!” Nina punches the glove box open and hands me a chip packet. “Pack it down for later.”

“Thanks,” I whisper, unzipping my bag and putting it in the front pocket.

“Hola, motherfuckers!” Josh throws himself on the hood, causing me to nearly jump out of my skin.

Nina laughs next to me. She opens the door and steps outside in the rain.

I listen to their muted conversation while I sit for a moment and stare at the building in front. I used to enjoy school. Now I wonder how I will ever afford to go to college.

Matt knocks on my window. His dimples pop as he smiles. “Are you planning on staying in there all day or what?”

I collect my backpack and exit the car.

“I don’t have an umbrella for you, Mademoiselle.”

Amused, I elbow him. “Stop being a dick. Where are the others?”

He shakes his head like a wet dog and flashes a smile, his dirty blonde hair falling in his eyes. “Already inside.”

Nina links her arm through mine. We step around puddles as we hurry over to the building. “Jesus! It’s coming down heavy!”

It drizzled when we left my house. Now it’s a downpour.

Josh holds the door open for us and smiles. “The sacrifices we make for you, ladies!”

“And it’s much appreciated!” Nina teases, stepping through. She hands him her backpack. Then takes mine and stacks it on top of the one in Josh’s arms. “There you go.” Giggling, she links her arm through mine and pulls me along before Josh has a chance to protest.

Matt chuckles and grips Josh’s shoulder, jostling it. “Enjoy!” He sprints off, leaving Josh to stare after him with his mouth hanging open.

“Not fucking fair, dude!”

“Young man, no swearing in the corridor!” Mr. Emerson says, appearing out of nowhere and placing a detention slip on the stack of backpacks in Josh’s arms.

Josh throws his head back with a groan. “Just my fucking luck!”

Mr. Emerson’s beard twitches. He puts another detention slip on top of the first. “Two days detention, young man. I have endless more where these came from!” He holds up the pink pad. “Shall I continue?”

---