Page 50 of Devil's Bargain

“I don’t think I will. You’re my best friend.”

Well, then, Nina. My math teacher hit me when we had sex which I find fucking arousing, by the way, and then he invited a stranger to slap me and fuck me too.

“My mom hit me, okay? We had an argument.”

Nina pauses in her step. “She’s never hit you before.”

I stop too. “What? You don’t believe me?”

I hate lying to my best friend, but the truth is way too fucked up.

“I want to believe you, April. But if your mom did that”—she points to my cheek—“you wouldn’t be so defensive.”

“You really do know me.” I’m a terrible friend.

Nina looks hurt before she takes a breath and sets off walking, calling out over her shoulder. “I won’t stop pestering you. Come on, we’ll be late for class.”

“I’m sorry! I didn’t mean it like that!” I say as I catch up with her. “I’m under a lot of pressure right now. My home life… It’s shit!”

Nina doesn’t look at me. “Welcome to the club, April. If anyone can sympathize with you, it’s me. Your best friend.”

I run a palm over my face. “I’m sorry.”

She stops outside the classroom door, her black bob swaying with the movement. “Like I said, April. I won’t stop pestering you.”

We enter the classroom, but I come to a halt when I spot the man behind the desk.

Jared is writing on the whiteboard. The same guy who fucked me in the ass. He turns and looks at me. “What’s your name?”

“April?” It comes out as a question.

He gestures to the desks. “Take a seat, April.”

I don’t move.What is happening right now?

He raises his eyebrows.

I scramble into action, and Nina looks at me questioningly as I plop down in my seat. I know I look like a ghost. She confirms as much when she asks, “What just happened?”

I stare at Jared. “I don’t know, Nina. I really fucking don’t!”

“I’m Mr. Hayes. Mr. Roberts will be unable to teach for a while, so in the meantime, I’m going to be your substitute teacher.” His eyes are on me.

I can’t look away. My life is spinning out of control.

“Open your books to chapter seven.”

* * *

As soon as class is over, I hightail it out of there, refusing to stick around when I hear Jared call my name. I push past students and hurry down the next corridor where Scott’s classroom is based.

When I barge through the door, he looks up from his paperwork and puts his pen down. He doesn’t look surprised to see me. “Can I help you?”

I make my way down the aisle and slam my hand on his desk. “What the fuck is this?!”

He stares at my black chipped nail polish, then lifts his gaze. “You’re going to have to be more specific than that.”

My body trembles with restrained anger. “Jared!”

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