Page 18 of The Rivals' Touch

“This is your locker.” My assigned tour guide, Brenda, scrunches up her nose at the graffitied locker in front of us. It has a dent in the upper left corner.

“Great.”

“Not really. Horny Hudson has his locker next to yours. He will try to get into your panties, so be prepared for that.”

“Horny Hudson?” I can’t contain my giggles at that ridiculous nickname.

Brenda shrugs, brushing her black, curly hair out of her eyes. “He has an erection more often than not. You’ll see.”

“Wow. Okay…” I look away from the locker.

“Is it true that you were the head cheerleader for Hedgewood High?”

I start walking, ignoring the students staring at me as I pass. The joys of being the new girl. “Yes, it’s true.”

“And now you cheer for Aycliffe?”

“Yep.”

“That’s so…”

I clutch my books to my chest. “Weird? Awkward? Yes, it is.”

“You must love cheer?”

This school is different from my old one, where the walls are painted white and the lockers blue. Here the walls are brick, and the lockers are gray. “I had to join Aycliffe’s cheer team. My father gave me no choice.” The mere thought turns my stomach.

Legacy chooses that moment to walk past with her cheer friends and bump into my shoulder. Classes haven’t even started yet, and she’s already a raging bitch. “Oops, I didn’t see you there. Must be because you’re so plain.” She pretends to look sad for me as she puts a hand on her chest. “And boring.”

“Sucked any more dicks since this morning?” I should walk away, but I’m rooted to the spot. Something about Legacy makes me want to fight back.

“Oh, is that meant to be an insult?” She laughs, looking to her friends for backup, who laugh on cue.

“You can take it whichever way you like. Some women take pride in that sort of thing.” I shrug, scanning the corridor. “I can’t see him. Which girl is he fucking now?”

Her taunting smile falls. She steps up to me and whispers, “Zayd is mine. Everyone here knows it, and you better know it too.”

“Why are you getting so defensive? Are you worried I’ll steal him from you now that I sleep in the next room?” I taunt. “Think he’ll fuck me if I walk in naked one night?”

Her cheeks turn bright red. “You better watch your back! You’re not safe anywhere anymore. You’re at Aycliffe now, and I’m the reigning queen here.” Her heels click loudly on the floor as she walks away.

Uncomfortable, Brenda shifts next to me. “You shouldn’t antagonize her like that.”

“I can’t help it. She makes it too easy.” I drag my eyes away from the witch’s back. “What else do I need to know about this school?”

We start walking.

“The cafeteria is through the next corridor to your right. You can’t miss the bright yellow doors. It’s a bigger school than Hedgewood High, right?” She looks at me for confirmation.

I shrug noncommittally. “Looks like it.”

“The school is old, but the gym is new. It was only completed last year.”

I nod, gripping my straps as I sweep my eyes over the posters on the wall. “I’m not joining any clubs,” I tell her, pointing to the sign-up sheets on the wall behind her head.

Brenda looks over her shoulder. “You’re not expected to. Cheer will keep you busy throughout the week.”

“I’ve cheered in the new gym. It looks good! Big!”

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