Page 26 of Disorder (Elite of Elmwood 2)

Izzy and Parker giggled beside the redheaded bitch. They were rarely ever seen not glued to Ava’s ass. Each wore the signature blue and black Academy plaid skirt, altered of course to show half their thighs, the Elmwood brand embroidered onto the bottom left hem. Izzy twirled her hair, snapping a piece of gum. Parker had her white shirt unbuttoned low, showing the lace on her black bra. Her short hair was angled so it hung lower on one side.

But it was always Ava who demanded attention. She had a blue cashmere sweater tied around her slim waist. “Oops. I didn’t see you there,” she said, batting her long, fake lashes at me. Her peach glossy lips curved villainously.

The standby whores. Just what I needed.

Mads eyes were hostile. “Like hell, you psycho bitch.”

A hush fell over the hallway, drawing unwanted attention straight on us. I glanced down at my white shirt covered in dark blue, probably blueberry and cherry, which meant I wasn’t getting the stains out anytime soon. My shirt stuck to my skin in patches.

“Back off, Clarke,” Ava retorted, breaking off her stare down with Mads to glare at me. “It really was an accident.” The giggles from her posse started again, and I’d had enough.

I lunged forward, shoving Ava with both my hands. She stumbled backward, a look of astonishment crossing her face. Two seconds later, my hands were fisted into her red hair, and I yanked her head back. Through the tangle of nails, fingers, and hair, I slammed Ava up against the locker door, transferring smoothie onto her.

She shrieked a few times, letting loose a string of vile swear words, but I didn’t care—I was past caring.

One of Ava’s hands attached to my boob and twisted, her other knotting in my pink hair. I sucked in an angry breath. “I’m going to kill you,” she seethed, sounding as insane as Mads had called her. Ava fought dirty, but so could I. Had she forgotten where I came from?

I kicked out at the back of her leg, causing the skank to go down, and then I was on top of her. Only vaguely aware of the commotion in the background, my ears buzzed with fury.

No. It wasn’t my anger that caused my ears to ring. Someone blew a whistle long and hard.

“Break it up!” a voice full of authority boomed down the hall.

Neither Ava nor I listened as we continued to tussle on the floor. Nails scored down my arm in hot pain, but I gritted my teeth through the sting. Sitting on top of her, I pulled my hand back to slap her across the face, but someone caught my hand midair. A moment later, I was lifted off the cheerleader by strong arms.

“Let me go,” I snarled, but the arms that held me remained steadfast. My back pressed firmly against a flat chest, and I bristled, shoving the hair out of my face.

Coach Q fumed in front of the gathered crowd. “Principal’s office. Now!” Coach ordered, pointing his finger down the hall from which Mads and I had just come from. His steely eyes bounced between Ava and me.

The hands holding me off my feet relaxed slightly, allowing my boots to touch the ground. “I can’t leave you alone for two seconds, can I, Firefly?” Brock’s deep voice whispered in my ear.

It would be him.

But I had known, even through the haze of rage, that it was Brock who held me. “I’m not done with her yet,” I growled.

His chuckle brushed over my ear, and a different fire stirred low within me. “I can see that. Best to deal with her outside of school.” His mild amusement only irritated me.

I attempted to shake his hands off. “I can walk on my own,” I grumbled.

“Probably, but we’re sending a message here.”

My eyes looked up at him in confusion. His lips hinted at a smirk, but his eyes… they were cold. On my other side, I sensed a presence. My head turned to see Micah and Fynn. Micah winked at me. Where had they come from? Then I noticed Grayson beside Brock, his cognac eyes flaming.

I was surrounded by the Elite. He was right. This definitely sent a message. Don’t fuck with what’s theirs.

I glanced over my shoulder and saw Mads grinning in approval.

By the time I got to the principal’s office, my adrenaline had calmed down, and the reality of what I’d done set in.

Shit.

A trip to the principal’s office meant a call to Angie.

Ava smirked triumphantly at me as the two of us sat down, waiting to be called in. Had she planned this whole thing to get me into trouble? Anticipating that I would do something reckless? She couldn’t have. Could she?

The expression on her face said this bitch wasn’t as dumb as she looked.

The Elite stood with their arms crossed over their chests, looming over me. They all wore serious expressions except for Micah, who grinned. His light blue eyes twinkled at me. “Who says Mondays are boring?”

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