Page 26 of Cold and Broken (The Titans of Founder's Ridge 1)

I feel Connor’s glacial glare as I take my work up to get a clarification on the force and momentum formulas. Mr. Jameson has navy rimmed glasses on today which make his bright blue eyes pop. He answers my questions and tells me I was on the right track. I think about what Connor said yesterday. I really don’t feel like Mr. Jameson has any bad intentions. I think it’s just one young hot guy being insecure with another hot young guy.

After I’m back at my desk Connor spins around. “Next time you need help with physics or calculus come to me.”

“Okay,” I say without looking up, “I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Seriously. I will help you catch up. Griff will help with anything else.”

“I heard you.” I keep working.

“You are so fucking frustrating,” he growls at me.

I look up at him, smile, and poke him in the arm with the eraser end of my pencil. “Turn around before you get me stuck in detention. My dad can’t pay my way out of trouble.”

Right on cue Mr. Jameson notices us talking. “Is there a problem Connor? Lilith?”

“No. Connor needed to borrow a pencil.” I pull one from my bag and smack it against his chest. “Here you go, Con.”

The rest of the morning goes by smoothly. I’ve fallen into a tentative truce with Connor and Griffin. Levi is by far the friendliest of the guys. He sits beside me in Political Science which is the only class we have together without Ivy or the guys. I can actually see him becoming a real friend so I lower my guard around him.

We’re walking down the hall toward the quad when a couple of the football guys come grab him for something. He waves while I walk over to the gymnasium complex. I had to take one physical education class to round out my requirements for graduation so I chose water sports. It is as easy as it sounds and unfortunately that means a decent amount of seniors are in the class with me, including Margaux and her minions.

They’ve pushed me into the pool a few times. Darcy threw an elbow in my face while we were playing water polo. Leighton kicked me in the back while we were doing laps. Margaux likes to loudly point out every physical imperfection she sees on my body, specifically the cellulite on my upper thighs. I know I am probably the healthiest girl in the class but those dimples have always bothered me, even before a bitch was pointing them out. It’s petty stuff but I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t getting to me a little bit.

Today I decided to hang back a bit to avoid listening to a list of my perceived flaws. I take a little longer in the shower and by the time I’m done I know I’ll be late for lunch but I can get dressed in peace. I open my locker and pull my uniform out. Everything is where I left it except for my bra and underwear which are nowhere to be found. I open every unlocked locker and don’t see them. I check the bin for the used towels, also not there.

This has Margaux written all over it. I guess she at least had the decency to leave my uniform so I’m not waiting around for one of the coaches to grab me extra gym clothes. I’m wearing the tartan pleated skirt today which hits me above the knee but is fluttery. One gust of wind and everyone is going to see my bare ass. What I’m most concerned about is not having a bra. While my breasts are not porn star large they are a full but perky D cup, too large to go unnoticed without a bra. I button my jacket and hope between that and my tie no one will notice.

I walk into the cafeteria and feel more eyes on me than usual. I walk nervously to Ivy who looks up at me with a question in her eyes.

“What’s wrong with you? You look all shifty and nervous.” She narrows her eyes at my chest. “Why is your jacket like that?”

“My underwear and bra went missing while I was showering after water sports.” I say as I sit down.

Her eyes widen and her mouth hangs open a bit. “No! She didn’t.”

“She did.” I nod and focus on my food.

“That explains the shit eating grin on her face when she strolled through the doors.” She glares at Margaux from across the room. “Also explains why she’s been flitting from table to table all lunch hour. I bet she is telling everyone.”

“Oh God.” The blood runs from my face. “You have to walk behind me on the stairs.”

“I got you, boo.” She smiles. “I wonder how long it’ll take to make it’s way to Connor. He’ll probably freak out. He’s going to tail you even harder if he’s worried about some asshole catching a glimpse of your kitty before he does.” She chuckles.

“He’s never getting a glimpse of my kitty. No one at this school is,” I reply tartly.

“Right.” She lifts her eyebrows. “You say that but I think it’s inevitable.”

“What is?”

“You and Connor. Something is going to happen. I can feel it.”

* * *

Margaux spread the word about my dilemma so all day I had to listen to snickers and fend off wandering hands in crowded hallways. Ivy was able to stick close to me between the classes we share so I had someone covering my back on the stairs. Somehow Connor and the guys didn’t find out or at least I doubt they did. I don’t think Connor would have left my side in the halls had he known.

I decide to take the back stairwell in the science building because it’s rarely used and I don’t have Ivy following behind me. As I round the corner of the first landing I feel fingers trailing up the back of my thigh. I spin around and yelp while trying to slap the hand away. I recognize the guy as an athlete, lacrosse player, maybe. He is not a football player, they have all left me alone today. Probably out of fear of Levi.

“What do you think you’re doing?” I yell. I’m alone in a stairwell with a guy and I can’t even use my Krav Maga knowledge without flashing him.

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