Page 5 of Giving In

“Oh my God, I totally zoned out. Hey Chris,” I reply feeling the embarrassment creep up my chest.

A laugh escapes his lips and he shakes his head slowly. “I said, how was Harvard summer school? I also asked if I could have two black coffees but I’m more interested in your summer.”

I smile at him, because his laugh just does that to me, and start preparing two coffees. “It was amazing, thank you. Now I’m even more sure I want to go to UPenn, but it was a great experience.”

“That’s good to hear.”

I look behind him for the rest of his gang. Chris is always surrounded by his friends, you rarely see them apart. Meaning wherever Chris goes, Luke and the twins go and wherever the twins go, trouble follows. I turn my confused look back to him.

“Have you managed to get rid of the twins during the summer? Do you need help hiding the bodies?” I ask half-joking as I put the two coffees on the counter.

He gives me a cheeky smile, drops money and grabs the cups. “You’ll never guess where they are,” he says.

“Jail?”

He laughs but manages to answer, “School.”

“School? Why?” It’s impossible to hide the surprise in my voice.

“They’ve been offered to skip a grade. They didn’t care until they realized they would be sharing classes with Luke and me, so they accepted. Late, but they finally accepted. My parents took them to school this morning to finalize it.”

“What?” I almost choke on my own spit.

Chris and I share pretty much every class. I don’t want the twins there. They’re noisy and disrespectful. Add Luke to the mix and they’re unbearable.

“Gonna be a fun year, huh?” he jokes. I know he doesn’t believe a single word he’s just said because he doesn’t find their troublemakingfun. He finds it annoying but loves them too much to do anything about it.

I stay shocked at his statement as he turns around. I notice the amount of cash he left on the counter. There’s enough to pay for ten coffees on here.

“Chris that’s way too much ch–”

“See you on Monday!” He shouts, facing the door and waving a hand in the air.

I watch him meet with Luke outside. Well, I can only assume it’s Luke, judging by the blond, almost white, hair reflecting the sun and blinding me.

This conversation leaves me with an uneasy feeling settling in my stomach. I don’t think the twins skipping a grade is going to make my year fun. In fact, I’m pretty sure it’s the opposite.

CHAPTER 2

‘I always knew you’d be the one

to break me down’

Find What You’re Looking For – Olivia O’Brien

Jamie

In my opinion, Monday comes way too fast. I haven’t really swallowed Chris’s news. I don’t particularly know the rest of his group personally. I’m pretty much like everyone else, I knowofthem. That’s all everyone talks about at Stoneview Prep. They’re loved by the entire school, the teacher’s worst nightmare: rude but smart without having to put in any effort.

Chris and his friends rule the halls without really trying. Our school made them kings of everything and they don’t even give a shit about it. Of course, Chris is always his calm self, he’s a pacifier when Luke and the twins push too far. He’s just so perfect.

I’m usually excited about school. Coming from an average background – rather than being born with a silver spoon in my mouth like the rest of Stoneview’s teenagers – I’ve learned to enjoy the things that make me privileged. I love our pretentious campus, our education is top-notch, we have amazing sport facilities – including a gym we can access 24/7 – our teachers are some of the best in the country, the food in the cafeteria compares to a restaurant. Even our cafeteria tables are beautiful mahogany that makes it look like you’re eating anywhere but at school. Our library is straight out of Hogwarts and all in all the population of students is not that bad. I ignore them, and they tend to ignore me. I’ve heard horror stories of kids from poor backgrounds that were bullied in Prep schools, but my life here is pretty normal. I wouldn’t go as far as saying I’m in with the cool kids, but my best friend is one of the popular cheerleaders and she is the kindest person I’ve ever met. Screw the clichés.

I’m usually buzzing for school, but today I stand on the perfectly manicured front lawn, in front of the red brick building, watching the students pass the four white pillars before the front doors, and I can’t seem to find the strength to take a step further. I don’t even know if Chris and his friends are going to be in my classes, but already, I know I’m not going to enjoy this year. I don’t know why his news bothered me that much. Just that kind of feeling.

I don’t have time to think about it further as a strong body suddenly jumps on my back almost making me fall forward.

“Ohmygodohmygod, OH MY GOD! I missed you so much,” Emily shouts in my ear as she hooks her legs around my arms.

---