Page 3 of Rocked: The Price of Dreams

“You were amazing.” Hunter gave me a big goofy smile, revealing a crooked eye tooth. He’d almost be handsome if it wasn’t for his crazy hair and ultra-skinny physique. “Where did you learn to do that?”

I shrugged a shoulder. “My old school had free jujitsu lessons for girls.” It had helped me on more than one occasion to keep a couple of my mom’s sleazy boyfriends or assholes like those jocks off me. I’d learned how to defend myself. I prayed I’d never have to do it again.

“You’re dynamite.” Hunter opened his locker and shoved his lunch and backpack inside.

“Think nothing of it. Catch ya.” I waved farewell and the corridor of chaos resumed with students slamming lockers, talking, and making their way to first class.

“Hey?” Kyle called out. “What’s your name?”

Not wanting any more attention, I ignored him. Heading along the hallway, looking for my locker, I managed to take all of five steps before I found it. I glanced over my shoulder. Kyle and Hunter watched my every move. Throwing them a thin smile, I opened my locker then shoved my bag onto the shelf and grabbed my books for my first class. I closed the door. The guys still stared at me, but not in a creepy way. Their gazes swarmed with gratitudeand ...intrigue.

I’d never had anyone look at me like that before.

I guessed I had to be nice to some people in the school. I waved at them. “I’m Gemma. Gemma Lonsdale. Guess I’ll see you round.”

Chapter 2

A week later, during lunch, I sat in front of the piano in the school’s music room. Fellow students’ muffled laughs and chatter drifted through the closed door as they headed to the cafeteria or outside to eat, gossip, or play sport. Me? I hit replay on the YouTube video. Watching tutorials online was the only way I could learn the music I wanted to play. I couldn’t afford private lessons and the school’s music program rarely covered the genres or artists I liked.

The sharp snappy beat reverberated through the tiny tinny speakers.

Mastering Justin Timberlake’s new song, “SexyBack,” was no easy task. But I would nail this song if it was the last thing I ever did. But the more I played, the more frustration furled through my fingers. I couldn’t play it fast enough or get the beat quite right. Clenching my teeth, I jabbed at the old ivory piano.

The door burst open, hitting the concrete wall.

Thwack!

I jumped. My heart hit my skull. What the fuck?

The two gangling guys I’d met on the first day, Kyle and Hunter, rushed inside, then slammed the door shut. They locked it and ducked below the glass windowpane.

The jocks who had bullied them stopped at the window. Hate flared in Trevor’s eyes when he saw me across the room. He rattled the locked door handle and sneered. I gave him the finger. He cursed, thumped the door, then took off.

My heart slowly returned to my chest; I’d been scared out of my wits. But concern for the two guys cowering on the floor lingered. I hit pause on my video. “You guys need my help again?”

They shot upright, spun around, and slammed their backs against the wall.

“Oh. Hey, Gemma.” Kyle breathed a sigh of relief, but his brows pinched together as he glanced around the room. “What...what are you doing in here?”

“Mr. Benson gave me permission.” Under duress.

“He did?” Hunter gaped like he didn’t believe me. “How did you manage that?”

“He must like me.” Oh, no he didn’t. But he was terrified of what I might say or do. I’d seen him naked, and he’d banged my mom. Just before summer break, for whatever reason, he’d gotten mega drunk at the local tavern and fallen victim to my mother’s advances. I’d walked in on them at home going at it in her bedroom. Seeing his red, hairy ass in the air had not been pleasant. But it hadn’t been the first time I’d witnessed Mom cheating. My heart had grown a hardened wall when it came to my mother, but it ached for my naïve stepdad, Derek. So much for marriage. Deep down, I felt bad for Mr. Benson too. He seemed nice. A dude who loved eighties and nighties rock...just like me. He’d regretted what had happened and was petrified I’d tell his wife—the school librarian. I’d never have the guts to do so, butMr. Benson didn’t know that.

“Lucky you. He has a reputation for being mean.” Hunter peered out of the window, checking to see if the bullies had gone. “He hates anyone who’s not in the marching band. That’s his thing.”

I grimaced. While I held respect for most musicians and performers, all those drums, brass, and wind instruments weren’t for me.

Kyle and Hunter still cowered by the door. I’d had my fair share of encounters with bullies over the years thanks to Mom’s reputation, me being short, and my obsession with music. I understood how hard some days could be. Resuming playing the piano, I jutted my chin toward them. “Why don’t you report Trev and his buddies?”

“Wish we could.” Hunter sighed, shuffled toward me, and took a seat on a nearby desk. “They were like that at elementary school, too. Reporting them will get us nowhere. Trev’s dad is the vice principal.”

“Roger Sanderson?” Oh...this school just got better and better. Not! Trevor would hate me too once he learned who I was. He probable already did.

“Yeah. You know him?” Kyle crossed the room. After tossing his lunch bag on the desk, he ripped it open and grabbed a sandwich out.

“Not really. My mom and Roger had an affair about twelve months ago.” No point in lying; they’d find out about Mom’s reputation soon enough. “His wife found out and divorced him.” Another broken family thanks to Mom.

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