Page 15 of The Jester and His Outlaw: Part One

Honestly, I’m too stunned to handle this right now. I need to, and I will, but I can’t right now. There are too many eyes on me, and I want to process things before I act hastily and make the situation worse—say something I shouldn’t in my anger.

Jonas pulls me in to his side and goes to kiss me, but I turn my head and he smacks a kiss to my cheek. Goosebumps crawl over my skin at his touch. The creepy crawly kind that has me wanting to wash my skin with bleach. He was next level this morning. I can still smell the alcohol on his breath, and I can’t help but wonder what else he is on to be acting like this. He is out of his mind if he thinks putting his hands on me is okay.

I’m acutely aware of the daggers being sent my way and the slam of a locker that silences the entire hallway. Riggs storms off.

Great. This is what I need.

Physics is going to be a lot of fun with Mr. Frosty sitting next to me. Jonas’ stunt probably convinced him we’ve gotten back together and every thought he has ever had about me is true.

Why do I care?

I shrug out from beneath Jonas’s arm and turn on him.

“Do not touch me again,” I let out a soft growl to keep prying ears from hearing my rejection. If I let him down easily, he might go away.

“Oh c’mon, baby,” he whines, mocking me.

My eyes dart around the hallway. Plenty of girls are watching us, waiting to see if we are back together. I bet they believe I’m telling him off over slapping me in public. I give them a saccharine smile and mumble under my breath, “I’m not your baby. Back off, Jonas. I will not play your games.”

His bullshit smile falters a little, but he shakes it off, rubbing the back of his neck.

“I’ll see you after class,” he says and leans in to kiss my forehead.

Does he think I’m going to go along withfaking itso his parents don’t catch wind of us no longer being together? What does he expect is going to happen when they realize we aren’t? I get that us marrying rich makes things better, but it’s not that big of a deal if we don’t. The way he is acting, I would gamble that his parents are holding a threat over him or something. That somehow fate ties us together or something. I will not give this charade life, and while he can avoid them knowing now, he won’t be able to forever.

The crowd dissipates with a few lingering stares I catch. As soon as I spot them, they dart away, closing their lockers. Being with Jonas and the reputation I built had some perks. Assholes didn’t bother with bullying me because I was a bully myself. No doubt I’ll have to deal with some icy, jealous bitches like Kate after this display. They’re nothing I can’t handle.

After taking a minute to collect myself, ignoring that the late bell has rung already, I thread my arms through the straps on my backpack and make quick work of the tiled hallway. Foxy is waiting for me at her locker, and when I pass by, she falls into step beside me.

“You good?” She nudges me with her shoulder.

“Yeah, I’m good. He’s delusional, Foxy,” I tell her, glancing her way. She shoots me a worried look but says nothing.

“You’ll have it handled. I’m not worried.”

“Yeah,” I agree without confidence. I’m so not in the mood to deal with his bullshit. I just want to cruise through freshman year without high school drama and make it out of this place.

We break apart, and I send Foxy on her way, reassuring her I’m fine. That I’ll be fine. She let me go reluctantly, without protesting.

Stares of snobby rich assholes waiting to see if the rumors are true bore holes into me as I enter the classroom. Professor Michaels is taking roll, and she is two names away from mine.

“Charlotte, please find your seat. We are ready to get started.”

“Yes, ma’am, my apologies.” I duck my head and speed across the classroom to my seat, unprepared for my quiz despite having spent the weekend studying. The altercation with Jonas has me all in knots. So much so that when Kate murmurs something under her breath, I don’t stop and defend myself. Of course, she’s going to be pissed. The man she wants, wants nothing to do with her, yet again.

I sigh as I sit, hating that Jonas has had such an effect on me. I need to get my shit together. Letting him get to me is only going to make the situation worse.

I steel my spine and slide my chair in, ready to get on with the day. I won’t let them see me down.

Riggs is shaking his head and tapping his pencil. Sending me some side-eye, he huffs out a condescending breath as he leans forward. Something compels me to tell him I’m not with Jonas.

“I don’t give a shit, Rusty Crotch. You’re a big girl. If that prick is what you want, then don’t let me stop you from jumping on that.”

I grit my teeth, brushing off his comment. He’s right, I’m a big girl, and I don’t need his approval.

Professor Michaels drones on, covering the material for the next chapter, but I take the time to get a last-minute study session for our quiz. By the time she’s handing out the papers, I’m well prepared. I’ll have to go over the new chapter tonight on my own, but I know I’ll ace this quiz. I’m the first one done and sitting comfortably, knowing I did well when Riggs finishes and shoves his pencil against the desk to hide the lead. He tosses his frosty gaze over his shoulder, then grabs his bag and stands. The bell rings, alerting everyone that class is over. With a sigh of relief that the first hour of the day is done, I hand my paper in and make my way to my next class.

During my creative writing elective,I overheard Jensen and Riggs talking. Riggs’s stomach was growling, leaving Jensen to worry that he wasn’t eating. Riggs insisted he was, and I couldn’t help but wonder just why he was lying. The lie was obvious. As little as I knew him, I could tell he wasn’t being honest with his friend. Jensen asked if he didn’t have an appetite or if he couldn’t afford food and Riggs got up and left.

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