Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 77992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
I’m fine.
This is fine.
My new high school is insanely different than my prep school back home. For one, there are hardly any cars in the parking lot. Everyone at South Burlington Prep drove. And most of them drove something equally expensive to mine, though theirs was probably more snowy weather appropriate in comparison. Either I’m really early, or there are twelve people who drive.
A bout of nerves makes my stomach clench painfully. I’ve been having these pains when I’m stressed. Like someone grabs my stomach and squeezes it. A few times, I’ve even puked over it. Mom says it’s nerves and for her sake, I try not to tell her anymore. She looks sick herself anytime I mention it and the last thing I need to do is make my mother sick.
I park on the first row between an old Ford Explorer with the paint peeling off and a gray minivan. I still have twenty minutes before school starts, so maybe more kids will show up and fill up the parking lot. As I get out of my car, I cringe slightly noticing how obnoxious my vehicle looks in comparison.
I’m just grabbing my messenger bag from the backseat when a car door slams. I dart my eyes up to find a guy in front of the Explorer staring at me. His eyes look black and wild, and coupled with the cigarette hanging out of his mouth and shaved head, he looks borderline criminal.
“Nice purple car,” he says, his tone mocking, his cigarette bouncing between his lips.
“Uh, thanks.” My voice sounds high. Nervous.
“Wasn’t a compliment.”
The guy starts walking toward the school, flicking his cigarette into the grass, when the other car door slams. I drag my stare from the wannabe convict to another guy. Rather than bored and slightly unhinged, like the first guy, this guy looks pissed.
Dark brown hair that’s grown out long enough to hang over one of his intense eyes. Flaring nostrils. Sharp jawline that clenches. All that aggression is directed my way, but couldn’t possibly be for me considering I literally just got out of my car and have never met the guy.
I look over my shoulder to see who he could possibly be glaring at. When I find no one, I realize all that boiling hatred is for me.
Fucking great.
“Hi,” I squeak out, hating how much of a pussy I sound like. “I’m Hollis.”
“Don’t care.”
He walks off and I gape after him. What the hell was that all about? The guy is wearing the outfit I wanted to wear—black sweats, white tennis shoes, and a gray hoodie. It’s too cold not to be wearing a coat, but he doesn’t seem bothered by it.
I shoulder my bag and lock my car before hurrying after him. “Hey, man, wait up.”
He stops abruptly. It gives me time to approach him. The guy’s big, at least five inches or so over my five-foot-eleven frame. His shoulders are broad and he looks like he could fuck up someone like me.
Since he won’t turn around, I slowly circle him like one would a rabid animal. Calm. Soft tones. No quick movements.
“I think we got off on the wrong foot for some reason.” My breath comes out in a rush. “Can we start again?”
His head cocks to the side, his hair shifting to reveal a barbell through his eyebrow, and his honey-brown eyes bore into me. I can’t help but squirm under his scrutiny. He takes a step toward me, forcing me to take an awkward step back. His upper lip curls in disgust.
“Are you a teacher?” His deep, sultry voice startles me stupid for all of three seconds.
“W-What? No, I’m just a kid like you—”
“I’m not a fucking kid,” he snaps, his brows furling with anger.
I hold up a hand, hating that I’m already fucking this up. “I just meant…I’m sorry.” My hand shakes and of course he zeroes in on it. Quickly, I shove it into my coat pocket. “I’m new here and just wanted to introduce myself.”
“You did. Now move out of my way.” He takes a threatening step toward me, but I stand my ground this time.
“Listen…” I utter. “I’m not trying to piss you off, I’m—”
He grabs my shoulders roughly and physically moves me to the side. Then, he storms past me and into the building.
What. The. Fuck.
“Oh, man, you screwed up,” a voice calls out as he trots my way. “Take note, new guy, don’t piss him off.”
I slouch and scrub my palm along my cheek in frustration. “I didn’t mean to. I was just introducing myself. Trying to make a friend. You know, be a normal human being.”
He snorts. “Spoiler alert, everyone here sucks. Except me. And apparently you. The name’s Gio Montoya.”
I size him up quickly. Dark hair. Glasses. Small gap in his front two teeth. He’s dressed nicely, albeit a little nerdy, but he’s friendly.