The Queen Bee of her little group that includes my sister.
They’re watching me. All gathered around Violet’s locker, and she’s whispering to them behind her hand as if I could read her lips from down the hall.
She’s talking shit about me, I bet. Telling them how much of a bastard I am.
I’d be pissed off if it weren’t true.
It’s become her daily ritual, telling everyone how much she hates me with that wildfire in her eyes. It’s become my daily ritual, too, doing things I know will piss her off because it’s entertaining to see her explode. I don’t even know how the habit got started, but neither of us has any desire to stop the constant warring.
But she’s plotting something. Make no doubt about it, some sort of revenge for my relentless teasing is on her mind. I can see it in her eyes, the smug tilt of her smile now that she’s dropped her hand, and the way she stands tall like she’s unreachable.
Unfortunately for Violet, I have something special for her today . . . courtesy of Bio Lab.
As I reach my locker, Violet furtively glances my way, but as soon as our eyes meet, she quickly averts her gaze. Even the small battles are a victory against her.
But she whispers something into the ear of my little sister, Abigail, who’s smiling as if she approves of whatever treachery Violet is planning.
Yep, she’s plotting something, all right.
Too bad I’m about to beat her to the punch.
I place my books into my locker and slam it with a loud bang and boldly make my way over.
Halfway there, I hesitate. I’m a cocky son of a bitch, but it’s a pack of them and only one of me. And if I know anything, high school girls are like zombies. Easy enough one on one, but in packs, you’re nothing but lunch.
But I quickly brush any apprehension aside. I’m the football team captain, for God’s sake. I’d be laughed out of the locker room for being scared of a bunch of girls, especially freshmen who look up to me like I’m a god among men.
All except for Violet. Maybe that’s why it’s fun to tease her. She never takes it easy on me because I’m a big shot at school. She mostly acts like she doesn’t give a fuck about any of that stuff and challenges me at every turn to be more creative and strategic with my teasing.
She’s gonna regret one-upping me because I’ve got a good one planned for her this time.
“Hey, ladies,” I say as I saunter over, plastering a huge grin on my face. “How’s everyone doing today?”
Several of the girls blush and giggle, shooting heart-eyes among each other, but an already tense Violet snaps, “Um, hi. What happened—you lose your asshole hat today? Why are you being so polite?”
I place a hand over my heart, faking a pained expression. “Ouch! Oh, Vi, it gets me right here that you have such a low opinion of me.”
I glance to the girl at my right, a blonde whose name I don’t even know, and whisper conspiratorially, “She really hates me, huh? I don’t understand it. I’m a nice guy.” I swear the blonde’s eyes widen with my every word, and she’s nodding vacantly. I get that reaction a lot, and I hate it.
Violet scowls, not buying my nice guy act for a second, and then growls, “Sure, if that rotted thing you call a heart were capable of feeling emotion.”
Abigail peers at me suspiciously, glancing down the hallway to where my teammates are gathering around my locker. “Doesn’t our school’s resident top jock have better things to do than to harass us?”
“Sure, I do . . . but it’s a beautiful day,” I say, giving my sister one of my mega-watt smiles before turning my eyes back on Violet. “And I can’t think of a better way to spend it than with a sweet girl like Violet.” For good measure, I wrap my arm around Violet’s shoulders, giving her a gentle squeeze as I pull her to my side. Every jaw drops in shock, jealousy, or some combination of the two. Except for Violet.
“I, uh . . .”
For once, Violet is speechless, caught off guard by my flirting out of nowhere, her mouth opening and closing like a fish as she gawks at me like I’ve sprouted barbed horns on my forehead. It takes