The Secret Girl (Adamson All-Boys Academy #1) - C.M. Stunich Page 0,96
get a read on his expression.
“Sure. I mean, your safety is all wrapped up in this bullshit. Keep your door locked. Do you have a weapon?”
“I have a crowbar, and a hammer,” I reply cheerfully, and he grins.
“That'll work for tonight. Maybe tomorrow we'll get you something a little better. I'll have Church text you my number; call me if you need anything.”
“Good night,” I tell him as I step inside.
“Good night,” he says softly back, his voice hoarse and far away. More than likely he's wrapped up in dark thoughts about his sister. Can't say I blame him. Ranger waits for me to close and lock the door, testing the knob before I hear his footsteps pad down the hallway.
I feel a little better, knowing he's on my side.
Now … I just have to get my dad on the same page.
I'm sure that'll be fun.
The next morning, Ranger, Church, and I head back to the girls' dorm while the twins keep Spencer distracted. There's nothing in the metal orbs on Jenica's bed, and as far as we can tell, the key doesn't open anything in the building.
After that, Ranger stalks off and disappears, leaving me with the enigmatic Church. The only thing I know about him is that he's a caffeine and coffee addict. Today, he's got an iced German chocolate mocha which, apparently, is really just a mocha with some coconut flavoring.
“All that sugar can't be good for you,” I tell him, but he just puts the straw in his mouth and smiles cheerily, like he really is the golden boy of the school. I mean, there is Eugene Mathers, the star of the football team, but I've only ever seen him a handful of times, and Church definitely has a bigger following.
“I quite like sugar,” he says, his smile turning into a grin. “Are you concerned about cavities, Mr. Carson? If I were you, I'd be more concerned with knives or nooses.”
“Not funny,” I tell him, but he chuckles. Clearly, we have different senses of humor. I imagine Church's is much darker than mine. He's probably the sort to laugh at a funeral. He just smiles at me so prettily, crinkling up his eyes at the corners as he leaves me at the door to my first class.
Just as I'm about to walk in, one of the other boys steps up behind me and cuts a hole in the bottom of my backpack, spilling all my stuff on the floor.
Including some of my tampons.
I'm about to start my period, so I had a few with me …
My cheeks go bright red as the boys howl with laughter, and one of them picks one up off the floor, opening it and letting it dangle by the string.
“Whoa there, Carson,” one of the guys says with a laugh. I notice Eugene standing in the background, snickering with the others. “You got a fucking vagina or something?” The asshole holding the tampon chucks it at my face, and I catch it in mid-air.
“I have a girlfriend, dickhead. I'm sure I'm getting more action than you.” The words fall out of my mouth before I can stop them, and several of the boys sneer at me like the thought of me speaking up is just the last freaking straw.
“The hell did you say to me, you little shit?” the first boy shoves me so hard that I stumble back, tripping on my stuff and falling to my ass in front of him.
I should stay quiet, maybe cower, and hope he goes away.
Instead, all this crap that's been happening to me recently sends me into a frenzy. I'm up and on my feet, throwing myself at him before I can think better of it. The other boys stand back and watch, like this is some stupid rite of passage or something.
My fist goes flying, but the boy just sidesteps me, giving a sharp, aggressive grin before he comes at me, throwing a punch right at my face that I just know is going to break my nose. Or at least bloody it. I grimace, throwing my arms up and knowing it's already too late.
But then there's a flash of movement, and nothing happens.
When I crack my eyes open and drop my arms, I see Church standing there, cool and calm, his palm curled around the other boy's fist. Slowly, carefully, he releases him and the other guy steps back.