Page 22 of Bad Kind of Love

CHAPTER FIVE

Jack

It’s funny how life works. After six long years, my past comes back to haunt me, but in a more cruel torturous way than I expected. I would have much rather been tied up and beaten than to see her.

Again.

The minute she tumbled into my classroom and our eyes met, I recognized her. But oddly enough, she couldn’t seem to remember me. Perhaps in her nightmares she’d remember me, but now, all she could see was her new teacher.

As I took her in, staring longer than I should have, I came to the conclusion that she wasn’t the same little girl I remembered from that night. She was all grown up now. Soft blonde hair that rested just below her breasts, full lips and the small beauty mark just above her cupid's bow. She was going to be a problem, a huge one, if I didn’t keep my distance. And that was my plan, avoid her at all costs even if it meant being a dick.

That day I found out her name was Becca.

Becca O’Connor.

A tainted last name that only reminded me of thieves and liars.

After a few uneventful weeks went by, I was starting to feel hopeful that the school year was going to go smoothly until one morning I caught a pair of snooping eyes connected with mine. I was beyond livid, but she ran off before I could confront her. As I waited in class for her arrival, she didn’t come through the door until one minute before the bell rang. Even though my back was to her, I could still feel her presence as she scurried to the back of the room. Hearing a loud commotion, I quickly spun around and saw Becca grasping onto her desk with her legs behind her as if she fell. My eyes immediately drifted down to the stretched out foot in the middle of the aisle, and the short brunette who was giggling her ass off.

All I saw was red.

Hot, red rage coursed through me as I watched other students join in, laughing at Becca as she pulled herself up.

“Do we have a problem, ladies?” It comes out rough as I glance over Becca who’s watching me with fire in her eyes.

“Nope.” The brunette, whose name I forget, says a little too eagerly. “We’re all good.”

Peering over at Becca, then back to the brunette, I quickly spin around before I let my anger get the best of me. My fists unclench, and I let the blood circulate back to my hand.

I wasn’t her savior. If anything, I was the villain, not much different than the bitch that tripped Becca. But I was worse, the things I’ve done would make Al Capone look like a saint. After an hour of avoiding a certain blonde who made it a habit to disturb my class, the bell rang and she perked out of her chair, rushing for the door.

“O’Connor.” The words sting my tongue as I call out to her. She stops almost immediately with her back facing me. From behind, I take in her strange outfit. A baggy long sleeve tee that looked two sizes too big for her and a pair of shredded up jeans that apparently went through a blender before she put them on. Her shoes on the other hand were in worse condition than her pants.

“Yes?” It comes out more as a sigh.

“Stay.” I avert my eyes from her back, watching as the students who are walking out of class are chuckling. Once the last student leaves, I stare straight through her back, frustrated she’s not turning around to face me.

Time to face the music, sweetheart.

She slowly turns around with a worried grimace, ready for my attack. Little does she know I don’t strike immediately, I stalk my prey till I know they're at their weakest, then when they least expect it, I go in for the kill.

“Listening in on phone calls would get you killed where I come from.”

Her shocked gasp says it all. Lifting her head, she meets my stare. “I…I wasn’t…” She stumbles over her words as I rise to my feet.

“Spying?” I answer, circling around the desk, keeping my eyes on her. Her feet stay planted, but I can tell she wants to run off again. Brushing her bangs out of her face, I can tell she’s uncomfortable being alone with me.

I wouldn’t blame her.

“No, of course not. I was just… passing the classroom when you saw me.” She lies, horrible if I must say. She darts out her tongue, brushing it against her lower lip and my eyes follow the innocent gesture. She was a cute kid when I first laid eyes on her, but now, she was all woman. Even behind those baggy ass shirts she wore, you could tell she had a curvy figure. And she had a face that would bring a man to his knees with a simple smile.

Finally realizing I’m drooling over my student, I drop my eyes. “Don’t let those girls mess with you.” I change the subject and by the sour look on her face, I can tell she didn’t appreciate the advice.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She scowls curling her lip.

Pushing off my desk, I make sure to skim past her with an irritated frown. “I’m neither deaf nor blind. I see and hear everything that happens in and outside of this school.”

High schoolers think they’re discreet when they gossip, but anyone with two ears could listen in. Plus, you can’t trust anyone with a secret nowadays. Rumors fly around this fucking school like the flu.

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