Page 12 of G.O.D.S Omnibus

The hallways are filled with students rushing to class. I get a magnitude of stares as I pass, especially from the girls. Has word travelled that fast of my morning activities? Of course, it has. That is how I met Jimmie.

“This is your class,” he says, stopping outside of an empty room. “If you want, I can meet you for lunch.”

“Sure, sounds good. See you then.”

He smiles and waves, running off towards his own class.

I’m one of the first in my form class, so I walk past the teacher while he nods and tells me to take a seat. I find one in the second row, closest to the right-hand side of the room. The tables are arranged in rows of eight, a gap to either side allowing students to get out.

A beautiful strawberry blonde takes a seat beside me, looking refreshingly innocent. “Hi, I’m Sinclair.”

“Jolie.”

She holds out her hand and we awkwardly shake.

“Nice to meet you. I heard you made quite an entrance this morning.” She smiles as she talks. “It’s about time someone stood up to them. They think they rule this school.”

I go to reply, but I’m cut short when Laughn sits on my desk.

“We don’tthinkwe own the school, We know it.”

Rolling my eyes, I attempt to ignore him, hoping he will go away.

“I think we’re going to be BFTFs.”

I look at Laughn as if he has grown a second head. So much for trying to ignore him.

“What now?” I ask, confused. I’m not good at acronyms.

“Best friends that fuck,” he announces to the whole class, and laughter fills the room.

“Laughn, take your seat so we can get on with it,” the teacher admonishes. He salutes the teacher and takes his seat. “We have a new student today. Jolie, why don’t you introduce yourself?”

Having learned over the years that it is just easier to do as they ask, I stand. “I’m Jolie. Pretty sure you will all hate me—most people do after a while. I’m a foster kid from the wrong side of the tracks. The Myers family has been gracious enough to take pity on me for the next few months. What else...”

“You’re a crazy bitch that smashes expensive-ass cars.”

Cutting a scathing look at the kid that just spoke, I retort, “Take that as a lesson learned on Laughn’s behalf to never touch a woman unless you have consent.”

“A good lesson indeed,” the teacher says, and I take my seat again.

“Baby, the lessons have only just begun.”

The teacher shushes Laughn and goes on with the morning notices. Nothing too drastic. Nothing that applies to me. Form only lasts ten minutes and then we are dismissed to head to our first class. Sinclair walks out with me.

“What class do you have next?” she asks, falling into step with me.

“English.”

“Same. So, you’re staying with the Myers family. I couldn’t imagine having to stay there. Boston may look reserved, but he’s the worst. They’re all bad.”

“They have met their match with me. I’m only really acquainted with Boston, Laughn, and Marlow.”

“The other two are Davis and Case. Case is the one with the tattoo on his jaw and big stretchers in his ears, and he has a slight punk cross serial killer vibe. Davis is the boy next door that murders you in your sleep.”

So Case is the one that poor, innocent girl has a crush on, and I spat in his face.

“That is an awesome way to describe them.” I grin at her. “I would love to hear your thoughts on the others.”

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