Page 17 of Unbidden

“Would it be foolish of me to ask you to try and stay out of trouble today?”

“Is that even a question?” I ask as if we’ve known each other for years instead of days.

She lets out a heavy sigh. “I figured as much, but thought I would give it a valiant effort.” She shrugs before smiling at me. “Well, let’s go fuck shit up, then. If we’re going to do this, we do it together.”

“Victoria.” I grab her hand before she can slide out. “You don’t have to get involved in my shit. I can promise you I won’t purposefully start something, but I won’t bite my tongue if someone else does. I’m not built that way. It doesn’t have to be who you are though. This is your home. This is just a stopping point for me.”

She squeezes my hand. “That’s not how this works, S. I got your back. If they mess with you, they mess with me. If you get into shit, I’m right behind you. It’s just how it is.”

I want to say more, but she jumps out of the car before I can.

As I slide out, my eyes are drawn to a group standing by a black Escalade. Both Yates brothers are there, along with Tinsley and two other boys I recognize but haven’t had the pleasure of meeting.

One of the boys is in my AP English class. All dark hair and dark eyes with a brooding look. The other I believe was in the crowd the day before when Ingram mouthed off to me. He has sandy-blond hair that looks like he just ran his hands through it.

Damn, all four of them are gorgeous.

My internal thoughts are interrupted when I hear my name.

“Sage. Victoria.”

I meet Reed’s eyes before glancing next to him at Tinsley.

“Oh boy,” Victoria mutters before pulling me with her over to the group. “I love that lipstick, Tins. What color is it?”

“Pink plaid by Mac.”

“It looks great on you. Right, Sage?” Victoria asks, including me in the conversation.

It does not escape my notice that I have the attention of all four boys.

“It does. It really highlights your green eyes.” I give her a small smile, looking around for an exit.

“Coming from you, maybe that should be an insult,” the boy with dark hair says.

“Sterling!” Tinsley narrows her eyes at him. “Stop being a dick.”

I wave it off. “It’s fine. Whatever he’s trying to insinuate doesn’t affect me.”

“He wasn’t insinuating anything. He was pointing out that hearing your makeup looks good from a whore is probably not a good thing.” Reed’s voice brings my eyes back to him.

“Oh yeah. I forgot I’m a whore.” I roll my eyes at him. “How original.” I turn to Tinsley. “You do look great, Tins,” I say, using the nickname I heard Victoria use before. “You look beautiful. Don’t let these immature fucks tell you any different.”

I reach out and squeeze her arm before turning to Victoria. “I’m going to hit the library. Catch you later.”

I don’t bother looking at the others. Day two is already starting off well. I only hope it doesn’t get any worse.

Minutes later, after dropping my books off at my locker, I make my way to the library. I smile at Mrs. Lincoln as I walk in.

“Ms. Miller, great to see you again. Can I help you find anything?”

A real smile fills my face. “No thank you. I thought I would just get acquainted with the shelves. I have a feeling I’ll be spending a lot of time in here.”

“You’re welcome anytime. Let me know if you need anything at all.”

I smile again before turning and walking down one of the aisles. I can’t help but reach my hand out and trail my fingers down the spines. Books have always been comforting to me. My mom encouraged my reading, often letting me check ten books out of the library at a time. Once I was old enough to take myself, I spent many hours at the public library while my mom worked.

I had some friends to hang out with, but I always preferred spending time with a book over any of them.

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