Page 16 of Steel & Jenna
The girl’s impatient expression instantly changed to one of superiority. She sat up straighter, the action pushing her enlarged bosom out even more. Jenna’s meager B-cups didn’t even compare. “Perfect. We’re going to bebestfriends. My name is Mindy, but you should already know that. I basically run this school. You’re only a sophomore, which is unfortunate, but don’t worry, I’ll vouch for you with the others.” She leaned over some like she was divulging a secret, yet she was speaking loud enough for most of the class to hear. “They’ll listen to meor else.”
Jenna bit her tongue to keep from asking, “Or else what?” because she really didn’t want to know.
This girl was shallow, petty, and clearly had a superiority complexa mile wide. Jenna didn’t want to be anywhere nearer to her than she had to be.
“I heard Principal Foote assigned Jack Duncan to escort you around today. Don’t worry about that. I’ll do it now.” Mindy said it with a trace of martyrdom, like she was sacrificing her life to the cause. “There’s no reason to make your life harder by committing social suicide by being seen with the likes of Jack Duncan.”
And yet, Mindy knew his name. From experience, Jenna knew that the students who truly didn’t matter in the social hierarchy went unknown. They were present, but no one knew or remembered their name. Sometimes, not even the teachers.
Jenna’s spine stiffened. In the five minutes that she’d been involved in this conversation, Jenna knew which of the two she’d rather have escort her around on her first day. Her inner woman even added her two cents:for the rest of her life.
“I appreciate that, but I’ll be just fine with Jack.”
Mindy’s eyes narrowed just slightly. Were she anyone else than her father’s daughter, Jenna had a feeling that Mindy’s sweet façade would have fallen completely at the rejection. “Trust me,” she said with a slight sneer. “Jack Duncan is not the sort you want to be seen with, especially on your first day. No one else will want to talk to you. And if he’s anything like his father, then your life might even be in danger just by being around him. I’m doing youa favor.”
A favor Mindy would no doubt be expecting repayment for. Jenna had played this social game her entire life, in and out of school. There was nothing Mindy was throwing at her that she hadn’t already dodged or been subjected to.
But Mindy’s words about Jack did catch her attention. Though she wanted to ask what Mindy meant, she knew better than to. Mindy’s view would clearly be twisted towards her cause. Regardless of his father’s supposed sins, Jenna would rather hear about it from Jack than Mindy. She’d seen how he was with his little sister. That was proof enough in her eyes that he was not evil, even if his father was.
Though Mindy’s comment about his father did fit what she knew or suspected about his life. Something clearly was going on since itappeared Jack was raising his little sister more than their parents were.
“I’ll take my chances,” Jenna told Mindy. Then, to solidify her point, Jenna faced forward once more. She pulled her pencil out of the binding of her notebook to start taking notes. The teacher—Jenna had missed his name—was already launching into an explanation of what lessons they would cover over the year and what to expect on their midterm and final exams.
“His fatherkilledhis mother,” Mindy sneered at her.
Shocked at those words, Jenna’s head snapped to the side to look at Mindy.
The blonde nodded, that air of superiority like an aura around her. She leaned back a little in her chair as her face drooped into the fakest pout Jenna had ever seen. She even blinked her eyes like she was trying to clear away non-existent tears. “It was so sad. The entire town knows he did it too, but no one will arrest him. They say he buried her body in the backyard of theirtrailer.” The last word was spit out with venom, completely contradicting Mindy’s sorrowful demeanor.
Even if that was true, that only made Jenna feel sorry for Jack, not scared of him. Jenna came from a life of privilege and her family was whole. Despite how she didn’t fit into her mother’s perfect view of a debutant life or how much her mother wished Jenna was more outgoing, Jenna had never doubted her mom’s love for her or her sister. In fact, it was that love that made both her parents so overprotective and driven, wanting to provide the best life for their daughters. To lose a parent…
Jenna winced. She couldn’t even fathom a life without her mom. To have one parentmurderthe other? Unimaginable.
Though Jenna did not reply to Mindy’s accusation about Jack’s family, the other girl preened as if she’d won a battle. “Ask him, if you don’t believe me. I’ll give you to the end of the day to decide who you want your friends to be at this school.” Mindy shifted herself forward as if she was going to start paying attention in class. “Believe me, youdon’tnot want me as your friend.”
The ultimatum was clear, the line drawn in the sand.
But it didn’t matter. Jenna’s heart had already made the decision for her.
P.E. was sucha waste of time and the hour felt even longer because it was an hour away from Jenna. Having a crush on a girl wasn’t new to him, but this feltmore. Just more. Of everything: important, permanent, life altering… He couldn’t get out of his head how she’d stood up for him against Foote. No one had ever stood up for him before. Not even his mother when she’d been around.
It was a feeling he wasn’t sure he should get used to. As strong and fast as his feelings were for Jenna, he had to wonder just how long they would last. From her.
Right now, she was new to the school, a stranger. She was leaning on him because he was the only other student she knew. What happened when others started to talk to her, to influence her? What happened when she learned just how low on the totem pole his family was in this town?
She was the daughter of a very influential man. Her shoes likely had more value to them than his entire cardboard box of clothing, plus what he was wearing now.
As irreversible as his feelings for her felt, that didn’t mean hers were just as binding. What happened when she walked away from him, just like his mom had?
Maybe it was better to stop before they got started. Jack was still sour about that kiss being interrupted in the hallway, but maybe it was a good thing it had.
Hell, he couldn’t even afford new shoes. When the P.E. assessment tests started the next day, he was dreading his results. Maybe he should just get a new pair anyway. Hehadpromised Lilly he would and now he had a little extra cash since Mrs. Zarin had paid for Lilly’s lunches. But shouldn’t that money go towards his own lunch or be put back into his savings for Lilly’s future?
Looking down at his sneakers, he knew they were only going to get worse. They were barely any protection as they were now and winter was coming. If his dad didn’t pay the propane bill soon, they weren’t going to have heat either. He’d need shoes to keep his feet warm at night, too.
Decision made, Jack resolved to skip eating lunch and to use the money towards a winter coat for Lilly and shoes for him. Since he didn’t have detention now after school, he could pick Lilly up, get them to the thrift store, and still make it back in time to mow a lawn before the sun set. He also needed to try Mr. Barlow again, because the old manstillhadn’t paid Jack for mowing his lawn on Saturday.
The thought of getting Lilly a winter coat and him shoes should have brightened his mindset, but it didn’t. He craved Jenna like a drug, wanting to not only be near her but to claim her, own her. To know without a shadow of a doubt that she washis.
