Page 1 of Maddox
Chapter 1
Delaney
Over how many centuries have bells signaled the harbinger of doom? More than I can recite since history is not my favorite subject. This one will no doubt go down in infamy though.
With a silent sigh, I gather my things, a lump forming in my belly.
“See ya later, Delaney.”
“Later,” I say, summoning a smile which fades as soon as Lana exits the classroom.
I’m not going to the game. I probably should have told someone on the team, but Becky has been sniffing after me since her supposed boyfriend tried to get in my pants.
I have bigger issues than whether the douche with a constant boner wants what he can’t have while Becky takes it out on me. I mean, have some self-freaking-respect.
I know she’s gunning for me, but I just don’t have the energy to fight over stupid shit. Joey—my dad—drank away the rent again and under the circumstances, I need to make some money, not that any of them would understand.
Tonight is our last game and after that, I’m done with Cheer altogether. Unless I miraculously get into a college at the last minute with a team and a sport worth cheering for.
The odds of which are pretty much zero since I never applied and with the way things are going, I wouldn’t be able to afford it anyway.
Now, I’m more concerned about the deal I made with the devil. To say I’ve been dreading this would be an understatement but money talks and now I guess I have to walk the walk.
Still, I’ve avoided Draven Montgomery since the seventh grade when she cornered me in a bathroom and threatened to rip my heart out and eat it, while it was still beating, no less.
The semantics didn’t matter, she was dead serious. I still have no idea what inspired her rage and now I’m going to help her with her math—the irony.
Luckily, the library is next door, but it still takes me a few minutes to reach the back of the stacks where she directed me.
Students push past as I walk on lead feet. Maybe I should just suck it up and quit school altogether. It’s not like I have time to studyandwork.
Without the prospect of going to college, I wouldn’t be losing much, except a graduation certificate, I suppose.
However, despite running away in the middle of the night and refusing to come home, I still feel obligated to finish because I know my mom and Peter would be disappointed if I didn’t.
Setting aside the sting that settles in my chest at the thought of my parents, I focus on my task. Draven has only gotten tougher and wilder since our showdown, which means I am possibly the stupidest person on the planet.
Still, I picture my goal as I suck in a breath before pushing through the doors…catch up on the fucking bills the old man can’t seem to manage and save, save, save.
This is what sends me closer to Draven when nothing else could.
It’s laughable, really. Last year my biggest worry was whether my butt looks big in my cheer outfit, now I’m about to tutor the devil.
Images of Becky’s expression complete with a sneer dance over my vision as I approach.
Which would my so-called friend find more offensive? That I’m skipping a game to tutor the badass who broke her nose two years ago, or that I’m now poor and desperate enough to do it?
Since I don’t spend much time here, I pause just inside to admire the stained-glass window creating a brilliant mosaic of colors on the gleaming hardwood floor.
My pleasure fades though when I round the corner and see Draven, seated at a table by the window.
Her head of silky blonde hair, dyed a deep purple hue, is bent toward her phone. She’s tapping her foot, currently encased in black combat boots with different colored laces on each foot.
Her fingers, tapping away at the screen, glitter with rings and I stumble when she glances up taking in my cheer uniform with a curl of her lip.
Smoothing my features into what I hope is not the freaked-out expression I know would be there under normal circumstances, I drop my bag in the seat across from her and sit down beside it.
Her dark eyes, accentuated by thick purple makeup, search my face before she purses her matching lips.
