Chapter One
Blakely
It’s five minutes into first period, and I still have no car keys.
I fluff my hair in the vanity mirror one last time, my mind focused on my disobedient part-line.
I quickly make my way downstairs.
“Esme!” I shout, swinging around and bumping into our petite housekeeper, “Did you…” I stop when I see my keys dangling from her hand. I snatch them up and dash for the door. “I have to go.”
I’m already on Mrs. Tate’s bad side. Not that I care much, but I would like to try and avoid another lunch detention spent studying the atmosphere.
As for her opinion of me, that's no secret. I know that most of the staff at Redwood High think that I’m nothing but a spoiled brat.
I learned at a young age that if you want something, then you have to fight for it, no matter what the cost. That’s how I’ve lived my life, fighting—against my so-called friends, against authority, but mostly against myself. I know what I want and I don’t let anyone get in my way.
My life has been a series of unfortunate events that have shaped me into the person I am today. My parents throw money at me and my little brother to make us go away so that Dad can drink and work his life away, and so that Mom can feast on his wealth and social status, or whatever man bats an eye at her that week. On the outside, we are the essence of luxury. Our family name is well-known, but no one knows what happens when the curtains are drawn. My little brother and I have learned about life on our own, our role models not exactly exemplary.
Slamming my locker shut as the metal meets with a creak, I walk casually to first period. I’m already late, so what’s the rush? Mrs. Tate will mark me tardy again, threatening lunch detention, and Mom will get another call interrupting her precious morning while she gossips with her stuck-up friends over coffee. Boo-fucking-hoo.
I run my hand down the grooves of the white brick wall until I reach the spirit week graffiti, stopping to admire the beauty of all things Levi Maddox, aka my homecoming date, and also the captain of the football team. His gorgeous face looks back at me in the poster of the entire Ravens team. I smile back, but I’m interrupted by an obnoxious deep voice—one that may send butterflies quivering through the stomachs of the hormonal girls of Redwood High, but turns bile in mine.
His jet black hair really brings out his sun kissed skin. “Ms. Porter, don’t you have somewhere to be?” Principal Somers asks, as he continues to walk through the hall.
I fight back a groan. “Don't you have somewhere to be?” I retort with a glare. He continues to walk in the opposite direction, so I raise my voice a little louder. “Should I expect you this weekend? After all, my Dad is out of town until Sunday.” My voice echoes through the hall, and although he doesn’t respond, I know he heard me.
Ever since I caught him sneaking out of the guesthouse two months ago, he’s been... let’s say... awkward. It wouldn’t have been so bad if Mom didn’t walk out fluffing her hair five minutes later. Principal Somers is now on a short leash.
I walk into class, and Mrs. Tate has already started her lecture on Greek mythology.
“Blakely, tardy again. That’s twice this month. One more and it’s lunch detention.”
“Uh huh.” I take my seat and look over to find Knox staring me down with disapproval. Knox and I have been best friends and neighbors since we were kids. He’s my person, one who knows me better than myself, despite the fact that we’re complete opposites. He’s more reserved, where I’m outgoing and loud, often embarrassing him with my assertiveness and vulgarity—yet, he remains my best friend because he doesn’t have a choice in the matter. This is the only class we have together since he’s only a junior and I’m a senior. We usually walk together, but I was running behind this morning when Esme misplaced my car keys. Well, I misplaced them, she just took too long to find them.
“Who can tell me how many constellations there are?” Mrs. Tate asks the class, and I know damn well she’s going to call on me, simply because I haven’t started taking notes yet. “Jasper.”
Jasper, who the hell is Jasper? I follow the direction of her stare and look directly behind me. Gorgeous, and hot as hell. He looks like trouble—like someone who could suck me in and spit me out without giving it a second thought.
“Eighty-eight.” He responds, with his eyes still on me, an expression of annoyance plastered on his face. I take a moment to examine his sharp jawline—one that could chisel ice and still hold its perfect form, the dark hair that matches his dark eyes that probably lead to a dark soul. This is someone I have to stay far away from. He twists his face, furrowing his brows in displeasure. I turn back around and sink into my seat.
“That’s correct.” Mrs. Tate continues, “Blakely, you could learn a thing or two from your partner.”
“Partner,” I spit. Glancing behind my shoulder, a shit eating grin replacing his indignant look.
My face falls into my hands, and I turn my head slightly to look at Knox. “Sorry,” I mouth.
We had planned on partnering up for this project. Serves me right for being late. In my defense, he’s better off. I would have more than likely had him do all the work anyway.
I can feel the air move as Jasper leans forward in his chair. “You’re a lucky girl,” He breathes into my neck.
I hold my focus on the front of the classroom, “And, why is that exactly?”
“Because I get to show you the stars.”
“What crappy romance novel did you step out of?” I turn around to face him, but he leans back in his seat, straightening his face and taking notes again as Mrs. Tate continues her lecture.
I let out a sigh, sinking further into my chair.
After hearing the constant tap of Mrs. Tate’s shoes against the marbled floors, class is dismissed. I close my blank notebook and head out in the hall to meet up with Knox.
“What the hell, Blakely?” He grumbles as we walk to his locker.
“I’m sorry, I completely forgot that partners were getting assigned today. Who did you get?”
“Harper.” He sighs, as her name rolls off his tongue.
I can’t help but laugh. I may be a slacker, but I still have more brain cells than that girl. Poor guy. “I’m sorry,” I say again.
“It is what it is, but you’re the one who’s going to be sorry. You’re partnered with the biggest douchebag in the school.”
“Jasper? Isn’t he new?”
“Yeah, he is.” Knox says, shutting his locker and walking with me, since his next class is on the way.
We make our way through the crowded halls overflowing with students. Knox gets a few pats on the back as his classmates wish him luck for Friday’s game.
“How did he claim that title so soon?”
“He may be new to Redwood, but he’s not new to me. He is... well, he was, the Las Verdes starting quarterback and none other than, Isaac’s son and my new housemate.”
“That’s Isaac’s son?” My eyes widen. I knew his mom’s boyfriend and son would be moving in, but I didn’t expect it to happen so soon.
“Yep, and the minute he stepped foot in the door, he had a chip on his shoulder. Acting like we all owe him something.”