"I know, I know," he says, holding his hands up in defeat. "I'm not saying you're an idiot or anything."
"Right, so what are you saying?"
"That you're about to piss a lot of people off."
I can't help but laugh. "Yeah, that's half the fun. The Panthers have no clue what's about to hit them."
"Coach is gonna be pissed you missed today."
"Probably. He'll get over it."
Turning away from him, I open my bag and start pulling my clothes out, ready to find homes for them.
"How was your first day seeing as you were the only one who made it?"
"It was good. Different."
"Most places are, compared to Harrow Creek High," I mutter, thinking of the jungle we've all thankfully left behind.
Ellis and Ezra have only just graduated, whereas I've been out of that shithole for over a year now after retaking my senior year.
I should have been here a year ago, but life got in the way in the form of my brother getting a one-way ticket to juvie for a year and I had other things aside than my own future to think about.
But a year later, and I'm ready to take Maddison Kings by storm, or more importantly, their championship winning football team.
A smile curls at my lips as I think about the reactions I'm going to get tomorrow when I walk into the locker rooms to join the team.
As far as I know, Coach Butler hasn't announced my impending arrival.
I can almost picture the look on the Dunns faces in my mind and it sends a thrill shooting down my spine.
Those fuckers walked all over the Harriers every single game we played in high school. Not to mention they took a certain golden-skinned beauty under their wing after she left Harrow Creek.
Anger burns through me as I think about her and how we left things at that party last year. It was never my intention to let her go like I did. But the second the sirens started and the sound of everyone fleeing from the house filtered down to us, I had no choice but to run with them.
If I knew what was going to unfold, I might have done things a little differently.
I sigh, dropping to the end of my bed as I think about leaving Kyle behind in our home in Rosewood to follow my dream of college football.
He's eighteen now, more than capable of looking after himself but without any other family, it's my job to worry about him.
Thanks to his stint in juvie, he's retaking his senior year as well. He's already secured his place playing for the Rosewood Bears and has even scored vice-captain.
I can only hope I can get my new ball career off to such a flying start. I think it might be wishful thinking.
"You okay?" Ellis asks, startling me. I'd totally forgotten he was watching me.
"Yeah, just worried about Kyle."
"He'll be fine. Plus, he's got his girl with him, right?"
"Yeah," I say with a laugh, thinking of Baby Hunter.
Trust my fucking brother to fall in love with the sister of the girl who's ruined my life. I know I've done plenty of bad things in my twenty years, but fuck karma, she really is a bitch.
"He's a good kid, he'll be fine," Ellis says as if they're not the same age.
"He is," I agree. Juvie wasn't his fault.
Okay, so yeah, his pockets were full of blow and he was found with a drugged girl in his arms. But neither were his fault.
My fists curl as I think of the one responsible for everything that night.
"You want my notes from our business class earlier?"
"You mind?" I ask, glad to have something else to think about than everything we've left behind.
"Get yourself sorted then come find me. I can't help with the others though, you'll need some other sucker for that."
I think about the other class that I missed today. When it became apparent that I wasn't going to make it this morning, I sent an apology email to my professors spouting some bullshit about food poisoning and my sincere apologies. I have no idea if they bought it, and I don't really give a shit, to be honest. One has replied with his presentation and information on the first assignment but I have yet to hear from the others. Probably not a good sign.
I make quick work of putting my clothes away before dropping my books to my desk and plugging my charger in by the side of the queen-sized bed.
The room isn't much. It's the smallest of all the ones in this house but I can't complain seeing as I don't actually have to pay for it, well not with actual money anyway.
I glance around the small room. The walls are dark gray, the dresser, bedframe, nightstand, and small desk are all black and there's a cracked mirror in the corner, I'm hoping that the bad luck that came with that left with the room's previous resident because hell knows I've had enough bad luck to last a lifetime.
With a notebook and a pen in hand, I leave my room behind and go in search of Ellis. He's probably the only Harris brother that deserves his place here at MKU but thanks to who their father is, both Devin and Ezra have found themselves here, along with me, although their intentions for this experience vary hugely from mine.
I want a future. A chance.
They're having their puppet strings pulled by their father.
"Hit me with it," I say, dropping down onto Ellis's bed, ready to embark on this whole college thing.
I sit bolt upright in bed the next morning the second my alarm starts blaring from my cell on the nightstand.
It's still dark and my brain fights to come to life and remember why the hell I need to be awake so early.
Hell, right now I don’t even know where I am.
It’s not an unusual feeling after the past couple of years, and one I’m hoping to see the back of soon.
Glancing around in the darkness, realization sets in and a smile begins to twitch at my lips.
Today’s the first day of the rest of my life. The first day of putting Victor Harris and his demanding, controlling ways behind me and embarking on the life I’ve always dreamed of.
With my body suddenly on board with the situation, I throw the covers off, drag on a pair of shorts followed by the MKU Panthers jersey I ordered when all of this was set into place. I needed a reminder that everything could turn out as it should after all the shit.
Shoving my feet into my sneakers, I throw my duffel over my shoulder and make my way down to the kitchen.
I make myself a quick protein shake and throw a couple of bottles of water into my bag before heading out.
The house is still in silence behind me as I pull the front door closed.
Turning the key in my old Nissan Skyline, I turn the volume up and back out of the driveway, my thumb tapping the wheel along with the beat.
There’s a lightness to my body that I haven’t felt in… forever.
I know what’s to come isn’t going to be straightforward. I’m aware that the chances of being welcomed to the team with open arms and wide smiles is unlikely but knowing there’s fuck-all Luca Dunn or any of the others can do about it makes it that much sweeter.
The drive to the training facility is short and by the time I’m pulling to a stop beside the other cars already in the lot, excitement is buzzing through my veins.
I jog to the door and wrench it open, stepping through and breathing in the scent of the slightly overpowering air freshener they use, I assume to cover up the smell of the sweaty guys who are constantly filling the space.