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Part of me hesitates, but in the end, I don’t bother to mention the ones who kicked me down in the first place, knowing there’s nothing the school can do for me on that front—especially after one incident, and when I can’t name the perpetrators. I didn’t get a look at the person who pushed me from the back, or at the one who moved their feet under me. The best I have is the asshole who called me a bitch, and no one’s going to take actions about kids spewing names. Besides, none of them are the problem.
Part of me wonders whether I should spill everything, though. Today was bullying, and I get the feeling it’ll only be the beginning unless I can somehow put a stop to it. But it’s their word against mine, and they have more friends than I do. And if, by some sort of miracle, consequences are enforced for the ones who hurt me today, it’s likely to rally all their friends against me. I know how this game works. I’ve seen it often enough with Sophia. Ms. Casey can’t help me with my peers. She can, however, make sure the teachers don’t mess up my transcript to please four jerks with deep pockets and shallow souls.
Her smile becomes even more awkward, and she takes a sip from her mug before clearing her throat. “Nadia, swearing is something we take very seriously here at Cross and Roses. It’s hardly surprising Mr. Pierson was upset at hearing such language in his office.” I open my mouth to reply, but she holds her hand up to stop me. “And it sounds like Mr. Pierson did offer you an escort—just not one of your choosing.”
Bull. Shit.
At least this time, I don’t say it out loud, but my eyes spell it out. Ms. Casey holds my gaze unwaveringly.
“You’re a smart kid, Nadia.” She sips more coffee. “With a bright future. Don’t throw it away on high school drama.”
“I came to you because I’m trying to secure my future.” My teeth grit, though I do my best to contain my anger. “It’s day one of school, I’m hurt, I got detention, and my teacher is picking on me for no valid reason. That’s not okay. My uncle is paying five figures a year to guarantee I go to a school without that sort of…” I want to say shit. Instead, I settle on, “Nonsense.”
“Do you know much about this school, Ms. Reyes?”
I’m no longer Nadia now. I shrug. “I’ve attended it for two years without issues such as this, so far.”
“I meant the history of Cross and Roses. It’s quite fascinating. You see, it was founded by Sylvester Cross some eighty years ago. He and his wife, Briar, were quite prolific—nine children, a year or two apart. They both worked, and quite successfully so in their respective industries. As you can imagine, things got a little chaotic at home, no matter how many governesses they employed.”
I really wish I knew why she thought I’d fucking care, but I knew better than to interrupt her.
“So they decided to ship their children off. There were plenty of boarding schools at the time, but the Crosses were quite particular. Only the best of the best for their precious babies. They chatted with a handful of their friends and business partners, all of whom felt the same way. The following year, this place was built.” Her eyes went skyward. “The administrative building was the original school. It expanded over the years, but in the beginning, there were only about fifty children, from thirteen families. The Crosses, of course, and the Montgomerys, the Fullers, the Cushmans…”
My jaw tightens when I understand her point as she names a few of the legacies.
She knows.
Somehow, she knows the mess I’m in right now is coming fromthem. Which means that the assholes’ reach goes further than I anticipated.
I won’t find any help here.
I twist on my chair. So now what? Should I change schools? Fuck. How did everything go so wrong, so fucking fast.
I open my mouth and close it again, thinking through what I need to say as Ms. Casey looks at me, eyes filled with sorrow. I don’t get the impression she wants to be cruel. But she won’t help me either. “So what would you suggest I do?”
She perks up, smiling at me again, more genuine this time. “Well, as you’re here, you could pop into Mr. Clark’s office and speak about what you can do in that free period to pad your transcript, yes?”
She can’t be serious. I have bigger problems right now.
Ms. Casey narrows her eyes on me intently. “See, if there’s one thing no one can take from you, it’s achievements. You historically have a good attendance record, decent grades outside of science, and enough extracurricular activities to make you worth a second look. Keep it up.”
I read between the lines.
She’s telling me this year is screwed for me, but with my eyes on the prize, I can get out of here with what I need. Admittance to a college of my choosing.
In the meantime, I’m supposed to suck it up.
Fuck.
CHAPTER TEN
The last week fucking sucked.
There was a mix-up because Sophiawastold we’d be roommates yesterday morning, but when she turned up after school, she’d been paired with a sophomore wannabe it girl. She was pissed, and after the day I had I couldn’t deal with the series of rants she sent, so I ignored her to take a nap. I woke up to over a hundred messages I didn’t even bother trying to read. In the morning, she gave me the cold shoulder in the bus.
Justgreat.
Tuesday, I walked in to find my locker spray-painted with dicks and the word “whore”—because high school bullies areoh so mature—and then I had to endure Cain and Jason’s presence at my back later, knowing they were behind it.
