Page 52 of Wicked Elites

Since the doctors had classified what the girls had done as sexual assault, the headmistress would expel them. Despite what Cormac implied about Mrs. Benazir and what Corrine had said in her diary about the woman’s love of money, I was sure she wouldn’t prioritize tuition fees over justice.

The bell for the third period rang, and students rushed out of the doors. A few boys caught sight of me and approached, their eyes shining with mirth.

“Sooo-eeey!” said one boy.

“Miss Piggy,” cried another.

I raised my head and continued through the hallway. Jeers and taunts wouldn’t break me. Not when Mrs. Benazir dangled a financial carrot that could solve all my problems.

Two years, I told myself. Two years of this shit hole, and I’d get six A-star grades in my A-Level exams and the prestige of having studied at the foremost academy within the Elite Register. Then I’d apply for sponsorship from a large company or any universities that offered generous bursaries.

My grades were better than any of these people, and no amount of taunts would drag me down.

Bruce rushed up to me and stepped in my path. “Willow, isn’t it?”

I walked around him, but he blocked my way.

His face split into a wide grin. “Your sister didn’t tell me you were so kinky. If I’d have known you would do anything for attention, the boys and I would have given you a good spit roasting.”

“I like a good rump steak, myself!” Someone slapped my ass, making me flinch.

“Leave her alone.” A tall, black-haired boy shoved through the crowd. “Do you need an escort through the hallways? I’m your man… as long as you shoot pork ribs out of your pussy like you did for the queens.”

Heat and bile and shame rushed to the back of my throat at the confirmation that everyone knew the worst. Cold sweat beaded on my brow, and I glanced around at the leering faces.

Boys closed in around me and laughed. One of them grabbed me around the waist and dry-humped my ass to raucous cheers.

I dug my nails into his flesh, making him flinch and back off.

“Out of my way!” I shoved through the crowd.

Bruce grabbed my arm. “Where do you think you’re going, Pigsty?”

A hand grabbed my breast. I whirled around and poked the groper straight in the eye, making him stagger back and roar with pain.

Bruce’s grip tightened around my arm. “You’re staying with me.”

Baring my teeth, I reached down to his crotch and squeezed.

“Bitch!” As soon as he doubled over, I drove the heel of my hand into his nose and enjoyed the satisfying crunch.

Most of the boys’ attention moved to Bruce, who cupped his face and bellowed like a skewered bull. Blood streamed through the gaps in his fingers, but I didn’t stick around to see if I had done him irreparable damage. Instead, I dove into the stairwell leading to the west wing and galloped away.

Right now, I needed to retreat. The hallways weren’t safe, and those guys I hurt would probably retaliate.

* * *

I spent the rest of the third period sitting on my bed, waiting for my hands to stop shaking and for the roiling of my stomach to calm. What the fuck was that, and why had those boys turned into such animals? I should have taken Uncle Trevor up on his offer to escort me to Mrs. Benazir’s office. No amount of fake mental fortitude could have prepared me for those boys.

Blowing out a long, shuddering breath, I wrapped my arms around my middle and growled. The next person who touched me inappropriately again would get a finger in the eye or a fist to the balls. I’d keep fighting back until they realized it wasn’t worth the effort.

Bells rang for lunch, and then for the afternoon periods. No one had reported me or any of the boys to Miss Claymore or Mrs. Benazir, and I still couldn’t get myself to stand.

I pulled out my bag of medicine bottles and swallowed my doses for the day. Whatever happened, I couldn’t afford to become ill from the raw meat.

Someone knocked on the door.

A palpitation resounded through my insides, and my stomach muscles clenched. It couldn’t be Ashley. She already had her key and probably wouldn’t face me after what she had done.