Jaded (Jaded #1)(22)

“Nope,” I murmured and walked to our table.

We both sat down and I asked, “Why can’t we have coffee in our classes?”

“No doubt,” Leisha huffed and yawned dramatically.

Leisha was pretty cool. She wore the most outrageous outfits. She had on a taffeta shirt with ruffles on her neckline that spread past her shoulders.

Outrageous.

We had grown used to each other since we were assigned table-mates in the beginning of the year. I hadn’t known who Leisha was before our first day in Calculus, but she had informed me that she’d always known who I was. At first she’d been on guard around me, but when she figured out that I wasn’t going to screw with her, she started to relax. Now we almost seemed friendly to each other.

Just then Mr. Aldross entered the room and said, “Miss Jeneve, you are wanted in the counselor’s office.”

I stiffened and asked, tensely, “Why? What for?”

He started to write on the chalkboard and responded, “That is none of my business, Miss Jeneve. I would not know that information.”

I stayed in my seat.

Leisha watched me. So did the rest of the class.

Mr. Aldross wrote the daily set of questions from our assigned homework.

“Okay, class…” He turned back around and saw I had remained. His lips tightened as he stared at me. Clearing his throat, he asked, “What are you still doing here, Miss Jeneve? You are wanted in the counselor’s office.”

“And I told the counselor yesterday that she can expel me. I’m not going to talk to her and you can’t make me.”

He started to say something, but the words died in his throat.

Bryce walked in, late like normal.

Irritation flickered across Mr. Aldross’ features before he spoke, “Mr. Scout.”

Bryce dropped in his seat and leaned back in his chair. He didn’t respond.

“This is becoming a daily routine that grows tiresome.”

I met Bryce’s eyes and smiled haughtily.

Bryce looked amused, but he stayed quiet.

“Maybe you should sleep some more,” I suggested.

Our teacher snapped his attention back to me.

“Why do you say that?” he asked, but looked cautious.

“You just said that it’s getting tiresome. If we can’t get enough sleep at night, you should let us bring coffee. That’s what I think.”

“You shouldn’t even be sharing your opinions, Miss Jeneve. You are supposed to be in the counselor’s office.”

“Yeah, well,” I crossed my arms over my chest. “I’m not going.” I raised my chin up and stared back, steadily.

Mr. Aldross stared at me and I knew he was wondering what he would do with me.

“Then you may go to the principal’s office,” he quickly named his only other alternative.

I rolled my eyes and stood up. When I was at the door, Mr. Aldross commented, “Please wait, Miss Jeneve.”

“Changed your mind?”

“May I please see your homework?”

“I don’t have time for that, Mr. Aldross. The principal needs to see me,” I taunted him and dramatically threw open the door.

I hadn’t gone a few steps before the door opened again and Leisha ran to catch up.

“Hey,” she gave me a tentative grin.

“Mr. Aldross asked you to escort me?” I asked, already knowing.

“Yeah.” She ducked her head. “Sorry.”

“It’s cool,” I shrugged. “I’m not going. You know that right?”

At my locker, I traded my books for my purse.

“So are you skipping?” She asked, her shoulders hunched.

I eyed her outfit again. The taffeta clung to her skin. She wore some type of tight khakis that were pinned to itself with large black buttons that ran up and down her legs.

She almost looked like a naughty librarian.

“Where’d you get that outfit?” I asked.

“What?” Confusion crossed her face as she glanced down at herself. “This?”

“Yeah. Where’d you get that?”

“Hot Topics. Why?” She frowned.

“It’s cool. I like it.” And I did, I wasn’t lying.

Just then the door opened again and Bryce strolled out. He grinned at the sight of us and moved to lean beside me.

“Hey,” he murmured.

“Did he kick you out or send you after us?”

“He’s got his ass all twisted,” Bryce commented.

“Nice articulation,” I joked and Bryce grinned ruefully.

I yawned and asked Bryce, “Wanna go for coffee?”

Bryce frowned, but said, “Sure.”

I eyed Leisha and asked, “Wanna come?”

Her eyes widened.

I saw the glint of a smile at Bryce’s mouth, but he just watched.

“I shouldn’t.” She shifted on her feet and glanced at the classroom door. “I should go back. I mean, Mr. Aldross is expecting me.”

“You’re right.” I grinned wolfishly. “You should go back.”

“Um.” Her eyes glanced between Bryce and myself again, anxiously. And then she exclaimed, “I’m going to go.” She disappeared down the hallway, but was back within a moment with a black purse tucked underneath her arm. And she looked nervous, very nervous.