“Twisted, huh?” Jessica said to her friends, but her eyes never left me. “I bet he killed someone. I bet that’s why the police arrested him. What a loser.”

I took two steps, ripped the phone out of her hands, and slammed her head against the locker. It happened so quick that she didn’t react until I stepped back. Then I waited. She whirled around with an animal screech and launched herself at me.

Before her hands touched me, someone grabbed her and threw her back against the locker. “Jessica, chill!”

I blinked as I saw Jeff in front of me. He kept his hands on her shoulders. “Come on, think about this. You want to piss her off?”

She snarled as she fought against his hold. “She’s a bitch. She attacked me!”

“And you didn’t do anything to start it? She came out of nowhere and attacked you?” He guffawed. “Listen to yourself. That’s not even a good argument. This is Sam. She doesn’t do anything unless she’s pushed. You pushed her and you know it.” Then he pressed closer and whispered, “Let it go, Jess. Come on. Let it go.”

Her eyes glared at me, but she started to calm down. As he continued to hold her and whisper in her hands, she stopped completely and stood there. Her chest rose up and down, but she never looked away from me.

Then he glanced back. “You might want to head out, Sam.”

I lifted my chin up. “No.”

He took a deep breath.

Jessica spewed out, “What’s your problem, Sam? Afraid of what I’ll do to you now?”

I narrowed my eyes. “If you’re going to come at me, do it to my face. Do it now. I’d respect that a lot more than if you go behind my back. That’s what pussies and cowards do.”

It enraged her further, and Jeff grunted when she started to flail against him.

Then a pair of hands touched my shoulders and I was pulled backwards. I glanced up in surprise when I saw it was Peter. He was stone faced as he ran a frustrated hand through his hair. “Samantha is a part of my group. If this girl goes against one of my friends, she goes against all of us.” He sneered as he spoke. His eyes seemed to cause Jessica to wilt before him. She stopped fighting and the blood drained from her.

Then Emily was beside him. She crossed her arms and her eyes flashed. “I’ve got no problem destroying you. I’ve wanted an excuse for a long time.”

Jessica gulped.

Jeffrey cast a concerned look at her but turned towards us. He held his hands out. “Let’s let this go, okay? She won’t do anything.”

Peter looked down his nose at him. “And how can you promise that for her?”

He sighed. His head dropped. “Because she’s my girlfriend.” Then he looked back up. “I won’t let it happen.”

Jessica made a mewling sound before she turned and pressed her head against her locker.

Jeff looked at me. “I won’t let it happen, Sam. “

Emily snorted. “And she’s going to believe you? You cheated on her how many times?”

“Sam?” He sent me a pleading look.

I jerked my head in a stiff nod. “Yeah, fine. Whatever.”

Jessica sagged in relief, but she didn’t turn back.

“Thanks, Sam.” Jeff gave me a sad smile. “It means a lot.”

Emily touched my arm, but I jerked away and hurried to my next class. As I sat, Mark and Cassandra sat beside me. I felt the hostility from her and sighed. This day was going to be a long one. Unlike the rest of the group, Cass wanted to pounce. She wanted to rip into me. I met her gaze. She gave me a cold smile in return.

I heaved a sigh and waited.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

I got my first message from Mason half way through the day. ‘At home. They let us go. Self defense.’

I sagged in relief at my locker and quickly thumbed a response. ‘You okay? Want me to come home?’

‘Yes and yes.’

I grinned and then groaned. ‘My dad drove me today. No car.’

It wasn’t even a second later when he replied. ‘Coming to get you. Be out back in ten minutes.’

I hurried to David’s office and covered my eyes as I went through the boy’s locker room. A few of them cursed at me. I heard Mark shout, “Sam. Fuck. More warning, why don’t you?” A few of the others laughed and then I rushed through my dad’s closed door and heaved in a breath on the other side. Then I gulped as I took the sight before me.

David was behind his desk. Adam sat in one of the two chairs across from him. I gulped again. His dad sat in the other. All of them were surprised in silence for a moment. Then David cleared his throat and stood. “Sam? Can I help you with something?”

“Uh…”

Adam studied me and then understanding dawned. He threw himself back in the chair and crossed his arms. His chin went down and I felt his glower seep through the entire room.

“Sam?”

“Oh, right.” I turned back to my dad. “Can I get excused for the rest of the day?”

“Why?” He cast a tight smile across his desk. “I’m sorry, Steven. There’s been a slight crisis that happened in my family. Sam?”

I jerked my head back to him.

His smile was forced. “I’m assuming this is what that’s about?”

“Yes.” I swallowed a piece of bark. “They’re home. I wanted to make sure everything was okay.” I twisted my hands in front of me. “And I wanted to check on Analise. You know how crazy she can get.”

Adam snorted.

“Son!”

He rolled his eyes. “Yeah, right. She’s going to see her mom?” Then he pushed himself back up and turned around. “How are you going to get home? Your dad drove us, remember?”

I felt David’s eyes on me. They were burning.

I swallowed again. “I—uh—I have a ride coming.”

Then my dad cleared his throat again. “Samantha, I feel you should stay in school. You have a few more hours.”

“But—” Mason was probably already in the parking lot.

“I’ll talk to you after school?” He indicated across his desk. “As you can see, I’m busy.”

My mouth shut tight and my chin hardened. My shoulders rolled back, and I narrowed my eyes. “I’m going anyway, dad.”

“Samantha!”