CHAPTER NINE

RAIN

He kissed me. He was the one who trapped me in a supply closet and kissed me. Why does he get to be angry? When he didn't say anything about the prank, I had deceived myself into thinking he was a halfway decent person but then he had to go and point out Greg to his friends. I know it was him, I noticed him looking seconds before all his friends turned and were staring at us.

Then by the football field, he just stood back glaring at me as Derrick scared the shit out of Greg.

Speaking of Greg, I was so disappointed yesterday. He was in three of my classes before lunch and he was talking to me in class. It felt good so I didn't warn him. I knew sooner or later he would find out why everyone was giving him weird looks for talking to me. I just didn't expect for him to walk off like that. He left me there like a cowardly dog and the thought just annoys me.

Bringing out food from my lunch bag fills me with sadness. My dad spent a lot of time making it this morning and I don't have the appetite for it. So far today I've tracked my books to the boy’s locker room, I've had to clean off 'Leave' written in sharpie on my locker. I'm used to it but the added sadness of being tossed aside and constantly thinking a boy who is obviously playing me, makes it hard for me.

"Where's Lover boy? Yesterday he was all up on you and now he's gone?" Eva asks.

"Xavier and his friends got to him." I say, shrugging like it's no big deal.

"I don't think they did." She says with a smile in her voice.

I look up at her then follow her eyes to Greg who's coming towards our table with a tray of food. He smiles at me like nothing happened yesterday and places the tray in front me.

"Sorry, I was hoping you forgot your lunch today." He says.

I ignore him and start eating my lunch.

"I deserve that, I just want to apologize. You don't have to say anything, just listen."

No, he doesn’t get to tell me what to do after yesterday. I put my food back into my lunch bag and stand up.

"I'll see you later." I say to Eva and Buck.

Greg follows after me as I leave the cafeteria.

"We'll just take this then," someone from the table calls after us.

I push open the cafeteria door, make a right towards the library and bump into someone who catches me before I could fall. I look up and meet Xavier's dark eyes. God, his eyes are gorgeous.

"Really, new guy?" Derrick says.

Derrick's voice snaps Xavier out of whatever trance he's in and he drops me like hot coal.

The guys laugh at the sight of me on the floor. Greg tries to help me but I slap his hands away.

"New guy. I warned you to stay away from Rain. Don't make me repeat myself." Derrick says.

"Well, I went home last night and realized I don't have to do what you say. I'm my own person and you don't own Rain."

Oh God, I just want to get out of here. I don't care to be in the middle of this. I stand and try to side step Xavier but he blocks the way. I'm stuck in this uncomfortable situation.

"Do you want to be my enemy, new guy?" Derrick asks Greg who looks determined.

Xavier still has the dark look on has expression. He's not even looking at me, his fury is directed at Greg. Is he? No, it can't be. He can't really be jealous. He can't hate me then expect other people not to want me. This can't be jealousy, something else is wrong.

"I asked my cousin on the basketball team." Greg starts, "He says you're not shit and that if I want to speak to or date Rain, you won't be able to do anything about it."

Derrick throws a punch at Greg at the same time the cafeteria doors open and members of the basketball team come out. Xavier sees them and moves several steps back and away from the fight that was definitely about to start.

I take the opportunity to escape. They're all rich people protected by their parent's money. If my grandparents hear that I got in trouble, they might stop paying for my education.

Greg finds me with the other kids about to get on the bus. He pulls me away and I go with him without a word. He stood up to Derrick even if it was too late. I have to at least hear him out, plus the black eye he has is cute.

"You're right to not talk to me. I fucked up yesterday. It's not much of a defense but yesterday was my first day in school and I didn't know how things worked. My cousin wanted to explain the hierarchy to me but I assured him I'd figure it out. Stupid me."

"You just left me there." I say.

"I know. I hated myself as I walked away. I couldn't sleep. Finally had to call my cousin to talk about it. Please give me a chance to make it up to you."

He looks over my head and grimaces. "Shit, I made you miss the bus." He says.

I turn back and sure enough, the bus was leaving. This means I'll have to wait for Eva and beg her to drive me home.

"I can drive you home."

I look at Greg suspiciously. He laughs and holds his hand to his chest.

"I promise I'll just drop you home. No funny business."

I bite my lips, thinking about it. I could let him drive me home or I could wait the next two hours for Eva to be done with all her after school work.

"It'll give me the chance to apologize more."

"Fine, let’s go."

He leads me to his car, a very nice expensive car, and I start getting nervous. Can Greg really be rich, handsome and nice? That's not usually my experience with the guys in this school. I'm not crazy not to trust him, I'll just see what he wants from me first.

Greg and I have the same class before Lunch. He follows me to my locker to keep my books and grab my lunch.

"Don't you eat lunch? Why are you following me? I told you yesterday that I forgive you.

"I like hanging out with you. Don't be mad."

I shake my head as I open my locker. My lunch has been trashed and scattered all over my locker. I close it and try to hold back the anger and the tears.

"What is it?"

Greg opens the locker and looks inside. He closes it and sighs.

"Come on, let's go. I'll buy you lunch."

"No, I'll just clean this mess and stay in the library."

I promised myself I wouldn't eat in the library this year but here I am.

"Fuck that. If they don't see you, then they'll know you're affected. Come on, you can eat with me at the basketball table today."

I look up at him with wide eyes. "No, I can't do that."

"It's fine. I'll be there with you. I got the impression those guys and the basketball team don't get along. This is sure to piss them off."

I think it over, the basketball team hates Derrick as much as Derrick hates them, and this is a way to stick it to him. As long this friendship with Greg lasts, they'll also be a buffer. No more being shoved in the hallway. They can still invade my locker but they won't be able to touch me.

"Okay, let's do it."