Chapter 3

Jacob

The beaming lights on the second floor flickered angrily as I stared down on my bed. My textbook was drenched in water and dropped on my bed. The pages were bloated. Ruined.

Someone had taken their time to scrawled the word "charity kid" on the wall.

My hand was shaking as I reached for the wet book. The moment I tried to pick it up, the door flung open behind me.

"Trouble, dear cousin?"

Kenny's voice tinged with what sounded like concern but I knew better. I didn't need to turn to know Kenny was silently dying of cheer joy over my little predicament.

"I'm fine Kenny" I managed to mutter as I picked up the drenched book. Water dripped all over my clothes and the floor.

Kenny stepped behind me, stretching his neck a little. "Damn Couz, they really got you good this time huh?"

"Do you know who did this, Kenny?"

"I think they left you a note," Kenny said, pointing at a piece of paper in the tousled sheets.

The moment Kenny walked out the door laughing, I picked up the semi wet paper and unfolded it with trembling hands.

"Meet me at my locker before first period. Don't be later. D.C."

It was only a few minutes before first period so I picked up my bag and ran.

Daniel's locker was at the end of the hallway. It was surprisingly the only locker without stickers or photos. It was spotless. His expensive cologne filled the hallway, as usual.

I got to the end of the hall, almost out of breath.

Daniel was leaning calmly on the locker, sipping on his coffee from a paper cup that looked absolutely out of place in his rough hands.

"You're late, scholarship boy," he said without lifting up his face to look at me.

"I had to clean up a mess someone was kind enough to make in my room," I said as I lifted the drenched book, water still dripping on the marble floor.

Daniel finally glanced at me, but very quickly, his eyes flickering with amusement. "I thought kids like you don't mind the extra work."

He reached into his pocket, brought out some money. "Go get me a pen at the store. Lost mine this morning."

"No! That wasn't part our deal. I'm not your little errand boy."

"Deal?. Why would I make a deal with someone like you?" Daniel's laugh was short and cruel. He stepped closer, until his head was touching mine and the heat from his body radiating through his uniform.

"Just because I talk you doesn't mean we're friends. You do as I say and keep your spot at the school." Daniel said, shoving the money into my palm hard enough, that I almost fell. "Don't make me wait, pretty boy," he said with a small slap on my cheek.

By the weekend, I had written all of Daniel's homework, delivered coffees and everything Daniel would complain that I'm trying to murder him by getting him tasteless coffees.

He would ruin my shirt or shoe with the coffee whenever he didn't feel like drinking it.

I would always let Daniel copy whenever we had a quiz and Daniel would always return the Favour by kicking my feet under the table for being too slow.

Daniel's eyes would always darken whenever he humiliated me. Something could almost mistake the expression for 'interest.'

I finally snapped and decided to corner Daniel in the Spanish classroom.

"We had a deal," I hissed. "You said you'd tell me what the fake blood on my locker had to do with Mr. Richard."

Daniel froze, and for a split second, I saw something flash across his face—something fresh and raw, and then it was suddenly replaced with that familiar expression.

"So you question me now too, pretty boy." He stepped forward until my back hit the cold wall.

His fingers gently caressed my face. "You're just the help."

Daniel walked past me as the bell rang, but not before muttering, "Be in my room by eight tonight and bring my homework."

Later that night, as I lay in bed staring mindlessly at the ceiling, my cell phone buzzed. I picked it up. A text from an unknown number. My hand hovered over the notification, my mind contemplating whether to open it or not.

I finally opened it and loaded the image.

A gasp escaped me.

It was a photo of me sleeping, in my dorm. My hand was curled under my chin like a baby and my mouth, was slightly open.

Whoever took the photo must have been in the room. This was a violation and I wouldn't stand for it.

My phone buzzed again. It was a message.

"You look so cute when you sleep."

I flew from the bed. My body was cold and trembling. My eyes wandered across the room, out the window, the closet, and even the bathroom.

I wanted to make sure no creep was hiding in my room.

My hands flew across the screen. "Who are you?"

A reply came instantly. "You left your window open. I can't wait to see you tonight."

"See me tonight. What does that even mean."

I knew very well, that Daniel loved to torment me but he would never go this low. Besides, it hadn't been that long since I left his room.

Could it be one of Daniel’s dumb stupid friends. They always think it’s fun playing with anyone who they framed weak.

And Kenny. One thing Kenny loved more than his pretty face and his expensive shoes and perfumes, was his beauty sleep. He would never sacrifice it for anyone or anything.

Not even for tormenting me. The only thing that could wake him from his sleep would be a world war three or a zombie apocalypse, but with the way he could sleep through a storm. I even doubt that would have any impact.

So who could this be and what exactly do they want from me?

I stood there, frozen as it dawned on me that someone was not just watching me. They were entering my room and they could even be here, tonight.