I Despise You: A Dark High School Bully Romance Read online

  As soon as the guy is out of sight, everyone returns back to their tables, as if nothing happened.

  “You have a lot to learn about how things work here,” Vanessa says.

  Yeah, I guess so.

  Chase is a bully.

  That’s the thing I’ve just learned.

  I’m not getting that photo back, am I?

  “He gets away with pretty much anything,” Vanessa adds, shaking her head. “So like I said, stay away from him. You don’t want to become one of his targets. It’s not worth it. He can make your life a living hell.”

  When I glance at Chase again, he looks straight at me, and my stomach tightens. His eyes linger for a few moments, and then he takes a huge bite of his burger.

  He’s like a rabid wolf.

  Ready to tear everyone apart.

  And he also happens to be my main competition for the scholarship.

  Just fucking amazing.

  “You’re overreacting.” Brittany turns to Vanessa. “Chase might be an arrogant asshole, but that doesn’t mean you should scare the hell out of our new girl.”

  Vanessa opens her mouth, but Brittany lifts her finger to shush her.

  “Forget about him,” Brittany says. “No more talk about Chase. He’s irrelevant, okay?”

  Vanessa presses her lips into a tight line, but she doesn’t mention Chase again.

  We eat our food in silence, and all I want is to win that scholarship even more, just to see Chase’s face once I do it.

  I know it won’t be easy, but I’m willing to do my best. It’s not like I have anything else to do except completely focus on studying and reaching the spot that’s only reserved for the best.

  I PICK UP MY PILLOW and adjust it so I can get comfortable and get some sleep. It’s been a long day, and I don’t want to think about anything anymore.

  Seeing my sisters and mom during our video chat almost made me burst into tears, but I don’t want my mom to know that my first day at Richerville Prep was anything but perfect, so I kept a wide smile on my face the entire time and focused on telling her how awesome the school is.

  A knock on the door startles me.

  I’m only wearing my Mickey Mouse pajama top and shorts, but whatever Vanessa needs, I’m sure it has to be important, so I drag myself to the door.

  When I open it, my eyes widen and I almost slam it shut.

  Chase is looking at me with a broad smile on his face, his gaze exploring my body, and I don’t like that my flimsy PJs are the only thing covering me.

  “What are you doing here?” I ask, crossing my arms over my chest.

  He pulls the photo out of his pocket and waves it. I throw myself at it, but he lifts it just out of my reach, above my head.

  Why the fuck does he have to be so damn tall? I’d have to climb him like a tree to get it, but I feel like that’s exactly what he wants.

  “Give that back to me,” I demand, glaring at him. “It’s mine.”

  If he doesn’t want to return the photo, then I have no idea why he’s here.

  “And I’ll give it to you.” He grins. “For a price.”

  “What?” My jaw goes slack.

  He’s joking, right?

  He has to be.

  “I want a photo of you in exchange.” His eyes dip to my legs. “Let me take one of you right here, right now, and you’ll get your photo back.”

  “You’re out of your mind!” There’s no way in hell I’m letting him take a photo of me.

  Why does he even need one?

  So he can show it to his friends and make fun of me?

  So he can use it for more nefarious activities?

  “I’d accept the offer if I were you. The price will only go up. So if you really want that photo, you’ll give me what I want. If you don’t, I just might ask for nudes.” His lips spread into a wicked smile, and the way he’s looking at me makes me think he’s already picturing me naked.

  I stare at him, waiting for him to tell me that he’s just messing with me and that it’s all a big joke, but he doesn’t say anything else.

  I want the photo back, but I don’t want to give him what he wants either.

  We stare at each other for what seems like an eternity.

  Finally, I take a step forward so we’re face-to-face, and his scent of sandalwood, pine, and musk envelops me like a thick blanket.

  My insides quiver, my hands getting sweaty, as his lips hover so close to mine it’s hard to focus.

  I tilt my head, shifting on my feet so I can get even closer. His eyes are trained on my mouth as I part my lips just a bit.

  He lowers his hand just as our lips are about to touch.

  I snatch the photo out of his hand, and before he can do anything, I push at his chest as hard as I can. My action surprises him enough that I manage to shove him through the door.

  I kick the door closed and lock it, my chest heaving, my heart thudding loudly.

  I look down at the photo in my hand and a smile spreads across my lips.

  I got it back! I got my photo back!

  And Chase didn’t get what he wanted.

  A win-win.

  But as I lean my head against the door, still trying to catch my breath, I hear him laugh just outside my door.

  My smile fades.

  That doesn’t sound good at all.

  Why is he laughing?

  He should be annoyed or angry, so why isn’t he?

  I decide not to worry about him, at least not until the morning. He can’t get to me here. I’m safe in my room. And what is he going to do to me anyway?

  He doesn’t have a photo of me.

  If he says anything to anyone, he’ll be admitting that he stole my photo in the first place. I don’t think that’s what he wants. If he tries something else, I’ll have to be ready.

  He doesn’t scare me.

  He shouldn’t.

  I take a deep breath and trace my finger over my mom’s and my sisters’ faces in the photo. They will help me not to forget why I’m here.

  It’s not for Chase or anyone who wants to play stupid games.

  It’s for my family and me.

  Chapter 5

  AS I HURRY TO GET TO class, a truck mows me down.

  No, it’s not a truck.

  It’s Chase.

  He runs into me so hard and fast that I end up pressed against the wall, a gasp escaping my throat. I expect him to crush me, but his infuriatingly irresistible smile appears as he lets go of me.

  “I told you to watch where you’re going,” he says.

  “You’re the one who ran into me!” I shoot him a glare.

  His smile only deepens, and then he winks at me before disappearing down the hallway.

  I shake my head, wondering what’s wrong with him. Something has to be.

  But at least he’s not angry about last night. Not that he has the right to be mad at me at all.

  I beeline for my class, and I don’t think about Chase at all until it ends.

  Just as I’m about to go to the cafeteria, a squealing sound comes from a speaker in the hallway.

  “Ms. Liliana Sears, please report to the principal’s office,” a bored voice says.

  The principal’s office? Why does the principal want to talk to me? Unease fills my stomach.

  Maybe I don’t have to worry. It’s probably something about me being new.

  Maybe the principal’s going to ask me if I like the school. It’s not like I’ve done anything wrong, and there’s no reason for me to be in any kind of trouble.

  I’m perfectly calm by the time I reach the principal’s office, which is on the other end of the building. But when I see the serious look in the principal’s dark eyes, I’m not so sure anymore what this is all about.

  “Take a seat,” she says, tossing her long, curly dark brown hair over her shoulder as she settles in her leather chair.

  I sit down, placing my bag on the floor next to me, and clasp my hands on my lap. The office is spacious and
has a huge window looking at the garden.

  The walls are filled with diplomas, awards, and accolades. The shelves are stacked with all kinds of books, and the air has a faint smell of old paper and perfume.

  “Is this yours?” She pushes something across her desk.

  I furrow my brow.

  A button badge. It’s exactly like the one I have on my bag. My sister gave it to me. It has a purple heart and a pink ribbon on it.

  I take a quick look at my bag, and surely enough, my badge is missing.

  “Yes,” I say.

  It must’ve fallen off while I was rushing from class to class, and someone must’ve found it.

  When I reach out for the badge, the principal picks up her phone.

  “Security,” she says. “Search her room.”

  I pull my hand away, blinking at the principal in shock.

  Did she just tell someone to search my room? Or someone else’s room? This was clearly all planned, and all they needed was the confirmation that the badge was mine.

  “What’s going on?” I ask.

  “Do you know where your badge was found?”

  “I didn’t even know I lost it. In a classroom, maybe?” I shrug.

  “No.” She watches me carefully. “It was found in a locked storage room.”

  “What? Like, in the trash or something?” I don’t know what storage room she’s talking about, and I don’t understand what’s going on either.

  “The janitor found a few things missing from the storage room, which is supposed to stay locked, and students aren’t allowed to go in there. Your badge was found on the floor.” She’s studying my every move, as if she’s trying to figure out if I’m going to show any signs of guilt.

  “You think I broke into the storage room and stole some things?” I arch my eyebrows. “I don’t know how my badge got there, but I didn’t steal anything or break into any place. How would I even do that if the door’s locked? Maybe my badge stuck to someone’s pants or shoe, and that’s how it got there. I don’t know. But I have no clue where the storage room is, and I have no reason to steal anything.”

  I will her to believe me, but dread has already taken over my insides, twisting and twirling like a worm.

  Someone has set me up.

  “Security will search your room,” the principal says, and I can’t read her face.

  Maybe she believes me, or maybe not. I don’t even know what they think I stole. What if someone broke into my room too?

  If security finds something in my room, I’ll be kicked out.

  My mom’s boss won’t want to deal with such an embarrassment, and there’s no one who will defend me or say anything in my favor.

  No one can even say that they know me. Vanessa may like me, but we’ve only known each other for a couple of days.

  The ticking of the clock on the wall is the only sound in the room, and I feel like I’m going to throw up or go crazy with anticipation of what’s coming next.

  A knock on the door nearly makes me jolt to my feet.

  “Come in,” the principal says.

  “Nothing, ma’am,” a guard says, and I breathe out a sigh of relief.

  I’m annoyed that they went through my stuff.

  “Thank you.” The principal inclines her head and the guard leaves. “Ms. Sears.” She narrows her eyes at me. “We don’t tolerate behavior like this at our school. Since this is your first offense and it’s just some bleach bottles that were stolen, you’re only getting detention for a week.”

  “But I didn’t—”

  “Your mother has already been notified. You may go now.” She opens her laptop that’s on the desk and trains her eyes on the screen.

  And just like that, I’m dismissed, without even a chance to properly defend myself.

  Incredible. I can’t help but think this isn’t how she deals with the rich kids, but there’s nothing I can do except be happy that I’m not getting expelled.

  I snatch my badge, grab my bag, and storm out of the office. My hands are shaking, but it’s not because I’m scared. I’m furious.

  Someone did this to me, and they’re going to get away with it.

  My mind replays the scene from this morning.

  Chase running into me.

  He could’ve snatched the badge from my bag.

  It’s him.

  It has to be.

  No wonder he was calm and smiling when he already knew he was going to get me in trouble.

  That son of a bitch. I have to do something about him.

  My phone rings, and I dig through my bag to get it. My mom’s number flashes on the screen, and I grit my teeth. The principal said she called my mom.

  Ugh, I hated Chase even more for worrying my mom like this.

  “Honey,” my mom says the moment I answer. “I got a call from your school.”

  “Mom, I didn’t do anything. You have to believe me. Someone stole my badge and left it in some storage room to blame it all on me.”

  If I was stealing something, I wouldn’t be so stupid as to leave my badge in there. Doesn’t anyone think about that?

  “Are the kids there treating you well?” Worry laces her voice. “I know you want to fit in and make friends. Everyone does. But putting your future at risk for—”

  “Mom!”

  She doesn’t believe me either.

  “I didn’t break into a storage room on a dare or to make friends,” I say. “Someone set me up, or it was all an accident.”

  If I insist on it being a setup, my mom is going to ask for the details, and she’ll want me to tell her who is bothering me.

  But until I know more about Chase and what he really wants, I have to be careful, and that means I can’t have my mom calling the principal to complain about him.

  I’m sure Chase would come out of all of it looking like an unjustly accused victim, and I would end up in even more trouble.

  Chase is my problem, and I’m the one who has to find a solution.

  “All right, honey,” my mom says with a sigh. “I believe you. But please be careful. Kids can be mean, and you’re new. Just remember, if they don’t like you, it’s not about you. It’s about them. Don’t forget your goals. And if something’s wrong, you have to tell me. I can help.”

  “Yeah, I know. Thanks, Mom. But I’m fine. If something happens, I’ll call you right away, okay?”

  “Yes, you do that. I have to go. My boss wants me to go through some paperwork and call some of his associates, and—”

  “It’s fine. I’m sorry the principal bothered you at work. We can talk tonight.”

  “Agreed. Talk to you soon. I love you.”

  “Love you too, Mom.”

  I curl my fingers around my phone.

  Chase has to pay for what he’s done. I don’t even know why he wants the scholarship, except for prestige and so he can claim the title of the best student.

  I’m sure no one here really needs that scholarship as badly as I do, and yet, many of them still want it, even if they can choose any college in the world.

  One second of my distraction was almost enough for Chase to kick me out of the race.

  I’m not going to give him another one.

  Chapter 6

  I’M ABOUT TO ROUND the corner when I hear his voice. Chase is talking to his friends, and I press myself against the wall and listen.

  Getting to know my enemy, or something like that.

  It’s a good thing no one pays me any attention or wonders what I’m doing.

  “I want that book,” Chase says.

  “Sure, man. What’s the title?” an unfamiliar voice says. He has to be one of Chase’s friends.

  “How to Ace RET.”

  RET? Richerville Excellency Tests? He really cares about being the best and getting the scholarship, even more than I thought. Shit.

  “Hurry. There’s only one copy, and someone just returned it today,” Chase says.

  “How do you know that?”

  The u
nknown guy and I are wondering the same thing.

  “A little bird told me. Now go.” Chase never reveals his secrets, does he?

  And he uses his friends as errand boys, and they don’t mind.

  Interesting.

  The book he mentioned sounds interesting too, and I need it.

  I break into a run, zigzagging through the students. Some are glaring at me as I whiz past them, but I don’t care. I have to get to the library as fast as possible, before Chase’s friend.

  When the library door is in my sight, a smile spreads across my lips.

  Chase’s friend is nowhere to be seen, and while the librarian is searching for the book, I hope he hasn’t found a way to put a reservation on it or something, but maybe that’s not how things work here.

  Richerville Prep wants us to do our best and not always take the easiest way.

  Once the book is in my embrace, all I can do is grin.

  Payback, bitch!

  Chase is so not getting this book anytime soon. I guess he’ll have to buy it somewhere, if that’s even possible.

  “You’re lucky,” the librarian says with a small smile. “This is one of the rarest and most coveted books in our library.”

  “I know. Thanks.” I stride out of there, tucking the book into my bag just a moment before Chase’s friend passes me by.

  In the hallway, I spot Vanessa.

  “Hey,” she says. “I heard you got detention. What happened?”

  I have a feeling she already knows, but she wants to hear it from me.

  “Chase set me up. Stole my badge and used it to frame me.”

  She grimaces, looking around as if she’s afraid someone might’ve overheard me. “Let’s go grab something to eat.”

  “Sure.” I’m starving anyway, and it looks like Vanessa doesn’t want to talk about Chase.

  Once we get our food, we have trouble finding an empty table, but Brittany waves us over, so we join her.

  “What are you two up to?” Brittany asks, but her eyes are solely on me.

  I don’t know why she seems so interested in me, but maybe it’s because I’m new and she’s bored.

  “Not much,” I say.

  A loud crashing noise makes me lift my gaze.

  Everything in the cafeteria comes to a standstill as everyone looks in the direction of the sound. Two chairs are lying on the floor, and Chase is on top of some guy with his fist raised.