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

  This time, I expect someone to stop him, since this isn’t just about verbal abuse, but no one makes a move.

  Chase keeps bringing his fist down as his victim cries and tries to push him away, but it’s futile because Chase is way stronger than him.

  Instead of breaking them up, the crowd is gathering around them and cheering Chase on.

  Incredible. What’s wrong with people in this fucking school? Doesn’t anyone care?

  I get up so I can see what’s going on, but there are just too many people.

  “Hey!” a teacher yells from the door, and I breathe out a sigh of relief. “What’s going on here?!”

  The crowd doesn’t move, and the teacher can’t get to Chase right away. I shift so I can see through the people.

  In a second, Chase rolls off the guy and pulls him on top of him.

  No.

  No!

  Chase lets out a cry just as the teacher finally gets through the crowd. “Help me!”

  “This is unacceptable!” The teacher catches the guy by the shoulders and pulls him off Chase.

  There’s blood on the guy’s face, but everyone’s looking at Chase instead.

  “Are you all right, Mr. Campbell?” the teacher asks.

  Chase nods. “I don’t know what happened. He came at me out of nowhere and started hitting me. I had to defend myself. I don’t know what’s wrong with him.”

  He has such a perplexed look in his eyes, like a cute, little, innocent puppy, and I want to scream.

  Vanessa catches my gaze and shakes her head. She doesn’t want me to get involved, and I know there’s nothing I can say because no one will back me up.

  Everyone’s nodding their heads to show they agree with Chase. The victim doesn’t say anything either, probably because he knows it’s better that he keeps his mouth shut.

  The teacher sends the guy to the principal’s office, and I sit back down, looking at Vanessa and Brittany.

  “Did you guys see that?” I ask. “He faked the whole thing and no one said anything! Why? What’s wrong with everyone?”

  “Chase owns this school,” Vanessa says. “Well, not literally, but it feels like it. It’s better to stay out of his way.”

  “Yeah, you keep saying that. But why? What does he have over all of you? I’m sure that, if we all agreed and said that Chase attacked the guy, there’d be nothing he could do about it.” Haven’t they heard that there’s power in numbers? “Why are you putting up with him?”

  It doesn’t make any sense.

  Not in this school.

  “Look, L,” Brittany says, the expression on her face sweet in a way that tells me she thinks I’m an idiot. “We didn’t really see what happened. Maybe that guy played poker with Chase and lost, and now he doesn’t want to pay up. Maybe he said something to him. What do we know? And who cares? Why get involved in something that doesn’t matter?”

  If she needs a selfish reason, I can give her one of those too. “Um, because you may be next?”

  She scoffs. “Not me.”

  I groan.

  “It’s not that we don’t care,” Vanessa says. “Of course we do. But Chase’s dad is super rich and very influential. It’s not just about us here. It’s about what he can do to our families. No one wants to be on Mr. Campbell’s bad side. He has his hands in everything, and he can ruin your family. I don’t know what your family’s doing, but I bet Chase’s dad can drive you out of business if that’s what he wants.”

  Ah, that makes a little more sense. If Chase’s dad is more powerful than anyone else, then I get that they’re afraid, but that still isn’t an excuse to do nothing about him.

  I pull out my phone. Researching Chase and his family online is the first thing I need to do.

  Very soon, Vanessa’s story gets a confirmation. There are thousands of articles about Chase’s dad. His companies are involved in everything. Hotels, construction, casinos, restaurants, clubs...

  Seriously, it looks like Mr. Campbell wants it all.

  No wonder Chase wants that scholarship. He’s probably like his dad and does stuff just to prove that he can, and he wants to be successful at everything.

  Chase’s dad is also a very private person, because aside from all the business stuff, I can’t really find anything interesting about him or about his family. Chase is mentioned here and there, but nothing too important.

  I guess with their wealth and power, the Campbell family needs to be very careful about what they post online and how they behave in public so that their enemies can’t use any of it against them.

  If the father won’t give me anything helpful, then maybe the son can.

  I search for Chase’s Instagram. It takes me a while because he’s not using his real name, but I find him anyway because Brittany is following him.

  The first pic I see is of him shirtless, and an odd warmth fills my body. It’s ridiculous, because he’s obviously an over-privileged asshole, and I don’t want to have anything to do with him.

  But damn, he’s hot. It’s just a fact.

  He has to be spending a lot of time in the gym—and yep, I immediately spot a pic taken in the gym.

  Chase also doesn’t post a lot of stuff that may reveal who he truly is. He does seem to like himself very much, judging by a billion selfies, in which he looks like a god.

  Always the perfect angle that makes his photos look so natural and effortless.

  I hate him.

  No, I despise him.

  He has it all, and he doesn’t care about who he’ll run over in his path to greatness. It looks like I’m fighting the impossible here.

  Hopefully, Chase wants to win the scholarship by the rules and won’t cheat to get it. If everything falls into his lap so effortlessly, then fighting for the scholarship may be an actual challenge for him.

  He wanted that book that I have. It can’t be a coincidence.

  Or maybe I’m expecting too much from Chase.

  And from myself, if I plan to win.

  But giving up when I’m already here feels wrong.

  I just have to come up with something.

  Chapter 7

  THE FIRST TEST IN MY fight for the Richerville University scholarship comes too fast and I’m not as prepared as I’d like.

  As I stroll down the hallway, trying to pretend that I don’t care about my score, my hands get clammy. I wish I’d studied more, but I’ve been so focused on Chase, and the time just flew me by.

  It’s annoying that he already has such an effect on me, so I’ll have to do better next time and do something about him too.

  My heart thuds loudly in my chest as I approach the scoreboard. A crowd is already in front of it, and they’re shouting and laughing, and some are crying too.

  I don’t know what I’m going to do if I didn’t make the list. Only the first fifty students on the list can keep taking the tests, while the rest are considered ineligible.

  Deep down, I know that I didn’t do so badly, but the seed of doubt is there. Until I see my name on the list above the line, I won’t be able to calm down.

  I push my way through the crowd, ignoring everyone around me. It’s just me and the board now, and my eyes fly over the list in search of my name.

  Joy erupts in my chest when I find it.

  12th.

  I’m 12th!

  That’s even better than I was hoping for. It still gives me a good chance to catch up with the first person on the list.

  My gaze lifts to the top.

  Chase Campbell.

  I press my lips into a tight line. Right.

  Was there even any doubt he’d be first?

  Luckily, there are still plenty of tests left. This is just the beginning, and I won’t make it easy for him. Unless he resorts to cheating.

  “You should give up.”

  A shiver runs down my spine as I feel Chase’s breath on my ear.

  He’s so close to me that I can feel the warmth of his body. His presence is like a menace lo
oming over me, but there’s no space to get away, unless I shove the rest of the students out of my way.

  I don’t say anything, pretending as if I didn’t hear him.

  Pretending as if he isn’t so close, which is impossibly hard because he makes goose bumps rise on my skin.

  “You’re only wasting your time. I’m sure you’re aware of that,” he says with all the confidence in the world.

  I spin around, my hands clenching into fists, and find myself staring into his eyes.

  For a second, I’m breathless. It’s hard to concentrate when he’s looking at me like that, as if he can see straight into my soul.

  We’re too close. Way too close.

  But I can’t let him distract me.

  Not ever again.

  “Why do you want it?” I ask, not looking away from his eyes.

  There’s something in them. I’m not sure what it is, but it’s like I’m staring into a deep lake of nothingness.

  “The scholarship,” I add when he doesn’t respond. “Why do you want it? I’m pretty sure your family can get you into any college, including the Richerville University. So why even bother?”

  His face grows serious, his eyes even more closed-off that they were just a moment ago. “It’s not my fault you’re not good enough.” A grin spreads across his lips. “Are you going to beg everyone on the list to let you win? If you are, then you should at least offer them something in return. But who says you have to go to college? You’d be a very hot waitress.”

  I want to punch him in his stupid, smug face.

  “You’re—” My voice gets cut off because a teacher approaches the board, and everyone wants to see what’s going on.

  I turn away from Chase so I can take a look too. My pulse speeds up, and I wonder if there’s been a mistake with the list and the scores.

  I crane my neck.

  The teacher is writing something, and when she finally finishes, my brow furrows. One of the names is crossed out, and I’ve moved to the 11th place.

  I glance over my shoulder at Chase, who has a wicked smile on his face.

  “Be careful, princess,” Chase says. “If you stop being entertaining and get in my way, you’ll find yourself in some serious trouble.”

  I glare at him, but before I can say anything, he turns on his heel and leaves. He doesn’t have to push his way through the crowd. It just parts for him.

  Ugh.

  He’s done something, hasn’t he? He’s done something to the student who dropped out. If I move up the list, he’s going to want to do something about me too.

  Maybe Chase doesn’t want to cheat on his tests, but he doesn’t mind using threats and doing who knows what to get what he wants.

  And the worst part is, the whole school just lets it happen.

  I still don’t understand why someone hasn’t reported him, despite everything. Not everyone’s family is in business with his father.

  Are they afraid of Chase for some other reason?

  I bite down on my lip. This way, I’m never going to get the scholarship. Something has to be done about Chase, but I’m still out of ideas.

  If I want to take him down, I have to do something that he won’t be able to sweep under the rug and pretend it didn’t happen, no matter how much money his daddy has and who he can bribe or blackmail.

  A video of Chase doing something bad just might be it. I can upload it to the internet, and it will be hard to scrub it off.

  Then the other students he’s bullied may actually dare to do something, especially if they can report him anonymously or spread the video everywhere, until no one can ignore it any longer.

  But I doubt Chase is careless about anything he does, so my task may be impossible. Approaching the victims and convincing them to anonymously report Chase probably won’t work because he can say there’s no evidence, and he’ll demand they reveal their identities.

  I let out a sigh of frustration.

  Chase is a problem.

  A problem that’s very difficult to solve.

  But I’m not going to give up or stop trying.

  Chapter 8

  “WHY AREN’T YOU DRESSED?” Vanessa’s brow furrows when I open the door.

  I look down at my pajamas and raise an eyebrow at her. “Why should I be dressed?”

  It’s almost midnight, and even though it’s Saturday, I’m actually looking forward to going to sleep and getting some rest so I can study in the morning.

  My best plan to defeat Chase so far is to do my best academically while trying to find something that I can use against him. And even though it seems like time is running out, I know I have to be patient.

  “Um, aren’t you going to the party?” she asks, disappointment in her voice.

  She’s wearing a shiny gold cocktail dress and matching high heels, a small black purse in her hand.

  “What party?” Our school has a strict policy against parties or us going out anywhere without permission.

  I don’t think they’d let us throw a party so late at night. A school dance at some reasonable hour and under supervision, sure, but anything else, never.

  “Wait, you don’t know?” She enters my room as hushed voices fill the dark hallway, and she closes the door.

  “There’s a way to get off the campus. If we follow the hallways that aren’t used, we can get out. A really nice club is just down the street. Everyone’s going. It’s like a mass sneak-out.”

  “A mass sneak-out, huh?” That just doesn’t sound good.

  “Don’t worry. We’ve done it plenty times before. Never got caught.” Her lips spread into a small smile. “We just have to avoid the guards, and their schedule is so ridiculously predictable.”

  “I’m not really up for a party.” I scratch the back of my head.

  Going to a party and sneaking out sounds fun, but if anything goes wrong or if we’re caught, I may lose my chance to get the scholarship. I can’t afford to lose so much time at night and sleep all day either.

  “Come on!” Vanessa clasps her hands. “Please. It’ll be fun. I promise. You can’t miss this!”

  “I’m tired, and I have a lot of homework—”

  “Pfft, there will be plenty of time left to sleep and do homework tomorrow. School isn’t just about studying. It’s supposed to be fun too.”

  “Uh-huh. I’m just not a party girl, but you should definitely go and have fun.” I give her a smile.

  “I’m not going anywhere until you get ready and come with me.” She places her hand on her hip, narrowing her eyes at me.

  “So you’re just going to stand here forever?”

  “If I have to.” She lifts her chin. “Seriously, Lil. You don’t want to miss this. If it wasn’t a good party, no one would be risking getting caught just to go to it.”

  “Are you sure everyone’s going?” I eye her carefully.

  If Chase is going, then it may not be a bad idea for me to go too. A photo of him taken at a forbidden party probably won’t be enough to do him any real harm, but maybe I get lucky, and he gets drunk and does something stupid.

  Vanessa nods. “Yeah.”

  “Even Chase?”

  “Why are you asking about that asshole?”

  I shrug. “I just don’t want him anywhere near me. That’s all.” It’s easier to lie than explain the truth.

  “Oh.” The tension leaves Vanessa’s shoulders. “He’ll be there, but the club’s huge, so it won’t be hard to avoid him. And you have me to protect you. I’ll kick his ass if he even looks at you.” She grins. “So, are you coming with me?”

  “Yeah, okay. You convinced me. Just give me a moment to get dressed.”

  “Yay!” She claps her hands. “Hurry, please!” She pulls her phone out of her purse. “We have like twenty minutes before the guards get in our way.”

  “Okay.” I rush for my closet and grab the first dress that I find.

  It’s a plain black cocktail dress, but it’ll do.

  VANESSA HOLDS MY HAN
D tightly as we traipse through the dark hallways. She’s using her phone as a flashlight, and I’m glad we can’t see all the cobwebs, spiders, and rats that may be hiding in the darkness.

  The air smells like mold and must, and I can’t believe everyone is willing to go through so much trouble just to get to some party.

  But excitement courses through my chest too, because the idea of getting caught is so terrifying, and there’s a thrill in all of it.

  We reach a door that’s cracked open, and Vanessa pushes it. I greet the fresh, chilly night air as we rush outside.

  We probably look ridiculous as we run—or try to—across the field in our high heels, but it doesn’t take us long to reach the trees.

  Vanessa lets out a cry of joy as she glances over her shoulder. The school building looks huge and threatening as we leave it, but one part of me is relieved.

  I know it’s not the building’s fault for all the pressure that I feel when I’m inside it, but I feel lighter outside.

  I follow Vanessa through the trees, careful not to catch my foot on something. The ground is full of leaves, twigs, and roots until we reach the street.

  It’s impossible not to see the club where we’re going. Purple lights are glowing everywhere, inviting us like a beacon.

  I suspect the owner opened the club with students in mind, because why else open it just down the street from the school?

  “Are you sure the administration doesn’t know about this?” I ask.

  If I were the principal, I’d be sending someone to check that club every night. It’s kind of too obvious.

  “Who cares?” Vanessa says. “I mean, they probably know, but at least they don’t send anyone to check since we’re technically too young to be allowed inside. It’s only a problem if they catch us sneaking out of the school or getting back inside.”

  “Right.” While nothing goes wrong, everyone’s going to pretend the parties aren’t happening.

  The school can’t be held responsible for a party off its grounds, and especially not for students who go out without permission and use sketchy hallways.

  But if someone gets caught on the school property, then the administration can’t turn a blind eye and pretend they haven’t seen anything.