Page 56 of Unexpected Prejudice

“I did. So, what were you talking about?”

“About Jess’s new hair. I told him it looked good,” I said and smiled at Jess, who wrapped his arm around Levi’s shoulder. My smile at Jess didn’t sit well with Levi, considering how his jaw muscles twitched. Okay, then…

I would’ve asked Levi if we were cool if it weren’t for the sudden shouting that filled the gym, catching everyone’s attention. But the moment I saw Diesel kicking Shay-Lee to the floor and then keeping him down by stepping on his chest, my blood boiled, and I moved without stopping to even think.

“You fucker!” Don shouted while charging at Diesel and pushing him away from Shay-Lee.

Not too far from them, Miles was on the floor while Andrei right hooked Lin, not that I cared. My only worry was Shay-Lee, who was gasping and gagging for air.

“Shay-Lee,” I called out as I bent beside him and reached to touch his shoulder, only to be pushed away.

“Don’t fucking touch me!” he snapped, still panting. I tried not to feel hurt by his reaction, though it still stung. Shoving my feelings aside, I focused on him.

His face was red, his eyes were bloodshot, and spit rolled down his chin. The veins on his arms bulged as he tried to grip the fabric of his shirt, and all I wanted was to touch him, to help him get back to his feet. Looking like a wounded animal didn’t sit well with him. Wrath filled my guts as I looked over my shoulder at where Diesel was dominating Don by pinning him to the floor. It was the second time he’d dared to touch Shay-Lee. The second time he’d made me feel anger I didn’t know I was capable of feeling.

I swore to myself that I wouldn’t allow this beast of a man to touch what was mine again.

He isn’t yours to claim, the voice in the back of my head whispered through my raging thoughts. Not yet, I promised myself.

He isn’t mine—yet.

Levi

After getting detention for the second time since school started, the rest of the week went pretty smoothly. I focused on my studying and made sure Jessie focused on his, while Andrei did the same.

Mrs. Morrison, our principal, basically threatened us to do well and promised to watch our every move, hoping we’d slip so she could get rid of us. While it affected me, it didn’t seem to bother Diesel, who skipped almost every class since. It seemed like he was trying to get kicked out on purpose, but then again, it was his life he was ruining, not mine.

My education was important to me because, growing up, I was taught to value it and because it was my way to ensure my future with Jessie. My life goal was to take care of us. Eventually, we’d have to leave Chief’s house, so I needed a proper job to give me the financial stability to take care of my Kotik. Unlike me, Jessie was talented. Wanting him to pursue his artistic dreams without worrying about money, I was willing to support him for as long as it would take. Since I already had everything planned out, my only job was to stick to my plan, pass this year successfully and move on to college.

“What a shame Miles won’t let me do his makeup,” Jessie mumbled as we made our way to the parking lot. A few minutes ago, we’d encountered Andrei and Miles in a make-out session. Ruining their PDA moment, Jessie asked Miles if he could do his makeup for the evening. Miles politely declined, with that slippery voice that made him sound charming and snobbish at the same time.

We finished school early on Friday, and since tonight was Fool’s Moon, Jessie wanted to spend time getting ready.

I eyed the makeup on his face that I helped him do this morning. He wanted to try the sunburn blush trend from social media, and I thought he pulled it off pretty well. The overly blushed cheeks and the pink eyeshadow gave his pale skin a glossy effect, and don’t even get me started on the stickers. The little stars and heart-shaped decals only made him cuter. He referred to himself as a walking cupcake whenever he used those face decals.

“Do you know what you’re going to wear?” I asked as we reached our Vespa.

“Nope.” He reached for one of the two helmets we kept on the seat. “But I narrowed it to three options.” He had a big smile as he secured the strap under his chin.

“Okay, show them to me?”

“Of course I will. How else will I decide? I also told Chief I’d need his advice as well. I want to look extra special because it’s the first time Miles will be coming with us.”

Right. It was the first time we invited someone outside our group to join us at a rave.

I put on my helmet. “You always look special.”

Jessie had already sat on the scooter, and just as I was about to climb behind him, a rough voice spoke.

“Nice Vespa.”

Yep, a rough, rusty, sexy voice. A voice I recognized, which pissed me off.

“Hey, Jordy.”

When he stopped beside us, Jessie gave him a big smile.

“Seriously,” Jordan said, moving his hand on the side of our turquoise scooter. “That’s a nice color.”