“I knew Harley was supposed to come in for rehearsal today. That’s why I hung around. But I need to get upstairs. You have this covered?”
“If I can kill Nardo.”
“Ignore the motherfucker, CJ. Marvey knows we’re here,” he said, referring to the dean of the Upper School. “He won’t interfere, but fucking murder will be harder to overlook.” He gave him a pointed look. “I’m pretty sure your old man would prefer you not fucking fight right now.”
“Can I at least tell Harley we’re going to the cafeteria? I’m not in the fucking mood for Nardo, Uncle Val.”
“If she’ll go, that’s between you and her.”
CJ scowled. Chances were high that Harleywouldn’tgo. She’d become so fucking difficult. “Fuck!” He turned and stormed to where she sat alone in the front row.
“At the risk of an argument, fuck rehearsal today. Let’s go to the cafeteria.”
CJ’s voice reached Harley from a place of despair and pain. Several days ago, she’d made another monumental mistake with his cousin, Ryan. Afterher confrontation with CJ, she’d been so hurt and Ryan seemed so sympathetic. But he’d just wanted her because he hated CJ.
Ryan hadn’t said that, but Harley could reach no other conclusion. The next morning, he clammed up. He refused to look at her and he hadn’t said a full sentence to her since.
Late last night, she’d received an incoming message from Pillar of Earth, a video of her encounter with Ryan. The most intimate parts of her body were exposed. It was humiliating and horrific. Worse, whoever it was threatened to release the video if she didn’t undress and touch herself again.
She’d been too afraid not to follow the orders. When it was done, she’d run to Ryan’s bathroom and thrown up. Aunt Zoann refused to budge when Harley begged to stay home from school. Ryan wouldn’t talk to her. Devon disliked her. Her parents seemed to have turned their backs on her. Grant no longer answered her calls. Lolly hadn’t forgiven her disrespect.
She’d considered calling Aunt Meggie. However, she had the full story of Harley’s and Mommie’s plans for CJ. When he’d walked up on her outside, she thought she was dreaming. It was like old times, and she’d felt so safe. Then, something must’ve clicked in his head, and he’d retreated.
He was back again, though. Offering to allow her to go to the cafeteria with him.
“Harley?” CJ asked, frowning at her.
She swiped at her tears, wishing they would dry up. She’d cried buckets these past weeks. “Rehearsals are part of my grade,” she said miserably.
“Are you and Mr. Grevenberg ready to practice?” Ms. Mendez asked, breezing up the middle aisle and beelining to Harley. She smiled at CJ. “Mr. Caldwell.”
A small smile on his lips,CJ nodded.
Ms. Mendez was around the same age as Ms. LeBan.
A dull ache settled in the pit of Harley’s stomach. The geography teacher and CJ had hooked up. Now, the theater teacher eyed him as if he were a piece of candy.
Beaming at CJ, Ms. Mendez glanced at Harley. “Are you ready, Miss Banks?”
If she noticed Harley’s tears or fading bruises, she didn’t comment.
“I need to get to Lewis Hall, Miz Mendez,” CJ drawled. “I want Harley to come with me. Can you give her a pass just for today? For me?”
Tossing her hair, Ms. Mendez licked her lips and nodded. “This one time,” she said, a little breathless. “The production is just six weeks away. We’re putting the finishing touches on the sets.”
“Cool,” he said diplomatically, having never had an interest in the theater. He smiled.
Harley and Ms. Mendez exchanged glances, almost swooning at CJ’s feet.
“I…if you’d like to help, I’ll make sure it’s counted as extra credit,” the teacher said.
“I can’t stand Nardo, Miz Mendez, so I politely decline.”
Again, Harley and her teacher shared a mutual emotion because of CJ. This time, disappointment.
He glanced at Harley. “Ready?”
She nodded. She hoped he took her hand again, but he smiled one last time at the teacher, turned, and sauntered off. At the door, he held it open.
