Reject: A Dark High School Romance (Academy of Misfits Book 2) Read online

“Spit it out, Asia. What’s the deal?” Pink asks me the second we’re safely inside her bedroom.

  “Give her a second to calm down, Pink. Can’t you see she’s about to have a minor heart attack,” Kate exclaims, perching on the bed whilst I flop down next to her, groaning.

  “Hell, no. She needs to spill. Right. This. Second,” Pink says, stabbing my arm with her finger.

  She’s lucky I like her so much; anyone else would’ve got a punch in the face for the trouble. I peer at Pink from between slit eyelids. The girl won’t give up. Kate, on the other hand, would happily let me wallow a little longer before prying the truth from my lips. She’d at least give me a few minutes to get my head straight. But even though my head is spinning, and my heart is protesting at the sudden pounding, I’m grateful to them both for being… well, them. I’ve never had girlfriends before. I like it.

  Blowing out a long breath, I ease myself up into a seated position. “Cigarette?” I ask, looking between them both. Kate shakes her head. She doesn’t smoke and vocalises her concern for my bad habit as often as she can. Pink, however, jumps up and pulls open her desk drawer, digging around for a moment until she finds what she’s looking for. She hands me one of those skinny cigarettes that will burn out with one toke. I give her a look, and she shrugs. They’re a complete waste of time in my opinion. If you’re going to have a cigarette, have a proper cigarette, not some pathetic skinny one like this.

  “Do you want one or not?” she says, cocking a brow.

  “I suppose…” I grumble.

  Kate sighs.

  “What? They’re good for you…” Pink lights up her cigarette, smiling around the smoke that she blows out of her mouth.

  “Erm, in which universe are any cigarettes good for you?” Kate asks, giving us both a disappointed glare.

  “Oh, shush. Live a little,” she retorts, chucking the lighter to me so I can join her in her bad habit.

  “Actually, I’ll live a lot longer by not filling my lungs with toxins, but sure, puff away on that cancer stick.”

  Pink pokes her tongue out at Kate who rolls her eyes before turning her gaze onto me. “Well, do you want to tell us what the hell you’re going to do now?”

  “Short of running away, no idea.”

  I mean, I don’t think I’ve really thought this through. Of course there’s no way I would’ve let Eastern go back to prison. In the moment, it was the only thing I could do. I’m glad he’s safe. I’m glad Tracy and Braydon will be too, but in reality I’ve no idea how it’s all going to work out, and I don’t even mean my own feelings for the boys. Sonny and Ford hate Camden, and whilst Eastern respects him (at least I think he still does) he’s not exactly his best buddy. Plus, as soon as I tell Eastern about Monk and Camden’s role in all that bullshit, he’s going to hit the roof. Camden thinks he owns the damn place, including me it would seem, judging by his recent behaviour and his stupid attempt at getting my attention by spray painting my tag. Then there’s the tiny matter that soon I’ll be joining his gang after telling everyone that I’d never join anyone’s gang, least of all his. Ford and Sonny aren’t going to take it well.

  “Oh, god.” I groan inwardly.

  “Man, I don’t envy you. I’m glad I’m gay because choosing between those hotties is about as difficult as it can get.”

  “I hope you’re not including Camden in that group of hotties,” Kate adds frowning.

  I wince, finding a tiny piece of lint on my jeans very interesting all of a sudden.

  “Please tell me you’re not considering Camden… are you?” she persists.

  “That arsehole? No. No, I’m not,” I say adamantly.

  “Good. He reminds me too much of someone else I know, and he’s just as infuriating.”

  “Oh, yeah?” Pink says, glancing at me with wide eyes. “Want to elaborate?”

  Kate waves her hand about. “This isn’t about me. This is about Asia. Seriously, what the fuck are you going to do? Even I could see that your best friend, Eastern, wants to be way more than friends given how he was with you just now. And we all know Sonny and Ford are into you…”

  “We do, do we?”

  Kate pulls a face. “Seriously? It’s pretty clear to the whole of Oceanside, actually. Those two have got it bad.”

  “Yeah, they’re not the only ones,” Pink says, widening her eyes at me and pulling some weird face that looks as though she’s constipated.

  “You don’t mean…” I ask, pointing at my chest.

  “Shit, Asia. You’re fucking cool and all, but you’re not really my type.” Pink laughs. “I’m talking about Camden. The guy’s fucking losing his shit over you.”

  “Hmm… well, we won’t talk about him.” Kate scowls. I wince. Knowing that she dislikes Camden so much makes me feel worse given what I’ve got to do.

  “Oh, I don’t know. There’s something about Camden, right Asia?” Pink muses. Kate gives her a shove, and I just lower my head avoiding their probing stares.

  “This is a nightmare…” I mumble, and frankly so much worse than even they understand. If it was just me having to choose between the lads, then I think I could handle that.

  Probably.

  Maybe.

  But it isn’t just that. It’s so much more. Why the fuck is my life always so complicated?

  “Well whatever you decide you’re going to need to make a decision sooner rather than later. This place is tough enough to deal with, let alone this love shape you’ve got yourself into,” Pink remarks, blowing out a stream of bluish smoke.

  “Love shape?” Kate frowns, giving Pink a confused look.

  “Well, it’s not a love triangle is it? It’s not even a love square…” she muses, tapping her chin. “I know, a love pentagon!”

  “Fuck off, Pink,” I groan, dragging on the skinny cigarette and watching the ash form in one long line. I catch it before it falls. See, one toke and it’s gone. Total waste of time.

  “Do you want my advice?” Pink asks before proceeding to give it anyway. “You need to make a list of all the reasons why you like each of them. Whoever’s got the most is the one you choose. Simple.”

  Kate snorts, clearly unimpressed.

  “What? It’s all I’ve got,” Pink grouses.

  “How about you don’t choose just yet… figure out how you really feel. No one said you have to make any of them your boyfriend. If they really like you like they seem to do, then they’ll wait whilst you decide,” Kate adds, always the voice of reason.

  “Why choose at all?” I mutter, remembering how it felt to lay between Sonny and Ford the night of the fight. They didn’t seem to mind then, perhaps they’ll be open to accepting Eastern too? Oh, Jesus, now what am I thinking?

  “Did you just say why choose? As in have them all?” Pink’s mouth drops open in shock. “Why you greedy little cow,” she adds with an amused laugh.

  “It’s not a bad idea…” Kate remarks quietly. Both Pink and I snap our heads around to look at her. Now her cheeks are blushing furiously. Glad I’m not the only one who’s finding this conversation beyond awkward.

  “You sound like you have some experience in the ‘not choosing’ department,” Pink says, her eyes sparkling with the gossip she’s desperate to draw out of Kate.

  “Fuck no. I don’t have any experience at all. Managing one guy was hard enough,” she mutters, her voice cracking a little.

  “Wanna talk about it?” Pink ask, ever perceptive.

  “No. No, I don’t.” Kate shuts down like she always does, clamming up, pushing us away.

  “It doesn’t matter anyway. I’m not here to get a boyfriend. I really don’t need the complication.” And I really, really don’t. I’m only just getting my head around my true feelings for Eastern, let alone how I feel about the rest of them. “This term has been difficult enough.”

  “It’s too late for that,” Pink says, as she flicks her cigarette butt out of the open window. “Looks like two of your complications are on their way here now.” br />
  “What?” Kate stands, peering over Pink’s shoulder. She glances at me, pulling a face. “Afraid she’s right, Asia. Maybe honesty’s the best policy?”

  Hell no, I think. In this case, honesty is not the best policy. Honesty would get me and Eastern into a whole heap of shit. If I tell Sonny and Ford what I’ve agreed to do then I could risk everyone’s safety. I don’t know either of them well enough to know whether they’d sell me out. I don’t think they would. But regardless, I can’t allow my heart to rule my head. What happened in that office and the agreement I made stays between Eastern, me and the adults in the room. Protecting my family is my priority now.

  Chewing on my lip ring, I look between Pink and Kate. “I’ll do what you suggested, Pink, and make a list. Then I’ll wait. Figure out how I feel.”

  “Sounds like a good plan,” Kate says, giving me a reassuring smile. “You’ll make the right choice, Asia.”

  I nod, biting down on the truth that I so want to share with them both but can’t. I wonder how Kate and Pink will feel after I join Camden’s crew. I hope they’ll still be my friends…

  Fuck, who am I trying to kid? They’ll hate me just as much as Ford and Sonny will.

  In my heart I know that none of them will forgive me for selling out. Not only will I lose Pink and Kate’s friendship, I won’t have to worry about choosing between any of the boys because Sonny and Ford will make the choice for me. What had Ford told me before? That’s right, loyalty means everything to him, and I’m about to show him that loyalty is something I can’t give him no matter how much I want to. Heaving out a sigh, I flick my cigarette butt out of the window and wait for Sonny and Ford to join us.

  I briefly consider dashing to my room, locking the door and burying my head in the proverbial sand, but by the time I’ve decided to run, there’s a knock at Pink’s door.

  I groan internally. Too late, chicken-shit.

  “Come in!” Pink calls out merrily, winking at me. She’s loving this.

  Kate grimaces. “Want us to stay?”

  “Nah, reckon I need to have this conversation on my own. Thanks though,” I say.

  “Sure thing.” Kate nods, grabbing Pink by the arm and dragging her from the room just as Sonny and Ford enter.

  “Hey, this is my room, remember?!?” she complains, trying to shake out of Kate’s firm grasp.

  Kate just yanks harder, pulling her towards the door and into the hallway beyond.

  “No getting jiggy with it on my bed, arseholes! I don’t need any wet patches!” she shouts from the hallway. I can hear Kate tell her to shut up and the laughter that follows. My cheeks redden at her outburst, but I resolutely ignore the heat prickling my skin and face them both. Now is not the time to be a pussy.

  “Have you got me tagged or something? How did you know I’d be in Pink’s room and not Kate’s or my own?”

  “We tried both those places first,” Sonny says with a shrug.

  “That makes sense,” I fumble, not ready to have this conversation. “What do you want?”

  Ford shuts the bedroom door behind him and leans against the wood. He crosses his arms and feet, watching me whilst Sonny makes himself comfortable on the bed. I’m currently perched on Pink’s desk feeling more and more uncomfortable by the minute. This is a far cry from how I felt falling asleep in their arms not so long ago.

  “Want to tell us what’s going on?” Ford asks, but it’s not phrased as a question. This is a demand. That’s just his manner. Demanding, intense, sincere. I glance at Sonny helplessly but he’s staring at me just as intently. Looks like he’s not going to help my predicament. He seems cool, aloof and far from the jovial kid I’ve become used to.

  “There’s nothing much to say. Eastern is joining Oceanside after the Christmas break.”

  “Why? What did he do?” Sonny asks this time, forcing me to look at him because of the uncertainty in his voice. He’s wary, unsure, and the most guarded I’ve ever seen him. Does he sense the truths I’m hiding, the ones I can’t possibly share with him?

  “Drug running. Got caught with Mary-J. His lawyer got him a good deal. Now he’s here.” I respond with quick statements hoping to hide the lie sitting heavy in my chest. Everyone knows you get caught running Class B drugs you’re in prison. End of discussion. Except he isn’t, he’s here because we made a deal.

  He nods tightly, his gaze penetrating mine until I’m forced to look away.

  “He’s your best friend?” Another statement from Ford.

  “Yes.” And so much more than that.

  He nods, pushing off from the door and striding towards me. He grasps my upper arm in a vicelike grip, cupping my cheek gently. The differing holds warring with each other and screwing up my already overwrought emotions. I’ve just about had enough of today.

  “Take your hands off me,” I say, trying and failing to sound like I mean it.

  “Ford, what are you doing?” Sonny whispers. Out of the corner of my eye I can see him sit up, dragging his arse to the edge of the bed.

  “Shut up, Sonny. This is between me and Asia,” he retorts.

  “Like hell it is!” Sonny stands, but before he can do anything Ford’s hand slides around the back of my head and pulls me towards him. He crashes his mouth against mine, forcing my mouth open with his tongue. It’s a brutal, soul-searing kiss and as he plunders my mouth with vicious intent all I can do is take it. This is Ford marking what’s his and like everything else, he does so with resolve and passion. He doesn’t hold back, and he certainly doesn’t question whether I want his kiss or not. He just takes, and fuck if I can only respond with whimpers of my own. I’m getting the impression with Ford that it’s either all or nothing. He sensed the closeness between Eastern and I… the love, and he wants to make himself known.

  I want to shout that I hear him loud and clear. That I feel something too, but it doesn’t matter how I feel. As soon as I join Camden’s crew it’s all going to shit anyway.

  When he lets me go just as roughly as he grabbed me, I’m left reeling, so much so that I stumble back a few steps. This time it’s Sonny who catches me. He holds me against his side cursing Ford under his breath.

  “Eastern isn’t the only one who wants you, who has your back. Just so we’re clear,” Ford says, panting now. He looks from me to Sonny. “If I were in your shoes, Sonny, I’d stake my claim too,” Ford growls before turning on his heel, yanking the door open and striding from the room, leaving me speechless and Sonny with his mouth hanging open.

  “Well, fuck! Not sure how I follow that display of possessiveness,” Sonny eventually says.

  Me either, I think.

  Not one for giving up, Sonny turns me in his arms and lifts my chin with his finger. “I don’t suppose a kiss is on the cards for me?” he asks with a sheepish grin and laughter in his pretty baby blues. He gives me his full, megawatt smile, dimples and all. My mouth pops open and closed as I look up at him helplessly. I can’t even form a word, let alone a sentence. Today has been fucking crazy.

  “Pretty good kiss then, I take it?” And although he laughs, I can see the hurt shadowing his features.

  “Sonny…” I manage to utter.

  He stares at me for a long, long time and just when I think he too is going to kiss me, he does something that surprises me. He simply folds me into his arms. “Whoever you choose, Asia, I got you, regardless,” he reassures me, cupping my head against the firmness of his chest whilst he rubs my back. “And just so you know,” he whispers after a beat, “Ford’s not the only one who can steal a kiss, but even though I might be a thief, I don’t take what isn’t freely given. At least not when it comes to you.”

  My heart stutters at that, and despite everything that’s happened today, I allow him to hold me close whilst I gather my thoughts. Eventually he presses a gentle kiss against the top of my head, pushing me away before I can unravel myself from his hold.

  “Brick shithouse seems like a good guy,” he says with a wry grin. “I’m glad y
ou’ve got him. Just remember you have us too.”

  As he leaves the room, I can’t help but think for how long.

  5

  Present day

  “Eastern, please, no more!” I laugh hysterically clutching my stomach. “Seriously, if I go on that rollercoaster one more time I might puke up the three hamburgers, tub of popcorn and that huge bloody candy floss I just ate. I’m not willing to let go of all that junk food goodness.”

  Eastern grins widely, his face lit up with mirth. “We’ve only been on it three times, Asia. Where’d your balls go? I thought you were tougher than this.”

  I punch him on the arm, grinning mercilessly when he winces. “I’m a girl, remember? And this girl’s balls are inside her body. They’re called ovaries. You should’ve paid more attention in Biology class, you dickhead.”

  “Come here,” he smirks, tugging at my arm and folding me into his chest. His hand slides under my backpack, resting on my lower back, whilst my heart starts jackhammering in my chest after only just recovering from the thrill of the ride.

  “Want me to rub your tummy better?” he mutters, the smile evident in his voice as he presses his lips against the top of my head.

  “Do I look like a cat?” I respond with a laugh, grinning up at him, then instantly groan when I see the mischievous glint in his eyes. Pretty sure I can see stars in them too, or maybe that’s just the reflection of the lights. I wonder if mine look the same. His mouth pops open, a pussy joke right there on the tip of his tongue. I walked right into that one. “On second thoughts don’t answer that!”

  He cocks his head as though seriously considering whether I am indeed feline, then smiles slowly, like a cat that’s got the cream. Oh, fuck.

  “Follow me,” he says, twining his fingers with mine and tugging me away from the rollercoaster and deeper into the funfair.

  “This is going to be bad for my health, I can tell,” I mutter.

  Eastern doesn’t respond but I can feel the depth of his chuckle as it vibrates down his arm and disperses between us. He’s always been playful; now that playfulness has transformed into full-on flirtation. I like it. I like the way it makes me feel.