I groaned, pulled my hair right into a ponytail, and acquired again to my e-book, solely to listen to a throat clearing on the base of the tree.
I knew that sound.
It was a set off.
One I had nightmares about. “No.”
“Hazel.” His voice was deep and raspy. “You recognize your dad’s going to be pissed if he finds you shirking your duties up there. All of us have crosses to bear.”
I slammed my e-book shut and seemed down.
The individual with the shortcoming to not clear his throat in my presence, often known as August Wellington III, stood grinning up at me. He was considered one of our wealthy neighbors—a category above me, simply graduated, and a complete waste of area.
He’d relatively repair bikes than be part of the household enterprise, which was some bizarre artwork empire that stretched from the East Coast to the West, with round seven areas.
Then once more, I couldn’t think about him being an artwork seller when he couldn’t even bathe.
“Shirking. Is it a big-word day?”
He leaned his muscular physique towards the tree. I hated that we virtually matched along with his ripped denims and tight, soiled white tank high. He was so annoying.
“Simply because I don’t need to go to varsity doesn’t imply I’m silly,” he argued, working a hand via his sandy-brown hair.
I rolled my eyes and went again to my e-book. “Your hand’s greasy, and now your hair appears even worse than it did earlier than. Really, perhaps it’s an enchancment because it takes the eye away out of your nostril. Shouldn’t you be worrying about your self? You’re a sizzling mess and possibly couldn’t get into faculty except your dad bribed the board.”
He laughed. I hated his giggle. It was at all times mocking as if what I mentioned was humorous—however solely to him. It was so silly. “You imply how your dad bribed me so I’d be your pal?”
I lifted the e-book into the air, able to chuck it at him. “Take it again.”
“It’s true, although.” He smiled. I hated how handsome he was, even with grease throughout his face. His excessive cheekbones and inexperienced eyes must be a criminal offense towards humanity. “Keep in mind? Once you had been fourteen and getting bullied, and he gave me cash to guard you? Rattling, I used to be just like the mafia. Getting paid for cover and to be sure to had been secure.”
Tears welled in my eyes. “It’s only a rumor.”
“Rumor?” He leaned towards the tree till he was shut sufficient to my leg to tug it. “I’m shocked you don’t nonetheless put on Keds. Then once more, you are nonetheless rising. Perhaps future you has a critical duty. Not all heroes put on capes. Perhaps as an alternative of faculty, your factor is to seek out the magic bean to make folks tall.”
“Hilarious. And everyone knows your girlfriend began that rumor.”
“Not a rumor. Fact.” He leaned in. “Which implies it’s my duty to inform your dad proper now that you simply’ve taken a outing as a result of the warmth is simply so intense. Poor spoiled little princess.”
“Poor spoiled prince!” I yelled again at him, flailing my arms, solely to slide and fall.
He broke my fall along with his head, however my arm hit the bottom at a bizarre angle. The crack was so loud that I shook with it.
Tears burned the backs of my eyes. “Go away me alone, August.”
“However your arm…” He reached for me, however I jerked away in ache. “I believe it’s damaged. I heard a crack.”
“Oh. Properly, perhaps my dad offers you more cash to make it really feel higher,” I yelled as tears began to really fall down my cheeks.
I hated him.
I hated him a lot. He at all times made the whole lot worse. Made me really feel worse. He teased and teased and teased.
Similar to everybody else.
What if my dad actually did pay him to be my pal?
My abdomen sank. Understanding that I had to enter senior yr whereas going through the rumors that he and his girlfriend unfold—that I used to be so pathetic and friendless that my wealthy dad needed to pay the boy subsequent door—was worse than the bodily throbbing in my left arm.
“Is it?” I requested in a choked whisper. “Is it really true? Did he pay you?”
August’s eyes locked on mine, and he slowly nodded. “However not in the best way you suppose—“
“I by no means need to see you once more.” I sounded calm, however I used to be shaking from each emotional and bodily ache. “Go away.”
“Hazel, I used to be simply teasing earlier. I might—“
“Go away me alone,” I spat. “Now.”
The loudness introduced each my mother and pa out.
“Hazel…” August leaned down to the touch me, however I kicked at him, jarring my arm extra as I rolled over in ache. “Keep nonetheless.”
“Keep gone,” I whispered. “You’re a hazard to my well being.”
“However—“
“GO AWAY!” I screamed.
So, he did.
And I wouldn’t see him once more for six years.