Chapter 10

NOVALEE

M y morning seemed to drag on, until I got to chem class, that is. The day really picked up then. Not for my teacher—who had to put out a couple of small fires—but I was thoroughly amused.

Now, I was banned from using any potentially dangerous equipment—which could be pretty much anything in the lab. Mr. Falk had no one to blame but himself. I clearly warned him about pairing me up with Darry—who also wasn’t impressed with me. In my defense, I did not expect his phone to explode like that. By the way, explosions were nothing like in the movies.

Before I knew it, there was a loud pop, and pieces of sharp glass and plastic flew around the room. Someone’s bag was torn and a few others got tiny cuts on their faces, which wouldn’t have happened if they were wearing the protective gear they were supposed to. There was a high chance that I may have made a few more enemies. On the upside, that was fewer people I’d have to talk to. So, I was happy with the overall outcome.

If Darry had put a little more money into his phone case, then maybe the class would’ve been spared. That Bunsen burner melted through that shit like butter.

St. Agatha’s principal wasn’t much of a conversationalist. I was given a quick speech about safety hazards, and sent on my way. Thankfully, before the lunch bell rang. I was hungry. Destroying phones was hard work.

When I turned the corner, I saw Memphis and Chuck waiting by my locker. Memphis was the first one to spot me.

“Isn’t your class the other way?”

“I was in the office.”

“Why were you in the office?” He asked.

“Because phone cases are made out of cheap material.”

His brows knit. “What?”

“They melt way too fast.” That was a serious hazard.

Chuck slapped Memphis' arm. “I told you she had something to do with the lab closing.”

It was nice when one’s talents were recognized. If only Memphis would share in that recognition.

He folded his arms and gave me the same look his dad gave him. “What did you do?”

“Calm down, no one got hurt.” Seriously.

I stepped past him and began twisting in the combination on my lock.

“Do you want to get kicked out of school?”

“Do you want to turn into your dad?” I paused with my hand on my locker door, and slid my eyes his way. “Cause you’re doing a great interpretation of him right now.”

“Well, someone’s got to keep you out of trouble.”

“You’re my best friend. You’re supposed to get into trouble with me.”

Like the time we went panning for gold in his moms jewelry box. His dad was mad at us that day. We weren’t allowed to see each other for a week, which was the week I learned that military grade camo face paint was not hypoallergenic. That was kind of counterproductive in my opinion.

“What do you think navy seals do when they have an allergic reaction?”

This time it was Chuck’s forehead that furrowed. “Do you sit around all thinking of random things to say?”

“No, but that’s a good idea.”

“You don’t have good ideas.”

Oh, ye of little faith. “I have fantastic ideas.”

“Uh huh?” Chuck muttered. “Like your fake relationship with Gio Mancini?”

“Hey, Atlee is the only fake boyfriend I have.”

Didn’t Memphis convince him that we hooked up at a game? Because Chuck didn’t look very convinced to me. He looked suspicious, which wasn’t a good thing. Gio shot someone for slapping me, I didn’t want to know what he would do if Chuck started digging around.

Memphis looked over at his boyfriend. “We talked about this.”

“No, I talked, and you lied.”

“I didn’t lie.” Memphis sighed. “She likes him. Right Nova?”

They both looked at me, and it took a few seconds for me to realize they were waiting for me to respond.

“I like him.”

Not only did that physically hurt to say, but I was pretty sure the smile I said it with was so fake, that it would make a b horror movie actress cringe. And Chuck wasn’t buying it. I could tell that from the way he folded his arms over his chest. Not that I could blame him.

“You like Gio Mancini?”

Ugh, why did he insist on hurting me like this.

“Yes, I like Gio Mancini.” The weird thing was, I didn’t feel like throwing up after saying that. Was I actually starting to like him?

“Do you really expect me to believe that?”

The real question was, was I starting to believe it? Or, was I just going insane, because that seemed like the more plausible option.

“I know something else is going on Nova.”

Why couldn’t he drop this?

“My choice in men is none of your business, Chuck.”

That should’ve been it. But unfortunately, Chuck had a modicum of intellect in that jock brain of his. Who knew?

“I don’t think he was your choice at all.”

“That’s where you’re wrong.” I rolled my eyes and stuffed my books in my locker. “It was my choice.”

It was also my suggestion. I could’ve said no. Gio even warned me against it, which I kind of wished I’d paid more attention to now, but it was done. I could live with my fate as long as Kato lived. I might not be able to say the same for Chuck if he didn’t let this go.

“I’m not as easily fooled as you think.”

I begged to differ. There were plenty of times I’d fooled him.

Chuck grabbed my arm, and spun me around to face him. “He forced you into this, didn’t he?”

“Why would he do that?” It was a fair argument. Gio was a good looking guy, he could have whoever he wanted.

“So he could fuck with your brother.”

Okay, that was also a fair argument. “Look Chuck, I don’t need your approval.”

He would never back my decision, because he couldn’t understand it. Chuck’s parents were loving people, who came to every game to show their support. They even cheered on Memphis in his ridiculous mascot costume. When had he ever had to sacrifice anything in his perfect little life?

Chuck’s eyes dipped down. “How’d you get the bruises on your neck, Nova?”

Well, if he was going to point out the obvious…

“Maybe, I like it rough.”

“You barely let Simon kiss you, and you expect me to believe that you willingly slept with Gio?”

That was hardly the same thing. Simon tried to eat my face when he kissed me, and Gio… well, he might actually want to eat me. He looked at me like he did. But that was beside the point.

“I like it when Gio touches me.”

Son of a bitch, I did. Fuck.

Chuck slapped his hands down on the lockers beside me, caging me in and hissed, “I don’t believe you.”

Before I could say a single thing in response, an all too familiar voice boomed down the hall.

“I’d step away from her if I were you.”

Chuck, Memphis, and I all twisted our heads to see Gio and his two cronies marching down the hall. Any chance I had of de-escalating the situation went out the window when Chuck opened his mouth.

“Or what?”

Damnit Chuck, don’t poke the bear.

“Or I’ll break your fucking arm.” Gio stopped and crossed his arms as if daring Chuck to test him.

And Chuck was more than happy to rise to the challenge. “Go ahead and try.”

A crowd gathered in the hall, while Memphis and I exchanged worried glances.

The situation was tense, to say the least. Gio was big, but so was Chuck, and they were both athletic. I honestly couldn’t say which one would win in a fair fight. The operative word being fair, which judging by the sparkle in Atlee’s eye, was not how things would go down. Not to mention, there were other factors like guns and Gio’s bloodlust to take into account. I had to do something.

I waved my finger between the two of them and said, “you both need to calm down.”

That was not the right thing to do. Arched brows assaulted me from every guy involved in the showdown, including Memphis. The tension in the air didn’t die down at all. If anything, it got thicker. Apparently, telling guys to calm down was as effective as telling girls to calm down. There was only one thing left to do.

I ducked under Chuck’s arm, rushed towards Gio, and flung myself on him in a way I’d seen other girls do. My hands clasped around his neck while my legs clamped around his waist. I kind of expected to fall, but to my surprise, Gio went with it and wrapped his arms around me.

He wasn’t the only one confused by my actions. Both Atlee and Darry cocked a brow my way. I couldn’t blame them. I had no idea what I was doing myself. I was winging it, hoping that my feminine wiles would handle the rest.

“Are you drunk?” Gio asked.

There may be a chance that I didn’t have any feminine wiles.

“I wouldn’t drink at school.” There was no alcohol here.

“Are you feeling okay?”

“I’m distracting you?” and possibly saving Chuck’s life. “Is it working?”

For a second, I could’ve sworn I saw a hint of a smile tug on the corner of his mouth. “Maybe?”

Okay, that was a good sign. Now what did I do?

“Really, Nova?” Chuck called out, causing Gio’s arm to tighten around me.

Goddamnit, was it too much to ask for a little time to think? I was not good at this girly stuff.

Gio glared over my shoulder and growled in my ear, “your friend is about to die.”

Yeah, yeah. Chuck wasn’t making this any easier. But maybe something else would.

Leaning in, I pressed my breasts up against his chest. I think I did it wrong though, because Gio didn’t get all hot and bothered. Instead he cocked a brow down at me.

“What are you doing?”

Maybe I needed bigger boobs?

“I think she’s trying to be sexy,” Atlee said, like he wasn’t entirely sure.

“I can be sexy.” I snarled back at him.

“Darlin, you have no idea what sexy is.” Atlee snorted. “You’d have better luck if you grabbed his dick.”

I was not going to do that in school. Then again…

“Go ahead,” Gio slipped one of his hands under my skirt and grabbed my ass. “Grab my dick.”

I didn’t like the sound of that. Not that I had much time to contemplate the hidden warning behind his words. The loud ‘uh um,’ that echoed from behind me stopped that.

Gio muttered, “fuck,” and let out a long sigh.

I looked over my shoulder at a rather stern looking Sister Mary of the Hallway and smiled, “hi.”

At least fifteen minutes had passed since Gio and I were escorted into what I could only assume was Sister Mary of the Hallway’s office. She told us to wait here, and then left. I tried to walk around a couple of times, but each time she miraculously appeared to scold me. I was starting to think the woman had supernatural powers of sight.

There wasn’t much to look at in here. A plain wooden desk, bookshelf in the corner, a crucifix on the wall, and two of the most uncomfortable chairs known to man. Seriously. Whoever designed these things hated asses. Mine went numb after the first minute.

Then there was the smell that constantly assailed my nostrils. A lemon scented cleaner that was either way too concentrated or used way too much.

“Ugh,” I dropped my head back against the wall. “How long is this going to take?”

I was hungry.

Gio shrugged. “The movie’s about twenty minutes.”

“She’s gonna make us watch a movie?” That didn’t seem like a very good punishment. And more importantly…

My eyes narrowed on the package Gio pulled out of his pocket.

Was that chocolate?

It was!

My mouth watered as he tore open the wrapper. It was a good chocolate bar too, not like the dollar generic ones Maw Maw got from the market.

I watched as Gio lifted the candy and parted his lips, then snatched it out of his hand and quickly shoved the whole thing in my mouth. And there was a lot of it. My cheeks puffed out and it took a bit of chewing to close my lips, but it was so worth it. This was quite possibly the best piece of candy I’d ever tasted. There was an orgasm rolling through my mouth.

Gio looked over at me, “did you just steal my chocolate bar?”

“No,” I said through a mouth of chocolate.

I waited for the backlash. A smack on my ass or growled out words, but that wasn’t what I got. I was a little taken back when a laugh rolled through Gio’s chest. And not a mockingly evil laugh, but a genuine whimsical one.

His whole face lit up, making his emerald eyes seem greener somehow. I didn’t like it. He looked human. I preferred the angry, I’m going to kill you Gio. This was weird and uncomfortable, like seeing a teacher outside of school.

“Stop that.”

“Stop what?”

Why was he still smiling? “Stop being normal.”

When his eyes met mine something happened. A jolt or spark shot through my chest, causing my heart to pick up pace while something fluttered in my stomach. It was like I was seeing him for the first time. He wasn’t the brother of the man who hurt my sister. He was a beautiful man I couldn’t stop staring at.

Then it was gone.

Gio’s eyes darkened as his familiar scowl uncurled his lips. “You’ll pay for that chocolate bar later.”

“Good.” That was more like it. “And make sure it hurts.”

“Oh, I will.”

“Good.” I sat back and crossed my arms.

He did the same. “Fine.”

We sat in awkward silence for a few minutes before Sister Mary Of The Hallway came back in, pulling a cart behind her. Sitting on the top of the cart was a small box television with a built in VCR, which I only recognized because Maw Maw refused to upgrade to a DVD player. No one understood frustration until they tried to find their favorite movie on a VHS tape. Guess Gio wasn’t kidding when he said we were going to watch a movie.

The sister placed the cart in front of us, plugged the TV in and turned it on.

“Shouldn’t we get popcorn or something.”

“Shh,” she cut me off. “You will be quiet and pay attention.”

I liked movies as much as the next person, but we were missing lunch for this. Wasn’t there some rule about depriving children of food? Not that she would listen to any of my arguments.

“And when exactly are we going to eat lunch?”

That question was answered by a firm swat on my hand with a ruler.

“Ouch,” I screeched while shaking the pain away. That shit hurt.

Gio grumbled something under his breath that I couldn’t make out, but when I looked over, his hands were fisted around the arms of his chair and he was glaring at the sister.

I rolled my eyes.

What the hell was he so upset about? I was the one that got hit.

Sister Mary of The Hallway pushed a tape in and started the movie. And by movie, I meant some horribly acted teenage warning about premarital sex. It wasn’t in color, and based on the poodle skirts all the girls were wearing, was probably made in the fifties.

The story was fairly simple, yet somehow intriguing. One girl was dating the quarterback, and another decided to go with a bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks. Literally. His house was on the other side of the train tracks. They both started with fending off the advances of their boyfriends – who by the way had the worst pick up lines ever.

Baby, are you a broom, cause you swept me off my feet.

If you were a drug, I’d overdose . That one was said while he was overdosing.

And my favorite, I lost my teddy bear, can I sleep with you?

Who would fall for lines like that? The two girls in the movie that’s who.

One gave in on prom night and the other at make-out point. That’s literally what the park was called. There was a sign that said welcome to make-out point, which I was kind of jealous about. Why didn’t we have a make-out point?

The movie ended with catastrophic results from their sexual exploits. One girl had a baby with papier-maché horns, and the other girl died. Apparently, they had some insane STD's in the fifties.

The moral of the story was if you had premarital sex, then you would give birth to demon spawn, or die from some super deadly venereal disease that the CDC should definitely have on lockdown.

As the credits rolled I leaned over and whispered to Gio, "How many times do you think Atlee has seen this?"

"They stopped making him watch it when they caught him jerking off to the pregnant blonde."

"Seriously?"

Gio arched his brow in my direction. " He has a poster of her hung beside his bed."

Huh, I didn't think Atlee was the type to go for poodle skirts and high ponytails. Then again, she was a girl, so...

Sister Mary Of The Hallway slammed her ruler down on her desk. "What are you two whispering about?"

That was easy. "Atlee Fiore's sexual exploits."

Gio facepalmed while the sister turned her stern stare on me.

"From what I understand, that's a topic you already know a great deal about."

Really? She heard that too? Something needed to be done about this high-school rumor mill.

I crossed my arms. "Doesn't the bible say something about listening to idle gossip?"

"It's not gossip according to Mr. Fiore."

That was it, I was poisoning Atlee in home ec.

"And now you have moved on to Mr. Mancini."

"Hey! I have never and will never be with Atlee." Eww. "And, why is it always up to the girl to be virtuous? Why don't you hold the boys up to the same standard?"

"I do."

She looked over at Gio, who looked at me and nodded. "She does."

"You’re not helping."

The way the sister was staring at me, one would think I was a whore. H-O-R-E. I would find that motherfucker one day.

A few moments of silence passed before she continued.

"I pray you have both learned your lesson. Temptation is the product of the devil. Do not give in. God rewards the chaste."

I thought the lesson was sex equals death, but okay.

My hand raised. "I have a question, Sister."

"Go ahead." She said while picking up her coffee cup.

"There was nothing about anal sex..." Coffee sprayed out of her mouth while Gio choked down a chuckle. "What's God's stance on that?"