Read Online Before You by Amber Hart - Free Book Online Page B

man.”
    I take a deep breath.
    Exhale.
    Yeah, I have anger issues. But for good reason.
    Ramon bends to pick up his food. Without a word, he walks away. Javier’s eyes narrow.
    â€œDo you have to be such a jerk?” he asks.
    â€œMe, the jerk?” I say, exasperated.
    Javier doesn’t say anything else. I make my way to the food line; I’m about to grab a tray when someone knocks into me.
    Jason Magg.
    He doesn’t apologize. But that’s probably because it’s no accident. Jason is flanked by two of his football buddies.
    My teeth clench. My muscles coil. Now is not the time to mess with me.
    â€œYou know what they call people like you who hit on another dude’s girlfriend?” Jason asks, and then answers. “Dead meat.”
    I laugh. Because honestly, it’s funny. The guy has no idea that his girlfriend likes it when I hit on her. I found that out today, when she didn’t back away from me in the hall. Why not have a little fun with the pastor’s daughter? And that little whimpering noise she made? Ay. I almost crumbled.
    â€œYou think it’s funny to hit on girls who have boyfriends?” Jason asks.
    â€œNo. Just yours,” I say, like the smart-ass I am.
    His chest puffs out and falls, a balloon being blown up and deflated.
    I smile.
    â€œStay away from Faith,” he hisses.
    â€œAll right,” I say. “But you should probably tell her that, because like you already know, it’s Faith who comes on to me. Not the other way around.”
    Jason’s fists tighten. His buddies move in.
    â€œShe’s a peer helper,” he says.
    â€œOkay. Sure.” I nod. “I wonder, though, when she’s no longer my peer helper, and she’s still coming ’round, what you’ll say then? ’Cause let’s face it, she won’t be able to stay away.”
    I casually lean against the wall, like I have no worries when it comes to him. And I don’t. I can easily take Jason and his friends. I can tell by the way they’re fumbling around, looking nervous but trying not to, that they’re inexperienced fighters.
    Rule number one: Never show weakness.
    Sure, a three-to-one ratio isn’t ideal, but I’ll manage. I might walk away with another black eye. But make no mistake: I will be the one walking away.
    â€œMy girlfriend is not interested in you,” Jason practically growls.
    â€œOh yeah?” I say. “Then why did she agree to go out with me on Friday night?”
    It’s a lie, meant to anger him.
    Mission accomplished.
    Jason swings. I catch his fist before it hits my face.
    Rookie.
    Rule number two: Don’t act in haste.
    My knee connects with his gut while my fist hits his nose. I don’t have time to deliver another blow before I’m yanked away by two teachers. They pin my arms behind my back like paper to a corkboard. I let them. Jason got my message loud and clear.
    Rule number three: Don’t mess with me.
    Two more teachers place themselves in front of Jason and his friends, a shield of sorts. Faith’s boyfriend pulls himself off the floor, no doubt humiliated. He wipes a hand across his nose. Bloody. One of his buddies walks away, returns with a hand towel. Jason puts the cloth to his nose, tries to stop the bleeding.
    I didn’t break his nose. I could have. But I didn’t. I purposely held back. I have broken enough bones to know what it feels like when they crack, and his are still intact.
    Mostly, I wanted to scare him. I want him to know—whether I was out of line or not—that I am not someone to be taken lightly.
    I am not your punching bag.
    I will not ever be pushed around by some guy in a letterman jacket.
    Just then, a wide-eyed Faith runs up to Jason. “What happened?”
    One of Jason’s buddies points to me.
    Faith follows his direction. Her eyes land on me. Her face hardens, something like rose granite. Someone gets her attention. She