Readers, you know the feeling when you're  going to deal with a lot of heat after clapping haters back?

Well, I had a small hunch that I was going to catch a lot of grief just because I told my father off and let everyone know where I stood.

And the next three days during my first week at Sandifer Bay High were just that, mainly with Marcel and Company keeping under a tight leash and made sure that I did all that my parents demanded- having the teachers sit next to the jock and one of his buddies at the front row during classes, sitting with everyone at the designated lunch table (guest-starring my parents as "We've talked with the principal and vice-principal and they allowed us to stop by and make sure that you're following our plans. And this will go forward until you prove to us that you can be trusted."), and even puttting up with Dad at detention as the teachers piled up the homework assignments on me ("All to keep you busy and away from the distractions," Dad had said on day two. "The less you have anything to do with the nobodies in this school, the better off you'll be.").

Speaking of which, I did catch a few glimpses of Tamarious and Tiffany when the gang escorted me to classes. At one point, I was alone and one of the Goth kids named Jake stopped by to welcome me to school with a selection of freshly-baked muffins. Of course, Dad spotted me and had them thrown out before giving me a fifteen-minute lecture for letting "that grunge-dressed, Satan-worshipping punk try to poison me with food." He then had me sent home without dinner for another week (on top of the ongoing punishment for not apologizing to him, which I wasn't going to do even if it meant starving to death).

I had told myself that I had to stick through this nightmare on Earth long enough to graduate and leave the family completely. And if it means being without food and not having a moment to myself, then so be it. I'm like Faye Dunaway's Joan Crawford from Mommy Dearest. They better not fuck with me because this wasn't my first goddamned rodeo and it wasn't going to be my last!

******************

It was now week two of my senior year at Sandifer Bay, and I was currently running an errand for my AP Chemistry teacher (with Link and Marcel's blessing, however reluctantly) and I was heading back to class with a brief pit stop at the vending machine.

"Well, well. Kyle York, we finally meet at last," came a female voice.

I turned around to see a statuesque Hispanic teenager who was the epitome of a beautiy queen, from her long flowing hair that was done in a ponytail and her flawless caramel skin to her hazel-green eyes and her shapely curves. Her wardrobe of Baby Phat made her more and more camera-ready for a photoshoot at Elle. "Uh, hello," I said. "Can I help you?"

She extended a manicured hand. "Christina Anatolia Velasquez," she introduced. "And you're quite a looker despite your nerdy and hardy personality, kid. I can see why you're quite the hot topic around here."

"Not all bad, I hope," I couldn't help but sass back teasingly, giving her a thin smile. "And I'm sorry if I'm approaching you as a bit harsh, but I've been dealing with a lot recently, especially when it comes to the social hierarchy around her and being under close watch."

"So I can see. Allow me to escort you back to your class."

"Much obliged, doll. I'm at Walton's AP Chem class, room 202."

"I'm not far from you. I'm at Chandler's Physics class next door." Christina motioned me to follow her as we made our way back to class. "So, newbie. You may have noticed that Marcel Dermott and his friends are the kings and queens of this school, right?"

I nodded. "Clearly," I replied dourly. "Though I don't know why they're interested in me since they saved my behind from being mugged a couple of weeks ago. But my parents were all for me being buddy-buddies with them, hence me being on their radar and all that."

"I can tell," she hummed. "Be that as it may, I just need to let you know that Marcel is off-limits."

Cue the record scratch, folks. I turned to her. "Beg pardron?"

She turned to me with a smile that held no warmth. "Look, cutie. I know that you're under the pressure to be 'good friends' with Marcel and his dads, but he and I share something special," she explained. "I know him and his friends a lot longer than you do, even more since I was Marcel's girlfriend. And while he and I parted ways, I want to make sure that I be the first to reclaim his heart. So I can't afford anyone stealing him away from me. I'd like it if you keep your distance and let me back into his social circle."

Okay, folks. This chick right here has gone from Americana Beauty to just another femme-fatale who got scorned by love. "Look, Christina, I don't know what's going on around here, but I assure you that I want NOTHING to do with Marcel in any romantic way," I said, all seriousness in my voice. "You're right when you said that I hardly know him or his friends better than you do since I'm still the new kid in town. But I am not interested in him, so you need not worry. I just want to focus on my life, stick this senior year out, and leave Berkeley and my overachieving family for good. As far as I'm concerned in regards to Marcel, you're free to have him. I give you my blessing."

"That's all I ask," Christina said.

"What the hell are you doing, Velasquez?!" exclaimed Principal Andrew as he and Dad came down the hallway. "And Kyle, everyone's been looking for you."

"I had to stop by the soda machine because I was thirsty," I explained. "I happened to run into Miss Velasquez and she offered to escort me back to class."

"That's what I was afraid of," Dad replied gruffly before leading me away. "Son, you don't know this by now, so I'll give you a pass for now. But you need to stay away from Christina Velasquez for your sake."

"Why?" I asked harshly. "Is she another nobody who 'wants to taint me and ruin your plans?'"

"That's not it, but she is a part of that. She was Marcel's girlfriend before they broke up because she hates the LGBTQ community and he came out as gay to her. She still hopes to make him straight again and get back into his social circle. She's more than just an Outcast, Kyle. She's no good despite being in a well-respected family. Her family has given up on her since she teamed up with the other nobodies to scare new kids like you away from Marcel," Dad explained. "It's all the more reason to stick with Marcel and his friends because-"

"They can help me come out of my shell," I interrupted. "I know, Dad."

"I don't think you do, Kyle," Dad replied, his harsh stare boring into my eyes. "The more that you keep running into those nobodies and none of the other students here, the more I think that you're not playing ball. And it's all the more reason that I have to keep my eye on you. So you can't be trusted. And at this rate, I don't think you will be trusted to have your own life."

I placed my hands on my hips. "So what are you saying?"

"You know exactly what I'm saying," Dad said. "The longer that you try and fight your true purpose, the longer you're going to have it rough here. And you know that I'll make sure of it. Now, you're spending time with the girls and myself in detention. No exceptions."

We finally reached my class and I was ushered inside. "Marcel," Dad said to the jock in question. "Make sure to keep my son under your care. He met your ex."

All eyes were now on me, Marcel glaring me down.

I just took my seat, everyone looking at me as if I had become Lindsay Lohan.

Looks like things were going to get chaotic once again.

Boy, Kyle can't catch a break nowadays. He not only has to deal with his family's pressure to be popular but the antics of Christina Velasquez, the ex-girlfriend of Marcel Dermott! But things aren't always as they appear to be, and you'll see why in the chapters to come!

Coming up next, Kyle's attending detention in the form of swim-team tryouts, time with Lita and Diana (guest-starring Mr. York), and a dinner party with Kaleb and his family. And Kyle's not a happy camper when Marcel is tagging along! Stick around, folks, because this story right here is going to be on fire!

Dedication: coolingsun. Song: "Rumors" by Lindsay Lohan.

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