“I thought I told you last time I didn't want your services. I can get fresh pussy for free.” He sniffed the air as if he could smell something foul. He then leaned into my ear but stated loud enough for everyone to hear, “You stink.”

The cafeteria had grown eerily quiet by now watching what was happening. The bell had already rung, signaling the end of the lunch period and the start of another, but no one moved.

He nodded toward my left arm where Trevor had grabbed me leaving a bruise. “Like it rough do you? Your last customer must have given it to you good.”

I’m not a whore.  I’m not.

“I guess not good enough since you had to come running to me immediately after.” He stopped circling me, coming to a stop in front of me. “You must be insane Monroe; I wouldn't touch you with a 10-foot fake dick, but maybe Peter could help you out. It looked like he really enjoyed your skills last time.”

I could hear laughter and a shocked gasp in the distance as once again, I felt tears fall. Crying was a daily occurrence for me; sometimes I didn't even notice them. At that moment, I wanted to die thinking it would be the only way to escape.

“Lake!” I heard my name but didn't have the mental strength to lift my head. Light, footsteps approached me and I felt a gentle arm come around me guiding me to the exit.

“Lake, I’m so sorry, why did you come here?” I finally recognized Willow’s voice and lifted my head to find tears in her eyes.

“I had to try,” I whispered.

* * *

Recognition shown on his face and I sat back, curling my legs underneath me, waiting for him to say something. “You said you needed to talk to me,” he said.

“Yes.”

He rolled his eyes. “What did you need to say?”

“I knew you were going to be set up.” His jaw clenched and his breathing quickened and I wondered if he knew he was doing it. Being close to him those few days allowed me to see a lot. More than he was even aware.

“Is this a confession?”

“No.” More jaw clenching. “It’s chance.”

“Enough with the games!” he roared suddenly and sprung to his feet pacing back and forth.  “A chance for what?”

“A chance to tell my side! I’ve tried to talk to you – God – I tried to warn you! This never would have happened if you weren’t…such…a…prick.”

His eyes flickered before he slipped his mask back into place. “So it’s my fault? I didn’t ask to be framed.”

“It’s not your fault but you owe some responsibility to what happened.”

“I won’t apologize for what I’ve done to you. Any of it.”

I felt as if my heart were ripped out of me and made a laughing stock. Knowing he wasn’t sorry for the pain he caused me hurt more than all the pain combined over the years but I refused to cry. I looked up at him and hardened my gaze.

I hated him.

“Then we have nothing to say to each other.”

“Oh?” he asked dangerously low.

“You want an explanation, I want an apology.”

“Not. Happening,” he growled.

“I agree…bye.” I flicked my hand to door dismissively but I guess that was a mistake because I found myself pinned against the cushions, his body keeping me prisoner, and his hand clutching my throat threateningly before I could blink.

“You’re going to fucking talk and I’m not leaving here until you do.”

* * *

He was serious. I mean I guess I should have known that considering who he was but it didn’t take until Keenan and Dash furnished him with a duffel bag with what I assumed were clothes. They began to play a game that looked like military ops and ignored me.

There were boys at my house.

Three to be exact.

My aunt was going to kill me.

Then again considering her concern over my lack of a love life, of the adolescent persuasion, she might be ecstatic but I’m sure she would think three was pushing it.

“Leave. Now,” I demanded for the hundredth time. Frustration had set in twenty minutes ago when Keenan asked me what was for dinner. I had gone for the butcher knife but Keiran notified me that he’d already hidden the knives.

Dash and Keenan looked at me as If I was crazed when I sat down. I never pulled a knife out on anybody before but the situation called for desperate measures. I was sure they would see things my way if I threatened to dismember or separate certain appendages from their bodies.

After an hour of being ignored, I temporarily gave up on kicking them out, and headed up stairs to do homework. It’s not like I could call for help. After his threat to seize my house he took my cell phone again. Such a prick. After finishing my homework, I creeped downstairs, hoping that they were gone.

“You still think she did it?” I hear Dash ask. I knew they were talking about me so I stopped around the corner to eavesdrop.

“Hard to tell. She doesn’t seem interested in clearing herself anymore.”

“Why?” Keenan asked.

“She wants me to apologize,” he stated. Dash and Keenan snorted.

“Yeah, that’s not going to happen.” Keenan said.

“Well, we at least know she had help, if she did do it.” Dash said

“Or was the help. That motherfucker Trevor is a done deal, the fuck.” Keenan gritted.

“She said she knew I was going to be set up and tried to warn me the day before I got arrested.”

“When you told the whole cafeteria she stunk?” Keenan asked.

“Man, how do you remember but I didn’t?”

“Cause that’s the first time Sheldon ever denied me my pussy. Not even when she caught me cheating the first time.”

“One day my sister is going to leave you.” Dash laughed.

“She doesn’t have a say. It’s us. It always will be us.”

“I don’t get her. Why is she siding with Lake, anyway?” Dash asked.

“She believes she’s innocent and you know she wants new friends. Rosalyn and Anya are a piece of work.” Who is Rosalyn?

“Yeah. Anya seems to think I belong to her. She’s an alright fuck but really she is just something to do when screwing with Monroe gets boring.”

“Does it ever?” Dash asked. It was silent for a long moment and I thought he wasn’t going to answer.

“When she ignores me.” His answer shocked me. Why would he care?

“Speaking of ignoring, what’s up with you and the red head?” Keenan asked.

“What about it?”

“You chasing pretty harder than needed.”

He chuckled before answering, “She’s fun. I’m having fun.”

I pictured the shrug his broad shoulders most likely made and I saw red. I wanted to go down and confront them but knew it would do no good. Willow still wouldn’t talk to me.

“I bet. Her ass looks amazing.” I heard the sound of flesh hit flesh followed by Keenan’s cry of pain. Shit, if they started fighting and broke anything in the house, my aunt would kill me.

“She’s mine.”

“Damn bro! You sure hit hard over fun. In fact you usually share the fun.” He kept emphasizing the word ‘fun’ while my blood continued to boil.

“Not this time. That goes for you too, Keiran.”

“I don’t want her.” Keiran said nonchalantly. The way they were talking about her as if she was a piece of meat pissed me off.

“You know Keiran. He prefers sleeping with the enemy. He’s kinky like that.” They all laughed at Keenan’s crack. Hardy har har. I didn’t find anything funny.

“So what’s the plan, man? I know you need to know if she is guilty and not just for pay back.”

“Wait around for her to crack. I’ve got three weeks.”

“The aunt. She hot?”

“I see where she get’s her looks from.” Keiran stated, not directly answering the question.

“Fuck hot then.” A slap resounded in the air and Keenan cried in pain again. I couldn’t feel sorry for him. I wasn’t even flattered that he thinks I’m hot.

“What are you going to do if she’s innocent?” Dash asked. I held my breath waiting for his response until I was sure I was turning blue.