Chapter 14 The tour and expressive tour guide
Stephanie
“And over there is the library, the most boring place in school, but secretly, my favorite place.” Brooklyn pointed to the looming building at a distance.
My eyes narrowed on her. “Why is the library your favorite place but the classroom is not? Do you love reading?”
“God no.” she shook her head as we headed towards the auditorium for the morning assembly.
“Then why is it your favorite place?”
“Well, you know.” she shrugged but I simply stared at her, not understanding what she was talking about.
She leaned closer, grinning, and whispered into my ears, “Library sex is the hottest, especially when you're dating a nerd.”
My mouth hung open as I stared at my new friend in horror. I wasn't a prude, not entirely. I've had my own fair share of make out sessions even if I've never gone all the way, but having sex in a library? That was corrupting the sacred place.
Okay, maybe I was a bit hypocritical because I've fantasized about that kind of sex since reading “Twisted Hate”, but hearing Brooklyn say it so casually was…strange. Not bad strange though.
Just the ‘I don't think it'll ever happen to me anytime soon although I wouldn't be opposed to it if it did’ kind of strange.
“Don't worry, no books were ruined, but I'm pretty sure the librarian is scarred for life.” she chuckled while I laughed.
Brooklyn and I had texted frequently since that night at the Vault. She didn't tell me how she got my number, only that she didn't want to miss the chance to get to know me better. She offered to give me a tour of the school on my first day which is why we're here.
I had watched tons of YouTube videos of KSE, but the virtual tour wasn't like the physical one, especially with such an expressive tour guide. Brooklyn had mentioned at least one personal memory about every place we've visited. They mostly included sex experiences or other wild thing, but I enjoyed it.
Hanging out with Brooklyn was so different from what I was used to. It was like finally exploring the parts of me that I had kept hidden for so long.
I did not feel the need to pretend that I loved dresses, or that I preferred heels to boots. I didn't need to act like a ‘normal teenager’, and I've never felt more free.
“And that is the cafeteria, where they serve ridiculously healthy food that sucks, but everyone is still too self conscious to eat because they're afraid of gaining weight.” she rolled her eyes.
“So what do you do during lunch?” I frowned.
If they engaged in some rich people activity during lunch break instead of eating, I was transferring, end of story. I refuse to sacrifice my lunch time no matter the reason.
“Gossip.” Brooklyn snorted when I blinked at her. “The cafeteria is the perfect place to gather information about literally anything. The students here are too bored in their million dollar homes and they thrive on gossip.”
I didn't need to ask to know which group she belonged to, not when she had called herself the queen of insta-stalking earlier.
“The cafeteria also serves as a place to show off ranks. The school royalty, the nerds, the freaks, just all kind of high school bullshit, really. Where you sit determines your rank. The only neutral grounds is with the F4. There are no ranks.”
My eyes narrowed again. “The F4? What's that?”
She smirked at me, giving me a knowing look and I immediately understood what she meant. We were getting closer to the auditorium now, it was the last stop on our tour.
“You guys are that close?” I raised an eyebrow.
I had seen her with Kendrix at the Vault but I never thought they were close. I never thought Kendrix was capable of having any close friends with his insufferable behavior.
Brooklyn nodded. “The Sinclairs and my family had business together when we were young so Ken and I spent a lot of time together growing up. We met Cisco and JJ at school and the four of us have been thick as thieves since then. We balance each other out.”
A smile touched her lips as she continued, “Ken and I are the mischievous pair, Cisco is like the grumpy parent, while JJ is like the hyperactive toddler in the group.”
I couldn't help but laugh at her description of her friends. I didn't miss the way her face lit up when she mentioned Cisco. The two of them had strong feelings for each other, that much was obvious.
“And just so you're wondering, I did not come up with the ‘F4’ nickname, JJ did. And he made sure it spread all over the school during freshman year. It was such a hassle.” She rolled her eyes.
“What does it even mean?” I chuckled.
“Favorite four. He got the name after he watched a K-drama, I don't remember the title, but basically, that's what the friends group were called. He made all of us watch that series just because we argued about the name.” She scoffed.
“That's how he got you to agree to it?” I asked.
“No, we agreed because F4 was the least ridiculous name. His first idea was to use our initials, CBJK—”
I burst into laughter as she tried to pronounce the ridiculous nickname which sounded a lot like “sibjik”. I definitely would not want to be shackled with a name like that in freshman year of high school.
“You think that was the most ridiculous? The second one which he said was manageable was ‘JJNF’, JJ and friends, which in hindsight is actually a lot better than the first one.” She chuckled.
She continued listing the nicknames JJ had came up with over the years as we entered the auditorium.
If Brooklyn was the queen of insta-stalking, then JJ would be the king of ridiculous nicknames.
We walked to the middle of the auditorium. Cisco and JJ were already seated when we got there. The former brightened up when he saw his girlfriend.
“Why'd you guys take so long? Principal Givens is going to announce nominations for student executive board.” Cisco said.
“I wouldn't miss you getting selected as president of the student council. I was just telling Stephanie some of JJ’s adventures.” Brooke smirked.
JJ narrowed his gaze on her in warning. Brooklyn blinked innocently.
“Looks like we're not the only one who's late. Where's Ken? He's not usually this late.” Brooklyn asked.
I tried not to look startled or stare at the only empty seat beside me. I had made a miscalculation.
Theoretically, I knew Brooklyn and Kendrix were friends and they would interact at some point. I just hadn't expected it to be so soon. Kendrix and I had done everything to avoid each other at home, we couldn't end up sitting beside each other in assembly.
I turned to JJ, ready to ask him to switch seat with me when an uproar went up in the auditorium.
“Speak of the devil. Yo, Ken!” JJ whistled.
I kept my gaze trained on my feet, determined not to stare at him. But it was impossible not to stare as he came closer, his familiar scent mixed with a strong feminine one hit me.
That's when I looked up to see Kendrix smirking at me with his arms looped around a blonde. She must be the Sophie he was picking up.
“Scurry off.” the leggy blonde scowled at me.
I blinked in surprise. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me. Get the fuck away from here and find somewhere else to sit.” She continued, tapping her heels impatiently.
Brooklyn looked like she was trying to restrain her anger, Cisco looked plain bored, as usual, while JJ seems amused as he stared at me.
Kendrix, however, just stared as his girlfriend dished out orders like I was on her payroll.
Oh, I was going to teach her a lesson.
“And why should I leave?” I asked, my arms crossed.
“Uhm, I'm sure you're new, but this is the high seat, invitations only. And since you're not blind, you can see there's only one seat empty, my man and I need to sit.”
More than half of the auditorium was now staring at us, but I didn't care. I was going to put this bitch in her place.
“Since you're not blind, you can see that there are plenty of other empty seats around you. And yeah, these seats are invitation only. I don't see anyone inviting you here.” I arched an eyebrow.
Given how she shuddered with rage, I had guessed right. None of the others liked her, especially not Brooklyn who was simmering with rage.
Gasps went up among the students she Sophie's face twisted with rage. She seems ready to drag my hair, but fortunately, the principal and the other staffs entered the auditorium.
Kendrix whispered something into her ears. Her gaze darted to me for a millisecond before she gave him a smacking kiss on the cheek completely unaware of his grimace. Blondie finally let him go with a parting glare at me.
Kendrix wiped her kiss away with his handkerchief and settled in the seat beside me.
“Sophie Wilson? I thought you guys broke up after you caught her cheating on you.” Cisco said.
“Not to mention she actively chased JJ last year. Are you out of your mind, young man?” Brooklyn snapped.
Kendrix simply shrugged, his gaze fixed on me. “You handled yourself pretty well.”
“Glad to see the show was up to your expectations. Some real help you offered.” I scoffed.
I turned away from him before he could say anything else, but it was almost impossible to ignore him when he's sitting right beside me, looking all smug.
This was going to be a very, very long day.