Mark sat on the sidelines of the classroom, looking at the people who whispered behind his back. Girls giggled under their breath, saying he was handsome, but it was impossible for Naomi to pay attention to him. His classmates laughed at him, thinking that he was the one who came up with this nonsensical gossip to get out of the shadow of the school bum. He listened to this with his lips clenched, feeling like getting up and shouting in their faces that he was probably worth more than them, since a girl like Naomi Smith had paid attention to him. He wanted nothing more than for them to finally shut their mouths — once and for all.
From his pocket, he pulled out his phone and with trembling hands wrote her a message. In the content, he pointed out that she had destroyed his school life, and now she should fix it.
A teacher entered the classroom, so the students sat down in their desks, not stopping to laugh at the boy.
- Have you heard the latest news? - Asked one of the boys, out of the corner of his eye, glancing at Mark. - We have a star in our class. He's dating a model.
The teenager lowered his face, nervously moving his feet. He felt the amused gazes of his peers on him. They had a laugh at him, thinking that he had made everything up to gain recognition in their eyes.
- And I understand that you guys envy him? - asked the man, smiling friendly. - Congratulations to the lucky guy, but now get on with your studies. In a few days, there are exams and they will decide your future. We have many lazy people here who should be worried about the results they will get. I'm afraid they won't be as lucky as a student who dates a model.
With a glance, he suggested to the wonky boy that he better apply himself to his studies rather than deal with bullshit. Mark involuntarily smiled under his breath. Unfortunately, the boy, who had been put out by the teacher, noticed this. He was not going to let it go.
*
Pushed by his colleague, he was led outside. Mark threw a hostile glance at him as that one raised his hand, intending to hit him.
- You'd better not do that... - They both looked toward the crowd, which gave way to the girl. - This is a face that could belong to a famous model.
Naomi removed her glasses from her nose and crossed her arms on her chest, looking at the student with superiority.
- I hate it when anyone thinks they can raise their hand against my boyfriend. - With these words, she made a noise. The students were frantically talking among themselves, fingers pointing at Mark. They were excited that the rumor actually turned out to be true.
The 18-year-old swallowed his saliva harder, unable to believe that she had actually done it and come to the front of the school. She proved to everyone that she knew him so that his peers would no longer tease him.
The boy who was clinging to Mark looked confused.
- How is this possible? - He asked, looking at his colleague. - How did the school's outcast manage to do this?
Anger boiled inside Naomi.
- The only school wretch I see here is you," she declared in a chastising voice, coming closer to him. - Apparently you are very unhappy if you bully others. Mark is a smart boy, that's why he disregards your taunts. I won't comment about you because I don't know you, but looking at your behavior, only one thing comes to mind: a donkey's head.
Students who were watching the whole situation recorded the incident with their phones, feeling like sharing the events with other people. Naomi took a light-hearted approach because she didn't care if everyone found out about her having an affair with a high school student. She was not an idol, which would cause an uproar. As a public figure, she was also entitled to a relationship.
The boy was outraged because she had exposed him to ridicule. He saw the smiles of his colleagues, who were amused by her statements. They had a laugh at him because he let himself be humiliated by the girl. Unfortunately, he became speechless at Naomi Smith, especially as he saw the students recording them.
- Who would expect a girl like you to date a loser. Are you turned on by underdogs?
- Underdogs? - she repeated, forcing a smile on her face. - I've managed to get to know Mark well, and I have to contradict your words. A loser he certainly is not, especially when he kisses me. As for me, there is no better guy than him," she giggled, putting her hand to her face. Mark opened his eyes wider, almost choking on saliva after the words she shamelessly uttered.
He felt like tugging her by the hair.
- She is so beautiful and brave. I love her. - He heard other girls commenting on her, so he looked in that direction. The schoolgirls were delighted with her, not to mention the boys, who were smiling unequivocally at each other.
Mark was overcome with anger. He was jealous, even though he was arguing with his thoughts.
- Have you finished the show? - He asked, poking a stern look at her. - You should become an actress, it's strange that you are wasting such talent," he muttered, grabbing a backpack from the concrete. The blonde laughed artfully and grabbed his hand.
- Where are you going? - she hissed through her teeth. - I saved your ass. Now everyone will give you a break. I compromised my name because during that day there will be a rumor that you are my boyfriend.
The 18-year-old looked horrified as he looked into her face. He finally realized that the students were recording them and people would find out that he was in a relationship with Naomi Smith, even though they weren't really a couple.
- Should I kiss your feet? - he muttered, out of the corner of his eye looking at the students.
- Don't be spiteful. Get in the car.
He didn't object. Naomi grabbed him under the arm, making him bite his cheeks from the inside. Her proximity made him feel a pleasant shiver.
All the while, the 20-year-old forced a smile, which she managed to practice properly in front of the cameras. The two headed for the car. Mark took the passenger seat and slammed the door. Naomi leaned against the door, pretending to be the perfect woman that everyone should admire.
- You have such a beautiful complexion, tell me a secret," one of the students spoke up, sincerely admiring her. Mark leaned out to see the girl, but his face twisted into a grimace as the blonde girl stuck out her ass. She strutted in the doorway as if she had become Miss Wet T-shirt.
- Thank you very much. This is due to natural ingredients. I use home remedies," she replied, putting her hands to her face. She was trying to be charming, which Mark greeted with a snort. Only he knew her true face and what a devil she could be in private.
- You are so wonderful.... and naturally beautiful moreover! - The admiration was not enough, and the brunet already longed to go home. He sighed heavily and stuck his gaze in the windshield. He reached out to stab her in the back with his finger. Unfortunately, he took poor aim, as he hit her buttock.
Naomi turned to face him. She looked surprised. The boy felt like collapsing to the ground. His cheeks lit up with living fire.
- Thank you for your kind words, but it's time for me to go. It was a pleasure to meet you! - She nodded goodbye to them and got in, letting the air out with obvious relief.
The boy looked at her out of the corner of his eye, still embarrassed by what he had done.
- I like the fact that you are getting bolder towards me," she stated, starting the engine. She laughed under her breath when she noticed the look on Mark's face. - I don't hold it against you, you can touch me whenever you want.
The eighteen-year-old raised an eyebrow. Occasionally, she spoke too openly and didn't realize how she was being perceived.
- I have no intention of touching you. It was accidental," he muttered, crossing his arms over his chest. He was embarrassed again.
*
After returning from school, Samantha did not greet her mother and went straight to her room. The woman was angry with her about what she had pulled off last night and eventually slapped the girl across the face. She wanted to call her to order and make her realize how much trouble she was causing her, but the teenager thought she had done the right thing. Alex needed help, so she did nothing wrong. She ran away from home in the middle of the night just to help the other man. Unfortunately, the woman didn't understand this and pointed out to her that if she wanted freedom, she could leave home at any time and start coping on her own. Samantha took offense at her for those words and said she was looking for an excuse to get rid of an extra mouth to feed. She overreacted, but tried not to think about it, and so far, she wasn't going to apologize to her mother.
She believed that the fault lay on both sides.
Two hours had passed when she took to reading her notes from the last lessons out of boredom. She longed to get out of the house because she was suffocating within the four walls. She wanted to amuse herself after a tiring day at school, but no one wrote to her. Furthermore, she waited for any proposal, especially from Alex, who remained silent. She was afraid that last night was an illusion, and he would start acting like an asshole again.
Her eyes lit up, and she enthusiastically grabbed the phone when she heard the sound of a new message. Alex wrote to her. He asked if she felt like having a drink with him and his friends she met at the last party. Without thinking, she wrote him back that she agreed. The boy gave her the time and place where they should meet, so she hurriedly pulled her best clothes from the closet and put them on.
Without telling her mother anything, she left the house. Her attention was caught by the powerful, suit-clad men who stood in front of Mark's house. They were banging on the door as if they were going to break it down.
The first thing she thought of: it was the Mafia, however, her neighbor was not the type of hooligan who messed with people of that ilk. It seemed strange to her, but she wasn't going to interfere since this matter probably involved his mother, so she ignored it and ran toward the bus stop.
Dressed in a white blouse, gray pants and sneakers, she squatted on a bench. She looked at the people who passed by her. She measured every girl who looked better than her. Furthermore, she was jealous of the clothes they wore, since she couldn't afford them.
She pouted her lips when a teenage girl wearing a cornflower-colored, flared dress caught her attention. Likewise, she was tall and looked like a runway model in it.
As soon as I finish this cursed high school, I'll look for some casual work, she thought. The bus stopped at the bus stop, so she got up hurriedly and ran to it, paying with her phone. The meeting place Alex had chosen was not far away, so a few minutes later she got off at the agreed street, looking around. She didn't see him anywhere, and hoped that he hadn't decided to taunt her again like when she waited half an hour longer for him.
- Samantha! - She looked over her shoulder, hearing his voice. It was beginning to get dark outside, and he came out of the tent where they were serving alcohol and warm food. On his head he wore a white baseball cap.
Surprised, she approached him, noticing his colleagues who were already seated at a table laden with bottles of vodka.
- Do you drink in such places?
- Bars are overrated. Don't you think a regular tent where ordinary people drink is better? Here no one has to control themselves.
The teenager rolled her eyes.
She walked over to the table and squatted down at the guys, who gave way to her. Alex rasped with his eyes at his colleague, who had gotten too close to her. Samantha didn't notice this, as she was amused by their behavior.
She tilted the glass that one of the guys poured for her.
- Just take it slow so you don't get drunk like last time. You need to know your moderation," Alex pointed out to her, watching her reach for a second glass.
- Take it easy, daddy. I'll know when the alarm goes off.
The gray-haired man initially shook his head, watching her consume more alcohol. She had had enough, but he wasn't going to watch her.
- Your eyes are glazing over, matey," he announced, looking at her with stern eyes. Samantha laughed and pointed a finger at him.
- Say, who's the dullard here? - She looked at each of the boys. - Admit it, I'm quite a chick, no?
Everyone laughed, including Alex.
- You're still underage, but you're right. You're a cool chick," they echoed, shouting at each other.
The 20-year-old raised an eyebrow when he saw the girl in a short skirt. He mirrored her with his eyes, which did not escape Samantha's attention. For unclear reasons, she became jealous of this.
- Your eyes will fall out! Be careful because in a moment you will enter her nose under her skirt! - Her voice sounded sharp.
- Men are sightseers. Women like her will always catch our attention," he explained.
Samantha was so indignant that she reached for another glass, even though she had had enough.
- That's not true. Not every guy is like that. Alex is a playboy, so he wags his eyes at women like crazy. I, on the other hand, wander with such a gaze only after you," declared the boy sitting next to her. The gray-haired man raked him with his eyes. - See? He's a gardener's dog. He can observe women, but when one is his, he acts as if she is his property.
- You are drunk and talking out of turn. - He tilted his glass, looking at Samantha, who didn't mind the stranger boy stroking her shoulder.
He snorted under his breath.
When she poured herself another portion, he snatched the glass from her hand and set it down on the table. His behavior outraged the girl.
- I have no intention of dealing with your corpse again. Stop, young one.
- Young? - She repeated, forcing a laugh. - We are only two years apart!
- But you're still underage, and you shouldn't drink alcohol at all," he stated, once again taking the glass from her.
She let it go. Offended, she crossed her arms over her chest, turning her face in the opposite direction.
- Look how cute she is when she's angry.
Alex mirrored her with his eyes, while she pretended not to see him. She was angry with him because he was acting like an asshole again. He totally didn't resemble the man he was last night.
*
When he answered the ringing phone and returned to the tent, he noticed that Samantha had fallen asleep face down on the table. He predicted that it would come to that again, since she had been drinking alcohol so mindlessly. He decided that he would never again take her with him to such a meeting.
- Did she drink something in my absence? - he asked his colleagues, who only laughed out loud. - After all, you were supposed to watch over her! - He raised his voice, chastising them with his eyes. He poked the girl on the shoulder to wake up. - Get up, drinker.
She muttered an unintelligible word under her breath, and when he did not stop tugging at her, she finally lifted her face and looked at him with misty eyes.
- What?
- You're going home. I don't know how you will go to school tomorrow.... - He sighed heavily and when he noticed that she was not listening to him at all, he grabbed her elbow and forcibly lifted her up. The girl was semi-conscious, so she would have fallen if he hadn't grabbed her. He had no choice, so he took her in his arms. The boys gave an enthusiastic shout. - 'Shut up,' he said to them, clearly nervous. - We'll be in touch.
He left the tent and looked around for a cab. Samantha opened her eyes and smiled widely, seeing Alex's face.
- And yet, you can be caring. All the time, you are stuck with the man I met at night.
He pressed his lips together and let go of her hands. The girl wobbly stood up on her feet. Unfortunately, she lost her balance and fell with her butt on the sidewalk.
She made him nervous. She had promised to know moderation in drinking, and again she had brought herself to such a state. He felt like leaving her there alone to find her way back home, but turned to face her when he realized how dangerous evenings are for a teenage girl.
- You're pissing me off. Which girl brings herself to such a state? - She ignored his words, reaching out to him to take her on his shoulder. - I think you are abnormal. There's no way I'm playing with your pet.
He walked out to the edge of the sidewalk and stopped a passing cab. He helped the brunette get up and got into the car with her. Furthermore, he wasn't going to let her go alone, as she was barely able to stay on her feet.