My High School Revenge

Chapter 2

Blood rushes to my head, drowning out the sounds of shuffling feet that move about the dorm halls. It thrums in my ears. I am in a full-blown panic attack now. I look at the back of my past tormentor, who is now standing by the door to my dorm room.

Great, now he knows which one mine is.

Haley puts the key into the lock and then turns the knob. While they make their way into the room, I take deep breaths to calm down. My heartbeat starts slowing down, and my body gears down from its fight-or-flight response. Straightening my spine, I join the rest of them.

“The dorms, much like the rest of the building on campus, received a renovation this year,” Haley informs.

As I recall, Remington College was established more than a hundred years ago. It had been “the school” to go to for decades. Until around thirty years ago, enrollments began declining, with other sought-out schools getting a hold of new graduates. They strategically advertised that they were modernized and provided new technologies that students could take advantage of.

Remington prided itself on its reputation, but without investing and following into the new century, they slowly began losing more and more funding. Until two years ago, the board of directors and deans were replaced with fresh faces. Ones who know how to sell themselves. It didn’t hurt that they themselves are rich and networked with their peers to have cash flowing once again.

They secured partnerships with outside companies and research studies to make them more intriguing and promising. The dorms were gutted, replaced with sleek showers, stalls, and posh sinks. It was like seeing luxury hotels and spas on screen when I was deciding which college I would attend. The rooms were similar to other college dorms, but larger, and the items provided were better quality; studier and softer.

As I thought this, Tate made himself at home on my bed, sinking into it. When he looked at me, I scowled. He only smirked at me.

“Your roommate should be here today. Her name is Julie.” Haley now stands by the door, messing around with her phone. “The meet-and-greet for your hallmates is in three hours. You may want to catch lunch before; the dining hall is right in the middle of the dorm building. Just go out the back door of the building and go straight across. The term officially starts tomorrow, so make sure that you speak with Tate here about your first meeting. Lastly, if you need anything, I’m your resident advisor. My room is five dorms down to the left of yours. I’ll see you later!”

I stand there awkwardly, going through the box nearest me, while Tate stares right at me.

My mom clears her throat. “Well, honey. I need to get going; I have an early shift in the morning.”

She hands me a manila envelope. “You’re going to do great. You're smart and beautiful. I know you’ll make good choices. I put an emergency credit card in there. It’s only if you absolutely need it. Call me tomorrow and let me know how your first day went.”

Her eyes well up with tears as she pulls me into a hug. She pulls herself back, kisses my cheek, and leaves the room. Her departure leaves me alone with my High School Bully. It’s silent for all of thirty seconds, with him still occupying my bed.

“So how have you been doing, Cherry?” he asks.

I can hear the words left unsaid; how has it been being the biggest loser at Thornhill High since Eli and I left? Did they make sure to put you in your place on our behalf?

I lift my gaze to him. If he weren’t such an asshole, I would say that he was one of the hottest guys I’ve met, but his personality is what brings me back. I refuse to let him get under my skin again.

“Fine,” I say.

“Just fine, c’mon, you must have more to say than that, Cherry.”

The way he says my name isn’t with mirth. His tone is low and seductive. Like the way that it rolls off his tongue is the sweetest thing that he’s ever tasted. That right there is what pissed me off. It’s all a game to him. He strings me along, setting his trap, and when I’m distracted, he pounces. It worked for all of two seconds.

The first time he spoke to me after I rejected him. I thought he was genuinely trying to start over. But then he made it seem like I was getting rejected in front of the whole school. He went on and on about how I said how much I wanted him and begged him to sleep with me. All while Eli was filming the whole thing.

It was humiliating. The friends I thought would follow me into High School backed away from me and nervously laughed along with the other students. After that, they blocked my number and ignored me.

“Why do you even care? It’s been years. I’m sure you have enough going on with homework and football to worry about me.”

“I’m your student advisor. I’m only trying to get a feel for how you are coming into your freshman year. I’m not here to bully you. I promise. I’m really sorry for how much of a d**k I was in High School. I really hope that we can start over.”

I look at him apprehensively. My first instinct is not to believe him. I know his tactics. But my plan will be ruined if I start on the wrong foot with anyone here, especially Tate Cunningham. So, I decide to be the better person. I’ll accept his apology in words only, but I’ll watch my back, always.

“Okay, I accept. But can you please get off my bed? I’d like to get settled in before classes tomorrow.”

“Oh s**t, yeah sorry,” he slides off the bed and runs his hands through his wavy black hair.

Seriously, if he hadn’t been horrible back then, I would be drooling right now. His blue eyes alone are striking—those thick brows and pillow-soft lips. Not to mention, he’s six feet five with ripping muscles.

His hoodie hides most of his physique, but I can tell a difference in how much he’s changed.

“You get a good look?” a voice says from beside me.

I nearly jump out of my skin.

Tate chuckles. “Eli, I thought you were meeting up with Ashley.”

I turn and see Tate’s partner in crime leaning against the doorway.

“Yeah, she was starting to get bitchy about the party. I couldn’t handle it anymore, so I ditched her.” He pushes up from the wall, walks over to me, and slings his arm around my shoulders. “Lucky I did. I thought I was going to miss seeing you. Sweet Cherry, look at you all grown up.”

Tate steps over to us, grabs Eli’s hand, and throws it off of me. Eli laughs and puts his hands up in submission.

“Whoa, man, sorry. I was just saying hello to her. It’s been a while.”

“No touching, Eli. We talked about this.” Tate stares him down. “We should go so you can unpack. I looked over your schedule. Looks like you have some free time to meet on Wednesday at 2 P.M. Let’s have our appointment then; I have practice at 4 P.M.”

He doesn’t wait for my confirmation. Just turns around, shutting the door behind them. My mind is still reeling about what just happened. This is supposed to be my fresh start. I worked so hard to bury a mangled-up soul that was the old Cherry. Unfortunately, it seems that the skeletons of my past might choose to haunt me once more.