New Rogue

Chapter Five

Luke showed me everything in the giant house. The kitchen, the living area, the gaming room, the bathrooms and then my bedroom. I had to see the seamstress and she measured all my uniform.

After unpacking I headed to the back garden for some fresh air. I scurried past the shed and toward the end of the garden. There are some trees and a small bench. I sit on the table part before pulling out my phone.

Nothing. No messages from Sammy or Tristan. Nothing from my parents.

A twig snaps and my eyes swing toward the trees.

Regan is stood against one of the trees smoking.

“You scared the s**t out of me,” I tell him in a grumble.

He just stares at me intently before pushing off the tree and coming towards me. He offers me the smoke.

I take it and inhale a drag before passing it back to him.

He sits on the table beside me and we share the smoke, back and forth in silence.

“I am sorry for going off at you earlier,” I finally say into the night air. “It has been a long day.”

He is silent for a moment, “I assumed Luke had told you about New Rogue but apparently he had not.” His voice is so deep and rasp. “I think it would be best for you to stay away from it. Stay away from us.”

Silence stretches between us before I stand and walk away from him.

-

I stand before the mirror and curse this damn uniform. The white shirt is fitted to my chest, the top button was threatening to pop open so I have undone it. The skirt is short too, the gingham pattern makes me want to heave. I slide on my all black leather converse and fasten them. After applying my usual dark makeup I slide my hair into a ponytail.

I find my school bag and head down the stairs.

Luke is waiting in the kitchen, “morning Rads.” He gestures to toast and a cup of coffee on the counter. “Hungry?”

I sit on the breakfast stool and drink the coffee but leave the toast.

The door opens and Juke walks in, “morning sunshine.” He winks at me and squeezes my shoulder on the way past. “Morning brother,” he slaps hands with Luke.

“Ready to go?” Luke asks me and I nod. “Juke will take you, he is in your year.”

I look Juke over and realise he is wearing smart black trousers and a white shirt.

I stand and say bye to Luke before following Juke out the house. He leads me over to a motorbike.

“I am all for bikes but I think I might flash my knickers in this skirt,” I laugh and take the helmet.

I slide my ponytail out and shake my hair before sliding the helmet on.

“Come on baby cakes,” Juke climbs on. “Don’t worry, I’ll punch anyone who looks at your knickers.”

I laugh as I sit on the back. I am careful to tuck my skirt down in ways that will prevent it blowing and slide close to Juke so it doesn’t come up. Then I wrap my arms around his middle.

He revs the engine to life and a smile lights up my face. He pulls out of the driveway way and I suck in a deep breath.

-

Pulling up to this school is strange. People move out of Juke’s way and he parks right near the school entrance. I carefully climb off so I don’t flash a hundred people in the process. I slide the helmet off and hand it to Juke.

“Did anyone see?” He raises his eyebrows at me.

“No, I think we were good.” I tell him.

He groans and drops his arm over my shoulder, dragging me toward the school. “Damn it. I was looking forward to a good fight.”

I nudge him with my elbow and he winks down at me. He leads me straight to a locker.

“This is your locker sunshine,” he types in the combination and I realise it is my birthday. “This is your schedule,” he hands me a piece of paper. I take a picture of it on my phone before shoving the paper in my locker. I also put my bag into the locker. “We have first lesson together so let’s go.”

He pulls me along the hallway and everyone turns to look at us. People whisper to each other as we pass by.

“Juke!” A boy calls as he passes and they high five.

We reach a classroom and Juke walks straight inside. “Miss, this is Radleigh Turner.”

“Arr yes. Please come and sit down Miss Turner,” she gestures to the seats. “I am Miss Darthel.”

“Hi,” I manage before Juke leads me to the back of the classroom.

“Sit here sunshine,” he holds out a chair for me and then slides into the one beside it himself.

The class fills up quickly. A cheerleader walks in with her friend, they talk as they walk towards the back of the class.

The one splits off and walks to a seat in the middle of the room. The other girls looks our way and her face drops.

She stops beside me and glares, “move. That’s my seat.”

“Find somewhere else to sit Bex.” Juke tells her as he drops his arm over my shoulder. “Sunshine sits by me now.”

“But-“ she openly stares at us. “I am your girlfriend.”

“And…” Juke challenges.

She huffs and takes the only remaining seat near the front of the classroom.

I turn to Juke, “you just told your girlfriend to sit elsewhere?”

He winks at me but doesn’t take his arm off my shoulders.