ONE MONTH WITH THE DEVIL

chapter 9

He lifted an eyebrow, gazing at me in disbelief. "You don't have a right to shout at me."

"Mind your language, Victor," Mr. Carter shouted from across the room.

Even though Mr. Carter intervened, I couldn't just let it slide. He had just insulted me in front of everyone. Who does this asshole think he is?

"You don't tell me what to do," Victor retorted, which made the whole class burst into laughter.

It was definitely rude. How could he talk to our English teacher like that? Evergreen High teachers don't like him because of this.

I turned to him, glaring. "You're so rude, you low-life jerk."

His brows snapped together.

"Low-life? You are calling me low-life? You are the one who was craving me last week. You are the one who can't stop looking at me."

My hands tightened into fists. I opened my mouth to say something, but no words came out. His words hit me hard, rendering me speechless.

His words echoed in my mind.

I don't know why, but I was deeply hurt by what he said. He spoke as if I had been begging him, as if I was desperate for him. And the worst part? Part of me was. I had been thinking about him, replaying our lake moments together in my mind. But how did he know?

"Out of my class, Lara Voss and Victor Vance! Detention for both of you now. And meet the principal during lunch," Mr. Carter's voice jolted me out of my thoughts.

My eyes widened. Meeting the principal during lunch? God, I'm doomed. That means we're in deep trouble. I should only think about myself, I'm in deep trouble. What if the principal calls my mother?

Jeez, what have I done? What have you done, Lara Voss?

"Are you deaf, Lara?" Mr. Carter snapped.

Why did he only mention my name? I turned to my side, but Victor was nowhere to be found. He must have gone to detention already. That asshole is so used to it, it doesn't mean anything to him anymore.

I picked up my English notes and proceeded to walk out of the class.

"I'm really disappointed in you, Lara Voss," Mr. Carter said as I passed by him.

"I'm sorry for letting you down," I muttered under my breath. I walked out of the class before the tears pooling in my eyes could fall.

I cried my eyes out once I reached the girls' restroom. When did I become this person? When did I become the girl who uses bad language in front of everyone? When did I become the girl who gets detention twice in a month and a half? I'm really disappointed in myself.

All of this is because of Victor freaking Vance. I had planned to ignore him and rid myself of these stupid feelings, but he came to class. Coming to class isn't even the problem, sitting beside him is.

I should have ignored him when he asked me that question. I should have pretended I wasn't aware of his presence.

Now, I'm in trouble.

I wiped away my tears and prepared to go to the detention room. Victor would be there. I'll just pretend I don't know he's there.

I left the restroom and went to the detention room. The teacher in charge wasn't there, of course. Victor was already there, messing with his phone. I thought phones weren't allowed in detention. I didn't say a word, just sat down silently at a seat far from him. I was relieved that he also pretended I didn't exist. At least I won't get into another fight.

"One week suspension for both of you, Victor Vance and Lara Voss," the principal announced.

My eyelids drooped. I thought they were just going to call my mother to school, but they added suspension to the punishment.

The principal adjusted his glasses, glaring at us. "This great school doesn't tolerate disruption in class or the use of vulgar language on the premises. Evergreen High is for rich kids and smart kids. Money and grades are big here. According to your teacher, both of you broke several rules during English class, so you'll be suspended for a week. I hope you'll use this time to reflect on your behavior. Do you understand me?"

I nodded. "Yes, sir." But Victor beside me didn't say anything.

"Also, give this letter to your parents. I want to see them here after your suspension ends," the principal added.

"Can I leave?" Victor finally spoke.

"Why are you in such a hurry? Anyway, you can go. Enjoy your day and your suspension," the principal said with a wicked smile.

I bowed my head. "Thank you."

Before I could even say thank you, Victor had already left the office. He's such an annoying jerk.

I told Maya everything before I left the school premises. She promised to visit me in the evening or call me. Tyler said he will talk to Victor, because best friends fall in love and Tyler knows Victor well.

Now I need to think about my main problem. How will I tell my mother about the suspension? How will I explain what really caused the detention?

I cleared my throat, stealing a quick glance at my mother. "Mom, I have something to tell you."

We were in the living room. Mom was watching her favorite show; we had just finished dinner. Small warm house, not rich like Vance house, but full of love.

"What is it, sweetheart?" she asked. My mom is Dr. Elena Voss.

I bit my bottom lip. It's now or never. "I'm not going to school tomorrow, Mom. I... I got a one-week suspension," I stuttered.

Her eyes quickly left the TV. She gazed at me with a frown. "What did you do?"

My lips trembled. "I'm sorry, Mom. I'm really sorry. I got into a verbal fight with a classmate."

She was silent for a while, then she flung her arms around my shoulders. "I understand. Who is this person? They must have really pushed you."

"It's just a girl," I lied, avoiding her gaze. I didn't want her to have a bad impression of Victor. She already worries about Vance family secrets.

She took a deep breath. "Well, I won't say much since this is your first suspension. But I am going to punish you."

"I'm ready to accept any punishment. I know I did the wrong thing," I muttered.

"You'll have to assist my friend Freya with her business. She just opened a restaurant and hasn't hired workers yet. You'll help her out for a week," she explained.

"No problem, Mom," I said, even though I knew it would take me away from studying and my dream of college. But it's a good thing I won't have time to think about Victor.

The next morning, I woke up early, and Mom dropped me off at her friend's restaurant. It wasn't too hard to work there. I helped serve customers and made some deliveries. Some customers were nice, while others were kind of aggressive. But I managed. Too much school work and now this work.

I have to deliver food to a house now. They gave me money for transport as usual. After a few minutes, I reached the house and checked the address for the umpteenth time. Yes, I'm at the right place.

It was a bungalow. The street seemed deserted, like no one lived there. Maybe the students were at school and the parents at work. That must be it.

Nevertheless, I pressed the doorbell. No response at first. Before I could press it again, the door opened.

My mouth fell open as those forest-green eyes met mine. Why is he always around me? Why does he keep appearing in my life? Why do I keep seeing his damn face? Is this his plan to keep me thinking about him?

"What are you doing here?" The words slipped out of his mouth, deep and low.