Behind the Dextros Gates

Chapter3: The Wrong Side

Tasha woke up the next morning with one thought.

I hate Dextros.

It wasn't entirely true.

She liked the school.

The classrooms were beautiful. The library was enormous. The teachers seemed serious. Even the gardens looked like something from a university brochure.

But the students?

That was another story.

Especially one particular student.

James Vale.

Tasha stared at herself in the bathroom mirror while tying her hair back.

She still couldn't understand why everyone acted like his name belonged in a warning label.

He was a student.

Just like her.

Maybe richer.

Maybe more powerful.

Maybe surrounded by six people who looked like they could throw someone through a wall.

But still a student.

"Stop thinking about him," she muttered.

She grabbed her bag.

"You're going to school to study."

That was the plan.

Simple.

Safe.

And, for approximately twenty minutes, it worked.

---

Her first class was History.

Tasha arrived early.

She chose a seat near the window, pulled out her notebook, and began copying the date from the board.

One by one, students entered.

Then the classroom started getting louder.

A group of boys came in together.

Tasha recognized two of them from yesterday.

The tall one who had been with James.

Adrian.

She remembered Maya mentioning his name.

He noticed her too.

He whispered something to the boy beside him.

The boy looked at Tasha.

Then both laughed.

Tasha ignored them.

She wasn't going to spend her entire school year reacting to every person who whispered about her.

The teacher walked in.

"Good morning."

The class settled.

"Today we're beginning the second unit. Before we start, I want everyone to take out a sheet of paper."

Tasha reached into her bag.

The teacher began explaining the assignment.

They were going to work in pairs for the next two weeks.

Tasha looked around.

Most students immediately moved toward their friends.

She remained seated.

She didn't know anyone well enough to choose.

The teacher started assigning pairs.

"Tasha Adeyemi."

Tasha looked up.

"Yes, sir?"

"You'll work with—"

"She's with me."

The voice came from the back of the classroom.

Tasha turned.

James.

Of course.

He sat in the last row, one arm resting lazily against his chair.

The teacher paused.

"Mr. Vale, I haven't finished assigning the pairs."

"I know."

A few students laughed.

The teacher sighed.

"James, you already have a partner."

"Not anymore."

Tasha raised her hand.

"Sir?"

The teacher looked at her.

"I can work with whoever you assign."

James glanced toward her.

Something about his expression suggested he found that amusing.

The teacher rubbed his forehead.

"Fine. Tasha, you'll work with James."

Tasha's mouth fell open.

James smiled.

She immediately looked back at the teacher.

"Can I change?"

The class erupted in laughter.

Even the teacher struggled not to smile.

James leaned forward.

"What's wrong?"

Tasha looked at him.

"Nothing."

"You seem disappointed."

"I'm not."

"You are."

"You're very confident."

"So I've been told."

Tasha turned back toward the board.

"Great."

She heard him laugh quietly behind her.

She already regretted coming to this school.

---

When class ended, Tasha packed her notebook.

James didn't move.

She walked past his desk.

"Where are you going?"

"Next class."

"We have to work on the assignment."

"After school."

"Why?"

"Because I have classes."

"So do I."

"Exactly."

She continued walking.

James stood.

He caught up with her in the hallway.

"You don't like me."

Tasha looked at him.

"I barely know you."

"You don't need to."

"That's true."

He smiled.

"You really don't know when to stop."

"Neither do you."

James stopped walking.

Tasha continued.

She didn't notice the way several students nearby suddenly became quiet.

She didn't notice James watching her disappear around the corner.

But someone else did.

Alex King stood at the opposite end of the hallway.

He had watched the entire exchange.

His expression didn't change.

"Interesting," he murmured.

---

By lunch, Tasha had almost forgotten about James.

Almost.

She sat with Maya beneath one of the trees outside the cafeteria.

"So," Maya said, opening her juice, "how's your first real day?"

"Better."

"That's good."

"Except I got paired with James for an assignment."

Maya nearly choked.

"What?"

Tasha laughed.

"What?"

"You got paired with James?"

"Yes."

"For two weeks?"

"Unfortunately."

Maya stared at her.

Then she lowered her voice.

"Do you understand how strange that is?"

"No."

"James doesn't work with people."

"It's a school assignment."

"That's not what I mean."

Tasha frowned.

Maya looked toward the cafeteria.

"James doesn't usually let teachers tell him what to do."

"Then why did he?"

"I don't know."

"Maybe he likes history."

Maya laughed.

"James doesn't like history."

"Maybe he likes me."

Maya stopped laughing.

Tasha smiled.

"I'm joking."

Maya shook her head.

"Don't joke about things like that."

"Why?"

"Because at Dextros, people take everything seriously."

Tasha rolled her eyes.

"That's exhausting."

"It is."

They ate in silence for a moment.

Then Maya leaned closer.

"There's something else you should know."

"Here we go."

"I'm serious."

"So am I."

Maya glanced around.

"Don't let yourself get pulled into faction business."

"I thought you said they weren't gangs."

"They aren't."

"Then why are you so worried?"

"Because people get hurt."

Tasha stopped eating.

"Physically?"

"Sometimes."

Maya's expression was serious now.

"Usually it's not that simple. Someone owes someone something. Someone insults someone. Someone's family gets involved. A fight starts. Then suddenly everyone chooses sides."

Tasha looked across the courtyard.

"And the school does nothing?"

"Sometimes they punish students."

"Sometimes?"

Maya shrugged.

"Depends on who you're talking about."

Tasha didn't like the sound of that.

Before she could ask another question, someone dropped into the seat across from them.

Tasha looked up.

A boy she didn't recognize.

He had dark hair, a careless smile, and a silver ring on his finger.

"You must be the new girl."

Tasha blinked.

"Apparently everyone knows that."

He smiled.

"I'm Noah."

Maya's expression changed slightly.

Tasha noticed.

"Noah," Maya repeated.

"That's me."

He looked at Tasha.

"You really don't know anyone here?"

"Not really."

"That's cute."

Tasha frowned.

"Why?"

"Because it won't last."

Maya kicked him lightly under the table.

"Stop."

Noah laughed.

"I'm only being friendly."

Tasha looked between them.

"Are you?"

"Absolutely."

He stood.

"See you around, scholarship girl."

He walked away.

Tasha watched him go.

"Who was that?"

Maya hesitated.

"Red Crowns."

Tasha sighed.

"Of course."

---

The trouble started after school.

Tasha had gone to the library to work on her assignment.

She had been there for almost an hour when someone dropped a book onto her table.

She looked up.

A boy stood there.

She recognized him from the cafeteria.

One of the Black Fangs.

She didn't know his name.

"You've been sitting here for a while."

Tasha looked at the book.

Then at him.

"Okay."

He pulled out the chair opposite her.

"You should leave."

Tasha blinked.

"Why?"

"Because this table is taken."

She looked around.

The library was nearly empty.

"There are twenty other tables."

"This one is taken."

"By who?"

The boy leaned closer.

"Does it matter?"

Tasha closed her notebook.

"Actually, yes."

He smiled without humor.

"You're new."

"Yes."

"You should learn how things work."

"I've heard that a lot this week."

"Then maybe start listening."

Tasha stood.

Not because she was afraid.

Because she had better things to do.

She gathered her books.

The boy stepped into her path.

"Where are you going?"

"Home."

"Not yet."

Tasha stared at him.

"Move."

He didn't.

Something in his expression changed.

"You think because James spoke to you, you're special?"

Tasha's eyes narrowed.

"What does James have to do with this?"

The boy laughed.

"You really don't know."

"Know what?"

He stepped closer.

"You walked into Dextros yesterday and started talking to James like you were his equal."

"I am his equal."

The boy's smile disappeared.

Tasha realized she had chosen the wrong answer.

He grabbed the strap of her bag.

"Listen carefully—"

"Let go of her."

The voice came from behind them.

The boy froze.

Tasha turned.

Alex stood near the library entrance.

He looked calm.

Almost too calm.

His uniform was perfectly arranged. His tie was straight. His expression gave nothing away.

The boy immediately released Tasha.

"Alex."

Alex walked toward them.

"You heard me."

The boy stepped back.

"This doesn't concern you."

Alex stopped.

"It does now."

Silence.

Tasha looked between them.

The boy clenched his jaw.

Then he picked up his book and walked away.

Tasha watched him disappear.

Then looked at Alex.

"Who are you?"

A faint smile appeared.

"Alex."

"Just Alex?"

"Alexander King, if you prefer."

Tasha studied him.

"You scared him."

"No."

"He definitely looked scared."

Alex glanced toward the door.

"He knows better than to cause a scene in the library."

Tasha folded her arms.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

He turned to leave.

Tasha stopped him.

"Wait."

Alex looked back.

"Why did you help me?"

He seemed to consider the question.

"Because you needed help."

"That's it?"

"That's it."

Tasha didn't completely believe him.

But she appreciated the answer.

"Okay."

Alex nodded.

Then walked away.

Tasha watched him go.

There was something different about him.

James made people feel like they were standing too close to a fire.

Alex was different.

He made people wonder what was happening underneath the surface.

---

Alex reached the courtyard.

His Top Six were waiting.

Elijah noticed him first.

"Where were you?"

"Library."

Samuel looked at him.

"Everything okay?"

Alex nodded.

Then he glanced toward the building.

"The new girl."

Elijah's expression changed.

"Tasha?"

"Yes."

"You know her?"

"Not really."

Samuel frowned.

"What's she done?"

"Nothing."

"Then why are you interested?"

Alex looked at him.

"I'm not."

Elijah gave him a look.

"Sure."

Alex ignored him.

Across the courtyard, James was walking toward them.

He stopped when he saw Alex.

Their eyes met.

Neither smiled.

Neither looked away.

The air between them changed instantly.

Elijah straightened.

Samuel went quiet.

James approached.

"Alex."

"James."

Tasha stepped out of the library behind them.

She stopped when she saw the two boys facing each other.

She looked from James to Alex.

Then back again.

James noticed her.

His expression hardened.

Alex noticed that too.

For a moment, nobody spoke.

Then James looked at Alex.

"You've been talking to her."

Alex's expression remained calm.

"Yes."

James glanced at Tasha.

"Why?"

Tasha frowned.

"Why does it matter?"

James looked directly at her.

"Because I asked."

"And I answered."

Alex's eyes flickered with amusement.

James noticed.

His jaw tightened.

Tasha crossed her arms.

"I don't belong to you, James."

The courtyard went silent.

Even the students who had been walking past stopped.

James stared at her.

Tasha realized, a second too late, that everyone was watching.

James took one slow step toward her.

"You're right."

His voice was quiet.

Too quiet.

"You don't."

Tasha held his gaze.

"Good."

James smiled.

But there was nothing friendly about it.

"Yet."

Tasha's stomach dropped.

James walked past her.

He didn't touch her.

Didn't threaten her.

Didn't even look back.

But somehow that one word followed her long after he was gone.

Yet.

Tasha turned toward Alex.

"What was that supposed to mean?"

Alex watched James disappear into the crowd.

Then he looked at her.

"I think," he said calmly, "you just became interesting."

Tasha frowned.

"To who?"

Alex's eyes moved toward the three faction tables in the distance.

"Everyone."