Deep (Heavy Hearts Book 2) by Sarah Duncan (reading tree txt) 📕

tell by the concern etched across their faces that something is going on. I suspect they’re thinking the same thing as me but don’t want to worry me, so they keep quiet. At this point, I’m sure that someone is coming into my house and stealing my things. The worrying part about it is that there’s a high chance that it’s Mike. It’d be just like him to try and screw with my head like this.

My first two classes are double Media, and for the first time, I notice that Tillie and Dale are in my class. I’m annoyed at myself for not noticing them before, the old me too far up her own arse to see anyone but the bitch squad, apparently. Tillie and Dale sit with me, so I’m not alone. I’m thankful to have met them through Rhys. They are funny and manage to get me to smile a couple of times as we do our Media tasks. It probably helps that Tasha isn’t in class today. I have no idea where she is, but her absence makes it easier for me to concentrate.

At the start of recess, I ditch my books in my locker, ready to dash away quickly to avoid the boys, when I come face to face with Tasha fucking Pritchard. Ugh, I had hoped since she wasn’t in Media class that she was away again today.

“You think you’re so good, don’t you? Brainwashing the boys to follow you around like lost puppies. What did you do? Spread your legs for them like you did for your brother?”

I try. I really do try not to lose it, but the bitch knows how to push my buttons and her words are heard by swarms of students in the passageway. I have no control over my fist as it attempts to slam the bitch in her ugly beady-eyed face, but strong arms wrap around me and pull me back, my swing meeting thin air.

“No, Lex,” Marcus growls in my ear as Rhys strolls in front of me, walking right up to Tasha, grabbing her face and planting a kiss on her lips.

“Eww! Get off me you freak!” Tasha screeches, shoving Rhys back into me, making her laugh.

“What’s wrong, Tasha baby? Don’t want people to know how you love to kiss my lips? Or should I say, both sets of my lips?” Rhys smiles like the smug bitch she is, and Tasha looks around at our audience, horrified before huffing and storming off.

Laughter fills the air from the bystanders, and Rhys turns to me.

“I guess she didn’t want people to know how much she likes kissing me.” She flutters her dark lashes at me, feigning innocence.

“Rhys, you are going to get yourself into trouble one day.” I grin.

“I do hope so. Trouble is so much fun.” The boys behind me chuckle, and I shove away from Marcus, who hasn’t made an attempt to let go of me.

“Lexi?” Miss Dice steps into our circle, concerned brown eyes peering at me through her glasses. “I think maybe it would be a good idea for you to go and see Mr Matthews.”

My shoulders drop, and I almost whine. “Why?”

“You know why, Lexi.” Miss Dice glances around at my friends before returning her brown eyes to me. She seems unsure of how much she should say in front of them.

“You can speak in front of them. They’re cool.” I let her know, and Rhys hooks her arm in mine, dropping her head on my shoulder.

“Lexi,” Miss Dice lowers her voice, “It’s either to the Counsellor or the Principal.”

“But why? I didn’t do anything.”

“Only because Marcus stopped you. If he hadn’t, then we would have had a repeat of Monday. Please go and see Mr Matthews so we can avoid involving the Principal.”

I can see Miss Dice thinks she is helping. Mr Matthews had asked me to try to control my anger. I mean, I did try… Kind of.

“Can I go after recess?” I ask, wanting to avoid it altogether.

“No, now, please. I’ll walk with you.” Miss Dice isn’t backing down, so I pry Rhys’s hold off me and follow Miss Dice.

Glancing back, I see Rhys wiggle her fingers in a wave while Marcus and Jared stand arms crossed over their chests, frowns contorting their faces. It almost makes me want to run up and hug them and tell them everything will be alright. Rhys may be a new addition in my life, but she sure is a loyal addition, much like the boys. Or my pack, as Rhys calls them.

I sit and wait inside the counsellor's office as he and Miss Dice talk quietly outside the door before he shuts us in and joins me.

“Natasha Pritchard strikes again.” Mr Matthews states, sitting down.

“Why isn’t that bitch being hauled in here? Why is it always me?”

“Well, mainly because your first instinct is to use violence.” Mr Matthews doesn’t bother with a file or note pad. He knows how I feel about that.

“That’s a crock of shit. She provoked me! Words can be just as harmful as physical violence, you know!” My face is burning with anger, and I feel like smashing things. I probably shouldn’t admit that to my counsellor, though.

“Yes, I know, and we will follow up on her actions later, but right now, my concern is you.”

“Why?” I grumble. I was looking forward to spending time with my new friends during recess, but instead, I’m spending it getting interrogated by the bald, yet kind of cool counsellor. He’s lucky I like him!

“Because you’re having trouble controlling your anger. Have you thought about doing some exercise to burn off the anger and clear your head?” Mr Matthews looks more relaxed in his chair today. Unlike me. I’m a ball of tension.

“I already do.” I snap.

“Like what?”

“I run, most days, and I hit the bag at home.”

“At home? Aren’t you staying with a friend?”

Shit!

“Well yeah. I mean at their place. It’s home for now.”

Mr Matthews nods, happy with my answer; thank fuck.

“When