Just Drop Out (Hannaford Prep, #1)

by J. Bree

I look like something out of a horror movie, which is about right considering I’ve just bashed a man’s skull in with a rock while a whole crowd of people looked on in sick fascination.

My hands tremble at the thought of wearing those same marks. The marks of the Twelve. But I’ve earned them. I’ve earned the right to stand with them and be one of them.

“I am the Wolf.”

Drug dealers are scum, and I do not want to admire him anymore.

I’m the Wolf of Mounts Bay, and I can survive anything.

I can see the burning pits of hell in his eyes. This guy is one step away from being a killer. I shiver. I should not find that attractive or exciting. But, fuck me, I do.

Act by act, brick by brick, I’ve built my way here and now I’ll get what I’ve sacrificed so much for. I’m claiming my freedom.

It’s time to put away the empty, cold shell I had to become to survive. I don’t know who the new version of myself will be, but I’m ready to find out.

I'm going to become… actually, I haven't figured that out yet. I'm still researching what the highest paid industry is and whether I could work there for forty years without wanting to kill myself.

“Who gives a fuck, she's Mounty trash.” If only that were true.

I don't want to be called trash this early in the morning. It’s harder to rein my temper in.

I wonder how many kids can say they spent the first three weeks of their lives detoxing from heroin in a NICU? Lucky me.

“I know you enjoy being the top of the class. Miss Anderson got 100 percent. I don't think you've ever been beaten in my class before, so I hope you’re up for a challenge.”

I had a reputation for being a bitch at my last school. Not that I was a bully, I just had a lot of anger because of my home life.

This Jackal just wants his Wolf safe and by his side. Don’t forget that while you’re at this big posh school.

The list? Was that metaphorical, or did that psycho Avery actually organize her reign of terror that methodically?

I hate this sort of bullying. I'd rather they just come at me with fists so I could fight back properly.

I see red, and then my vision whites out, and then I think I'm having a full rage blackout. I'm a little concerned that when I come to, this dickhead will be dead.

My obsession for him is for his lyricism and his range.

Who would have thought the way to civility with Avery's boys was by acts of violence toward Joey’s group?

He grumbles at her. “If she flattens another guy, I want to see it. If she does it to Joey, I will wank over it for the rest of my life.”

His smile is all teeth. I'm sure he thinks he's terrifying, but I've befriended the Jackal. I'm sure Joey is a kitten by comparison.

That's all I need, that girl having video of me drooling in my sleep. Or dancing around with my headphones in, listening to Blaise’s crooning.

You’re not worried about pictures of you butt ass naked walking down a hallway though? 😭🤣

You could call in a favor. There are many people that would take care of your problems for you.

I've used this against a decent enough amount of people that now everywhere I walk, the other students clear a path. I think they're waiting for me to snap. I kind of am too.

“I've signed up for your tutoring. I haven't been given a time slot yet, but I'm hoping to just tag into Ash’s. Do you think you could do us both at once?”

I’d be bright red 😂

I want to punch him. In the dick.

I don’t like the way Joey speaks about me, like I’m a thing to possess. It takes me a minute to realize why it feels so wrong, but so familiar. That’s exactly how Matteo talks about me.

I’ve always loved jumping around and swaying and gyrating to music, and it’s even better with tequila coursing through my veins.

“First to fuck you gets the sweep. There’s currently a hundred and forty grand on the line, and it’s climbing daily. I thought it would be worth a quick fuck even if you are Mounty trash.”

I’m owed a lot of favors, and I like having them up my sleeve. I could have Joey taken out of my life as permanently as I wanted. It amuses me that Ash and Harley warn me about him. If only they knew who I really was.

“Inferior? You’ve both just said you’re flunking the lower math class, and you’re not in any of the other top classes with me. Clearly I’m not the inferior student.”

I tell myself I’m not going to hate Annabelle just because she’s sleeping with two of the hottest guys in our grade, but I’ve never been good at lying to myself.

I’m not afraid of her summoning me to face Joey at all. I’m only really worried about what he’s doing to the twins. I’m clearly crazy, because Avery is trying her best to get me out of the school and Ash insults me every opportunity he has.

A show of muscle to distract from the fact that Matteo is always the most dangerous man in the room.

The calm offer to kill Joey for me is tempting. I’m definitely going to hell, because it takes me a full minute before I can reply.

“Yvette, I’m sure I just asked you to hold calls.” He pauses, and then he turns ghostly pale. “Put him through.” Sometimes I’m amazed at the reach Matteo has managed to achieve.

I’m back to the little girl who cries and has crushes and wants to be liked. I kind of hate her.

I make an important decision: I’m going to unleash the Wolf on these wealthy assholes and show them some real-life consequences for their terrible behavior.

“Are you still in a bloodthirsty rage, or have you mellowed enough to talk to me?”

“If you enjoy watching Joey get what he deserves, you should probably follow me,” I murmur, just to get to see the look on his face. It doesn't disappoint. “What did you—fuck it, lead the way, Mounty.”

curiosity killed the cat and it may someday kill me too.

The uniform hides the physique of the male students far better than the legs and curves of the females. Sexist bullshit.

I think I should be able to see who bench presses my bodyweight on the regular.

How do I find him so attractive when he’s such a dick to me?

“If you fuck any other guy, Joey will probably kill you both.”

“I didn’t fucking tattle! She asked me why I was pissy, and I answered,” Blaise hisses back at me. Ash’s mouth drops open as he watches us.

I decide to go down and eat breakfast, and Harley pours me a cup of juice as he passes by my chair. I stupidly think it’s a nice gesture after how much information I gave him at our last meeting. I should know better by now. He'd put laxatives in it.

As she lets me go, I turn and see Avery standing in the doorway, her jaw damn near hitting the ground. She’s heard me sing.

That’s when I learn Blaise has never come second in that class in his life. I’ve beaten him by a teeny-tiny margin.