Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 105242 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 526(@200wpm)___ 421(@250wpm)___ 351(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105242 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 526(@200wpm)___ 421(@250wpm)___ 351(@300wpm)
“Nope, not at all.”
Nero could hear something in the background. Smiling, he asked, “Is that anyone I know?”
“Nope, she goes to public school. I’d rather not have all your sloppy seconds.”
Nero started thinking. “Public school, huh?”
“Yeah, and they come without sticks up their asses.”
“Does she come with friends?” Nero knew he was going to go crazy if he didn’t find someone to get rid of his blue balls.
“A lot of them. That’s the best part about public school.”
“Well, let’s set something up.” Nero looked at Elle’s house. “Immediately.”
A deep laugh came over the phone. “Sounds like one little girl is getting to you.”
“Well, that’s actually why I called. Amo, I have a job for you.”
Chapter Fourteen
The Enjoyment of Terrorizing Little Kids
Elle woke the next morning exhausted. Her body wasn’t used to going to school and working. She knew it would take until the end of the week to do so. She got out of bed and went through her usual morning routine.
She looked at her small collection of clothes and couldn’t decide what to wear. I really gotta go shopping, soon.
She decided to grab one of her favorite t-shirts—Goodwill was always good for awesome t-shirts, whether they were funny, strange, or band shirts. This one was white and sported her favorite band. She picked dark, tight jeans; brown booties; and an old, brown leather jacket. The jacket was another piece from thrift shopping that had become one of her staples.
She was happy with her outfit. She had never believed the price tag determined how good an outfit could look. However, without fancy labels sewed in her clothes, everyone at school had free reign to pick on her.
She moved on to brush her hair, the wavy mass softened by the bristles and making it shine. She threw on her usual light makeup; powder, mascara, and her pink lip balm. Satisfied with the way she looked, she grabbed her satchel and headed out her bedroom door.
She walked through her house and checked the time. Nero was supposed to be there in five minutes. She wasn’t sure if she would still ride with him; she would make up her mind when she walked out the front door.
When she made it to her kitchen, her family was already seated at the table, eating breakfast. She grabbed a biscuit and started smothering grape jelly in between.
“Good morning, sweetie,” her mother said.
Elle smiled. “Morning, Mom.” She walked over to her brother and ruffled his hair. “Hey, kiddo.”
“Hey,” Josh said, picking at his food.
“He doesn’t want to go to school today,” her father broke in.
“Why don’t you want to go to school today?” Elle looked at her brother.
“I just don’t want to ride the bus.” He picked at his food a little more.
“I know, kiddo. I hated riding the school bus, too. Want me to walk with you to the bus stop?”
“Yeah, I guess.” He put his fork down.
“All right, go get your stuff.” Elle took a bite of her biscuit.
“That boy taking you to school today?” her dad asked.
“I don’t know yet.” Elle took another bite.
“Well, let your mother know what day you’re off this week, and she will cook a dinner so you can invite him over.” Elle looked at her father. He didn’t look very pleased by the way he was shoveling food.
“Dad, it’s not like that with us.”
Elle’s dad stopped shoving food in his mouth. “Do it.”
Elle nodded and took another bite of her biscuit before setting it down. Josh was ready, wearing his backpack. Elle checked the time, seven-thirty.
She and Josh headed out the house, and she held Josh’s hand as they walked down the driveway. Nero wasn’t there, so she took that as a sign to take the bus. She would drop Josh off at his school bus stop first since it was on the way. They started walking down the street.
“Is there a reason why you don’t want to ride the bus anymore?”
Josh didn’t say anything.
“Fifth-grader, huh?”
“How’d you know?” Josh looked up at her finally.
“Because I’ve been picked on, too.”
“What did you do?”
Elle thought for a second and decided to tell him the truth. “Nothing.”
“That’s what I do, and they haven’t stopped.” Elle’s heart started to break. She didn’t want her brother to go through what she had.
When they were about halfway to Josh’s stop, a car Elle recognized drove past them and then parked on the curb in front of them. Nero stepped out of the car and leaned on it, crossing his arms. Elle could see Nero looked even unhappier than he usually did. Great, just what I needed.
“Hey, isn’t that your boyfr—” Elle covered his mouth.
Nero’s face started to become less pissed. “I still heard him.”
When Elle and Josh caught up to Nero, she felt his eyes look her up and down. She noticed his face didn’t look pissed at all anymore.
Elle became self-conscious and grabbed her jacket tighter around her. “Josh, this is my friend, Nero. Nero, this is my brother, Josh.”
“Hey, little man.” Nero held out his fist. Elle noticed it looked worse than the day before.
Josh smiled and fist bumped him. “Hey, Nero. Cool name!”
“Thanks, it’s Italian. Is there a reason why you’re walking toward the bus stop, Elle?”
Elle decided to not tell the whole truth. “Yes, I told Josh I would drop him off at the bus stop.” Elle lowered her voice. “I think a fifth-grader is giving him some trouble.”
“And you think you going with him is going to solve his problem?”
“Maybe I can talk to the kid and—”
“Jesus, Elle, that will only make it worse. Here, come on.” Nero nodded his head toward the bus stop, and Elle and Josh started walking again with Nero walking beside Elle the rest of the way to the stop.
When they were a few feet away, Nero stopped. “All right, Elle, you wait here.”
Elle decided not to argue. I’m not the popular one. He would know.
Elle ruffled Josh’s hair. “All right, kiddo, I’ll see you later.”
“Bye, Elle-bell.” Josh hugged her waist before he and Nero headed toward the bus.