Page 6 of Mistaken Prejudice

As simple as that, and I didn’t plan to feel guilty about it.

I stretched in my seat while looking around the room, focusing on the new guys. They stood out like a sore thumb. One was tall and had messy pink hair going in all directions, ears full of piercings, and a goofy smile. The only thing more colorful than his hair was his clothes and the ink covering his body. From the moment detention started, he’d been trying to balance the entire contents of his pencil case on his nose. Beside him sat a petite guy with dark brown hair and pale skin. He looked either bored or annoyed. To be honest? I couldn’t tell.

At the back of the class sat the dude who’d fought with Shay-Lee earlier. I’d never seen someone taking punches the way that guy did, as if they were nothing. I was pretty sure Shay-Lee was also shocked, hence why he got so annoyed. The guy had curly black hair cut short and wore oversized clothes that did nothing to hide his muscular build. He was tall, at least six-three, and gave off a completely different vibe from his friends. Yes, they all looked like trouble, but he had danger written all over his face. The only moment he looked less murderous was when he looked at Andrei.

Andrei.

The guy I only met today was already taking all the empty space in my head with his broad shoulders, sculpted muscles, and defined jaw… No wonder he was all I thought about for the past three hours. He was absolutely gorgeous—messy dark hair, green eyes combined with wild brows, full lips, tan skin, and just the right amount of facial hair that made him look older––in the best kind of way. I also appreciated his classic pick of clothes. He wore a white tank top that showed off his impressive biceps and a pair of dark jeans that clung to his thick thighs. He can crush me like a watermelon with those thighs.

Andrei was busy talking with the “Fuck off” guy. That’s what I’d call his dangerous friend from now on because his face was telling you to Fuck off.

Still talking with Fuck Off guy, Andrei looked my way and caught me staring, and just like earlier near the stables, the moment our eyes met, my whole gut twisted in the best kind of way. Only this time, he looked away the moment I returned a smile. Well, that’s upsetting.

“Can I come over after practice?”

My best friend’s question took my attention away from Andrei, and I turned to look at him.

“No.”

“Why?”

I knew he’d ask that. After almost fourteen years of friendship, I knew Shay-Lee Rogers never got a simple “No” for an answer. “Because it’s movie night.”

He rolled his eyes. Of course he did. Another thing about Shay-Lee was that he hated when things didn’t go his way, hence why we were here.

“So? I’ve crashed movie nights before. Your dads love me.” He flashed a smile, and now I was the one who rolled my eyes.

“That, right there, is your problem. You think everyone loves you, and I’m sorry to tell you the news, darling. They don’t.”

That earned me a smack on the nape.

“Fuck you!” His voice coming out too loud earned him the teacher’s attention.

“Mr. Rogers!” Mr. Robinson called out.

In response Shay-Lee ducked his head down before looking back at me. Speaking quietly this time, “Fuck you, but come on, Miley, please?”

The truth was my parents loved him. They truly did. I was pretty sure he spent more nights at my place than he did in his own house. More often than not, he appeared on my doorstep, completely bruised from a fight he got himself into, and every single time, I took care of him like he always did with me. Despite his short temper and all the trouble he loved to get into, never in his life did he hurt me. And while others mostly got to see his arrogant, spoiled, and sometimes cruel side, I got to know the real Shay-Lee. Yeah, he was fucked up. Not going to lie about it, but I loved him. And saying no to his handsome face is really fucking hard. He was breathtakingly gorgeous, especially now when he allowed his blond hair to grow longer until it almost reached his shoulders.

“We both know that’s bullshit, but it’s not about that. My dads will be pissed off about detention, so there is no way they’ll let me off with meeting friends.”

“Fine. Fuck you, but fine. I’ll bore myself to death after practice is over.” He pouted and blinked his baby blues at me. Little did he know I was immune.

“What about Chloe?”

He shrugged. “What about her?”

“You know, the whole purpose of having a girlfriend is to spend time with her. To keep yourself, I don’t know, busy?”

He leaned back in his seat and ran his hand through his Achilles-like hair.

“She keeps me busy. That’s the fucking problem. She keeps me busy all the fucking time with her bullshit. As if I give a damn.”

I had no idea how Shay-Lee could spend even a single moment around her. She was the definition of a mean girl. Rich, spoiled, superficial, and cruel. I guess her being drop-dead gorgeous with her wavy blond curls and perfect body did the job. Okay, so maybe I do know why he is with her, but I want to believe that Chloe is a passing phase. Not because I had any intention of dating Shay-Lee. God no. I loved the guy but in a very different way. Besides that, as far as I knew, he was straight, and let’s just say he wasn’t my type. Andrei, on the other hand…

“Don’t talk about her that way. If you don’t like her, don’t be with her.” I snapped back to reality.

“Look at you, being the gentleman that you are. What a shame for the ladies you aren’t into pussy.”