Page 4 of Saving Tracey (Finding Hope #1)

He had hoped that by coming to the teacher that I would work on this project with him when instead, he actually wasn't getting anything out of it.

"Miss Olive, please just work with Mr. Brinson on this project.

" She was pleading now, and I could see the defeat in her eyes.

"Mr. Brinson is a straight-A student, and he was forced to take this class because of the lack of room in the advanced classes.

Please, if you're not going to do any work, at least hang out with Mr. Brinson in or out of school at least twice this week and twice next week so he can get his grade honestly. "

The bell rang, and I got up without another word, going to my seat in the back.

Kaleb followed me, throwing his stuff down onto the floor and plopping into his seat with a huff before crossing his arms over his broad chest. I could feel his glare burning into my skull, but I kept my attention on the front of the classroom, forcing myself not to reveal how much his anger actually frightened me when he was this close.

"You have to be the most selfish bitch I have ever met." Anger laced his words.

My body tensed at the sound of his anger, but I just continued to ignore him. I breathed in and out slowly through my nose, forcing myself to stay calm.

"Tracey, I need an A in this class. I've got hopes and dreams, even if you don't, so help me, will you?" He was calmer this time, though I could still sense that he was angry with me.

I had hopes and dreams, too—like finally escaping into a peaceful death.

I glared over at him. Why couldn't he just leave me alone? I didn't want to do this stupid project and allow him to find anything out about me! It was too damn dangerous for me, and I wasn't too keen on being beaten to the point I was fucking hospitalized for socializing with him.

"What's it going to take to get you to fuck off?" I asked him quietly.

He breathed a slight sigh of relief. "Just hang out with me twice this week; that's all I ask.

" I opened my mouth to protest, but he hurriedly continued on, not giving me the chance to speak.

I clenched my jaw. "It doesn't even have to be outside of school. We could hang out before school or at lunch. Just please, Tracey, I really need this grade.”

I sighed, contemplating his words. It didn't have to be after school.

I wouldn't make my life harder on myself by having to defy my parents seeing as I could do this during school hours.

I would just have to carefully watch what I said to him to make sure nothing slipped out of my mouth that wasn't supposed to.

"Fine.” He grinned, relief flooding his features. "I'll hang out with you tomorrow morning and on Friday at lunch."

He nodded, breathing out a sigh of relief. I turned my head back to the front, clenching my fists on my lap. "Since we only have today and tomorrow left this week," the teacher began saying, "I want you all to spend the rest of class time this week getting to know your partners."

I ran my hand through my hair, sighing.

I really didn't want to do this.

I heard Kaleb shuffling some papers around.

I turned my head a little to see him turning to face me with his notebook and pen on his desk.

I hesitated, wondering if I made the right decision.

“Come on, Tracey, work with me here." I clenched my jaw.

"As soon as I have enough to write this paper, I'll leave you alone. "

I had just agreed to hang out with him twice this week, didn't I? Couldn't he just be grateful for that and wait until then?

I looked over at him again silently. Judging by his expression, apparently not.

"What do you want to know?" I wasn’t happy about doing this, and it showed in my voice.

He smiled. "Yesterday you told me that you never wanted to be noticed. Why?"

Great. He wanted a fucking heart-to-heart.

"Personal reasons.” My answer was evasive, but I couldn’t answer that question.

He watched me carefully for a moment, trying to read my expression, but I kept it schooled into an uncaring one. Finally, he spoke again. "The point of me asking questions is for you to give me a proper answer and to not beat around the bush." Exasperation filled his tone.

I felt my temples begin to throb with an oncoming headache, and I sighed, reaching up with my hands to rub them. "Hey, why are you wearing gloves? We're inside. It's not cold in here."

I instantly dropped my hands back to my lap, panic gripping my chest. I didn't need him looking too deep into my clothing choices. "Well, I'm cold.” He flinched back from the coldness of my voice.

Jesus, did he have to read deeply into everything about me?

He finally took his eyes off my gloved hands, and only then could I sort of relax. “What are your views on life?"

My views on life.

Life sucked. Death would be much more peaceful. In life, you had to be afraid, and you had to watch every word you said and every move you made. You couldn't just live freely, doing as you pleased and being happy. Life was a bit overrated.

I didn't say that though. It would make him suspicious. I couldn't have him being suspicious.

Or worse, running to a guidance counselor and telling them that he thought I was suicidal.

I mean, I was, but that was none of his business.

"I don't have any views on life.” That was the best answer to go with.

He sighed and dropped his pen on his desk, reaching up with his fingers to rub his temples.

Irritation marred his features as he glared down at his desk.

"You have got to be the most infuriating person I've ever met.

" He turned his eyes to me, glaring. I recoiled back from him, my eyes widening in fear.

"You're so evasive with your answers, never just being outright honest."

I wonder why?

"How do you know if I'm being honest or not?" I forced my voice to come out strong and angry despite the fear that rushed through my veins at being faced with his anger. "All of my answers have been honest. They just haven't been complete answers."

No need to tell him that the last answer was a lie.

Kaleb looked over at me in irritation. I swallowed hard.

"Tracey, seriously, I've told you before and I'll tell you again that I need this grade.

I can't write a two-page paper about what I learned from you and all of that other crap we have to write about if you continue to give me evasive, bullshit answers. "

I clenched my jaw. "Yes, you can." I was losing my patience. "You're supposed to be smart, aren't you? Use the fucking brain that God gave you."

How could he not write a paper about me? I could even give a sample off the top of my head.

Tracey Olive is a different person altogether. She is not your average girl. In fact, she is quite the bitch. I pity anyone that is forced to talk to her.

I have learned from Tracy that you should not act as she does. You will be left alone with no one to turn to because in reality, who really wants to be friends with someone who is rude all of the time?

Tracey also does not give a damn about her grades. Anyone who does not care about their grades will never make it anywhere in life. Looking at Tracey, I am glad to have been Glendad with intelligence. Tracey makes me want to aim even higher than I already have been.

Some people just take shit for granted, and Tracey is one of those people.

Of course, Kaleb's brainiac ass could do better than that, but still, there were some ideas to go off of. So, how could he not write a paper? It wasn't complicated at all. I just threw some ideas down right there within just a few seconds.

"Favorite subject?" His sudden question jerked me from my thoughts.

I stared down at my desk. “Don't have one.” That was mostly honest at least. I hated school with a fucking passion, and I wouldn’t even bother coming anymore if not for my dad breathing down my neck about it all of the time to keep social services off his ass.

I heard him sigh, but he didn't comment on my answer. "Worst subject?"

"All of them.” Again, a mostly honest answer.

He blew out a harsh breath, but he still didn't comment on my answer. "Okay, Tracey, why are you such a bitch?"

I swung my head to the side to look at him, my eyes wide with alarm. Had he really just asked me that question so bluntly? I thought the good ole' golden boy, Kaleb, was expected to be nicer than that.

"I choose to be.” The first completely real, honest answer I had given him fell from my lips. "I don't like people. No one wants to be around a total bitch."

"Finally, a real answer. I thought you were going to continue giving me answers that I can't do anything with."

His comment set me on edge, sending my guard right back up again. “Ask me some real questions."

"I have been." He narrowed his eyes, making fear spike in my veins. "You just don't give real answers."

The problem with his questions was that he was asking ones that I couldn't give real, straight answers to. I couldn't let anyone know what was going on in my life. I couldn't express my feelings. I had to keep it all bottled up inside.

The answers he wanted to hear were never going to come.

"Alright, next question. How do you feel about being an only child?"

I thought it was fine. I didn't want siblings. They would only get hurt, too.

"I like being an only child just fine.” I shrugged. “As I said, I don't like people.” I didn’t want him looking too deep into something.

But why the fuck was I answering his questions now instead of arguing with him?

Oh yeah, because I wanted him to leave me the hell alone so I could go on about my life without worrying that he would get too nosey and try to interfere in anything that really wasn't his business.

The bell rang, and I sighed in relief. Finally, some peace. I could go to my other three classes, eat lunch, and not have to worry about anyone bothering me. No one would notice me.

That was what I had hoped for, at least.