That was what mattered most. He’d much rather have brains than money.
Though right now, a rocket launcher might be nice too. He just couldn’t say that out loud without the faculty cal ing the cops on his having “inappropriate” thoughts.
His bravado lasted until he reached his locker, where Stone and crew were loitering.
Great, just great. Couldn’t they pick someone else to stalk?
Stone Blakemoor was the kind of creep who gave jocks a bad name. They weren’t al like that and he knew it. Nick had several friends who were on the footbal team—starters, no less, not seat warmers like Stone.
Stil , when you thought of an arrogant jock-rock, Stone was aptly named. It was definitely a self-fulfil ing moniker his parents had labeled him with. Guess his mom had known while he was in the womb that she was going to birth a flaming moron.
Stone snorted as Nick stopped beside his group to open his locker. “Hey, Gautier? I saw your mom naked last night
—shaking her butt in my dad’s face so that he’d put a dol ar in her G-string. He got a good feel of her too. Said she’s got a nice set of—”
Before he could think better of it, Nick swiped him upside the head with his backpack as hard as he could.
And then it was on like Donkey Kong.
“Fight!” someone shouted while Nick wrapped Stone in a headlock and pounded him.
A crowd gathered round, chanting, “Fight, fight, fight.” Somehow Stone escaped his hold and hit him so hard in the sternum it took the breath from him. Dang, he was a lot stronger than he looked. He hit like a jackhammer.
Furious, Nick started for him, only to find one of the teachers suddenly between them.
Ms. Pantal .
The sight of her petite form calmed him instantly. He wasn’t about to hit an innocent person, especial y not a woman. She narrowed her eyes at him and pointed down the hal . “To the office, Gautier. Now!”
Cursing under his breath, Nick picked his backpack up from the tiled beige floor and glared at Stone, who at least had a busted lip.
So much for not getting into trouble.
But what was he supposed to do? Let the weasel scum insult his mom?
Disgusted, he entered the office and sat in the corner chair outside the principal’s door. Why wasn’t there an undo button for life?
“Excuse me?”
Nick looked up at the softest, sweetest voice he’d ever heard. His stomach hit the ground.
Dressed al in pink, she was gorgeous, with silky brown hair and green eyes that practical y glowed.
Oh. My. God.
Nick wanted to speak but al he could do was try not to drool on her.
She held her hand out to him. “I’m Nekoda Kennedy, but most people cal me Kody. I’m new to the school and kind of nervous. They told me to wait here, then there was a fight and they haven’t come back and … I’m sorry, I babble when I’m nervous.”
“Nick. Nick Gautier.” He cringed as he realized how stupid he sounded and how behind he was on her conversation.
She laughed like an angel. A beautiful, perfect …
I am so in love with you. . . .
Get a grip, Nick. Get a grip. . . .
“So, have you been going here long?” Kody asked.
Work, tongue. Work. He final y choked an answer out.
“Three years.”
“You like it?”
Nick’s gaze went to Stone and the others heading into the office. “Not today, I don’t.”
She opened her mouth to speak, but Stone and crew surrounded her.
“Hey, baby.” Stone flashed her a cheesy grin. “You new meat?”
Kody grimaced and sidestepped them. “Get away from me, you animals. You smel .” She raked a repugnant stare over Stone’s body and curled her lip. “Aren’t you a little old for your mom to be picking out your clothes for you? Real y? Shopping at the Children’s Place at your age? I’m sure there’s some third-grader dying to know who bought the last navy I-sore shirt.”
Nick bit back a laugh. Yeah, he real y, real y liked her.
She went to stand by Nick and put her back against the wal so that she could keep an eye on Stone. “Sorry we got interrupted.”
Stone made a sound like he was about to vomit. “Why are you talking to the King Loser Dork? You want to talk about ugly? Look at what he’s wearing.”
Nick cringed as Kody examined the sleeve of his shirt.
“I like a man who takes fashion chances. It’s the mark of someone who lives by his own code. A rebel.” She cast a biting glare at Stone. “A real lone wolf is a lot sexier than a pack animal who fol ows orders and can’t have an opinion unless someone else gives it to him.”
“Oooo,” Stone’s friends said in unison as she got the better of him.
“Shut up!” Stone shoved at them. “No one asked you for your opinions.”
“Nekoda?” the secretary cal ed. “We need to finish with your schedule.”
Kody gave Nick a last smile. “I’m in ninth grade.”
“Me too.”
Her smile widened. “Hope we have some classes together.