Black Butterfly Read online

  “Ms. Brookes!”

  “Yes.” I jump at the sound of her voice.

  “Do you mind coming into class and closing my door so I can begin?” Ms. Conners asks in a sweet but condescending tone.

  I look down at the floor and enter. I shut the door behind me and hurry to my seat. Her lecture lets me know that I will need tons of coffee my freshman year. The entire class consists of her talking. We take notes and hope that we get all of the essentials.

  Chapter 2

  The bell finally rings and I gather my things. As I stand, I catch a glimpse of the young hot teacher again. He is super mean looking and that’s probably because young girls like me hit on him all day. He opens the door to the classroom and the girls are drooling over him. They walk out smiling and flirting. He holds the door as the students exit. He catches me looking again.

  “Dammit!” He’s going to think I’m a big creep.

  Stacia Jefferies runs into me and I turn to look at her.

  “That’s Hayden Alexander. The new teacher intern. He has one year of college left and Principal Jeffries went to the same college. This is a new program that she’s starting this year. Because I’m a student teacher we get all of the juicy tea.”

  And the fact that Principal Elaine Jeffries is Stacia Jeffries’ mother.

  “Thanks Stacia. But I wasn’t…”

  “Yes you were. We all are. He is fucking gorgeous.”

  “Well… how old is he?” I ask lifting my purse and sliding it on my shoulder.

  She grins “He is 20 and is a junior at Michigan State University. He lives with his family about twenty minutes from here. And judging from the car that he drives; they must have money.”

  I roll my eyes. Stacia is such a sponge. She is always looking for an opportunity, mostly with older boys that has a lot of money. “Oh okay. He is totally adorable. But he would never talk to any of these ‘kids’. He seems quite focused.”

  “I’m sure someone could get close to him.” She giggles and heads toward the door.

  She could get close to anyone. She is slim, tall for a girl (model type tall) and very pretty. Her hair is short, always styled, and she dresses like she is already in the business. Her skin is flawless, a little darker than mine without the few pimples that grace my face. She has slanted eyes that she cuts often to pierce through you and pouty lips that she keeps super glossy. She’s considered really curvy but no fat, at all. She did some modeling for local magazines and a few commercials but she is dead set on becoming an educator like her mom and dad. Her dad is a teacher at Michigan. Of course, she has a full ride to attend. I follow her into the hall.

  “That grimace is quite deterring, so I don’t know. He has to have a girlfriend. Has to.”

  “Who?” Lydia says approaching us.

  “Mr. Alexander!” Stacia blurts out walking toward him. “Good afternoon Mr. Alexander. I hope you’re finding everything okay.” She flirts.

  “I am, thanks.” He glowers at her. He turns and re-enters the class. She struts down the hall toward the lunchroom. Lydia sighs and follows behind me. I take glances inside the class as we pass.

  “Are you crushing on this Mr. Alexander?”

  “What? No!” Just interested in why he is trying to intern at a high school when he knows that the girls are going to be falling all over him.”

  “Seems like he is determined to ignore them. Look how he blew off Stacia. Nobody blows her off. The single male teachers and some of the married ones here try their best not to get caught looking. But he didn’t even give her eye contact.”

  “True. Maybe he’s married or dating.”

  “Or gay.”

  “True.” We laugh.

  Lydia pats my back and smiles. “We missed you this summer Ana. We had a little summer fun but for the most part, it just wasn’t the same without you.”

  “Awww Lyd. I wish you guys could have just come with us. I really enjoyed traveling. Of course, I missed you guys but I had the time of my life. I tell you what… we can make the entire best of our senior year together. We can go somewhere amazing for our spring break. And then before I go off to college, we can spend the summer living our best lives. How does that sound?”

  “Amazing… but can you walk with me?”

  “Of course. I have another class but it can wait. What’s up?” I say following her as she begins to walk up the hall.

  “Well, I don’t want you to be angry with me.”

  “Why would I be angry?” I pause.

  “Just listen. Our summer started off super crappy when you left. We tried to find some things to get into but everything just fell flat. Iyoki ended up going out with Kellan Miles. Things escalated quickly between them. They were inseparable. I was a little jealous because I was alone suddenly. You were gone, I wasn’t dating anyone, so I just sat in the house sad as hell.”

  “Lydia… where is this going. I would like to get to my class eventually.”

  “I’m getting there. I’m just nervous. Anyway, Iyoki and Kellan invited me to this party and I had nothing to do so I jumped at the fucking chance. I went to the party and it was the best damn party anyone ever invited me to. The party was at Cade’s. It was so awesome. Cade and I have been friends forever…”

  I know this isn’t going where I think it is going.

  “We talked all night; I mean about everything. The rest of the people at the party seemed invisible. I stayed after the party was over and… Cade and I slept together. It didn’t end after that either. We’re dating.” She stops walking and turns to face me.

  “What the fuck? Really, what the fuck, Lydia? Cade is my sister’s boyfriend and she loves him, like really loves him. You’re my best friend and you’ve known us since we were little kids. Why would you do that to her?” I pause and glare at her. I really want to punch her in her damn face. How could she do this to Breeze? How could Cade do this to her?

  “I’m sorry but I’m really happy. I love him. We’ve spent the summer together and he is so amazing. He is caring and attentive.”

  “I fucking know that! He’s dated my sister for two years! How could you? You know how I feel about my sisters!”

  “Which is why I’m telling you before he breaks it off with her.”

  “What? He’s going to college with her!”

  “No, he’s not. He’s following me. We already got accepted to Eastern. He got a full ride. And I got a partial. My parents are going to get loans and shit to cover the rest. I really love you Montana. I don’t want to lose you. I want this to be an amazing year for us.”

  “Fuck you Lydia! You’re no friend of mine. No wonder you haven’t called. You or Iyoki for that matter. My sisters mean more to me than anything as she is going to be devastated. How will she continue enjoying her first year of college when her boyfriend is a cheating asshole??? You guys carried on an entire relationship knowing he was already in one! Don’t ever, I mean ever, speak to me again. You are dead to me. And let Iyoki in on it too. Friends are so fucking overrated.” I say stumping away.

  I yank my phone out of my purse and Lydia is yelling my name. I toss up my middle finger and hurry into the restroom. Tears fill my eyes, I can’t imagine what Breezy is going to say. I can’t even console her. I dial so fast. My hands are shaking and I can’t concentrate.

  “Hello…” she whispers.

  “Breeze… are you okay?”

  “I’m good Ana. What’s up?” Her voice gets a little louder. “I just stepped out of class to talk. I figured it’s important because you’re in school as well.”

  “Yea… ummm… Breeze. Cade…”

  “What about him?”

  “Have you spoken with him?”

  “Last night. Why? He’s coming up this weekend for a visit. Can’t wait.” She breathes sounding slightly out of breath.

  I can hear her smiling through the aspirated breaths as she speaks about this asshat.

  “I don’t know how to say this, so I’ll just come out and say it. He�
�s been boning Lydia all summer. They are supposed to be a couple. I’m sorry Breeze.”

  “Whhhhhaaattttt!” She screams. “No Montana. It’s not true.”

  “It is. Lydia just told me. And she said he’s going to State with her in the fall.”

  “No fucking way, Montana! No fucking way!”

  “She just told me. Iyoki knows about it. She’s dating his best friend Kellan. I’m so sorry Breezy.”

  “I can’t believe that he would do something like this to me! I thought he loved me…” she sobs.

  “Calm down Breezy… it’s going to be ok. You have to calm down so that you can go back to class.”

  All I can hear are sobs and sniffles. I should have waited to tell her that this is happening. I can’t believe Lydia. I really would have never guessed that she would do something like this to us. I feel a pang in my stomach and it twists in a not. I want to cry right along with her. I fight back the tears.

  “I’m going to the restroom to clean my face. I’ll call you later. Thank you for letting me know. If he comes up here, I just…”

  “Fuck him. Don’t think about him right now. We’ll talk later. I love you sis.”

  “Love you too Ana.” She says before she ends the call.

  I press the button and raise the phone back to my face. I rest my chin on it and take a deep breath.

  Chapter 3

  I look around and the halls are empty. I start toward my last class which I am totally late for. I look at my watch and proceed down the hall toward the elevator. I reach into my purse and grab my schedule. I unfold it and glare at it for a moment as I walk. I speed up and before I look up, I run smack into someone. My purse and notebooks drop onto the floor.

  “Oh God… excuse me.”

  “God? Hmm…” He breathes.

  “Oh… yes. I apologize, I wasn’t looking…”

  “Where were you going? You should be in class.” He pauses and looks me over. “I’m Hayden Alexander.” He extends his hand toward me.

  Something about him makes me nervous. I don’t know if it’s his smooth skin, or his shiny curly black hair, or the huge biceps that flex through his snuggly fit black turtleneck as he reaches toward me. I want to speak but my heart is in my stomach.

  “What class are you ditching, Ms….”

  “Brookes. Montana Brookes.” I say taking his hand and gently shaking it. His hand is soft warm and soft. I probably hold on to it a little too long.

  “Okay Ms. Brookes. Why aren’t you in class?” He looks down at our hands clasped together.

  I reluctantly release his hand as I bend down to pick up my things and he leans in to help.

  “I was going but I had to make a call. Are you a new teacher?” I ask as I stand up straight trying to manage a smile.

  “Student teacher. I’m finishing up my degree. Your principal is a good friend, so she is allowing me to intern and maybe extern here.”

  “Wow. Okay. I thought you looked kind of young to be a teacher. But…”

  “I have to get back. Go to class Ms. Brookes. I’m watching you.” He hands me a notebook and walks past me toward the office.

  I can’t stop staring at him. He is so curt, unfriendly. But I’m officially intrigued by him. I wait for him to look back but he doesn’t. Could he have been flirting with me? No. He is way too mature for high school girls and I am not about to embarrass myself by believing that this Hayden Alexander is remotely interested in me. I hurry to my class where I am chewed out for being the last to enter and interrupt class. What is left of it breezes by. I go to lunch where I see Hayden eating with Mrs. German. I get in line to get whatever crap they’re serving us on today. I look behind me to make sure Hayden is still sitting. I spin around just in time to point to a ham and cheese sandwich, fries and a bottled water. The lunch lady slams my food on my tray and frowns. Why are lunch ladies always angry? Could it be the hideous uniforms or maybe the oversized hair nets that hang restlessly from their heads? Or could it be that they actually hate teenagers/young adults and coming here infuriates them?

  I laugh as I think about the many possibilities in the life of a mad lunch lady. I grab my lunch and steal another glance of Hayden. God! She is clinging to him like a spider monkey. I find a seat in the corner where I can watch inconspicuously but be alone at the same time. I sit and unwrap my prepackaged sandwich. I take a bite staring at Hayden. I find myself seething with jealousy as she smiles and giggles while he speaks. He never indulges in a smile himself. He just eats as he talks. He doesn’t pay attention to any of the many girls gawking at them. He breaks of a piece of bread and pops it into his mouth. I stare waiting to see what he is going to do next and he keeps me waiting. He breaks another piece and just holds it near his bottom lip. Damn, he is too sexy. I feel so drawn to him and I don’t know why. I have never sweated any guy. I’m always just unbothered. I look down at my tray and grab a fry. I pop it into my mouth. I feel a whoosh of air pass me by and someone plops down beside me breaking me from my trance.

  “So, you know about Lydia and Cade.” Stacia smirks.

  I turn toward her and look her up and down. “Your sister must be devastated. Cade is such an asshole.”

  “Listen,” I begin.

  “I’m not trying to start anything. I just want to strike up a convo. You know?”

  “Why?”

  “We were friends once and I just don’t know what happened. What Lydia did was absolutely fucked up. And anyone that calls themselves a friend should know better.”

  My attention is quickly stolen when Hayden stands and walks toward the door. I wonder why they’re even eating in our cafeteria. They have a great teacher’s lounge. He turns and looks at me. He stares, still no smile but he is watching me and Stacia. He continues over to the door rubbing his hands together as if he just rinsed them off. His eyes never leave me. I look away hearing the ramblings of Stacia muffled. I feel a nudge and Stacia is swinging her hand in the air again.

  “Wow Montana! Are you even listening to what I’m saying?!” She slaps my arm.

  “Ummm yes! I’m sorry. I’m so preoccupied with everything that is happening right now. I just found out my best friends are not the friends I thought they were. Who would do that to someone they claim they love as a sister, knowing how I feel about Breezy and Tinsley?”

  “You’re absolutely right.” Stacia agrees. “Lydia is such a bitch for doing what she did and Iyoki set the whole thing up.”

  I look at her, finally tearing my eyes from Hayden as he leaves the lunchroom.

  “I’m over it though. I’m done with them. I just want to focus on helping Breeze feel better. She is going to be shattered for a while.”

  “I doubt it. There are some delicious college men to keep her mind off of high school has been, Cade Houston, on that campus… I’m sure.”

  He must have felt us discussing him because he enters the lunchroom and heads straight for us. I stand and grab my lunch tray. I do not feel like a confrontation right now. As I walk around the table, Cade blocks me before I make it to the trash. Stacia is right behind me.

  “So, you ran your fucking mouth to Breeze?”

  “Get away from me you asshole.” I say calmly trying to pass him.

  I wanted to talk to her myself. Who asked you to get involved?”

  “First of all, you little shit, that’s her sister! You have the fucking nerve to be mad that she told her. You shouldn’t have been sticking your little pinkie in other people!” Stacia yells.

  “This has nothing to do with you Stacia!”

  “Oh yes it does. And if you don’t leave the lunchroom right now, I’ll be inclined to report you to Principal Jeffries.” She places her hands on hips.

  “Ahhh, yes. Call mommy, as always.” He says as he glares at me then turns to walk away. “This ain’t over Montana.”

  “Yes it is.” Stacia answers for me. “Or you won’t be at homecoming, the game or dance.”

  Cade waves his hand and walks away. I turn towa
rd Stacia.

  “Thank you, but I could have handled him.”

  “I know. And I wouldn’t bother to tell my mother on these dumbasses. She doesn’t even listen to me.” She giggles.

  We both walk to the trash can. I toss the uneaten food in and slide the tray into the cart next to it. We leave the lunchroom and hurry to our next class.

  Stacia and I exchange numbers at the end of the school day. We walk to our cars chatting. I notice Cade at Lydia’s car. Iyoki doesn’t even give me eye contact. I can’t believe our many years of friendship are over. I walk over to my car and take out my keys. Stacia smiles and nudges me.

  “I saw you and Hayden making googly eyes at one another. I’m letting you know you got some friendly competition. I want him… bad.”

  “What? I don’t…”

  “You know you want him. I know you want him.”

  Before I can respond to her, he walks out of the doors and right in our direction. He is stone faced as usual. I reaches his hand out in front of him and I see his keys. He presses the button and the alarm beeps. I turn my head toward the sound and see that he is driving a black convertible BMW, a brand new one. What a nice car for a guy that is in college and lives on his own. Maybe Stacia got it wrong, maybe he has another job or is already wealthy. I can still hear Stacia rambling but it’s distant even though she is standing directly next to me. It’s so weird. Each time I lay my eyes on him, my world stops and he is all that I see. I don’t even know him and he has completely changed me. When my eyes cut back to Hayden, he is close to his car and has started it remotely. He glances at me and slowly struts to his ride. He gets in and my eyes are glued to him. What is it about Hayden Alexander that has captured my attention to this magnitude in one day? He takes off without another look and I watch as he leaves the parking lot.