Parker laughed, flashing me his signature charming smile and the accompanying dimples. His green eyes sparkled mischievously.
"It's just beer," he explained. "I won't die."
"But I ruined your shirt," I protested. I couldn't believe I was actually encouraging him to be mad, but this didn't feel right. I mean, last year, I'd seen someone get kicked out of school for stepping on the back of Roman’s shoe. Besides, I was still convinced there was a catch here somewhere.
Parker shrugged. "It's just a shirt, I have plenty."
"So…you're not mad?" I asked cautiously.
"Of course not. How can I be mad at such a beautiful girl?"
Coming from anyone else, the line would be corny as hell, but there was something about Parker that made everything he said sound smooth and charming.
"Maya! Wh-what happened? Are you okay? You're—you're not expelled, are you?"
I turned to see Venice rushing toward me, wide-eyed and panicked.
I was about to tell her that yes, everything was fine, but before I could get a word out of my mouth, James suddenly materialized. He looked decidedly less laid-back than before, and in fact, his mouth was set in a grim line as he stared Parker down.
"Not if I have anything to do about it," he said quietly.
"Really? And what are you going to do about it?"
The blood ran cold in my veins. I would recognize that voice anywhere.
Venice gently tugged on my arm, and I robotically took a step back so that James was facing Parker and Roman by himself. I saw Carlo move over to stand next to Zack and Adriana. I don't remember seeing them arrive on the scene, but I shouldn't be surprised. They always moved in a pack.
"I'm not going to stand here and let you push Maya around just because she accidentally spilled beer on you," James declared, even though he was looking straight at Roman now.
Roman's eyes narrowed and his gaze moved slowly, methodically from Parker's shirt, to me and Venice, and back to James. "I don't think you're aware who you're talking to," Roman said. His tone of voice had changed. It was casual, almost cavalier, which frightened me more than if he'd been screaming and raging.
"Oh, wait, I forgot, I'm talking to the mighty Scions," James said sarcastically. "How stupid of me. I should be bowing and scraping before you right now, shouldn't I?"
I exchanged a horrified glance with Venice. What are you doing? I wanted to scream at him. I didn't know James that well, but he was a nice guy, and I couldn't even bear to think what's going to happen to him after tonight.
"Maybe if you did that right now, I might be inclined to show some mercy in dealing with you," Roman declared.
I felt myself bristle at his choice of awards. He really did sound like some medieval king talking down to his servants.
Apparently, James felt the same way, because he didn't back down. "I don't think I need mercy from the likes of you," he responded, clenching his hands into fists. "You and your friends think you can do anything just because you're rich, but let me tell you something, money can't buy you dignity, or respect."
"I wouldn't be too sure about that." Roman's lips curved up into a cruel smile. "Especially when you wake up one morning to find out your parents just lost their job."
James' nostrils flared. "Don't you dare pretend you know anything about my family!" he roared, raising his fist.
Venice let out a small yelp next to me, but I'd had enough. I quickly grabbed James' wrist and forced it down. I'd noticed Carlo had gotten ready to defend his friend and knew James would not be the winner.
"That's enough!" I cried, stepping in front of James.
"Maya, what are you doing?" Venice whispered urgently from the sideline.
I ignored her, and lifted my chin, gazing into Roman's stormy orbs. For the first time, he looked taken aback.
"Now you listen, and you listen good," I began fiercely, fueled by over a year of suppressed anger that was bursting to be let out. "I don't care that your family founded this stupid town and this stupid school, I don't care how much money you have in your trust fund, or how everyone else worships you just because you happen to be lucky enough to be born with good genes and into a rich family. I am sick and tired of you bossing everyone around like they're your servants! They're not, and even if they were, you should at least treat other people with some respect! You have done absolutely nothing by yourself to earn anything you have!"
"Maya," Venice squeaked, her face whiter than white.
I knew I should stop, but I couldn't. I'd already dug myself in too deep, and I was on a roll. The words came out so easily I was barely aware I was even saying them. "Nothing gives you the right to threaten other peoples' lives and futures the way you do!" I continued. "Who are you to determine who gets expelled or whose parents will lose their jobs? You're just a teenager, for Christ's sake! Stop acting like you're god, because you're not! As far as I'm concerned, you're nothing but a spoiled, tyrannical brat who throws a temper tantrum anytime something doesn't go your way!"