•Sugar Cane By Missy Higgins•

Two

Thankfully it didn't take me all day to find Lincoln City High School. Classes were just getting out for the day and Charlotte immediately gravitated towards me as some kids her age walked by.

I wrapped my arm loosely around her shoulders. "Relax Char, new school, new place, new start. Just be yourself."

She let out a small sigh and nodded, her previous expression of fear melting into child-like determination. I smiled down at her before turning my attention towards the office that sat off to the right of the "commons" area. A few students gave me weird looks but I just ignored them.

The receptionist gave us both wide smiles, revealing a slight gap in between her front teeth, as we walked up. "Hey. I'm Scout O'Brian and this is my little sister Charlotte. We just moved here and would like to enroll."

The lady nodded and typed away at a few things on her computer before she handed me the paper work. "The principal will need to see you before you leave, but just you." I frowned but didn't protest. The paperwork was relatively easy, just some information and I finished early and let Charlotte play some games on my beat-up phone as we waited for the principle to be ready for me.

"Come in!" A firm and highly accented voice called at me from inside her office. I flashed Char a smile and let her keep my phone before I headed into the office. The little plaque on the front read Ms. Thornton, and the name alone seemed to send a shiver down my spine.

I pushed the door in slowly, taking in the medium sized office that actually looked rather homey compared to what I'd expected of a high school, though this one was pretty high class I suppose. Miss Thornton was at her desk, but all I could really see of her was the tumbles of dark chocolate hair and slender but muscled arms.

"Have a seat." She said without looking up, her hands worked smoothly as she filed through paperwork.

I sat down in one of the chairs in front of her desk and waited for her to be finished. I was eager to get out of here and spend my first day of freedom doing whatever I wanted with Char.

She didn't look up for the longest time and eventually I started to get agitated. Seriously lady? I have time to waste here. My mouth opened to ask her when she was planning on speaking to me when she suddenly looked up, and the words immediately died in my throat.

My first official thought was that there was absolutely no way in hell she could be over twenty-five.

I had to fight to hold my jaw together as I took her in. Her eyes were liquid silver as they peered at me from under her long dark lashes. Her plump red lips were opened just the slightest. Her face was strong-boned and flawless, the contours of it highlighting her creamy skin. From what you could see, her outfit said she was dressed in a button up royal blue tee and grey slacks.

Ms. Thornton set down her pen and leaned on her elbows over the desk, her fingers were interlocked and her chin was propped up on them. "So, you're Scout O'Brian."

I wasn't sure how to reply to that statement so I just nodded and watched her warily, furiously trying to figure out where she was from. The accent I am hearing is nothing like I've heard ever before.

"And what is it you intend to gain by joining us at this school, Ms. O'Brian?"

My forehead wrinkled in confusion. "Uh.....education?"

The corners of her mouth lifted in a smirk and I swear my heart jumped a mile in my chest. Her eyelids lowered slightly as she dipped her gaze from the crown of my head to my scuffed boots. I kept perfectly still, excruciatingly aware of the fact that I was being tested in this moment.

"You see, I've read your file." My stomach dropped to my knees at her admission but I forced my expression to stay neutral.

"And?"

"And, I don't think this....particular school is for you."

Ah, there it is. The knowledge that I was being judged. All the patience I had was immediately sent through the shredder as I took a risk and leaned forward, close enough to her to smell the whiff of peaches that accompanied her already extremely enticing scent. Her eyes narrowed a warning at me but I ignored the intimidating gaze and instead powered forward.

"And why is that?" I growled.

She leaned forward as well and her eyes narrowed even further. "Well, your obvious criminal record, and the fighting, and oh, the fact that you barely have a GPA whatsoever."

Fury so hot and wild spread through me I was worried that I was about to either smash her face into the desk, or kiss her as I met her gaze.

"Look, my da- sister and I have been through hell. Ever since I was a kid I've been bounced from place to place, dodging dirty foster homes and perverted foster dads and uncles and everyone else. You have no fucking idea what it's like to live in places like that, and you have no say in my past or what I've had to do in order to protect her. So, if you're going to judge me and deny me or Charlotte a nice, safe, environment to learn in just because I did what I did, to survive and protect my sister, then I commend you for being the only person in the world truly lacking heart." I spat and stood up, angry with myself for the almost slip-up and ashamed for cursing in front of her and most of all annoyed with how damn attracted to her I was, but I wouldn't dare take my words back.

"Call me when you find your sympathy or whatever, I'm sure I'll be hanging out with the hoboes or something in the meantime." Was all I snarled out after a long moment of silence as I made my way to the door.

My fingers had just brushed the door knob when a hand wrapped around my bicep and spun me around. My back hit the door and a small squeak of surprise escaped my lips. My body erupted in heat at the feeling of her skin on mine. Storm cloud grey eyes pierced straight through me and I had my first real glimpse of emotion from her as admiration and respect flashed through her gaze. She was angry, I could tell, but I could also see that she was surprised.

I was willing to guess she'd never had anyone stand up to her quite like that.

I glanced down at her hand on my arm before offering her a raised brow. Her cheeks deepened just the slightest and a spark of pleasure at her reaction ignited in me, fueling my asshole machine. I so wanted to comment on it, but I didn't.

She released my arm quickly and stepped back. I noticed then just how tall she really was compared to me, at least a head higher. But that's never particularly bothered me before. I've always been a little spoon.

I was acutely aware of the fact that we'd been staring at each other for about five minutes and cleared my throat loudly, cursing internally as my own cheeks started to heat.

"Monday."

I blinked at her in surprise.

A soft look filled her face then, immediately turning it into something completely and utterly angelic and so different from the harsh stone mask she'd been exhibiting before. "You and your....Charlotte may start Monday."

I couldn't contain the smile that spread across my face as I nodded vigorously. "Thank you so much."

Her eyes crinkled slightly at the corners and I took that as my cue to leave.

"Oh and Ms. O'Brian?" My heart pumped faster in my veins as my name spilled from her lips. "Yes?"

"You have detention Monday afternoon. I don't tolerate the vulgarity of the language you used at this school, or in front of me. Be mindful of that."

A laugh bubbled out of my throat as I exited her office. I was in too much of a blissful state to be pissed about the whole detention thing.

I hoofed it back to the receptionists area and grabbed Charlotte and dashed out to the car. "Did we get in?" She asked.

I glanced at her I my rear-view and smiled. "We sure did Char-bear."

She giggled and clapped her hands together in excitement.

"Can we go to the beach now?"

"We sure can love, but first we need swimsuits." Charlotte squealed as I made a left turn towards the mall. I didn't particularly enjoy shopping, but Char loved it. So whatever made her happy made me happy.

I heard from a few passing students at the school that there were a few stores hiring in this town, so maybe I could look at them after I get done with Char.

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