Tangled Up In You (A Savioe Family Novel) Read Free Page A

attention.
    Beau snorted, “Gawd, ya really are dumb over dat girl huh? She got ya fooled dats fo’ sure.”
    “What do you mean? ” I asked silently hoping he did not see my admiration of Roxy.
    “Any girl ya talk ta or look at she warns ‘em once ta back off. Den if dey don’ she starts a rumor ‘bout dem so vicious dat dey leave da school. She’s got a mean streak in her bigger dan Marie does. R’member dat time ya told Tante Lisa dat ya loved her on da phone and she trew dat book at your head . Or dat girl ya borrowed a pencil from? Christie made her cry and den dat poor thing tried ta kill herself after Christie said she slept wit da entire basketball team?”
    “Oh.” I shrugged my shoulder and mumbled. “And I’m not dumb over her.”
                                                            *****

                            Chapter Two
     
    Roxy
    The bell rang signaling the beginning of the school day. I grabbed my bag and headed to my locker to grab my books for my first class. When I walked down the hall, my bag slung over my shoulder people still whispered all around me. The drama kids stared at me. The science geeks skirted around me nervously looking back over their shoulder. The cheerleaders curled their noses at me especially the one Jess called the blonde twig. I rounded the corner next to the girl’s bathroom and spotted a small group of jocks leaning up against my locker a few feet away. I closed my eyes and sighed. ‘Well at least it’s not the Savioe boys.’ I thought to myself as I headed over to them.
    The tallest of the three nudged his cohorts, as I got closer. “Hey are you the girl that knocked that bitch out?”
    I ducked my head and whispered, “I didn’t knock her out. I just tried to stop her from shoving my friend in the locker.”
    I felt an arm drape over my shoulders. An overpowering scent of cheap body spray assaulted my nostrils. My heart started beating faster as I nervously glanced up and saw that the one people call Bus grinning down at me. His nickname fit him. He was over six foot with wide shoulders and muscle that worked well out on the football field. “Don’t be shy, sweetheart. Come on tell us the truth.”
    “I did.” I mumbled shrugging out of his casual embrace and rushed to open my locker. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed he motioned at his friends to leave before leaning against the locker beside me.
    “Look. I don’t know if you know this or not but the Savioe family is not one to mess with. Just because Marie is not in school doesn’t mean you are safe.” He folded his beefy arms across his chest. His face now morphed from the jovial expression he first had when I saw him to one of concern and worry.
    I placed my bag in the locker and grabbed my notebook, sketchpad and Environmental Science book for my next two classes before shutting it. I glanced up at him looking down at me and gave him a small sad smile. “I know. The two oldest were giving me the stink eye when I pulled into the parking lot this morning. I fully expect one to do something in the class I have with him.” I gave a tiny shrug and tried to walk past him.
    He gently grabbed my shoulder halting my exit. “Just be careful. I’ve seen those guys in action and it’s not pretty.” He ran his hand over his shaved head in frustration. “Not that many people know this but my sister was a victim to their malice. She…. She said the wrong thing to Luke and ended up getting hurt badly. She’s still in the hospital over it all.”
    I turned around and placed my hand on his arm to try to comfort him. He looked so sad and angry. “I’m sorry to hear that. I will definitely be extra cautious around them.”
    “I wouldn’t have said anything if you didn’t remind me of her.” He gave me a small grin. “She is about your height. Well, maybe a bit taller.”
    “Most twelve year olds are taller than