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rings.
    It’s when I’m between classes later that drama begins to unfold. I’m minding my own business, retrieving my textbook out of my locker when I’m approached by two guys. I look up warily, knowing this isn’t going to lead to anything good.
    The taller one elbows his friend as he grins. “TJ, you hear that legs is the word of the day?”
    “Yeah. Krista, why don’t you come over after school and spread the word,” the shorter blond says with a snicker.
    I glare at them both. “Fuck off.” I turn back to my locker to close the door, anxious to be done so I can walk away from these two assholes. I’m suddenly pushed face first against my now closed locker as someone grinds their hips into me from behind. I’m stunned, because it happened so fast that I never had considered that they’d actually get physical with me.
    “Now fuck is my all-time favorite word,” one of the guy’s whispers in my ear, his hands tightening on my hips.
    “Get off!” I snarl, trying to struggle away from him. I can hear laughter and snickers echoing in the hall from those witnessing the altercation, and I’m mortified. My old school had a strict policy about any sort of harassment, and this definitely qualifies.
    “Mmm. I can tell your ass is— hey!! ”
    The weight against my back is suddenly gone, and I spin around just in time to see the blond guy falling against the nearest locker. The sudden silence that has fallen over the hall tells me that we’re now the center of attention.
    Then I see why the asshole is straightening up from the locker he’d just been tossed into.
    Cord, the guy that Jenna claims is a freak and quite possibly a killer, is standing before me and the two guys that had been harassing me. His expression is deceptively calm, and his vivid green eyes are locked on the blond, completely ignoring the taller guy. “When a girl says back off, you back off,” he says in a carefully controlled tone.
    The blond—aka TJ—straightens so that he looks taller, his eyes narrowing on Cord. “From what we’ve all heard, you like it when they struggle.”
    Cord’s expression darkens even more, and he takes a single, menacing step towards TJ—who visibly shifts his weight nervously. “You want to repeat that? Do it,” Cord challenges softly, invading TJ’s personal space as he leans forward aggressively.
    Cord is close enough for me to study, and I scan his features. If I thought he was cute from a distance, he’s even hotter up close. His face is chiseled and handsome, with a slight hint of whiskers darkening his strong jaw. I’ve never paid much attention to anyone’s chin, but the cleft in his gives his features more character, and I like it. However, right now he looks dangerous as his eyes promise violence if TJ and his friend don’t back off.
    TJ’s eyes shift to the side, visibly searching for an escape. “She’s not worth this shit,” he mutters. He turns away from Cord and saunters off, his friend—not wanting to be left alone to face Cord, trails as nonchalantly as he can after him.
    Cord focuses his green eyes on me for a brief moment before he turns and walks away, disappearing into the crowd of murmuring whispers.
    That was…intense.
    After I exhale and try to brush off the tension, I ignore the students that are still watching me and walk calmly to my next class. I don’t know whether to be grateful or frightened that I’d unwittingly drawn Cord’s attention. I guess I should be grateful since I’m not sure how far TJ would have gone with his harassment. If this had happened back home in Indiana, either a teacher would have intervened or one of my guy friends would have yanked him off me. It’s disappointing that everyone had seemed to find the situation entertaining until Cord put an end to it.
    When lunch arrives, I feel relived knowing that I’ll have at least one friendly face to greet me. I had no idea how much I’d been counting on seeing Jenna until I’m disappointed