Screw Ares Abernathy

MARLEY'S POV

Ares' words have been stuck in my head ever since he said them.

'Who the hell flirts with their cousin's boyfriend anyway?'

Me. I do, Marley Benson the Whore.

I scowl as I walk into school, what does it matter to him anyway?

We've never spoken before, we don't even know each other, why does he all of a sudden have an interest in who I talk to? He should mind his own business and leave me alone.

Sighing, I glance down the hall and when I don't see him, I walk to my locker. Bumping into him is the last thing I want to happen.

As I get my text book out for my first class, I peer up and down the walkway in search of him. I don't need him ruining my morning by shaming me for something he doesn't understand.

I shame myself enough as it is.

"Who are you avoiding?"

I jump and turn to glare at Lilith. Her hands are shoved into the pockets of her black and red pleated skirt. Her black shirt is tucked into it and she tugs at the choker around her neck that has a moon charm dangling from it.

I glance down the hall once more before shutting my locker.

"Huh?" I look the other way, "What do you mean? I'm not avoiding anyone."

She raises an eyebrow, "Oh? So you're not looking for a certain black haired, blue eyes asshat?"

I snort and shrug my shoulders, "Okay so maybe I am. Let me know if you see him coming this way."

Lilith raises her hand with an 'okay' sign.

Heels click against the floor and my eyes widen when Stephanie stops besides us. My cousin never interacts with me during school hours, so this is weird.

Did she finally notice my stalker tendencies with her boyfriend? My chest suddenly feels tight at the thought. She already doesn't like me, she would absolutely hate me if she knew about my obsessive one sided crush.

Did Ares snitch me out to her? I scowl down at the floor, he better not have!

"Can I borrow your notes from Mr. Sinclairs class?" She asks, tucking a strand of blonde hair behind her ear.

My eyes widen, so she doesn't know! This isn't her trying to shake me down about Luca. My breath comes out in a rush and I grin.

I get to live another day!

My gaze drifts behind her and my face burns red when I see Luca is leaning against the lockers across from us. He gives me a small smile when he catches me staring and then pulls out his phone.

I bite my lip and tear my eyes away from him and back to Stephanie who raises a perfectly trimmed eyebrow.

"Uh, yeah," My hands fumble as I reach into my backpack.

"Hey, aren't you having a party on Friday?" Lilith tilts her head at Stephanie. She pulls out a strip of gum and pops it in her mouth.

She frowns as she stares at me rummaging around my bag, "Uh yeah, how'd you know?" She crosses her arms over shoulder and cocks her hip out.

"People are talking about it." Lilith shrugs and blows a bubble. "Is it cool if we come?"

I pause and peer through my lashes to see Steph's frown deepen. I go to protest, but she's already speaking.

"Uh yeah. Why not," She shrugs.

I clear my throat and hand her my notes, forcing myself to keep my eyes on her.

Don't look at Luca. Don't look at Luca.

I repeat the mantra in my head as Stephanie takes the notes.

Luca pushes up from the lockers. Well shit, I really can't help myself. He's like a magnet that keeps drawing me to him.

"Thanks." Stephanie forces a smile, eyes drifting from Lilith to me. Then she turns around, grabs Luca's hand and drags him away.

"Was I too obvious?" I ask as I watch Luca wrap his arm around her shoulders. I sigh in disappointment. I bet he's so warm and nice to learn against.

"Completely." Lilith smiles as she wraps her arm around me and pulls me into her. "You really are pathetic."

"I know," I frown and len my head against her shoulders, "Completely and utterly." I pull away from her and head to our first class, "I'm not going to that party, though."

"What?" Lilith hissed at me, "Why not?" Lilith asks.

"Because I don't like them." I scoff, because she knows this. "Last time I went with you to one I stuck to the wall and you forgot about me." I glare at her.

"That was one time!" She exclaims, her red stained lips jutting out in a pout, "I told you I was sorry."

I roll my eyes, "It still happened and it can't happen again if I'm not there." I say.

"But Luca will be there." Lilith sings, brushing her shoulder against mine, "Why hear about him being at the party when you can see him there first hand yourself?" She smirks,

I scowl at her for using my weakness against me. It would be nice to see him there, in his element.

Oh who am I kidding, it would be a crime for me not to go and see him.

I'm so not a stalker, I remind myself, just an admirer.

"Fine, I'll go." I mutter in defeat.

"You'll go to what?" A deep familiar voice murmurs into my ear.

"What the fuck?!" I screech as I jump into the air. I whirl around and glare at Ares as he stares down at me. I have to tilt my head back to look at him because he's so damn tall.

Where the hell did he even come from?! I wasn't paying attention to my surroundings while talking with Lilith, dang it.

"Leave me alone, I'm not in the mood," I spit at him.

He scowls down at me and takes me in from head to toe.

"I asked you a question," He bites the words out, crossing his arms over his broad chest. He's wearing his signature leather jacket, his black hair swept back and his jeans hanging low from his hips.

Lilith snorts and he tilts his head to her and glares. She glares back.

"I'm not telling you." I sneer at him and turns my nose away from him. It makes me feel snobby, but if it pisses him off, then great. "Why don't you mind your business?"

Ares clenches his jaw and glances away from me. "If you're talking about that party then you can forget about it, you can't go."

I splutter at his words, "Excuse me?" I hiss. "I can't go? You can't tell me what to do, you don't even know me!" I exclaim loudly. I draw attention to us from the kids in the hallway and clear my throat. "What gives you the right to tell me that?" I say in a lower voice.

He blows air through his nose and narrows his eyes at me. "Good little girls like you don't go to parties," his voice almost sounds like a growl.

Is he mocking me?!

"What the hell is your problem with me?" I glare up at him. "I'm going to that party. And you can't stop me."

I grab Lilith's arm, turn around and march the rest of the way to class.

Screw Ares Abernathy!