The Bad Girl and the Good Boy

By Karla Luna

“I’m Evelyn. Evelyn Jo. How about you, handsome?” 

A girl in her underwear introduced herself to the clean-cut four-eyed Zavier Coin, grabbing his hand and making him blush - and life, as he knew it, would never be the same. 

Dark hair, black ensembles, badass tattoos, and sporting the perpetual smirk – Evelyn Jo is the ultimate bad girl. She does what she wants, whenever and wherever, and relishes defying authority. A real badass chick.

Zavier Coin, on the other hand, is the perfect good boy. He's nice, loves his mom, gets really good grades, a teacher's pet, and a member of the Mathletes club. 

They are polar opposites and would probably have never met but for a wrecked car, a school fire, a vindictive authority figure, and a funny twist of fate which landed Evelyn in the Coin home. 

But do opposites really attract? And will friendship and love really beat all odds when faced with psycho bad boys, clueless buzzkill adults, and other seemingly insurmountable odds?

Will the bad girl and the good boy get along, become good friends, and perhaps… become something more?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Blvnp Incorporated
• Release date: Dec 17, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386859918

Book preview

1: Some Bad News

––––––––

• Evelyn Jo •

Do you think he’s dead or unconscious?

I turned to look at Drake, who had his hand over his chin, skeptically looking at the motionless middle-aged man sprawled on the ground.

We were on our way to go get some delicious food when we found this guy in an alleyway nearby. He was actually one of the guys that owed us money for giving him a few special things. He had a business suit on, but his tie – which used to be light blue – was now covered in dirt and what seemed to be dry blood. So obviously, this had caught our attention since something bad must’ve happened to him. I mean, there had to be a reason he was here, like this.

Suddenly, Drake kicked the guy without any hesitation. He kicked him hard, and right in the stomach, making the guy roll over to his side. We all stood in silence for a few seconds, as the other two guys from our group – Ian and Darrel – inched closer to hear the man, in case he made any human sound at all. The man then groaned after a couple of moments, and Drake gave an approving look with a slight nod.

Unconscious, all right. Still alive, but barely. He then walked around the man, his hands linked together behind him, as he seemed to be deep in thought. I wanted to roll my eyes at him, but all I did was smile a little at how cute he was actually being right now. What should we do with this guy then?

I say we kill him, Ian immediately said, not missing a single beat. He shrugged right afterwards, as if it was no big deal that we would be killing a guy that already seemed to be on his deathbed by now.

Psh, I say, we take out everything he has that is actually valuable, and then dump the helpless body in that Dumpster, Darrel suggested, as if it were obvious that it was the best idea ever conceived. He also pointed to the huge, green Dumpster right in front of us.

Okay, Darrel’s idea it is. Drake didn't even think twice about it. He motioned for Ian and Darrel to get to work, as he turned and stared right at me. I bit my lip and crossed my arms over my chest just as he came up to me to put his arm around my shoulders. Cold? he asked me.

I shook my head, watching Ian grab the guy by the arms and pull him up in a sitting position, while Darrel checked all of his pockets – finding a watch, a wallet, and some tickets.

Wrestling tickets!? Darrel yelled excitedly, as he and Ian high-fived each other. I couldn't help but laugh at the two idiots. Good thing there were actually four tickets, though. We all loved going to wrestling tournaments considering these guys wrestled too, and even took the time to show me a few moves, which was actually a lot of fun.

Coincidence that there were enough tickets for all of us? I think not.

Scared? I scoffed at Drake's question, just as he slid his hand to rest on my waist, pulling me closer so our stomachs could touch. He grabbed my face and gently pushed my wavy, brown hair away so that he could clearly see me.

I don't even think we should be doing this, I honestly told him. "We just saw him here... I mean, sure he owes us money, but what if we get into trouble when we technically didn't do any damage to him?"

Oh, Eve, Drake smirked, lightly pinching my chin as I moved my head away, raising one eyebrow at him. You always make it sound so difficult. You've been in this group for quite a while now. You shouldn't question what we do with the people that don’t understand the consequences. Like this guy, clearly. 

I thought about it right then. What we did to people was way, way worse, sometimes, but I couldn't help but wonder who did this. Or if the guy actually did something to himself before we got to him.

I always wondered... Ian then came up to us, eating some French fries from a white paper bag. I gave him a disgusted look. Where the hell did he find those? In the Dumpster? How come we hardly called our ‘little group’ a gang?

If you want to call it that, then fine, whatever. Doesn’t really matter. Drake turned back to me, and then lightly kissed my forehead. I smiled as I felt his soft, warm lips on me. Now, let’s bail. He grabbed my hand, and then we all walked out of the alleyway together.

I’ve been with this gang ever since I was in the 10th grade. Now, I was in my senior year, which means I've been with these guys for about two years now. I had reasons why I decided to join their criminal gang. But it was a very touchy subject for me, so I always kept it a secret. And Drake was the only one who really knew about my past. But hey, the past was in the past. It made us who we are today. And the bad stuff will continue to haunt us no matter what. But sometimes, we just had to forget it all – because now, the future is nearer, and it is actually more important.

Anyway (sorry, sometimes I get all deep and shit), what we actually did was break a few laws here and there – do drugs, rob, and hurt people, if we thought it was necessary to do so. Basically, we did anything a good and innocent kid wouldn't dare do.

Drake Lancaster was the eldest. He was 19, and out of high school, known as the leader of the gang. He was also my boyfriend ever since I started hanging out with him and the other two. He had dark eyes and short, dark hair. He was also the one who had saved me from my past misery, and showed me his rather interesting way of living.

Then, there were Ian Cohen and Darrel Ivanova. Those two, you could tell apart from their looks since Ian had light brown hair and light green eyes, while Darrel had blond hair and dark blue eyes. But their personalities were very alike. They were the jokesters and the more lovable ones. But don't let that always fool you, because like us, they were complete hell once you messed with them.

I was clearly the only girl in the gang. I went by the name Evelyn Jo. I was more of the feisty type, having a mischievous attitude that was actually serious sometimes, which was usually when I decided to get tough on people. I did a few bad things, and was taught how to fight and rebel. I had long, silky brown hair with big blue eyes, and was thin with olive skin. I had looked innocent once, but all of that had obviously changed.

That was the whole group right there. We were the type of people parents warned their kids about, but of course, not a lot of people knew who we were since we always kept our faces hidden while we were doing something that might involve jail if we ever got caught. 

Drake was the only one who's ever been in juvie though, for four years, when he was just a bit younger. The rest of us have not yet done anything that would’ve sent us to juvie, mostly because we weren’t planning on getting caught. But who knew? Anything could happen.

* * *

Ugh.

I sipped my Coke and looked up at Drake, who was looking down at his phone with a frustrated look on his face.

We gotta go, he said, putting his phone back in his pocket.

Whoa, whoa! Right now? Ian asked, looking up from his French fries, which were stacked up on top of each other like the game Jenga.

Psh, yeah, we’re kind of in the middle of something here? Darrel shook his head at Drake. But Drake only slammed his fist on the table and got up. He pointed at the two guys.

If you guys aren't in the car in 45 seconds, I’m fucking leaving you here. He was off after that, leaving right through the back door.

I knew then that we had a drug deal coming our way, which would explain Drake's harsh attitude. He hated missing a deal because of us. Or rather, because of Ian and Darrel here.

I deeply sighed, grabbed my jacket, and stood up from the table. I stopped to look at the two morons, who pretty much seemed way more excited than a little kid on Christmas morning. Typical Ian and Darrel.

Then I did the only thing that would wipe those happy faces off immediately. I grabbed a French fry from the bottom and yanked it off, making the whole tower fall... along with their pretty faces. 

Evelyn! they both yelled in unison, getting glares and weird stares from the people around us. I only looked back and glared at them, mentally telling them to mind their own damn business.

Get your asses outside and in the car, unless you want a pissed off Drake smashing your heads against the trunk.

* * * 

A loud groan was heard all the way from where I was seated in the car. Drake suggested we leave this one to him, so we could go home right afterwards. But I admit, I hated being left out. My fist needed something to punch right about now. What?! I always had the need to, even when I was pretty calm.

Hmm... I pursed my lips in boredom. Maybe I could play that one zombie game on my phone. I do have to beat that one level after all.

Hey, guys, is my phone back there? I need to... I cut myself off when I turned to see the two morons sprawled across the back seats with their mouths hanging wide open as they practically slept like babies. They snored and Ian even had his fist halfway inside Darrel’s mouth. Pathetic. A little gross. And stupidly hilarious.

I shrugged and jammed my fist on the horn button, earning yelps and grunts right after the loud beeping was made. The car moved as they both woke up, and I even heard one of them hit himself hard on the ceiling of the car. I just smiled innocently as if I hadn't done a single thing.

What the hell, Evelyn? Ian asked, just as Drake slid in with four large packs of money. He gave me one, and then tossed the guys their share.

Why did you beat the guy up? I asked, remembering the loud groans from earlier. Who knew, maybe the guy was making Drake pretty mad and I bet he regretted it a lot by now.

What? Drake asked with a confused expression. I raised my eyebrows at him until he realized what I had meant. Oh, the guy just slipped on some wet mud, that’s all.

Let me guess. You just laughed, like, a lot. And then, you didn't even think about helping him up. You just grabbed the money and left.

He just nodded as if it wasn’t a big deal.

Pretty much, yeah. He started the engine and drove off. I didn't miss that smirk on his lips though. You know me so well, babe.

I know you so well... because I totally would've done the same thing! I laughed and playfully slapped his arm.

He only chuckled at me. "By the way, why'd you press the horn? I didn't take that long."

First, you lasted ten minutes and you know how impatient and bored I get in only ten minutes. Then, I decided I wanted to play a zombie game and remembered my phone was in my bag in the back, but these two were sleeping.

Drake glanced at the guys from the rearview mirror and sighed. I think they were sleeping again...

Doesn't quite surprise me, he said. Let's go home now. This was a pretty busy day.

* * *

We got to our house in less than fifteen minutes. We all lived together in a one-story house that had two bedrooms. It was painted light brown and black, and we did keep it very clean due to Drake's slight OCD.

Ian and Darrel shared a bedroom, while Drake and I shared another. We had separate beds, since we never really went that far with each other – even with being together this long. I was a virgin, but I guess most people wouldn’t expect that from someone like me. Although, it was a probability, since I was really good at playing with boys. Drake let me share his bed sometimes (for some reason, not quite willingly). And I have to admit, it was very fun to do. But that was all I ever did. I was a criminal, yes, but I wasn’t sexually driven or anything. And I was glad Drake wasn’t like one of the asses who demanded sex, or thought it was the only way into a relationship. He really was a good guy deep down, even with all the bad stuff he’s involved in.

I opened the front door to our house with a small smile on my face, and realized how tired I actually felt right then. Once I looked up though, my heart practically stopped beating at the sight in front of me.

There, standing right there in front of us, was my high school principal, the supervisor of the whole district, a guy from social services, and some other guy that looked like a cop in disguise. Well, to me he looked like it.

Shit. This could not be good.

Wait, how the hell did they even get in here? Ugh... Ian must've left the damn door open. Again. We seriously had to stop letting him be the last person to leave the house.

I swear she did it, Ian immediately said, his arms raised in defense as he pointed at me.

"It was aaaaall her," Darrel mimicked, pushing me forward.

I quickly turned to glare at them both.

Yeah, nice to know you guys have my back!

U-um... what’s going on? I asked in the most angelic voice I could muster.

Evelyn Jo, my principal said, and as always, he never failed to look so happy (note the sarcasm, please). We have some very important news to tell you.

W-what is it? Am I in trouble?

I always asked that, even though I already knew the answer to it. But hey, maybe – and just maybe – one day, it would be different.

Ha! Good one, Evelyn. 

Okay, it was no time to joke around at that moment.

Well, that and, the supervisor spoke up this time, we are here to tell you that you will be moving schools. Again.

What? No, no, no. There's no other school left in the district!

Okay, so maybe wrecking the principal's car and setting almost half of the school on fire wasn't really a good idea, now that I really thought about it. But still, I must admit, it was pretty damn awesome!

Considering you have no legal guardian and you're under the age of 18...

Whoa, whoa! She has me, Drake chimed in as he pressed his hand to his chest, giving them both a hard look. I'm 19. Besides, she's turning 18 in just a couple of months. I can actually take full custody of her.

Sorry, sir, we meant legal guardians, not pretentious boyfriends, the supervisor continued. It’s true you can take full custody, but I honestly think you're the one causing her to behave in such a terrible, rebellious way – which is why the police will now keep a close eye on you and your little friends over here. He looked at Ian and Darrel almost disapprovingly. "I mean, we could take you to jail, but we have no proof of the things you might've done in the past. Yet." 

That’s when Ian and Darrel practically started hiding and backing away as if they weren't even involved in this whole conversation. But then, they cursed under their breath when they bumped into some police officers that had appeared right by the door.

What the he—

No comment, the supervisor said in a stern voice, interrupting Drake, who seemed ready to pounce on him right then and there with the look he was giving off.

So, the principal started, we will have to take you away, Evelyn. But you have two choices. He made a stupid, dramatic silence and I realized I also wanted to pounce on someone... First choice is the Orphanage.

What?

No... I didn’t want to go back there. I had to live there ever since I was little, considering I had never met my birth parents. But those people at the Orphanage treated me so bad. I thought they were supposed to be good and nice to us, but they never were. It got me mad. So mad I just...

I clenched my fists and tried to stop thinking about that cruel, evil, and disgusting place. It was literally disgusting, too, by the way. They never cleaned the place. Instead, they made us do all the dirty work for them.

Or we have a wonderful state, New Jersey, where you will be taken to attend yet another public high school, which incidentally will also be your last. There, you will be living with a young psychologist, who will talk to you about your problems.

But... but, you can't do that! I don't have any problems! Who the hell do these guys think they are? Telling me where I can and can't go? I know I did bad things, but did that seriously mean I had to do all of these?

Yes, we can, the stupid supervisor spat back. I wanted to punch him right now, but that wouldn’t do me any better, seeing as the cops were here with us. "Unless you want to end up somewhere way worse than the Orphanage."

Oh, dammit. Dammit! There was no way out of this one now.

2: Arriving At A New Home

––––––––

• Evelyn•

Saying goodbye was really hard.

Like, really, really hard.

I mean, I’m sure most of us have had to go through that more than once, and it’s pretty sad. But I wouldn’t allow myself to cry. Not now, not ever. I have already shed enough tears many years back, and I was definitely not about to start again.

I’d see my guys again soon, and I knew it.

Goodbye, baby girl, Ian said, as he gave me a big bear hug while holding a piece of donut in one of his hands. Once we pulled away, we just smiled at each other, and then out of nowhere, he handed me the donut. Here, I want you to have this.

I eyed the tiny piece of donut.

But, Ian... this is just like, one bite.

He grabbed my shoulders and nodded. You’re welcome.

I playfully rolled my eyes as he moved away so that Darrel could come up and hug me much tighter, practically taking my breath away.

I’ll miss you, he said as he pulled away. "Psh, can you believe they practically blamed us for all the stuff we clearly did? Unbelievable." He shook his head at the thought as he started to move away so that Drake could finally come up to me.

I kept my gaze on him. His fists were dug deep in his jean pockets as he looked deep into my blue eyes.

Guess this is goodbye for now, I said, trying to smile at him but failing miserably at it.

Next thing I knew, I was being pulled into strong arms and a firm chest. I sighed and breathed his scent in, hugging him tight to me like I didn’t want to let go.

Yeah... He pulled away from me and looked over my face. Meanwhile, I do hope you find a great guy in New Jersey. They all suck here in Virginia. He smirked and winked at me, but I still had to rehearse the words he had just said.

Wait... what?

He chuckled and held my hands in his. Mine always felt so tiny whenever he held them in his large ones.

We’re being separated for a whole year – since you practically turn 18 when you finish high school – means we’ll somehow come across other people. I guess you most likely will, since you’ll be moving to a whole different state and a new school. He shrugged. Who knows, maybe you’ll find other bad boys.

He laughed and caressed my cheek, but I just looked at him without any expression. I honestly didn’t know what to say to all of this. But clearly, he was breaking up with me in the simplest way he could.

But hey, remember I still love you. Right then, a small smile tugged at my lips. And we’ll always be best friends, all right? I’m always here for you, partner in crime. He put his fist up, making me smile wider as I hit my fist with his own.

Okay... all right, done deal.

I knew I wouldn’t find someone out there like Drake. But there was still hope left. At least I knew we’d stay good friends. I have been fine with just that, because the guy who had saved me from my past was still going to be with me no matter what.

I hugged Drake one last time and said to him, Thank you, Drake... for everything. I felt him smile at that.

As I entered the plane, I waved one last goodbye to the three guys I committed crimes with for the last two years. I was really going to miss them.

I hoped that in this New Jersey place, I’d find an equally awesome pack as they are.

I smirked to myself at the thought. 

Well, if that was even slightly possible.

* * *

So...

I looked over at the supervisor, who ‘gladly’ decided to come with me to New Jersey, to make sure I went straight to this psychologist-lady-person.

"You are so not going back to your little delinquent friends," he said when I trailed off. He gave me a fake smile as well and looked back out the car window.

I wasn’t even gonna ask that, you dickhead.

We were currently in a cab, on our way to the psychologist’s house, which he mentioned was a pretty big house. But not as big as a mansion, unfortunately.

Though seriously, if this lady was going to be my guardian for the next year or so, she at least could’ve come and gotten me from the damn airport. Mostly so I wouldn’t have to be with this ass the whole entire way.

I stayed quiet the rest of the ride there, since it seemed like somebody was pretty cranky. I mean, jeez, I was just looking for conversation since I really hated awkward silences, but whatever. I hate the guy anyway.

It took about twenty more minutes to get to the big house that the psychologist lived in, and I kind of gawked at the sight when we were finally there. No mansion... but damn, was it gorgeous! 

It was a light blue, two-story house that most likely held a basement, too. The roof was a much darker blue and they had a pretty garden around the front porch. It was all just so nice and clean, it almost seemed brand new.

Okay, get out of the dang car already so I can leave, the supervisor said, breaking me out of my trance by tapping the window rather hard.

I glared up at him as I opened the door. In the process, the door slammed into his hip, causing him to stumble a little. He glared right back at me.

I got out. Happy? Besides, I didn’t make you come with me, you big whiner, I said, faking a huge smile. Then I rolled my eyes just as he scoffed and fixed the buttons on his stupid suit.

No manners, I swear, I heard him mumble.

Psh, manners shmamers. Ain’t nobody got time for that. I’m not gonna let someone walk all over me and treat me without respect.

Well, I didn’t really treat nice people with much respect. But hey, I only talked back if they were majorly annoying.

This psychologist better not be annoying or even worse than this supervisor guy, because I swear to God...

* * *

So this must be Evelyn Jo, a beautiful young woman, with straight and light brown-blond hair said to the supervisor, even though she was looking right at me.

In her hand was a white cup of tea, and I noticed her very light blue eyes staring me down. Her skin was light – in between pale and tan – and she was also skinny and pretty tall. Or was it her heels that made her that tall? Hmm...

I just shrugged the thought away. She looked pretty nice. But I bet she’d blow up once the supervisor left. I really didn't need to be lectured on the shit I've already done.

Evelyn, the supervisor introduced. This is Ms. Coin...

Oh, Bradley, Ms. Coin cut him off with a humorous laugh and a wave of her fragile hand. I told you, that is only my name when I am at work.

But technically, you will be at work every day, since this little delinquent girl will be staying with you for the next year.

I stopped myself from kicking him in the shin since he was standing right next to me. He seriously irritated me that easily.

Well, Evelyn, this is your home now. Even if I’m at work, you may call me by my actual name, Stormy.

Whoa, awesome name! I wanted to ask about it, but stupid Bradley here interrupted me before I even got the chance to say anything.

I hope everything goes well. I’ll come by in November to see how she’s doing.

It was actually already the beginning of October, so I noticed I got kicked out of school when I was barely a month and a few days into my senior year. 

New record, eh? Not bad. Not bad at all.

Very well. Thank you so much, Bradley. She smiled at him, and lucky for me, he didn’t even glance in my direction as he walked out.

I blew out a breath of relief. Thank God he left. I would’ve killed someone – or even myself – if he didn’t leave soon enough.

All right, Evelyn, follow me up to your new room, Stormy said to me as she grabbed my suitcase. I slung my messenger bag over my shoulder and followed her up the shiny staircase.

Even the stairs themselves were made of glass, dammit! How was this not a mansion, seriously? I mean, outside it didn’t seem much like a mansion, but inside?

Man, was it incredible.

I couldn’t wait to explore the rest of this house. Maybe they had some hidden liquor around here...

Oh, but when I entered my huge room, I knew I needed someone to hold me before I passed out at the sight before me. The walls were a red color, but they had some white swirly designs that reminded me of my upper arm tattoos.

I did have both my arms covered in beautiful and meaningful tattoos, but at the moment, I had them covered up because of my black leather jacket.

I wondered if Bradley – a.k.a. the major asshole, as you know – told Stormy about my tattoos. Though, no one should judge others just by their tattoos or appearance.

But he also knew I did a few drugs, and of course, broke a ton of rules. So he had his own reasons to judge me.

This is your new room. Mine is just across the hall from the stairs, Stormy stated, putting her hands on her hips to look around the gorgeous room.

So... I started, still admiring my room as well. It had a queen-sized bed with dark blue sheets, and even a damn balcony. Um... is it just you living here, in this big house? I asked, noticing those were barely the first words I had gotten to tell her since I got here.

Oh, considering me and my husband got divorced a few years back, I only have my son living with me. His room is right next door to yours. He took a small trip with his French class and he won’t be back until tomorrow.

I chewed on my bottom lip and repeated her words in my head. You have a son?

So there’s only three of us in this big house, huh? Should be interesting. I wondered who this kiddo was.

Well, he was probably just a douche. Then again, Drake was also a douche, but in a good way. If that even made sense.

Yes. He’s a great young man. She took a look around the room once again, as if she was seeing it for the first time. Well, let’s help you unpack, and then we can go eat some food I prepared for your welcoming.

I felt like I was actually going to like this lady. I was just dreading those therapy sessions.

* * *

This was heaven right now.

Man, I had to get the recipe for this thing! I didn’t even know what it was called, but fuck, it was so good that I was going to keep eating it like it was my very last meal!

Mmmm... I mumbled, as I heard a giggle coming from Stormy. Choosing to ignore it though, I put more food into my already full mouth.

Hey, when I was this hungry and the food was this good, I ate like a pig. But I didn’t care. Anyone would be eating like a pig after devouring this. It was like munching a bunch of little pieces of heaven, man.

I see you like my famous chicken casserole. I looked up from my food and saw a grinning Stormy. Oh, you’re just like my son. It’s his favorite dish, and he practically eats it in the snap of a finger. Her face fell a little once she realized something. Huh... too bad you’re probably gonna finish it all because this is already your fifth serving, darling.

At that, I grabbed the huge casserole dish and pulled it toward me, practically hugging the precious thing. 

Stormy just ended up laughing at me again. She had a big dining room and the kitchen was right next to it. Once I smelled the food and laid my eyes on it though, I couldn’t move away from my seat at the kitchen counter. I just kept drooling until it was finally ready and I got to eat it.

So, I heard a lot about you from Bradley.

Mhmm?

And he claims that you are a very... She brought her hands up and moved them around as if to think of the right words to say. "Wild girl."

I bet he said a bad word about me that you don’t wanna sayyyy, I said in a singsong. Bad words he can’t say in front of my face either. Psh, dick.

No, no, darling. She lightly patted my hand. Nothing like that. But you start school this Monday. And remember, it’s the last one you will go to. If not, who knows what they’ll do to you until you’re of legal age.

I hated how I wouldn’t be 18 till May, which was when I would be finishing my senior year. Drake certainly lied to Bradley and my principal when he said ‘a couple of months’ because it was just too far away to be a couple of months.

I already registered you into Lavider High. My son usually heads out with his friend in the mornings, so...

Oh, is he a senior, too? I cut her off, feeling the need to know about her son just a little bit more. I mean, I was just curious about him, that’s all.

"Yes. A very smart one, too. So if you’d like, you can ride with him and his friend. Or, I’d be more than happy to give you a ride there myself."

Thanks, but you don’t need to act all stepmother-y with me. We’ll see what happens, though. I gave her a warm smile at that. She really was nice, though I remembered why I was sent here in the first place. Now... I’m gonna go up to my new room and finish this wonderful dish.

* * *

I felt like I couldn’t even see my own two feet right now. That was a hell of a lot of food. I didn’t even think I’d be able to get up for the next two hours. Or possibly the next few days. But damn, it was worth it.

I looked up at my ceiling and thought about how this whole year was probably going to go. If I did find a new gang, I simply hoped they were going to be just as bad and awesome as my dorks back home. New school? Everyone – or even no one – talked about the new kid. Though when they took a look at me, they sure had something to talk about. I guess I was just interesting to them for I don’t know what reason. Maybe it was the tattoos. Maybe it was the piercings. Maybe it was all the black clothing I would wear, I wondered.

But, oh well, moving on.

Now... this big house? Hell, it would be great for a party, now that it crossed my mind. It had three other guest rooms, all with their own bathroom. Plus, the backyard had a huge pool and a big field. I imagined all the awesome things that could happen here.

Suddenly, Stormy’s son came into mind as well. And she didn’t even mention his name to me for some reason.

But a smart kid, eh? Was he one of those goodie-two-shoes? Or was he secretly smart, but still bad on the inside and was just too afraid to show it to anyone else?

I suddenly felt something vibrate as I looked around. What was that?

After a few seconds, I looked down at my iPhone that was right next to my hip, and picked it up to check what I had just received. 

Drake had sent me a quick text: They let me send you a present. You’ll see it Monday morning ;D Love you sweetie, take care.

I guess he couldn’t text me anymore since I was sure they had their phones, computers, and other electronic devices censored. 

I frowned.

I missed my boys already.

But a present? Drake’s gifts were usually great ones. I wondered what he had in store for me this time. 

I guess I just had to wait and find out for myself on Monday morning. 

But for now, I was going to sleep like there was no tomorrow.

3: Meeting Her

––––––––

• Zavier Coin •

Give it back!

"No! I need it!"

Well, newsflash, buddy, maybe I need it too!

No, Jesse, stop!

I closed my eyes and lightly banged my head against the bus’ window. Then I put my index finger in between my black-rimmed glasses and lifted them up when they started to slip down my nose.

We were currently on a travel bus, since we had just taken a trip to a bunch of museums, restaurants, and even random houses that ‘supposedly’ represented a few French stuff I still didn’t understand. And I understood everything.

Well, actually, I understood a lot of school related things. Because honestly, I wasn’t really all that street smart.

We were on our way home now, and it was currently – I looked down at my black watch that was placed on my left wrist and read the time – 6:48pm.

Ethan, I swear to God, if you don’t give me that, I will...

"Vous deux, taisez-vous déjà! [Both of you, shut up already!]" Mrs. Danix – our French teacher – yelled at the two boys sitting on my left, Jesse Mullins and Ethan Wander, who were both, unfortunately, my two best friends.

"Christ, it’s just a calculator! What are you doing Math here for? Eh? This is French, my boys! French!"

Jesse and Ethan were fighting over that Texas Instrument calculator for some odd reason (you just never knew with these guys). I’ve known them both for as long as I could remember, and they were pretty much the only guys I hung out with at school.

But Jesse could be a bit... uptight, if I must admit. So he was very short-tempered and Ethan just loved to mess with that, probably to see if Jesse could turn into the brightest shade of red in the universe.

Jesse was more of the outgoing type that was like the school’s class-clown, while Ethan was the shyer and nicer one. But both of them together? That was just bad.

I wanted to laugh at them right now, but instead, I just coughed into my fist and kept my eyes on the outside world till we finally got back to Lavider High.

Mom had sent me a text saying that this girl she’d been talking non-stop about for the past week just got home yesterday. And of course, we’d be sharing our house with her. She would also have the room right next to mine, which I didn’t mind at all. It’s just that, I’ve never really shared a house with another girl besides my mother. There was really no need for it, really.

But this girl... she was, well my mom said she was different. And I didn’t know whether to take that as a bad thing, or a good thing. So I was pretty nervous about this whole situation, especially since she was my age and was definitely going to attend school with me.

Oh, the reason why I was nervous? Well, I’m going to tell you this. I was definitely not a ladies’ man. When I was younger, I almost puked when this one girl said ‘hi’ to me, and ever since then, I tried to stay away from any girls. But it was hard; they were everywhere. Everywhere! (Yeah, over-exaggerating here, but whatever).

Once, I was even considering an all-boys boarding school, but that was just way too much. And it was definitely calling myself a wimp.

For one, I couldn’t flirt, like, at all. I would’ve been surprised if a cheesy line flew out of my lips. Two, I stuttered like crazy and laughed, making up some lame excuse to leave whenever I got severely shy. Plus, sometimes I said things I thought about, or I said things I hadn’t even thought of yet. And three, I simply couldn’t look at girls without blushing or feeling self-conscious about myself. It might’ve sounded stupid, but I felt like they’d be looking right into my soul (like cats).

With older women like my teachers, though, I was completely fine. But nevertheless, I guess I was pretty scared of girls, no matter how stupid it sounded.

Hey, Zavier.

I immediately looked over to my left and saw the most beautiful girl in existence, sitting in the seat right in front of me.

Jocey Rodriguez was her name (we called her Joss for short, just to let you know).

She had sapphire-blue eyes and long, luscious blonde hair. Apparently, I liked her since we were in the 6th grade. So it’s been about 6 years since I started liking her, which sounded pretty desperate, didn’t it?

I locked gazes with her, but then cleared my throat and pretended to look down at my plain, white T-shirt.

Oh, look at that, an invisible smudge found its way there at the most perfect time.

Oh, uh... h-hey, Joss, I mumbled, feeling my blood crawl up to my cheeks. I really, really hated blushing. Why did it have to be right on my face where everyone could see? It was just too obvious.

What’s up with you? You’ve been staring pretty intensely outside.

Oh, uh... I looked back out the window and watched some of the houses we were passing by. Just... looking outside. Wow, that was stupid. Really, Zavier? Just punch yourself right now. Please, end your misery. I-I mean... j-just, bored. Tired, really.

She giggled and turned back around in her seat, and started to talk to her friend who was sitting right next to her. I blew out a deep breath and rested my head against the back of my seat, tightly closing my eyes from embarrassment.

I really shouldn’t have been allowed to talk to girls. I couldn’t even count how many times I’ve embarrassed myself in front of them.

But just for future reference, it was 47 times.

All of a sudden, I felt someone watching me. And I felt breath on my neck, too...

What the...!

Ah! I had now opened my eyes and jumped once I saw Ethan’s face way too close for my liking, plus Jesse’s creepy smiling face staring back. You know that creepy smile your friend does whenever you’re talking to your crush?

Yeah, that creepy smile.

I slightly shivered and just turned back around to look out the window with a frown on my face. They really had to stop doing that (and yes, they did it  before and it still manages to scare me).

Bro. Jesse patted me roughly on the back, but I still kept my eyes locked on the window. You really gotta ask her out already.

It took me a while to respond. I just wanted to let this all go. Joss was never going to go for a guy like me. She was smart (yeah, I was smart too, but she was the leader of our Mathletes team, just saying), she was funny and talkative (let’s face it, when it came to girls, I almost instantly became mute) and above all, she was gorgeous. Model perfection, even. Me? Well... I was no supermodel, that’s for sure.

I... it’s not that simple, Jesse, I finally replied.

Oh sure it is, Ethan said, a little too enthusiastically. You just go and beg her to take you out! You know, one time, I actually had the courage to tell a girl I wanted a date. And damn right, it was a demand!

And? Jesse and I were practically beaming now, waiting for his answer. Ethan never really told us stories about things that had happened in his past, so this interested me right away, especially if it was about him and a girl.

It was pretty good, actually. I went to the store to buy more after that.

Jesse rolled his eyes and face-palmed himself, knowing Ethan was talking about a date, as in the little sweet fruit – not an actual, romantic date with an actual girl.

You’ve already talked to her plenty of times, man, Jesse said, bringing us back to the Joss topic. And you’ve liked her ever since we played that stupid spin the bottle game in 6th grade recess. Just make a move, please, you’re killing me here.

I nodded, remembering that exact day.

Our class had recess inside since it was a rainy day, so we planned on playing spin the bottle. When it was Jocey’s turn, she got a dare – and guess what that dare was? To kiss me.

Of course, not on the lips (though I really wished it were on the lips instead) no, but on the cheek. I mean, I always thought Jocey was a pretty girl, but when she kissed me, I felt tiny sparks and that instantly made me like her. She even started to talk to me more and I realized just how amazing she really was.

Yeah, it sounded stupid. Just forget I ever explained anything.

We arrived in Lavider High in no less than 5 minutes. We got our backpacks, which were filled with clothes and some other things we needed during the trip.

We stayed at a couple random houses and it was safe to say that I was never going to another school field trip again. What happened to those really cool ones like in elementary school?

Oh yeah, we grew up.

All right, kids, Mrs. Danix announced to everyone, gather your things and get out of my sight. I will, unfortunately, see you tomorrow in class.

Such a nice way to say goodbye, huh?

* * *

So how does this girl look like?

How old is she?

Is she Goth? Hipster? A swagger!?

Jesse! I yelled, banging my head against the cushion on the passenger seat of his red Jeep, since he was currently giving us a ride home. Mom wanted to buy me my own car once, but why do that when Jesse here gave free rides? (He doesn’t.) I don’t know. All I know is that she’s staying with me, and that she’s my age. That’s all. No name, no features. No locks of hair, in case you’re planning on making a clone later. He’d always try to do that since he was a science geek, but he hadn’t done it right just yet.

One time, he took a lock of my black hair while I was asleep. Asleep! He just yanked it off and I fell off my bed. Believe me, Jesse had the courage to sneak into your room in the middle of the night just for that. But couldn’t have he at least asked nicely and done it during the day? I guess that was Jesse for you...

I didn’t even know why he wanted to make a clone of me anyway, and honestly, I didn’t even want to know.

Then that’s good. Ohhh, we are staying over tonight, buddy!

Sorry, Jess, mom said no. She wants me to meet her properly.

My mother – Stormy Coin, known as a professional psychologist – taught me all things on how to be a gentleman and all of that. Of course, if I were in a mental state, she would’ve been helping me out for free. But considering the girl she told me about was mostly there for therapy sessions, which I obviously didn’t tell the two boys I call my best friends, then I didn’t know if she would be super crazy. I wasn’t judgmental though. It was just... I wasn’t really comfortable with the thought of it. Usually her therapy sessions were held at her office at work... and she had not once let a patient stay and live with us. I really wondered why she let this particular girl stay...

Aww, man, Ethan grumbled from the back seat, pouting.

These two just loved girls and they were the typical guys that checked out any girl passing by. But the girls never paid attention to them and they were so very terrible at flirting. But hey, they were better than I was, and that was really saying something.

All right, see you later then, Zavier, Jesse said, pulling into the driveway of my house. "Tell us all about her tomorrow."

I won’t have to. She’ll be coming to school with us, remember?

Oh, yeah. Well... she’s gonna need a ride, isn’t she? He smirked and winked, but I just shook my head and chuckled.

See ya, guys, I said, before getting out of the car and walking up to the front door of my house. As I took my keys out, I heard Jesse’s Jeep go down the street.

Once I was inside my comfy home, I noticed it was awfully quiet...

Was my mom even home? Well, just to make sure... Mom!? I’m home! I yelled.

I put my backpack down on the living room floor, and started walking over to the kitchen where I saw a shadow coming out.

I slightly frowned at the small figure.

She’s in the shower.

I jumped and stepped back a little once I saw a beautiful girl just a tad shorter than me, by the kitchen entrance.

In her underwear.

And even though she wore a button-up shirt that covered her up to mid-thigh, I still felt uncomfortable. Blushing, I looked away and cleared my throat.

You must be Stormy’s son. She came closer and stood right in front of me, which only made my blushing worse. Her long, dark brown hair was loose and it reached up to her small waist. She was skinny, but not so supremely thin that it was unhealthy. Her skin was olive too, and... wow, she even had a ton of tattoos. At the age of 17?

Wow, you two look kinda different.

I’m sure she was talking about my hair and my eyes. My hair was dark, black like my father’s was, wherever he was right now. My mother’s hair was way lighter. My eyes were dark brown, too – but we both had the same skin-tone. Aww, aren’t you just adorable! The girl suddenly pinched my cheeks, making my glasses slip down my nose. She grabbed them before they fell, and I almost immediately grabbed the glasses from her hands and put them back on. I can just kiss you!

No, thanks. I’m saving that up for a special someone.

Yeah, a special someone who’ll never be yours. Just admit it.

Without me realizing till seconds later, her lips were in my ear, making me stiffen up like stone. And take you to bed with me, she whispered, biting my earlobe.

My breathing hitched and I suddenly felt hot all over.

Okay, she was seriously trying to make me blush the brightest shade of red, I swear. Was this seriously the girl my mom had been talking so much about?

The one who was going to be living with us?

Zavier! I looked up to meet my mother’s eyes. She was walking down the stairs, with a huge smile plastered on her face, which surprised me, since she hadn’t smiled that big since... well, forever. My boy, you’re here! This is the girl I’ve been talking non-stop about.

"Oh, by the way, I taught her how to play a bunch of card games the whole day. She said you were really good at them, but she even ended up beating me," the girl said, walking up to my mom to high-five her.

I’m gonna beat you at Go Fish now, my son! Woo!

By now, I was staring at them, almost dumbfounded.

W-what?! I was majorly confused. Mom had just met this girl yesterday and she was already like a daughter – and best friend – to her?

Oh, my bad, the girl said and came up to me and grabbed my hand. I reacted by nervously swallowing a lump in my throat and once again, blushing.

Stop blushing already!

Well, this is the first time I’ve ever been so close to a girl this way, okay! Just give me a break here. Please.

I’m Evelyn. Evelyn Jo. How about you, handsome? Handsome? Adorable? Did she really mean these words or was she just playing around with me?

Maybe she was the one who needed the glasses, not me.

Zavier? I shook my head when I heard my mom’s voice. She obviously knew I was in my own little world every time I took a small pause.

Looking back at this beautiful girl, Evelyn, I noticed her twinkling blue eyes. She bit her lip and I found myself looking down at those full rose-lips, remembering how only seconds ago she was biting my earlobe.

I blushed at the thought and shook her hand instead, the hand that was still holding mine.

I-I’m Zavier. Zavier Coin.

* * *

Mom really shouldn’t have been telling me surprising news every time I went to drink something. I almost choked about a dozen times the past few years, all because she couldn’t wait for me to finish up my drinks.

Right now, I was sipping some cold water when she told me the most disturbing news ever. I was still in a coughing fit when I tried to repeat her words in my head.

A delinquent!? Really!? I whisper-yelled. Mom had just said that this Evelyn Jo girl came here since she got kicked out of her last high school. And she got kicked out of a ton of schools they couldn’t even keep count of, so that’s why she got sent here. It was either this or she had to go to this Orphanage place, which I’m guessing she didn’t like at all, considering she chose to stay here with us so that my mom could talk to her about her ‘problems’. Honestly, I thought being a delinquent was a choice, not a problem.

But seriously? A delinquent – a criminal – was staying here with us? What if she...?

Shhhhh!!!

I raised my dark eyebrows at my mother, who seemed to be shushing me way louder than when I was actually talking. But Evelyn was showering upstairs and last I checked, we had pretty thick walls. Plus, the bottom stair had this little screeching sound that could easily be heard.

Yes, okay. But she really needs all the help she can get. She may be a criminal, but she’s fun once you get to know her better.

Mom, you only played Go Fish with her, that’s not really getting to know someone. Then again, Jesse always told me that you really got to know someone when their snack got stuck in a vending machine...

We talked, and she told me about herself a little already. But I know there’s a reason why she’s the girl she is. Why she’s the girl who doesn’t care about anything or what people think. Take this chance, Zavier, she said and paused to put her hand over mine, to get to know a girl. To get to know someone new and see how same or different you two really are. Never judge, that’s one of the many things I taught you, sweetie. Just try. I told her to try and be friends with you.

I thought about it. Thought about it hard.

Someone new... and there was a reason why my mom said the girl part. Of course she was a girl, but Mom knew how terrible I was around girls and how ‘afraid’ I was of them.

Maybe we could be friends. Maybe she could help me overcome this shyness I had, so that I could finally stop being such a wimp.

Was I really considering all of this?

Yes, I was. I actually was.

––––––––

• Evelyn •

When I finally set eyes on Stormy’s son, Zavier Coin, the first thing that went to mind was, ‘Wow!’ Just a simple little... wow. And also that he reminded me of a cute, little cuddly teddy bear – which I decided would be his nickname, to tease him with.

He had the same skin tone and cute little nose as Stormy, but he still didn’t look much like her. I complimented him because one, he seemed to be one of those cute, shy, and self-conscious boys. And two, because he really was handsome and adorable, in my opinion. So I just had to say it.

His jet-black hair was a little long, just enough to cover the back of his neck a little and curl a bit over his forehead a few times. Dark brown eyes were the most common around the world, but his eyes just held me in place in a hypnotizing way (as cheesy as it may sound).

And when I said that I could just kiss him, oh boy, was I being honest?! I just couldn’t keep my hands to myself. I loved the reaction I got from him when I bit his cute little earlobe. I’m guessing he never had that done to him before. I was glad to be the first for that one.

He wore a red and blue button-up with a white T-shirt underneath, and even then I could clearly make out all the basic muscles he had. So he worked out, eh? Nice.

While we were playing all kinds of card games, Stormy chose to tell me at least a little bit about her son. He was an innocent boy with such impressive grades at school that he might as well be a college student. He was a really good dancer, but no one knew that except his mom and other family members (and me, so now I really had to get him to show me some of his moves). He liked helping a few charities, and overall, he was just a really nice and caring guy.

I wanted to know more about this cute smarty-pants, but Stormy left the rest a mystery, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to know more about Zavier.

He was shy and that was plainly obvious. Oh, and Stormy said he’s not used to being around girls, so that was probably why he blushed so much when he saw me. Or was it because I was in my underwear and he felt uncomfortable? I don’t know, I just felt like everything was way better without any pants, you know? I’m sure a lot of us felt that way.

Hmm... I actually thought he and I would have plenty of fun together around here. And somehow, I felt like us sharing a house for a year wasn’t going to be as bad as I thought.

4: High School Sux

––––––––

• Zavier •

That Sunday night, we all had dinner together in the living room while watching The Avengers, which was one of our favorite movies of all time.

Mom and Evelyn seemed to get along just great and I found myself grateful for that, considering my mom hardly had any girls or friends to talk to. All she had was me and even we didn’t hang out so much.

But Evelyn seemed... different (and no, that wasn’t because she probably killed someone before). Though, now that I thought about it, I would now start locking my room at night. Just to be safe, you know. I was quite a paranoid person.

Okay, don’t be ridiculous now. She’s not crazy enough to do something like that.

Well, I still hadn’t known her for a full 24 hours, so I wasn’t 100% sure.

It was also really hard for me to trust people. It always has been, for some particular reason.

I got to know Evelyn a little more (simple stuff, really, like her favorite color and animal), and I found out some of the things she did back at her old home. Mom didn’t like to hear about them (for example, the drugs and alcohol), but Evelyn said it really helped her out with stress. She told us all about her tattoos and she had over forty of them, mostly small ones covering her arms. She also had about fifteen piercings, most of them covering her ears, but she also had some on her nose, navel, and hips.

I would’ve said I didn’t want to see them, but then I’d be lying to myself as well. Jeez, she was already turning me into one of those guys. And ‘those guys’ obviously being Jesse and Ethan, who only wanted to check girls

Reviews for The Bad Girl and the Good Boy

[Muhammad huzairy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This Book Is So Feel.. there some moment were heart touching.. In The End Is Very Good. I Love This Book.. Thank You To The Author And SCRIBD Too..