Someone pounces on my stomach. Someone else kicks my leg. Before I can stop them, there’s a gang of kids beating the crap out of me as I lie helpless on the ground.

“Ouch! Stop!” My arms and legs flail, kicking and pushing anyone who’s near me. I don’t care if they get hurt. It’s every man for himself, and I will not be taken out by a pack of rabid children.

Finally, someone hoists me off the ground. I hear Jaxon’s voice on the microphone, telling the students to take their seats.

The asshole sounds like he’s laughing.

As soon as I’m dragged into the hallway, I rip off the bird’s head and gasp for air.

Chris holds me steady. “You okay, Rae?”

“Just get me out of this thing!”

Becca bursts through the auditorium door. “Rae, are you okay? That was insane!”

I grunt as I step out of the costume. “Those little shits attacked me. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think Jax planned it.”

“Who planned it?” Chris asks.

“No one. Never mind.”

Becca hands me a water bottle. “Drink this. I’ll take your class back to my room and put on a movie. You should get checked by the nurse.”

I shake my head. “I’m fine. The costume’s pretty thick.”

“Are you sure? You didn’t hit your head?”

“Nothing but a bruised ego.”

“You’re tough,” Chris says with a smile. “It’s gonna take a lot more than a few third graders to take you down.”

His comment sparks an idea. A smile spreads across my face. “You know what, Chris? I think you’re right.”

“Uh-oh,” Becca says. “I don’t like that look.”

Days Left Until Summer Break: 178

Jaxon

I haven’t been able to stop smiling since yesterday.

All I wanted was for Raegan to wear the mascot costume. Just a few minutes of humiliation and torture was all I’d asked for. But once again, the universe handed me a present.

The video of Raegan getting pummeled by nine-year olds went viral. Hats off to whichever teacher uploaded it to YouTube. I’ve already watched it thirteen times. My only regret is that I couldn’t see Raegan’s face while she was on the floor inside that ridiculous costume.

That’s what we call karma, ladies and gentlemen.

It’s eight-thirty and my second day as principal is about to start. As soon as I settle into my chair, there’s a knock at the door.

“Come in.”

Raegan’s smiling face pokes through the doorway. I despise the lying thief, but my dick doesn’t seem to have received the memo. Raegan is wearing a pale blue dress that hugs her curves in all the right spots. Her heels accentuate her toned legs, and it takes all my power to block the image of those legs wrapped around my neck when …