Screw it.
Screw him.
Maybe he thought I was the same shy meek girl from last summer. An easy target. Someone to toy with, to laugh about with his friends. But that girl was long gone. I lifted my hand and flipped him the bird. A couple of the guy's mouths dropped open and one elbowed Maverick in the ribs, but he didn't laugh. He didn't flinch as he tilted his head to the side and rubbed his jaw, his cold, assessing gaze narrowed right on me, as if he was trying to figure me out.
Trying to figure out my weaknesses.
I didn't stick around to find out if he had.
After a brief meeting with the Principal, I hurried to my first class, praying I wasn’t going to be made to stand up and introduce myself. But when I slipped inside the room, it was much worse.
“Cous, over here.” Kyle beckoned me over to his table at the back of the room, and I groaned to myself. For the love of God. Did these boys not know how to use someone’s name?
I waved him off, not wanting to make a scene, but he pounded on his desk, jumped up from his seat and announced, “Everyone, this is my cousin, Eloise from England. Eloise, this is everyone.”
Most of the class cheered, but a couple of girls rolled their eyes at me as if they thought I wasn't worthy of Kyle's grand gesture. I wanted to agree, instead I ducked my head and veered around the tables to get to him. “Really? You had to do that?” I hissed, dropping onto the chair behind the empty desk beside him.
“Come on, Cous, we're family. Mi casa es su casa.” Kyle grinned and oddly, I found myself grinning back. The boy was annoying as hell, but he meant well and I liked him. He made it so easy, unlike his two more hostile stepsiblings.
“So, how'd your meeting with Principal D go? Let me see your schedule.” He held out his hand, and I passed the sheet of paper I'd left the Principal's office with. “AP English, ouch. But you’re in Physical Ed. with Mr. DeLuca, nice. I'm in that class. History and Math, too.”
Five classes with Kyle? I didn't know whether to be relieved or afraid for my life. But having someone was better than no one. And Kyle seemed like a good person to have in your corner.
“And Macey’s in your English and Bio class.” He flashed me a knowing smirk and I shook my head. “Yo, guys, this is my cousin, Eloise.”
“Lo,” I corrected, smiling at the two guys watching our exchange. They introduced themselves just as the teacher arrived and called time on the morning chaos. I settled my eyes up front. I would have to work my arse off to keep up, but at least I had Kyle to help me. Then one of his friends whispered, “So Kyle, are we partying with Maverick tonight or what?”
And just like that I became alone again.
3
Lunch was interesting. They'd given me a pre-loaded card in my registration pack which you added dollars to and then used like a credit card. At my old school, you just handed over your money and went on your way. But as the day wore on, I began to realise this wasn't just any old school. Most of the kids wore designer labels, and I’d spied more than one brand new sports car in the car lot. Even the school building was state of the art. All hi-gloss, glass, and chrome furnishings.
“Hmm, here.” I handed the woman my card and waited for her to do her thing. When she was done, I picked up my tray and scanned the room. It was a huge lofty space with floor to ceiling windows down one side, opening out onto a patio with picnic benches. The sound of teenage chatter and laughter echoed off the walls, but one voice stood out.
“Cous, saved you a seat.”
I wanted to be pissed at Kyle's overbearingness, but I couldn’t deny the flicker of relief in my chest knowing I wouldn’t have to fight my way through the crush to find an empty table. A chorus of hellos greeted me as I slid in beside him.
“How was chem?”
“Is it ever anything besides dull?” I replied, and he cracked a wide grin, slinging his arm over my shoulder.
“I knew we were related ‘cause I fucking hate science too.”
“Except reproductive class, am I right?” A guy with shaggy brown hair laughed but Kyle slapped him around the head.
“Dude, ladies present.” He grinned but then joined the other boys in a debate about who was hooking up with who.
“Hey, I'm Laurie, we met last summer.” A pretty girl across from me leaned over, grabbing my arm. “I like your tat.” The start of the floral pattern was peeking out underneath from where I’d rolled up my sleeves.
“I remember.” I did, vaguely. “And thanks.” I tugged the material back down.
“Want to get out of here?” She glanced around conspiratorially and I wondered who she was looking for. When her gaze rested on Kyle, I wondered if I really wanted to know.
“Sure.”
Her face lit up. “Awesome. Come on.”
I said a quick goodbye to Kyle, not giving him a chance to make a scene, grabbed my sandwich and hurried after Laurie. Like me, she wore jeans and a t-shirt. A stark contrast to all the flowy skirts, summer dresses, and cropped pants.
“So, Kyle said you’ve moved here permanently?” she said as we made our way out of the huge sliding doors. I nodded slipping my glasses over my eyes. There was something in the way she said his name. A mixture of longing and irritation that only came from knowing someone well, too well.
“Let me guess, ex?”
“Something like that,” she murmured cutting across the grass to a smaller building. We disappeared around the side and I could see it was the Gym, and behind, the sports track. A group of kids were huddled by the bleachers.
“Laurie, what's up?” The guy spoke to my new friend, but his eyes lingered on me. “Who's your friend?”
“This is Lo Stone, Kyle's cousin from England. She just moved here.”
“Lo, nice,” the guy said. “I'm Devon.”
I scanned the rest of the small group, and Laurie introduced me to Autumn and Liam. They didn't hit me with twenty questions or pass any judgement on my outfit or accent, like most of the kids in my morning classes. It was refreshing.
“Want a smoke?” Liam asked me after a few minutes.
“I'm good, thanks.”
“Hey,” Laurie said. “Show them your arm. Autumn, you have to check this out.”
I peeled back the sleeve, rolling it up my arm. Autumn leaned in close. “Holy crap, that's awesome.”
“Right?”
“I'm so freakin' jealous. My parents would die if I did that.”
I flinched at her words but stuffed down my emotions. Now was not the time to go postal. “My dad wasn't so happy with me when he found out.”
“Oh, shit,” Devon laughed and soon we were all laughing. It felt good. Strange, but good.
“So, what's it like?”
“What's what like?” I said.
“Oh, come on, you know, living with them. The Stone-Princes.” His voice was nasal, mocking, and Liam stifled a laugh.
“Devon, don't.” Laurie warned, and I wondered who she was protecting. Me, herself, or Kyle.
He threw up his hands. “I mean no harm. But she has insider access. I'd love to know what makes Prince tick. That guy is...” Devon raked a hand through his hair but changed the subject after receiving another death stare. “So, Lo, do you like to party?”