“Huh.” Now that I look around the room, I realise that she’s right. The room may no longer be silent, but there’s a lot of whispering and glances being thrown my way.
“We don’t really have cliques here; you will find each group has a good mix of students. Some are more popular than others, and each here for their own reasons. Never ask anyone why they are here. I’m sure you were told it isn’t something we discuss. It is the number one rule. Our slates are wiped clean as soon as we step through the gates.”
Sounds fair enough. Again, I look up and floppy hair is still staring, so I wink at him. His smile is contagious, causing me to smile back. The poor girl in his lap slips when he stands abruptly, heading in my direction. The rest of his table looks our way.
My amber eyes are locked on to his baby blues, neither one breaking contact. Not until he sits beside Elsie and her back straightens at his presence. Hmm, interesting. Why does he make her uncomfortable?
“Hey Vagitarian...new girl.” Ugh. He had to go and ruin it by opening his mouth. He turns to look at me again.
“Is there something you wanted?” I ask with a bored tone.
“I wanted to tell you that I felt a little off today, but then you walked in and you definitely turned me on.” A disbelieving laugh slips from my lips; he cannot be serious right now.
“Do lines like that ever work for you?”
He reaches across the table, but I pull my arm back to avoid contact.
“Touch my arm before I go, so I can tell the lads I was touched by an angel.” I shake my head; this guy thinks he’s so good. He throws his head back and laughs. Getting up, he winks at me and jogs back to his table.
“Have fun with that,” Elsie says. “You’re the shiny new toy and Kalen loves new toys. Give him a few weeks and the novelty will wear off, especially if he doesn’t get his own way.” Normally I would think someone saying that was just bitter and jealous, but she doesn’t sound that way. She’s more matter of fact, no-nonsense. I feel like I should heed her warning. I like her.
We finish our food and Elsie walks me back to my dorm, she complains that she is in the shit rooms, because she has to share with a girl who likes to eat a lot of garlic. I haven’t told her that my almost-step-father is the principal. I don’t want anyone to think I have special treatment.
Chapter Two
Susan vibrates on my bedside table as I try to figure out how to tie the damn bow for my uniform. I manage to get it done, a little lopsided but done all the same. Susan keeps making obnoxious noises. Opening the screen, there’s an alert that all students must be in the auditorium by 8am sharp.
I’m seriously pissed about all of it: first, who starts school that early? Second, what’s the point in making me start at a new school on a Friday? Surely they could have given me today and the weekend to settle in? It’s so stupid.
Another thing that has me crazy pissed off is that today is my brother’s birthday. Not yesterday like the incubator thought. It’s the 22nd of September, always has been. How can she remember that it’s my birthday on Tuesday, but get his wrong? I’m so mad that I won’t get to see him on his birthday – for the first time in my life – but I’m heartbroken that I won’t even get to speak to him either.
Looking at the time, I realise I spent the best part of an hour doing my bowtie and shit, so I’ll have to skip breakfast. Pulling on the death traps this place calls shoes, I grab my Academy backpack which is filled with everything I will need for the day.
It feels like it takes ages for Susan to politely direct me to the correct location, but somehow I’m still early. My stomach grumbles and I briefly wonder if I did have time for breakfast after all. Oh well, it’s too late now. I find a seat somewhere in the middle, doubting there is any kind of specific seating arrangement. It doesn’t take long for students to start filing in, loud chatter filling the room.
The uniforms, blazers, and standard issue backpacks make this place look like any elite private school. It doesn’t look like a gathering of delinquents and criminals to me, at all. As my eyes scan the crowd, I don’t see Elsie anywhere. I do however see Kalen, his boy next door charm radiating off him. I would be lying if I said I didn’t find him attractive. He is closely followed by two boys, both identical. The perfect image of my twin sexual sandwich fantasy. Hot, muscles for days, tall, smiles that could melt the panties off me. Shit, the thought causes me to clench my legs together. Maybe it’s a coincidence or maybe not, but Kalen’s gaze flicks to mine the instant my thighs tighten. He leans in and says something to the guys with dark-chocolate hair before coming my way. Instead of taking the stairs in the aisle like a normal person, he jumps from seat to seat until he is falling into the seat beside me. He props his legs over the seat in front of him and swings an arm around my shoulders.
“New girl! Did you miss me?” he asks with far too much energy for so early in the morning. I look at him, watching the way his lips pull up into a smirk and liking the way his blue eyes sparkle.
“Who are you again?” I look away, back towards his friends, but my twin fantasy dies as quickly as it began with the stony glares they are throwing my way. I shoot them a look that says, ‘what the fuck is your issue?’ but their expressions don’t shift.
“I’m your future husband,” Kalen declares, loudly, which causes a few girls to turn in our direction, daggers shooting from their eyes.
“Kalen, the only person you would marry is yourself. Why don’t you be a good little boy and run back to your brothers?” Elsie snarks at him as she takes a seat beside me.
Kalen's face morphs into a sneer. “Why don’t you go lick some more pussy?” he spits.
“Why, jealous I get more than you do?” she throws back. She looks towards me nervously, like she’s fearful of how I’ll react to the news of her being a lesbian. I don’t care. Why would I?
“Sorry, that’s a no to being your future wife, Kalen. Elsie, I’m afraid you’re way out of my league too.” Elsie laughs, relieved that I’m okay with her sexuality. Kalen leans in close. He smells so damn nice that I inhale a little too loudly and I can feel his smug smile as he whispers in my ear.
“Good thing I didn’t come up here just to claim you as my future wife.” He pulls back and hands me a card.
“What the hell is this?” I snap.
“Your uniform is unacceptable. Learn to do your tie, before you end up in detention...weekly.”
He winks at me and walks away, this time taking the stairs. I look at the little card, it’s blue and has nothing written on it. I hold it up to Elsie and she shakes her head.
“Didn’t you read the handbook?” She takes the look on my face as a no. “Blue slips are the worst – or the best – depending on how you look at it. You have detention with Mr Knox.” The hair on the back of my neck prickles. Knox, that’s my step-father's name. “The best part is he is fine as hell – even I think so, and I don’t like guys – but the worst part is he does early morning Saturday detention. You have to be at the back sports oval by 6 am.”
I wonder if this guy is one of the famous step-brothers...this could be good. She can’t be referring to my step-father as ‘fine as hell’ surely?