The door to the principal's office opens and a girl walks out wiping tears from her eyes. The mysterious boy chuckles.
The principal – aka my almost step-father – Monty Knox glares at the boy before looking my way.
“Amelie, in my office,” he says abruptly.
I stand, slinging my backpack over my shoulder. The black-eyed boy watches me. I wink at him as I pass by. Monty ushers me into his office, pulling out a big leather chair for me to sit on, before he rounds his massive wooden desk and takes his seat. His silence gives me time to take in my surroundings while he briefly checks something on his computer. I have a habit of noticing all the possible exits in a room. One door, four windows, all of which look like they’re bolted shut. But I think the glass could easily be broken with a bookend from the massive bookcase that lines the entire back wall. Maybe. I’m pretty strong.
“I wouldn’t suggest making friends with Baxter Branson, he isn’t the best company to keep.” That’s the opening gambit my step-daddy decides to go with? Telling me who to be ‘friends’ with? Like I’m going to listen. The dark angel outside just got a whole lot more appealing.
“I don’t know, he seems like my kind of person.” I only say that since he made a point to start our interaction with a warning. Clearly, the incubator hasn't informed him of the company I kept back home. I sort of understand why she wanted out from her life in Australia – we didn’t live in the nicest of areas and life was tough – though I didn’t really learn this until I was older. When she first left, I couldn't understand why she didn't want me, why she couldn't have taken us with her. How fucked up is that, that she was abusive, but I still wanted her love and approval?
I’ve come to terms with that now. Almost. The people I grew up around may not be law abiding citizens, but they care about me and would do anything for me.
“I’m sure you’re aware this is a school for children who have taken a wrong turn in life...some of their crimes are worse than others. I suggest you be careful of the company you keep.” I raise a brow at him, wanting to throw out comments about their so-called clean slates, but I keep them to myself. “Now, I hear you made quite an entrance into your SELF class.”
This I can’t keep quiet about.
“Yes, your son doesn’t know how to keep his hands to himself, and I made it clear that I would mess up his pretty face if he touched me again. Which he did, by the way. And I didn’t even punch him. But obviously your ex must favour him, because I got sent out for reacting and he didn’t, even though that’s clearly assault.”
His brows pull together. I don’t think he knew that Kalen was also involved. “And your ex also took the piss out of my accent!” I tell him. His frown deepens, but he doesn’t pull me up on my bad language like I expected him to.
“Kalen is a very friendly boy, but I assure you we do not tolerate that kind of behaviour here. I will follow up with him, but I have to punish you for your outburst. I run a tight ship here, and I will not make exceptions, even for my own sons and step-daughter.” He pauses, takes a deep breath and continues, “But in this instance...what if, when you come over for Sunday dinners, you pretend to actually want to be there, and give your mother a chance?”
He slides a credit card across his desk and I look at it, then back at him. This must be some kind of unspoken bribe.
I take a deep breath. How dare he try to manipulate me? “The fake smile I can do, but the 'giving her a chance part', I won’t promise.”
“I can work with that. Send Baxter in on your way out.” He doesn’t say anything else, so I grab the card and the four digit pin scrawled on the piece of paper with it, and leave. I’m not opposed to the money kind of bribes. Besides, you never know when it might come in handy.
Walking out into the waiting area, I see Baxter is still slouched in the chair spinning an unlit cigarette between his fingers. “You have been summoned, oh dark and sinful one,” I tell him, bowing low and winking at him when I rise.
That earns me a smirk that only a psychopath would give. I love it.
Chapter Three
The rest of the day is somewhat uneventful. I say somewhat, because classes run smoothly, but because I also lifted the phone from the teacher I’d met in the toilet when I found myself in her class in third period. My plan was to intercept her messages with Sawyer for tonight. It seems that Jess, or Miss Hart as I’m supposed to call her, was pushing to meet Sawyer at the trendier wine bar in the local village. He wanted to go to the pub but reluctantly agreed to her request. I rattle off a quick text to say I – that is Jess – will meet him at the pub after all, then delete the message. I even manage to put her phone back later in the day without getting caught. It’s child’s play to me.
When lunchtime rolls around, it’s easy to find Kalen and his brothers. They sit in a group in the middle of the room, along with a few other students. I make sure to sit with my back to them, far away. I’m far more preoccupied with tonight's plan to worry about the other brothers. Kalen was an easy target, but I need more information on the twins. Tonight, I plan to see how close I can get to my biggest step-brother.
“What do you know about the twins?” I ask Elsie.
“Not much, they’re third-years. Onyx is scary as fuck. Slate is nice enough, if it benefits him. I wouldn’t say they are celibate, but I’ve never seen them with any girls here. There was rumoured to be one last year, but she left the school crying and hasn’t ever been back. That in itself is weird because no one ever leaves. Apparently, they like to share girls, but who knows, the whole family is very secretive. Kalen may give away the most, but don’t be fooled by his pretty face and smooth words; he can – and will – stab you in the back when it comes to his family. I wouldn’t even try to go there if I were you.”
“Don’t be a spoil sport, you’re ruining my twin sandwich fantasies.” She laughs at my comment, then the bell goes even though I haven’t eaten all of my lunch. I have a free period next and need to find the study hall, which is in the library according to Elsie. Elsie ducks out quickly with a goodbye, but I take my time to dispose of my lunch and watch the Knox boys as they leave. Kalen smiles at me and I flip him off, which makes him laugh. The twins glare at me, so I blow them a kiss, which just deepens the scowls on their beautiful faces. Satisfied that I’ve put myself on their radar, I head out.
Walking the halls, I rely on Susan to guide me safely, even though I’ve come to the conclusion that she has as much idea as I do regarding directions. I take yet another right down a deserted hallway, everyone else is already in their classes.
Ah-ha! Finally, I find a room that has a damn sign. Literally, a sign on a stand that says, ‘study hall’. Entering quietly so as not to disturb anyone, I look around in awe. It very much looks like a home library, or the kind I always imagined someone with money would own. Long walls lined with tall bookshelves, but not as big as an actual city library.
Have you ever been stuck in an alley, in the dark, and all you have are your senses to rely on...no? Well I have, and a wave of...something...rolls over my skin; the hairs on my arms stand on end. I use my peripheral vision to see if anyone is close.