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“Oh! I’m so glad you’re back, Daxy.” Yeah, my balls shrivel right back up.
“Bianca.” It’s all I’ll acknowledge for her. Her and her mangy mutts are the most annoying creatures this world has ever created. I feel her fingers start to graze my arm and instantly, I want to recoil. Her touch burns like acid. The only reason we even put up with these bitches is because they’re cheerleaders and high on the food chain.
She pushes her blonde hair back, and I catch a whiff of whatever shit-smelling perfume she has on. It’s all I can do not to gag. “So, what are you three up too?” For appearances, I try to keep a united front. Just for appearances.
Bianca looks up at me with desperate eyes. “Oh, just missing our kings.” Mase snorts and laughs. I narrow my eyes, shooting him a look to cut it out. “We went all summer without seeing you guys. It was lonely.”
Yeah, something tells me she was anything but lonely. The three of them will spread their legs for any reason. Especially if that reason comes with a huge bank account.
“I’m so hungry. I think I’m going to go grab something,” Tiffany whines.
“Well, make sure it’s veggies, Tiff. You’re getting a little heavy on the lift,” Bianca spits at Tiffany. Tiff’s mouth drops open, and her cheeks turn red from embarrassment. She turns and walks away from the table in a huff.
“Was that really necessary?” I turn to the queen bitch.
“Yes. We need to be in top shape to compete in regionals this year. I can’t have a heifer on my team.” She smiles at me, and I cringe. She is the worst kind of human. Well, really, we all are. We do tend to bulldoze anyone who gets in our way. It’s who we are, who we have been groomed to be. Who gives a shit about their feelings?
Of course, there are times I hate being a legacy. But it doesn’t matter what I want or hate or like. I just have to do as I’m told.
I can feel a headache starting to form in my head. I pull away from her and get up to move away from the retched witch. I head over to the small cafe in the dining hall and order my usual coffee. Strong and black as night. I take a sip of the hot sludge and let it burn my throat as it goes down.
“Fuck, they are so goddamn annoying.” Mason comes up behind me, no doubt needing to get away from the Witches of Darkwood.
“Last year we have to put up with them,” I offer.
“Yeah, unless they conveniently get shipped to Harvard or Yale with us. And who knows what our families have cooked up for us? After all, kings need their queens.” Mase sticks out his tongue and makes a fake gagging sound. He repeats the same statement our fathers have been telling us since we were little. That to rule the world, we need some queens by our side. Queens that can help us rule. Blah, blah, fucking blah.
“Won’t happen.” I shake my head.
He crosses his arms over his chest. “So, was that the new girl you locked eyes with back there?”
I shrug, sipping my coffee again. “Yeah.”
“She was hot.”
I roll my eyes. “Yes, she is. But remember she’s off limits,” I remind him. “We need to just get her out of Darkwood.”
“Yeah, yeah. I get it. Any reason why our superiors want her gone?” Mase looks out at the dining area. He has a real problem with his father and ours. He refuses to acknowledge them as such.
“Nope. No idea.” I take another big gulp of my coffee and let the bitterness rest on my tongue before swallowing.
“Well let’s hope this chick is easy to get rid of. I really don’t want to spend a lot of time on it. We have enough shit on our hands to deal with,” he says as he walks away.
Something tells me she will put up a fight. Just by looking at her, she seems like she doesn’t go down without swinging.
Personally, I’m looking forward to getting dirty.
five
PHOENIX
Today is bullshit.Mondays are always bullshit. But today is more bullshit than just a regular Monday.
I stand in front of the mirror inside my walk-in closet, staring at the ridiculous uniform they expect us to wear. The damn skirt is so short, and I don’t care if it’s just above the knees. One slight breeze and the campus will get a front row viewing of my ass. The fucking socks and shoes take the cake, too. These things are ugly as sin, and now I’m supposed to be okay just strutting across campus in them. I stare at my Doc Martins, longing to rip these monstrosities off and put them on.
I’m starting to think that my aunt sent me here to torture me. Well played, Aunt Julie. Mission accomplished. I’m officially tortured.
The best part? This damn uniform has a plaid cross tie and blazer. I’m literally in hell. This is bullshit.