Page 14

I finish buttoning up my blazer, making sure I look full-on geek presentable. At least everyone on this campus will look this awful. As I finish buttoning this horrid hunter green blazer, there’s a knock on my door.
Swinging it open, I find my roommate standing there with a wide smile splashed across her face.
“Good morning! Are you ready for your first day at Darkwood?” She’s practically bouncing.
“No. I would rather stick hot needles under my nails.” I shake my head and purse my lips.
“Oh, come on! It won’t be that bad. What class do you have first?” Liz pushes past me and helps herself to a seat on my bed.
“Sure, come on in, roomie.” I pull my lips in a tight smile as I walk over to my desk. Then I grab my schedule and see what’s in store for me. “U.S. Government.”
She scrunches up her face. “Ew. Well, what’s after that?”
“Pre-calc, English IV, then lunch and my Vocal Music class.” I shove the paper into my backpack and then gather up my books, tablet, and stuff I need for the day.
Apparently at this fancy school, some of your homework is done a fucking tablet, so they hand them out like candy.
She frowns. “We don’t have any classes together. Well, at least we will have lunch together.”
I don’t respond, but Liz doesn’t even care. She bounces her happy ass right out of my room. Thank God she’s gone.
Don’t get me wrong, she’s nice, but she way too fucking happy for me. She’s basically the opposite of me.The sunshine to my dark, thunderous rain clouds.
And I prefer the rain.
As I make my way out of my room, I head into the living area and grab a granola bar to take with me to eat. I fill up my water bottle, throwing it my bag when it’s full, and start to head towards the door.
“Wait! I’ll walk with you!” Liz calls out as she’s finishing up a text on her phone. “This way you won’t have to walk alone.”
Alone. That word eats at me. And I know that she’s trying to just be nice, but I’m better off doing things alone. But she doesn’t know that and maybe she could be a good friend. At least then maybe I’d have someone.
“Yeah sure.” I shrug and wait for Liz to get her shit together. When she finally finishes, she throws her bag over her shoulder, and we make our way out of the room and down the hall. As is everyone else.
Liz and I decide to head down out of the building via the stairs. I refused to wait for the elevators. Also, I make a note to leave a lot earlier to avoid the crowd.
When we finally make it outside, the wind whips through my hair as I try to keep it out of my face. Students are gathered in groups, walking to their respective classes, and I’m pulling out my map to figure out where the building is that I need to go to.
“You’re looking for the Emerson Building.” Liz throws a soft elbow into my arm. “See that castle-looking building next to Forthright?” I nod, and she explains, “That’s Emerson. History, science, and business are all located in that building. I’m headed over to Forthright for English, so I’ll see you at lunch!” Liz turns and walks away.
I’m left there, standing alone while other students huddle around each other.
Alone.
Shaking myself out of my pity moment, I steel my spine and hold my head up while I push myself through the crowds. Walking the path towards the Emerson building, I’m very aware of the stares and whispers. Obviously, being the new girl, I’m front-page fucking news. Can’t wait until it becomes old news.
As I walk up to the building, I stand off to the side and pause for a moment.Keep your head down and get the hell out of here.
Taking slow breaths, I try to slow my wildly beating heart. In all honesty, I’m extremely nervous. I can feel my anxiety threatening to break free. This is all just too much for me. Too much change in such a short period of time. Dealing with the loss of my father, then my mother, and now being shipped off to some old, creepy-as-fuck school is just way too much to deal with.
Once my nerves are calm, I pull open the door and make my way to my history class. As I walk into the lecture-like classroom, I immediately run to the back corner by the window.
As I get my book and tablet to prepare it to take notes, I feel a figure standing next to me. I look up and am greeted with one of the kings Liz pointed out to me Friday.
“You’re in my seat.” The king with the dirty blond hair stares at me with his piercing blue eyes.
I may be sitting down, but even standing, he would tower over me. Oh, and his uniform? I think it may be painted on him, because I can see how giant his arms are through his blazer. His chin is sharp and chiseled, and I put ten bucks on him having that “v” that leads to the promise land.
I think Liz said his name is Mason. “Move. Fucking. Now.”