Page 108 of The Ruthless Note

Serena’s face goes dark. She reaches into her pocket and her eyes widen. “Where’s my lighter?”

“Did you lose it?”

“Yeah.” She frowns.

I get to my feet and fumble my way out of the picnic bench. Eyes on the ground, I search around for her lighter.

Paris steps in my way. “Cadence, I need to talk to you.”

At least she’s asking respectfully this time, instead of throwing soda on my freshly mopped floors and acting like I’m her personal slave.

“I don’t think we have anything more to discuss, Paris. Excuse me,” I snarl out.

“Wait.” She places a hand on my shoulder.

I glance over at her, irritated.

She licks her lips. “When did you and Dutch start dating? Was it from that night at the party?”

“That’s none of your business,” I snap.

Sure, Dutch and I aren’treallydating, but am I going to admit that and give vermin like Paris any hope?

No, I’m not.

Turning dramatically, I do my best model-walk into the cafeteria.

Serena gives me an approving nod and a thumbs-up.

I shove her playfully. “Need some help finding the lighter?”

Just then, the musical bells chime.

“I must have left it in my locker. I’ll check there before class.” Serena waves. “Later.”

I nod and separate from her.

In the hallway, I look for Dutch. I don’t even realize it’s him that I’m looking for at first. It’s like my eyes are scanning and my heart is yearning before I’ve given either permission to do so.

When I realize what I’m doing, I quickly squelch the feeling and try to walk faster.

That’s when I spot Miss Jamieson. She’s wearing a blue blouse and a sharp white pencil skirt that contrasts her dark skin. Her hair is long and curly, reaching down her back. She motions to me.

I hurry toward her, clutching my books to my chest. Since Miller’s backstabbing, my faith in authority has seriously been shaken but, somehow, I haven’t lost my faith in Miss Jamieson.

She’s Mulliez’s friend and the teacher he entrusted me to after he left. Plus, she helped me out the last time Dutch tried to get me expelled from Redwood.

Miss Jamieson leads me into the stairwell and I fight back the memories of Dutch that’s rising up. It’s infuriating the way he’s gotten under my skin. It’s like he’s in my head, invading every pore, clawing down my neck, suffocating me with his invisible presence.

“Cadence.” Miss Jamieson’s voice snaps me out of it.

I glance up.

“I just heard from admin. Principal Harris is following Mr. Miller around like a schoolgirl.” She rolls her eyes as if she’d want nothing more than to punch both men.

“I’m handling it,” I tell her confidently, even though I feel no such thing.

Her gaze whips up. “No, no you do not handle this. You let the adults cut in. Jarod Cross should be finished with his tour soon. I’ll have Mulliez contact him. Get him to sort this ridiculous situation out.”