Page 115 of The Ruthless Note

Am I dreaming? Sources say that Redwood Prep will have a special guest lecturer from now until the end of the year. Jarod Cross himself.

It looks like The Kings aren’t the only Cross royalty at Redwood. I can’t wait to see what drama the royal family is about to stir up.

Whether they’re worshiped or whether they’re plotted against, everyone wants to see the people at the top have a mighty big fall.

Until the next post, keep your enemies close and your secrets even closer.

- Jinx

CHAPTERTWENTY-EIGHT

CADENCE

“Breeze!” I make a running leap at my best friend and wrap my arms around her. She stumbles back, her blonde hair flinging into my face.

Breeze laughs and pushes at me. “Girl, you’re smothering me to death.”

I cling even harder to her. “Don’t care. Put up with it.”

Seeing my best friend after the incredibly long week I’ve had is perfect bliss.

Lately, every day at Redwood feels like I’m living a lifetime in the space of twenty-four hours. Now that the clock is ticking down, we’ve got only two days to make that stupid choice. It’s like I can feel the life-force draining out of me with every second that passes.

I made a promise to save Serena, but I keep running into brick walls. I keep getting reminded of just how inconsequential I am at Redwood Prep.

And it’s starting to get to me.

Since that meeting with Miller, it’s just… I’ve been feeling like I can’t breathe. Like all of the mean, horrible people who are out to get me just want an opening, a tiny crack that they can push until they break me.

It’s overwhelming. Today, I kept darting into the bathroom thinking I have to scream, but the scream gets stuck inside my throat, choking me to death.

Redwood Prep is a beautiful, lavish, elitist prison.

And I don’t have the key.

My best friend tuts at me. Thick eyelashes surround sapphire blue eyes that sparkle with excitement. “Halloween concerts arenotworth this much fuss.”

I chuckle. “What are you talking about? What Halloween concert?”

She gives me a stunned look. “Did you forget?

“Oh crap.” I scrunch my nose. “I have to play tonight.”

The music sub, Ms. Eunice, signed me up.

‘You need to get out of your shell, Cadence.’

I wanted to tell her that my shell is freaking awesome and there are all kinds of sharks out there just waiting for me to stick my head out.

But all I said was ‘yes’.

That was before I found out that I only had a couple days to live until Miller flipped my Redwood Prep life support.

“You asked me to come and help you tonight since Vi’s going to her school’s haunted house.” Breeze’s blue eyes shift around. “Has she already left?”

“No, she’s getting ready.” I smack my forehead. “I can’t believe I forgot about this gig.”

“Are youthatbusy being Cinderella that you’ve forgotten you’re also the greatest musician of all time?”