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I follow along with the other girls, grateful they’ve forgotten about me. We’re standing in a row in front of the seniors, most of the girls flicking their hair over their shoulders, thrusting their chests out. Trying to look more…sultry? I think that’s what they’re aiming for, but they just look foolish because, come on. We’re all fourteen, maybe fifteen tops, and we don’t know anything about being sexy.

Well, save for the one girl in our class who’s absolutely stunning. I remember her name. Raina. Her long dark hair with the perfect waves that cascade down her back and her perfect body with curves in all the right places. She’s more developed than any of us, especially me. What’s worse is she’s nice so you can’t even hate her for being so beautiful.

Not that I’d hate her for such a superficial reason but…maybe I would.

Yeah. I probably would.

We shuffle and shift positions, excited whispers sounding among us, and the boy who clapped the first time around does it again. We go silent and when I stare straight ahead, I see that I’m in the center of the line. Standing in front of the meanest looking one of the bunch, and the most handsome too. I feel a pointy elbow jab me in the side and when I jerk my gaze to the right, I find said owner of the pointy elbow inclining her head toward the mean boy.

“That’s August,” she whispers, her eyes wide.

I nod, the implication of what she’s said sinking into my brain. This is the boy who my mother wants me to…what? Entice into a relationship so we can make a great marriage and Mom will have forever access to the Lancaster social status?

Please. This boy—excuse me,man—is going to dismiss me in an instant.

The boys launch into their assessment, all of them having something to say about us while we can only stand there and take it. The warning bell hasn’t rung yet. We’re all supposed to be in the assembly room for the first day of school speech and orientation. I’m feeling anxious, eager to get going because one thing I hate is being late, and I nearly jump out of my skin when I hear a harsh male voice.

“You. Come here.”

My gaze finds August Lancaster’s and I realize he’s speaking to me.

Oh God. I can’t move. I can’t even speak. I’m completely frozen, staring at him as if he just sprouted two heads and he’s about to attack me. The longer I just stand there speechless, the more pissed off he becomes.

“What the fuck? Are youdumb?” A few of the boys start to laugh and he sends them a menacing look, cutting off their laughter in an instant. When he turns his attention back to me, he squints, tilting his head to the side. My body faintly shakes as his gaze rakes over me from head to toe, making my skin tingle. And not in a bad way either, which leaves me even more confused. “I said, come here.”

I take a step forward as if I have no control of myself, bowing my head for a moment, trying to gather my courage to face him. I hate how easily he commanded me. I did what he said like I’m a trained pet.

“Hmm.” I glance up to find him considering me, tugging on his bottom lip with his thumb and index finger. His mouth is a flushed, deep red. His lips are lush and look soft, though I’m sure they’re actually hard and demanding. A man like him wouldnever kiss a girl softly. He’d kiss with pure intent, never letting up until he got what he wanted.

My heart flutters in my chest and my skin goes hot from the way he’s studying me. His gaze meets mine once more and we stare at each other for a moment too long and I frown, confused. But then I can tell by the slight curl of his upper lip that suddenly appears—he doesn’t like what he sees.

“Skinny legs,” he announces, his deep voice ringing loud so that everyone can hear him. “Flat chested. Built like a boy and she’s probably boring too.” His gaze flickers away from me and I’m dismissed, just like that. “Next.”

My jaw drops and I’m gaping at him, the horror washing over me slowly as the girls laugh at me, their relief apparent because they’re so glad I’m not them. All while I stand there with my head hanging down, staring at my flat chest and wishing I could run. I’ve never been more humiliated in my life. Did he really say I was built like a boy? And he called me boring? He doesn’t even know me. How can he sum me up in a few choice words by looking at me for a couple of seconds?

I don’t care if he’s a Lancaster. This guy is a dick.

And this dick just lifted his hand into the air and snapped his fingers at…me?

“Did you hear me?” His tone is bored, as is the expression on his stupidly handsome face, and I snap my jaw shut, wishing I could come up with a proper insult. But I know better. To say something to him in return would be asking for trouble. “Get out of here. We’re not interested in you.”

“Not even close,” says the one who’s standing next to him. He’s dark haired with eyes the color of obsidian and I physically recoil when our gazes lock. I can feel the bad vibes coming off of him even from this far.

Turning on my heel, I scurry away, my hurried steps taking me as far as I can possibly get. No cruel laughter trails after me, but I can hear him bark out a demand at another girl and Iglance over my shoulder, coming to a stop when I realize he’s looking at Raina.

Beautiful, perfect Raina who stands tall and proud before him, a barely-there smile curving her luscious lips.

August is quiet for a moment, scrutinizing her almost as thoroughly as he did to me.

“You’ll do,” he tells her, not impressed whatsoever, but she smiles broadly, pleased by his approval. She glances back at the rest of the girls, the triumph on her pretty face obvious and my heart sinks.

God, this school is ridiculous. And I’m supposed to endure the next four years here, dealing with this sort of horrific behavior and misogynistic attitudes? Not that I have much say at all here, but still. I hate this place. More than anything?

I hate August Lancaster.

Chapter One

SINCLAIR