Page 35 of Satan's Spawn

“I’ll lead the way.” Archer whips around, striding confidently to the front doors.

“You gonna go with him?” Hendrix whispers next to me.

My mind is telling me hard pass, but my mouth hasn’t caught the memo.

“Will you come with me if I do?”

What the hell, Bex?

She seems to think about it for a second. “If I get a front seat to you and Carrot Top on a date, maybe.”

I shove her playfully in the arm and she shoves me back.

It feels good despite nearly spilling my latte on my jacket.

Like we’ve been doing this friend thing all along.

“Quit being a jerk,” I mumble.

Hendrix holds up her hands in front of her face and pretends to make out with the air.

Until Archer turns around and checks if we’re following, making her hands fall quickly to her sides. He offers us a confused expression before turning back around.

“Stupid ass!” I whisper-shout. “He almost saw you.”

“Almostbeing the key word.” She retorts.

We approach the brown doors and Archer holds them open, as usual a gentleman, allowing us to head inside first before saying, “Welcome to therealconcrete jungle, ladies.”

* * *

“Good morning ladies and gentleman,please take your seats.” A very tall and lanky man with glasses walks in the classroom, holding a briefcase.

It’s already the third period of the day, and so far I must say things have gone rather smoothly. There was no trace of Crayton or his Ice Queen to be found, which makes me wonder if maybe they actually fell off the face of the earth like I’ve been hoping they would.

My first class was history which I shared with Archer and Hendrix, and the second was Economics. I was alone but by that point, I was already feeling some weight had been lifted as I melted into the crowd.

Which brings us here: to English class where the teacher looks to be only ten years older than us in a pair of dark blue jeans and white polo, even though every other teacher I’ve met so far has been sporting ties or dresses.

It’s a refreshing change, almost like I’m back in public school.

Archer, Hendrix, and I slide into the only few seats left vacant in the back, since other students were huddled around most of the others already when we walked in.

I’m reaching into my bag to pull out a notebook when a low gravelly voice has my head darting up.

“Hey.” Bright hazel eyes meet mine, attached to an insanely gorgeous guy with inky black hair.

“Hey.” I echo as I open up my spiral notebook, nerves creeping up my spine with his lingering stare.

Confidence is oozing off him in waves as his lips spread into a wide grin. “I’m Felix, nice to meet you.”

“Rebecca,” I reply, “Bex for short.”

“How do you like it here so far,Bex for Short?”

The humor in his tone makes me chuckle, and loosen up just a smidge. “It’s definitely different than I’m used to.”

“I’d be happy to show you the ropes.” Those bright greens drop to my lips, and my cheeks instantly heat. “If you want, of course.”