Page 11 of The Revenge You Seek

"Yeah, just worried about Kyle."

"He'll be fine. Plus, he's got his girl with him, right?"

"Yeah," I say with a laugh, thinking of Baby Hunter.

Trust my fucking brother to fall in love with the sister of the girl who's ruined my life. I know I've done plenty of bad things in my twenty years, but fuck karma, she really is a bitch.

"He's a good kid, he'll be fine," Ellis says as if they're not the same age.

"He is," I agree. Juvie wasn't his fault.

Okay, so yeah, his pockets were full of blow and he was found with a drugged girl in his arms. But neither were his fault.

My fists curl as I think of the one responsible for everything that night.

"You want my notes from our business class earlier?"

"You mind?" I ask, glad to have something else to think about than everything we've left behind.

"Get yourself sorted then come find me. I can't help with the others though, you'll need some other sucker for that."

I think about the other class that I missed today. When it became apparent that I wasn't going to make it this morning, I sent an apology email to my professors spouting some bullshit about food poisoning and my sincere apologies. I have no idea if they bought it, and I don't really give a shit, to be honest. One has replied with his presentation and information on the first assignment but I have yet to hear from the others. Probably not a good sign.

I make quick work of putting my clothes away before dropping my books to my desk and plugging my charger in by the side of the queen-sized bed.

The room isn't much. It's the smallest of all the ones in this house but I can't complain seeing as I don't actually have to pay for it, well not with actual money anyway.

I glance around the small room. The walls are dark gray, the dresser, bedframe, nightstand, and small desk are all black and there's a cracked mirror in the corner, I'm hoping that the bad luck that came with that left with the room's previous resident because hell knows I've had enough bad luck to last a lifetime.

With a notebook and a pen in hand, I leave my room behind and go in search of Ellis. He's probably the only Harris brother that deserves his place here at MKU but thanks to who their father is, both Devin and Ezra have found themselves here, along with me, although their intentions for this experience vary hugely from mine.

I want a future. A chance.

They're having their puppet strings pulled by their father.

"Hit me with it," I say, dropping down onto Ellis's bed, ready to embark on this whole college thing.

* * *

I sit bolt upright in bed the next morning the second my alarm starts blaring from my cell on the nightstand.

It's still dark and my brain fights to come to life and remember why the hell I need to be awake so early.

Hell, right now I don’t even know where I am.

It’s not an unusual feeling after the past couple of years, and one I’m hoping to see the back of soon.

Glancing around in the darkness, realization sets in and a smile begins to twitch at my lips.

Today’s the first day of the rest of my life. The first day of putting Victor Harris and his demanding, controlling ways behind me and embarking on the life I’ve always dreamed of.

With my body suddenly on board with the situation, I throw the covers off, drag on a pair of shorts followed by the MKU Panthers jersey I ordered when all of this was set into place. I needed a reminder that everything could turn out as it should after all the shit.

Shoving my feet into my sneakers, I throw my duffel over my shoulder and make my way down to the kitchen.

I make myself a quick protein shake and throw a couple of bottles of water into my bag before heading out.

The house is still in silence behind me as I pull the front door closed.