Page 5 of Whisper Pretty Lies (Lust & Liars #1)

EvanAnn

I look up at the smile on Hawk’s face as he walks with me through the cafeteria. I’m so fucking shocked, I don’t stop or brush his arm off. The weight of it isn’t oppressive like when Chase does it. But it’s still not appropriate for a guy who isn’t my boyfriend.

I lift my gaze from his smirk to his dancing green eyes. “What are you doing?”

His smile grows and he draws me into a hug. Like literally into his chest, almost smothering me in that intoxicating scent. He’s warm and solid. Something inside me hums to life, like he’s the jolt needed to get this party started.

I wrench away and stare up at him in horror. Nope. That’s not right. Sure, he’s attractive and is basically the whole package, but I don’t want him. Maybe the dream version of Hawk, but not this Hawk. This Hawk is nothing like dream Hawk.

“What’s wrong, Annie? Cat got your tongue?” He doesn’t look fazed by my public rejection of his hug. Very public.

I swallow down the fear surging through me.

The attention of the cafeteria is solidly on my person.

I can feel their eyes on me. Sweat trickles down my back.

Being on stage and pretending to be someone else is easy.

Being the center of attention in real life is something I’ve been working on, but always as a persona—EvanAnn, the director, sometimes actor. Never just me.

But I can’t drop my gaze from Hawk’s green eyes. I’m not really well-known on the Deimos side of school, except as the student who ruins the curve for everyone else.

Well, one of the students. The other is currently watching me with an amused expression.

I narrow my eyes and close the distance between us. His eyes widen like I’ve surprised him. My finger pokes his chest, which is hard as a fucking rock. “Why are you messing with me?”

“Messing with you, Annie?” He gives me this innocent look that doesn’t touch those eyes. No, those green eyes are downright wicked. A little shiver goes through me as I realize I might have poked a bear.

Literally.

I drop my hand back to my side and shake my head. What am I doing? I’m not confrontational.

“I was going to offer to buy you lunch.” He sounds so sincere, like there’s nothing wrong with what he’s doing. I’m dating someone else. It’s not like he doesn’t know that.

“Why?” I give him a quizzical look. I’ve always studied other people at lunch, including Hawk and his friends. It’s a habit, a quiet one that doesn’t hurt anyone, but helps me figure people out.

Aberrant behavior doesn’t really exist. Everyone has a pattern, a motive.

When the pattern changes, that’s part of what makes a story.

If the actor doesn’t know the character’s motivation, they can’t perform the scene the way it needs to be acted.

And it’s on me, as the director, to help them discover that motivation.

But right now, standing in front of arguably one of the hottest guys in school, who’s saying he wants to buy me lunch?

I’ve got nothing. I’m not suddenly the most attractive girl in school.

There’s been no makeover or body changes.

Nothing has changed since last year except their behavior toward me.

It’s ludicrous. There’s no reason for it, unless it’s all a big joke or a con.

There are two things I truly hate: being laughed at and liars.

I straighten. No, the Devils don’t get any more of my time. I glance around the cafeteria at people whispering behind their hands while surreptitiously watching us. Yeah, this doesn’t make sense to them either.

I meet his green eyes and say calmly, “I don’t want to be your punchline.”

Without another word, I turn and walk away. Today seems like a good day for pizza, which is on the other side of the cafeteria. I’m sure I can make it there without running into his friends.

After all, they always sit outside at lunch. Most Deimos students do.

I shake off the encounter and refocus on the script I’m working on.

I spent most of the summer cutting and editing the play to fit my time slot.

What I’m looking for in auditions are strong leads and equally strong supporting roles.

Every role matters and must be cast perfectly for the whole story to come together.

To live up to my vision, I need the best actors in the ensemble.

“Hey, Evan.”

I turn at Mia’s voice and release the pent-up breath I was holding in preparation for the next altercation with the Devils. I probably could have handled Cam, but I don’t think I’ll ever be able to handle Damon.

He’s more... intense than his friends.

I give her a relieved smile as she joins me on the way to the line.

“How have classes been?” I ask as we reach the end.

“Interesting.” She smiles and glances over at a guy from Deimos who gives her a kissy face. She gives him a coy look. “You definitely have a nice-sized population of hot guys. I can’t wait until theater class this afternoon.”

“Have you met other Anteros students?” I showed her the differences in the uniforms this morning so she could tell us apart.

Not that it’s hard, but if you aren’t used to uniforms, it could be confusing.

Each uniform has a few different options, and while the colors are the same, the patterns are different.

“A few.” She glances at me out of the corner of her eye, but then turns to me with a huge grin. “I met one of those hot guys in third.”

She grabs my arm and bites her lip. I laugh lightly. They’re a lot and I’m used to seeing them in passing. Not so much with the interactions like recently though.

“Which one?” I ask. Probably Cam. He’s the most outgoing of the three. Always looking for a party or being the party.

“Hawk. Fuck, even his name is hot,” Mia groans.

I stiffen, but she doesn’t notice and drags me forward in line.

“He’s so fucking gorgeous.” She leans in. “And I swear, he gives off big dick energy. Do you know what I mean?”

Technically. “Yes.”

In real life, not really. I mean those guys are dicks, but I’ve never seen their—I cut off that train of thought real fast. I do not want to think about Hawk’s dick. Size, or how he uses it, or anything else.

I swear I get a waft of his cologne as we step forward. When I glance around to make sure he isn’t about to pounce again, I relax when I find he isn’t in the vicinity. I’m pretty sure his scent clings to me. My insides still buzz like he’s nearby.

I need to check my mental health, because these involuntary reactions to them are upsetting. They shouldn’t be happening. Not while I’m in a relationship.

“He was talking to me about maybe trying out for the plays this year.” Mia hugs my arm tight. “That would be amazing, wouldn’t it? It’s like the dream to fall in love on set.”

I clear the sudden lump in my throat. “I don’t think he’d be able to make practices. He’s on the hockey team.”

She pouts, but then smiles. “Maybe I should try out for cheerleading. Do they have cheerleading at hockey games?”

“I don’t know.” When we reach the front of the line, I order a large slice of veggie pizza and a drink.

“Hmmm.” Mia orders her pizza before turning to me. “I really need to focus on my acting, so maybe not cheerleading. But we’ll go to the games, right?”

“I don’t really go to games.” I pay for my pizza and head for the table I’ve sat at for the past three years. I have a pattern, just like everyone else. The same table. The same people. Chase was new last year, but now it’s the same boyfriend.

I don’t go to hockey games. Hawk doesn’t talk to me, sit near me, put his arm around me, and pull me into his solid, warm chest. Fuck, why was he so warm? And the way he smells...

Mia catches up to me. “We should go. It’s our senior year. If you haven’t been to a game, that’s even more of a reason to go.”

I shake myself out of it.

“I plan to go to the football games.” It seems like the right thing to do, to support my man and all that. “Chase is on the football team.”

“Aw, that’s sweet. Football was a big deal at my last school.” Mia takes the chair next to mine and continues to talk as she sits down. “The quarterback and his friends were the big guys on campus. I haven’t really noticed anyone quite like them here.”

She glances around the cafeteria.

I chuckle. “The popular kids sit out in the courtyard. They’re mostly Deimos kids and a few kids from Anteros who have wealthy parents.”

That’s where Brandt sits, schmoozing with the other wealthy kids. That’s the real dividing line in our schools. First, Deimos over Anteros, then the Haves and the Have-Nots. I’m definitely in the Have-Not category. I’m not sure where Mia falls.

Everyone at Anteros had to audition for their spot. Everyone at Deimos had to meet a minimum grade requirement. Our uniforms are meant to show unity, but even then, you can tell who has money and who doesn’t.

Chase is a Have, but he really likes me. Hawk, Damon, and Cam are in the Haves. They practically rule the Haves.

“You mentioned football at your old school?” I need a distraction because I don’t want to think of Hawk, Damon, or Cam. I lift my pizza and take a bite. It’s not bad, but I prefer the salad bar.

Mia blushes and her ponytail swishes. “Honestly, I was lucky to get transferred. The guys there were next-level shit. Bullies if you aren’t one of their favored people.

They went a little crazy on my twin brother, Tanner.

Got him kicked off the football team. He still goes there.

They really are a nuisance. Though I did have a good time with a couple of them. ”

My eyes are wide as she tells me all about when she hooked up with two guys at the same time. Apparently neither of them were average-sized either. She includes positions, which I do not need to think about. My face is still hot when Chase sits down next to me.

“You feeling okay, EvanAnn?” He pulls away a little, like I might get him sick.

I take a drink of my water and fan my face. “Just a little hot.”

Mia winks at me before glancing at Chase. “So, are you one of the head guys on the football team?”

Chase sets his lunch down and nods. “Starting defense this year.”

“Is that good?” Mia twirls her blond hair around her finger. She arches her eyebrow at him like she’s daring him to lie.

“One of the best.” Chase gives her a quick, cocky smile before turning his attention back to me. “Are you all set for auditions Thursday, babe? Do you need any help?”

He’s kind of thoughtful that way.

“I’m good, but thank you for offering.” I glance around the cafeteria.

Even though Chase and Mia are new, nothing has really changed for me since the beginning of last year except the new faces of the first years.

Even the rest of our table are the same people I’ve sat with since we were the new students.

A few students wave when they notice me looking their way.

I wave back, but I never really got on with anyone.

We’re all nice and talk at school, but no one seeks me out.

I was too busy keeping my grades up and working to make a name for myself in the theater department.

Parties weren’t my thing. I never had a boyfriend until last year, when Chase and I were partnered for a scene in theater class.

I glance at Mia as she asks Chase about the football team. Will she remain my friend after she gets to know everyone in the drama department? The seniors will all be in the next class with Mr. Watson.

The theater clique of pretty girls will be there. They sit outside for lunch with the Deimos students. Mia would probably fit in with them better than she fits with me. They would probably share a sex story in return because they would have one.

Chase was dating one of them last year, but they broke up months before he started talking to me. Abby, his ex, doesn’t like me at all.

It’s a shame because she’s really talented and would be great to have in my cast. Having her talent might not be worth the real-life drama she likes to stir up.

“I told Evan we should go to the hockey games.” Mia smiles when I give her my attention.

“Why?” Chase touches my waist and slides my chair closer to his. “EvanAnn is coming to all my football games already.”

“Evan hasn’t ever been. It’s a good experience. It’s not like we’re asking you to go with us.” Mia laughs. “Besides, some of the guys on the team are hot. Maybe I want to get with one of them.”

Chase shakes his head. “Why would you want to get with a hockey player? I bet half their teeth aren’t even real.”

That can’t be true. I mean, Hawk’s teeth look real. His smile is a really good smile. Warmth slides through me.

“Maybe I want to go because they’re single, and Evan wants to go because she’s my new best friend.” Mia smiles at me, snapping me out of thinking about Hawk. “It’s not like she’ll be shopping for a boyfriend when she has you.”

This conversation is getting weird, but I do want to keep Mia as a friend.

“I’m sure it will be okay. It’s only one game, Chase.” When I turn to him, his eyes are narrowed on Mia, but he smiles and looks down at me.

“Whatever you want, babe.”

“Great, it’s a date.” Mia smiles. “When’s the first hockey game?”