11. Kaylor
11
KAYLOR
T he heavy metal doors slammed shut behind us, the buzz of hundreds of teenagers filling the hallways surrounding me. It was chaos. Bodies lingered in the corridors, blocking the flow of traffic as kids tried to get to their first class before the bell rang.
Pretty sure Public had twice as many students as the academy, and I suddenly felt very small. If I took another step forward, I would get swallowed by the sea of people, lost to the wave of mayhem.
“What did you say?” Poppy hollered to make sure I heard her, pulling me out of my drowning thoughts.
I looked at her, concentrating on just her face. “Um,” I mumbled, trying to remember what the hell we’d been talking about. Oh, right. The Corvos. “I-I said I live with them,” I stammered, thanks to the sudden nerves fluttering in my belly.
Her long, thick black lashes blinked, astonishment shining in her gold eyes. “You’re far more interesting than I gave you credit for. Define live with.” She looped her arm through mine. Perhaps she saw the overwhelming expression on my face and took charge. Regardless of her reason to help me, I was grateful.
Was it a mistake admitting to living with them? I knew nothing about the Corvos. I didn’t want their reputation to stain mine for the short time I was here. The plan was to be invisible and finish out my classes to graduate. Then get the hell out. Hopefully, I wasn’t wrong about Poppy and she could be trusted. “No one knows. And I want to keep it that way,” I added, deciding perhaps I should get a feel of the Corvos reputation before I associated myself with them. I didn’t want to murder my name the first day of school.
She expertly maneuvered us through the moving crowds. “Your secret is safe with me. Not to mention, no one would believe the school outcast.”
I had a hard time believing she was an outcast.
We hooked around a corner, rows of lockers lining the walls. “A lot of people are scared of the Ravens,” she briefed. “Wisely so. You managed to piss off the most influential assholes in this school without stepping a foot inside. That’s got to be a record.”
“I’m known to make dumb decisions without thinking through the consequences,” I admitted.
“Same, girl, but even I know better than to fuck with the Crew. At least those three.”
I remembered her mentioning a fourth name. “Nash is different?”
“Not really. He’s still a dick but perhaps just slightly less than the Corvos. The four of them have power here that lets them get away with anything they desire. People look up to them, follow them, want to be them, and fantasize about them. You get my drift.”
“Sounds disturbing. Is there anything else I should know?” I asked.
“You have no idea, and we don’t have enough time before first period to even scratch the surface.” She steered us through a glass door. “Let’s see if we can swindle Mrs. Jacobs into giving you the same lunchtime as me.”
“That would be amazing.” Not eating lunch alone would alleviate half my stress.
“Can I help you?” the woman behind the desk asked.
Only if you have the power to turn back time.
“She’s the new girl,” Poppy answered.
“Kaylor Steele,” I said, supplying my name.
“Right. The academy sent your transcripts the other day at Mr. Corvo’s request. Welcome to Public, Kaylor. Let me get your schedule pulled up.” She tapped on the keyboard with the tips of her long nails, painfully slow. “Here we go.”
Poppy leaned over the desk, peering at the computer. “Mrs. Jacobs, can you see if Kaylor and I can have lunch together? I’m the only person she knows, and you know how crazy lunch is around here.”
“What period would that be, Ms. Bryce?” she prompted, glancing at Poppy over the top of the glasses that had slipped down her slim nose.
“Sixth,” Poppy answered.
Mrs. Jacobs’ eyes returned to her computer screen. “You’re in luck. She’s already scheduled for lunch at that slot. Let me get this printed for you. There is also a QR code you can scan with your phone for a digital version.”
“Thank you,” I said, feeling slight relief at not having to eat lunch in the girls’ bathroom.
The secretary swiveled in her chair, grabbing a slip of paper off the printer before handing it to me. “If you need to make any changes, you’ll have to schedule a time with your counselor.”
I nodded and took the sheet of paper she offered.
Poppy peered over my shoulder, skimming my schedule. “Wow, so you’re smart.”
“Is that a bad thing?” Did that mean we wouldn’t have classes together?
She smiled. “Are you kidding me? We nerds have to stick together. Most people in this school wouldn’t believe I had a brain. Judgmental bitches.”
I liked this chick. As I scanned the code, Mrs. Jacobs popped a piece of hard candy from a dish into her mouth and went back to working on her computer.
Poppy and I hovered for a minute in the lobby while I took a second glance at my classes. First up, AP Chemistry. Not an ideal morning class. I prefer mixing coffee and creamer this early rather than stirring chemicals with the potential to blow up in my face.
As we pushed open the doors and strolled back into the halls, I rolled my shoulder gently, a dull pain making me wish I’d taken a painkiller before I left.
The movement didn’t go past Poppy’s notice. She snapped her fingers. “OhmyGod.” Her eyes flashed to the arm I’d favored. “It just hit me. You’re the girl on the news. The one who got shot.”
This wasn’t a topic I wanted to come up. It was one I was desperate to avoid. “I was on the news?”
Poppy nodded. “Everyone was talking about it.”
“Great. Let’s definitely not mention it to anyone. I don’t want to be known as the new girl who got shot.” Not to mention the girl whose parents died. I could only handle so many labels at a time.
She drew an invisible zipper across her dark-painted lips. “My lips are sealed, but you do realize you’ve become the most interesting person at Elmwood Public. It’s only a matter of time until someone uncovers your secrets. The kids here are ruthless in their snooping.”
“A week?” I guesstimated how much time I had until the entire school knew I was living with the Corvos and I was the girl who took a bullet in the shoulder.
“An hour tops,” Poppy said.
“Fuck.” The curse breezed through my lips.
“What’s your locker number?”
I held out my phone for her to see. Printed in the upper right-hand corner was my locker and combination. Number 205.
“I’ll meet you there after fifth period,” Poppy said, already making plans to see me at lunch.
“Okay,” I agreed, more thankful than she knew.
“Come on,” Poppy said, turning toward the hallway, her braids falling over her shoulders. “I’ll show you to your first class.”
On the way to my chemistry class, Poppy gave me a brief layout of the school and classroom assignments to make finding the rooms easier. At Elmwood Academy, we did a buddy system for new students on the first day. I was guessing nothing like that existed at Elmwood Public, leaving me to navigate the halls on my own. I’d been here less than an hour, and already, the place felt like a labyrinth.
Five classes later, the bell echoed through the crowded halls, a sound far less dignified than the melodic chime of the academy. I clutched my phone tightly, weaving through students who seemed to move in chaotic clusters. I got lost half a dozen times, wandering the halls in search of my next class. I ended up being late to every one of them, resulting in some awkward moments with me walking in on the teacher starting their lesson and having all eyes on me.
The very thing I wanted to avoid. I wasn’t sure my cheeks had ever been so red as they had today.
Rushing to meet Poppy at my locker, I moved with the crowd. It was either that or get trampled. I turned the corner, expecting to see the lockers, but only more classes stretched before me.
Shit. I must have taken a wrong turn.
This wasn’t the hall I was supposed to be in. If there weren’t so many branches and levels, it would make navigating the school simpler.
I pivoted, going back the way I’d come and fighting against traffic.
Turning the corner a second time, I wasn’t paying attention, my focus on my phone as I willed the school’s stupid online portal to load. I’d discovered a map, but little good it did me when I couldn’t get reception worth shit in this place. Damn ancient walls ?—
The thought barely went through my head when I slammed into something, sending me flying back. I landed hard on my ass, a jarring moment of confusion. Had I run into a fucking pole?
Nope.
Nothing structural.
Just a fucking Corvo.
Kreed Corvo to be precise.
And he wasn’t alone.
Another guy stood next to him, glaring down at me sprawled on the floor. He stood slightly taller than Kreed and had this lean, athletic build that I thought was deceptive because, under his shirt, I swore I saw a ripple of muscle. He had flawless bronze skin and tormented brown eyes. When he looked at me, I got this pang in my chest, not physical but heartbreaking as if he understood deep loss.
Color bloomed in my cheeks as I shoved my hair out of my face before cradling my arm. I gritted my teeth against the throbbing. Luckily, my phone landed on my lap. The jarring fall had my muscles constricting, creating soreness in my shoulder.
Kreed’s merciless silver eyes roamed over me, his jaw rigid as he gave me his trademark frown. My gaze traced the line of the two tiny scars marking his beautiful face. It didn’t deter his looks. I wish it did. “Running scared again, little raven?”
Bodies migrated around us, most grumbling and complaining about the roadblock happening in the halls. I ignored the dirty looks and the inquisitive stares. “I wasn’t running, for your information.” I should get off the floor, but honestly, I thought it might be safer down here than level with Kreed. “I was looking for the damn lockers.”
There was a beat of silence. “So, you’re lost,” Kreed stated.
“Does it matter to you?” I snapped, clumsily pushing to my feet as best I could with one arm. It wasn’t like either of them offered to help.
The raven tattoo stretching over his forearm seemed to mock me. “Depends, how long do you plan to sit on the floor?” he countered.
“If your chest wasn’t so goddamn hard, I wouldn’t be on my ass. Maybe give the gym a rest.” That was supposed to be a dig, yet somehow, I revealed I noticed how muscular his body was.
His friend’s lips twitched, but Kreed only continued to scowl at me, which seemed to be his default expression around me.
His eyes darkened. “So, it’s my chest’s fault you can’t seem to stand on two legs.”
I flew a dramatic hand in the air, nearly flinging my phone with the gesture. “Finally, you’re starting to get me.”
Kreed dipped and snatched my bag, which had slipped off my uninjured shoulder. “Let me help you with this.” His words said one thing, but his actions contradicted them.
“Hey,” I protested, attempting to reach for my bag. “Give it back.”
Kreed easily jerked it out of my grasp. “Not so fast, little raven. With that injury, you shouldn’t be carrying such a heavy load,” he said with an air of condescension as he swung my bag over his shoulder.
“Don’t pretend like you’re doing me a favor. Give me my shit, Kreed, or so help me, I’ll scream,” I threatened with every intention of making good on it. I didn’t care if everyone in this school thought I was nuts.
Up until this point, his friend had only watched Kreed and I argue with an amused expression. “You failed to mention how pretty she is. Any particular reason why?” Nash posed to Kreed.
“Nash, shut up,” he grumbled, a shadow moving into his silvery eyes.
So, this was the fourth Raven. He fit somehow. It was easy to see the four of them together. I eyed him, unable to look away, especially when he kept smiling at me like that in this natural, flirty way.
Nash chuckled. “So, you’ve noticed.” Kreed’s friend picked up a piece of my platinum hair and twirled it around his finger. “I’m impressed,” he whispered to me. “You’ve done what few have. Get Kreed to react.”
“Are you referring to his general disdain for me? It’s mutual, I assure you.”
“Oh, you’re going to be fun.” The way Nash said those words made it sound like I was a plaything.
“Only if by fun you mean a bitch, because that’s precisely what I’ll be if your friend doesn’t return my bag,” I said between gritted teeth.
Kreed’s lips twitched. “See you tonight.”
“Kreed!” I shouted, but he didn’t even look up, continuing to laugh at something Nash said. He kept walking without so much as a glance back, my bag swinging like a trophy he’d won.
That was it. I’d had enough.
I should have thought about my actions before following through, but it was too late. I didn’t think twice. I was already moving, fury propelling me forward. “Hey!” I yelled again, louder and sharper this time.
When he still ignored me, I broke into a sprint, closing the distance between us. Without hesitation, I jumped onto his back, my good arm locking around his neck like a vise, careful of my other arm, but the pain would be worth it. So I told myself.
“What the—” Kreed staggered under the unexpected weight, his hands instinctively going to my arms.
“I want my bag!” I demanded, my voice muffled against his shoulder.
He growled a deep and maddening sound. “Do you have a death wish?”
“Do you?” I snapped, tightening my hold.
Nash tossed his head back and laughed.
Kreed shifted his weight and easily grabbed my wrist, prying my arm off him. He twisted slightly, forcing me to drop to the ground with a thud.
I stumbled but regained my footing quickly, glaring up at him. “Give. It. Back.”
Kreed smirked, swinging my bag off his shoulder. For a moment, I thought he was actually going to hand it to me, but instead, he tossed it to his right. “Catch, Nash,” he said, flashing a rare grin.
Nash caught the bag effortlessly and held it out of my reach as I lunged for it.
“Seriously?” I retorted, giving Nash a dirty look before spinning back to the damn devil.
Kreed crossed his arms, his scarred face set in an insultingly thoughtful expression. “Here’s the deal, little raven. If you want your stuff back, you’ll have to find me after school.”
My jaw dropped. “Are you kidding me? I still have classes. What’s your problem with me? Or do you just get off bullying girls? Does it get your dick hard?”
“My dick hard?” he repeated, pretending to think about it. He sauntered up to me like he had all the time in the world. “Nothing about you could possibly entice me.”
An unexplainable sting pierced my chest. It wasn’t so much that I cared Kreed wasn’t attracted to me because I couldn’t stand him, but it somehow still hurt to hear. I guessed somewhere inside I wanted to be desirable even to someone as loathsome as Kreed. “You’re such a jerk,” I spat, my hands balling at my sides.
He leaned down so our faces were only inches apart, his breath mingling with mine. “And you’re in my world now. Better get used to it.”
I glared at him, my heart pounding with anger. I wanted to scream, to throw something, but instead, I forced myself to stand my ground. He needed to know intimidation wouldn’t work with me.
Nash tossed the bag back to Kreed, who slung it over his shoulder again and walked away, his friend trailing behind him, laughing.
I stood there, seething as the hallway emptied around me. The bell might have rung, but the buzzing in my ears drowned out the sound.
Why did it feel like every time I planned to see my friends, Kreed intervened? It was like the jackass knew what was going on inside my head. Or maybe he could see how desperately I longed to connect with my old life and needed familiar faces. Isolating me would only break my spirit. It wouldn’t help me heal. It would have the opposite effect. The sadness I carried with me would linger. It already felt like it would never leave. And perhaps it wouldn’t.
But what I couldn’t do was let Kreed derail my plans. He wanted to play games. I liked games. I could play too.
I just had to figure out how to play.