5. Kinsley #2
She winces. “I forgot to mention them. I think our—your encounter with Edge threw me a bit.”
Shrugging, I sit on the stool in biology. “No worries. She’s just another bitch who thinks she’s entitled to the world.”
Eden gasps. “You didn’t say that to her face, did you?”
“No, not in so many words.”
Eden scoots a little farther to the edge of her side of the table. “You are going to go down in flames, and you haven’t even been here a day yet.”
She doesn’t say anything to me for the rest of class. We sit in silence, taking notes until Professor Lennon releases us.
Eden shoves her notebook into her messenger bag.
“Listen, but I’m not looking for trouble.
I keep to myself and stay out of the way.
So, if you can try to stay invisible, why don’t you join Bryce and me for lunch?
We sit in the courtyard near the big oak.
We’re usually there from noon until one.
” Without waiting for a reply, she grabs her bag and darts out of class.
I’m not sure what to make of that. “Thanks for the invite,” I mutter.
But it’s bullshit if she expects me to back down from a possible murderer and a bully bitch just to have someone to hang out with. I’d rather be on my own.
Before leaving class, I ask the professor where the library is.
She says it’s the building that looks like a castle in the center of campus, then gives me directions.
How hard can that be to find? As I reach the massive structure, I realize the library is in the center of everything.
All the other buildings fan out from it.
During the short walk, I dodge a lot of whispers and stares.
Nothing I haven’t seen or heard before, but this time, they’re all directed at me.
At my other school, I wasn’t a complete bitch, but I had my moments of sizing up the new student, deciding whether I would give them the time of day or not…
usually not. My decision wasn’t based on looks or financial status.
It was based on how time-consuming they would be and how much maintenance and patience I would have to put forth.
But that was high school. I thought college would be different, easier.
But not Monarch. Learning how these people stick together, and still bow down to the bullies, I’d make no effort to be my friend—too much rebellion, not enough conformity.
So, I understand Eden’s attitude toward me.
The library is sparse with students. I have my pick of tables, so I choose one near the back, near the first aisle of books.
I take out my laptop to start my biology homework.
Being already behind sucks. For the next hour, no one bothers me or says a word in my direction.
Maybe I’ve mastered this whole invisible thing.
Just as I’m ready to pack up, I dig in the front pocket of my backpack and touch cool metal.
Sliding it out, I cradle the bracelet in my palm.
My dad gave it to me the last time he came home from one of his business trips.
The rose quartz heart stone is set in the center of a thin silver chain.
I drape it over my left wrist, and with only a little trouble, I clasp it.
Soon, Dad. Soon.
I have a break until my next class. I almost decide to stay here, but for the sake of the cause, I pack up my things and follow a small crowd into the courtyard.
It’s easy to guess where the cafeteria is, as most people funnel into the building.
I meet Bryce and Eden under the oak instead of trying to battle my way into the lunchroom.
And after having two confrontations with the most popular people on campus, I think I’ll stay clear of welcoming any more drama today.
“Kinsley!” Bryce sits under the big oak, just like Eden said. She’s not there yet. I’m not sure how I feel about that. However, Bryce was friendlier than she was. I make my way over to him. “Hey, girl. How’s your first day going so far?”
“Peachy,” I say, tossing my bag on the ground. “Where’s Eden?”
He lifts the lid off his container, exposing a sushi roll, a dollop of wasabi, and a packet of soy sauce. “She’ll be here. She takes a few extra minutes to get here because she comes from across campus, where the dorms are.”
“Does she live in the dorms?”
He shakes his head. “No, but her class is in the building next to them.”
Reaching into my backpack, I pull out the apple I tossed in this morning. Jeez, that seems like a lifetime ago.
Bryce’s hand pauses mid-air with chopsticks, a piece of sushi balancing between the sticks. “That’s all you’re eating?”
“Yeah, I’m not that hungry.” In truth, having skipped breakfast, I’m starving, but I’m in no mood to eat.
Bryce’s gaze catches on something over my shoulder. “There she is.” He moves the piece of sushi to his mouth, then stops mid-bite. “Oh shit,” he says. Poor kid can’t catch a break to eat his fancy lunch.
I assume he’s talking about Eden until I turn to see who has him fumbling with his chopsticks.
Brielle is on a direct path to us, accompanied by two other girls.
One is Peyton from my art class. The other, I assume, is the girl with the eyelash issue, since they’re almost an inch long and look as though they may help her take flight any second. Mikayla, I think her name is.
“Of course, she’s sitting with the fucking nerds.
Suits her well, don’t you think?” She stops a few feet away from us.
“So, trash girl, this is your new friend?” Brielle looks around.
“No doubt the blue freak will be joining you. What a crew the three of you make.” She props her hands on her narrow waist. “You guys are a joke.”
Who the hell does this bitch think she is? “Don’t you have anything better to do, beast, like blow some asshole in the janitor’s closet or something?”
Bryce’s sushi slips from the vice of his chopsticks. His mouth goes slack before slowly easing into a smile. “This is going to be good,” he whispers.
“Look, you skank whore, if you think you can just walk right into the viper’s den and?—”
I hold up my hand. “Don’t. You sound ridiculous, and you’re starting to whine.”
Blue hair catches my attention in my peripheral vision. Eden pauses, watching my exchange with the three girls before chancing it and walking into a possible fight.
I stand and face off with Monarch’s self-elected bitch. Her face is tight with fury. “The only thing you need to know about me is I don’t back down to anyone. And trust me, I know my place. So, if this is the lesson you think I need, consider it given.”
“You’re digging your own grave,” she warns.
“So you’ve said. Now, if you’re done, you better hurry along. Wouldn’t want those spike heels getting stuck in the dirt.” I swish my wrist toward them, dismissing the trio. I turn my back on her, finished with the conversation—if one could even call it that.
“This isn’t the end,” she spits.
Still not facing her, I sit down. “Yeah, yeah, I can’t wait.” I fold my hand in a wave over my shoulder. “Bye now.”
She rants out a slew of profanities as she turns, her friends following in her wake as they make their way back to the cafeteria.
Eden steps out of the shadows. “What was that about?”
Bryce is huffing out gasps of breath mixed with laughter. Pointing at me, he says, “This chick has balls the size of Jupiter. Seriously, I mean—shit.” He grabs a handful of his hair. “I can’t believe it… This is awesome! You’re like the golden egg on Easter morning.”
Eden doesn’t look so impressed. “Simmer down, Bryce. If she keeps it up, she’s going to get her ass kicked and take us down with her.”
“I don’t care. I’m all in. This is way too fun to pass up.”
Eden’s eyes pop open, and she studies her best friend as if she just watched him grow another head. “Who are you?”
He sets down his container of food. “Eden, this year could be epic. We could watch Kinsley tear down the hierarchy of this forsaken institution. And being her new besties, we get front-row seats and maybe even a little recognition.”
Besties? If he keeps on with that, he’s going to get another smack in the head from Eden.
She leans toward him and tilts her head, studying his eyes. “You said you were going to lay off the weed.”
He holds up his hands. “I did. I swear!”
Backing down, Eden takes a lunch bag out of her backpack. The hummus and veggies aren’t nearly as fancy as Bryce’s sushi but seem fitting enough for her personality, bland and adequately healthy.
“What?” she asks me.
I didn’t realize I was staring, but I guess I am. “Nothing. It looks good… and healthy.” I take a bite of my apple to fill my mouth.
She pulls apart the baggie of celery and carrots. “Listen, you could have a lot going for you. You’re the type to fit in with the mean girls and Venom if you want to.”
She could have told me I was the biggest piece of shit she ever laid eyes on and that would have been better than what she just verbally threw at me. My face must say as much because she tries to defend herself.
“What I mean is, you’re beautiful, you have a chip on your shoulder, and you’ve managed to gain the attention of everyone and their cousin at this school in less time than it takes me to put on my makeup.”
“You don’t wear makeup,” Bryce pipes up.
“Exactly,” Eden growls. Focusing her attention back on me, she asks. “Why are you choosing to get on their bad side on your first day?”
I swallow the mushed mess in my mouth. “First of all, that’s not me.
In case you haven’t noticed, I don’t want to fit in with the rest of the assholes around here.
That’s not who I am. I just want to be left alone, get through this year, and get my rev—” I cut myself off.
Revenge . Shit! I almost blew my cover.
Hopefully, I haven’t let too much spill.
I’m letting my pride override my need for revenge, and I need to back off.
Reeling from my hostility, I ask, “Why does this feel like high school all over again? Didn’t these people grow up? ”
They’re quiet for a long beat. Eden is the one who answers. “To them, it’s all the same. Same friends, same hierarchy, same family money. The only thing that’s changed is the campus?—”
“Yeah, now we’re on the west side. Monarch Prep is on the east, just over there.” Bryce points over his shoulder with his thumb.
“Well, that makes things a little bit clearer.” I reach over my head to stretch out the tension building in every muscle in my back.
It would probably help me to gain access to Venom and their whores inner circle more quickly.
Then I can put all this to rest. But like I told Eden, that’s not who I am.
Plus, I have no idea who or what I’m dealing with exactly.
All I know is that Venom is here, and this is where I need to be.
“You’re not like the other girls at Monarch. Tattoos and face piercings are out of the norm here.”
I’ve never been like other girls anywhere. “Nope. It’s too exhausting to try to measure up. Besides, this is college. Aren’t we supposed to figure out who we are?”
Eden shakes her head. “No, not here. Not at Monarch. We fall into place, just like we’re meant to. We’ve known our places since grade school.”
“Can’t do it,” I say as I roll up my sleeve to reveal the ink.
“This is who I am. I like them, and I’m owning it.
So if anyone has a problem with it, they can f—” I shut my mouth before I finish.
Whether or not I like it, I’ve done enough damage today with my words.
I don’t need to say anything I’ll regret.
“Well, I, for one, love it!” Bryce’s voice is filled with rebellion.
I can tell Eden wants to say more. “What now?”
She dips another carrot into her hummus. “Listen, I know you’re having a rough first day and all, and I hate to be the one to tell you, but I saw strength training on your schedule, and Venom is in your class—all of them.”
I purse my lips and nod. “Of course they are.”
Any rest for the wicked? Not a chance.