Chapter 7
CHAPTER
SEVEN
Rory
“No, no, no! You have got to be fucking kidding me!” I yell, bouncing around my tiny room and into a pair of jeans.
It’s the first day of classes and of course my alarm chose today not to go off on time. To say I’m going to be late is the understatement of the century.
“Shit, fuck!” I curse when my knee slams into the wall during my struggle. I bite my lip from the throbbing pain in my kneecap.
I button the jeans and zip them up, grabbing the first shirt I get my hands on. It’s a black t-shirt with a frowny face stitched over the left breast. How appropriate. Shoving my feet into my boots, I then gather my un-brushed hair up into a messy bun, push my glasses up my nose, and grab my bag, slinging it over my shoulders.
Li and Kenna are already gone, and probably assumed I was too.
I grab a cereal bar so I can eat on the go. There’s not even time to brush my teeth or drink coffee and I’m a monster without any sort of caffeine. I’m already late so I might try to stop at one of the kiosks that dot the lush campus.
Running down the stairs, I burst out the double doors into the sunshine.
I keep running, having memorized what building I need to get to, all the while taking massive, unladylike, bites of the breakfast bar.
I decide to forget the coffee and get some after class since if I hurry I might squeak into the classroom on time.
My boots pound against the ground and I get more than a few funny looks, but I don’t care. I stopped giving fucks about what people thought of me around the time I turned twelve and realized my mom was never going to snap out of it and the person she’d turned into was there to stay.
Just as I’m thinking about how much I don’t care what other people think, the toe of my boot catches on something and I go crashing to the ground, my hands and knees scraping against the concrete. I wince from the burn, fighting tears. All the air flees from my lungs.
Fuck this day.
It’s not even eight-thirty in the morning and I’m over it.
Leaning back on my legs, I bring my hands up, studying the gravel embedded in my skin when a pair of sneakers align with my vision.
“Do you regularly fall on your knees in front of guys?”
I look up into the angry, arrogant face of Mascen Wade. He blinks his gray eyes at me. He towers above me even when I’m standing, and now with me on the ground I feel like a tiny ant he could crush beneath his shoe.
“It’s where you belong, isn’t it? On your knees, legs spread. If you wanted to suck my cock, Princess, all you had to do was ask.” Bending his body in half, he growls in a low gravely tone, “The answer would be no. I don’t do Cole’s sloppy seconds.”
Anger courses through my body, erasing the sting of pain in my hands and knees. I shoot to my feet, nearly swaying from the sudden movement. I catch the twitch of his hand, moving to steady me, but he quickly pulls it away and it forms a fist at his side.
“Excuse me?” I hiss, having to tilt my head back to look in his eyes. He’s not as tall as Cole, but at least six-foot-something himself.
His lips pinch. “Are you hard of hearing? Should I repeat myself?”
This guy . If anyone said something like he did to me I’d be pissed, but the fact that once upon a time I knew this guy, we were friends as children, sends me straight to flat out livid. I don’t think I’ve ever wanted to punch anyone more in my entire life. My hands clench at my sides, digging the gravel further into my palms.
“No, I don’t need you to repeat yourself.” My tone is mocking, my shoulders nearly up to my ears from anger. “I just can’t believe anyone would say what you did.”
He arches a dark brow. “Did I or did I not catch you doing the walk of shame from my friend’s room in my shirt no less?” Somehow his glower grows more pronounced. If he keeps doing that his face is going to be permanently stuck that way.
I don’t bother telling him that according to Cole we didn’t actually have sex, because frankly it’s none of Mascen’s business. Besides, it’s the twenty-first century and it’s about damn time people stopped shaming women for liking sex.
“I don’t see how that has anything to do with your comment.” I cross my arms over my chest, ready to trade more barbs with this guy.
Not ‘this guy’. Mascen. The boy you’d spend summers at the lake with. The one you laughed, joked, and ran with.
I push my memories of better years aside, because it doesn’t matter. That boy is nothing like the man looking at me with such hatred.
“If you don’t get it then you’re dumber than I remember, Princess.”
“Don’t call me that.”
“I’ll call you what I want.”
My hand twitches against my chest, wanting to smack him. People strolling along are starting to stop and stare, but I pay them no mind.
“I have to get to class.” And I do, now I really am going to be late.
Mascen steps to the side, sweeping his arm out. “I’m not stopping you from leaving, Princess. In fact, I’m already over this conversation.”
Before I can retort, his long-legged stride carries him away. I stare after him, both shocked and mystified.
Shaking my head to clear it free from whatever spell he cast over me like some sort of dark wizard, I hurry on to my class, slipping into the back row of the auditorium seating. The professor gives me a look for entering the room late but doesn’t call me out on it.
When all we do is go over the syllabus before being dismissed early, I wonder why I bothered rushing in the first place.
Rolling my eyes as I exit the class into the hall after less than ten minutes in the room, I decide to grab a coffee and a decent breakfast before my next class.
My stomach rumbles, demanding food first.
Entering the dining hall I inhale the scent of food. It’s more like a large mall food court, with various areas to pick up and order, than a cafeteria.
I walk around, assessing the various offerings, before ordering an egg sandwich. I wait off to the side for it to be made and once it’s done I put the plate on a tray, grab a Coke, and swipe my ID card to cover the cost.
Grabbing a table, I sit down by myself. There aren’t many students in the dining hall at this time and there’s something peaceful about it. Windows line all three sides of the building where the seating area is, allowing light to flood inside. There’s a large outdoor seating area too with umbrellas to block the hot sun. I’m tempted to go out there, but there are more people lingering in that area so I choose to stick with where I am.
Taking a bite of my sandwich I stifle a moan. I haven’t tasted anything this good in too long. Digging out my schedule I look over my next class, English, which I already knew but it mentally makes me feel better to check. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to be here and I’m paranoid about fucking it up.
I’ve worked too hard to get here to mess things up.
Like being late , I silently scold myself.
I groan and a guy at a nearby table looks over, probably wondering what my problem is. Right now my problem is Mascen Wade. Twice, I’ve seen him twice , in less than twenty-four hours and of course both meetings were a disaster.
He was never such an egotistical asshole when we were kids. Granted, he was ten the last time I saw him, but he’d always been sweet and kind. The boy who picked me flowers and tucked them behind my ear just to see me smile.
I never thought our paths would cross again. Not when he’s practically a god, or at least the son of one, and I’m nobody now. I fell from grace, a fallen angel if you will, and now he looks at me like I’m the worst of the worst.
I don’t get it, but it doesn’t mean he isn’t wrong.
My family lost everything and my sister and I have paid the most for it.
With my breakfast finished I stuff my schedule back into my bag, toss my trash out, and go in search of the nectar of the gods. Aka coffee, the only thing keeping college kids running since the beginning of time.
I stop at one of the many kiosks across campus and order a black coffee with just one pack of sugar.
“Thanks.” I smile at the girl that passes me my coffee cup and drop my change in the tip jar.
Sipping my coffee, I walk around campus since I still have time to kill. I could go back to the dorm for a little while, but it’s such a nice day I’d rather be outside, breathing in the fresh air. There’s a slight wind, carrying the scent of freshly mowed grass in the distance. Birds sing happily and the sky is a cloudless blue. It’s the kind of day that makes my soul happy, one so perfectly sunny and bright that it makes up for all the bad days.
I end up sitting on a bench for a while, watching students walk by to their classes, professors moving about, and just the general buzz of college life.
Checking the time, I finish my coffee and head to my English class, waiting outside the closed door.
Thank God I’m not late this time.
A couple other people join me in wait and I smile shyly at them. None of them smile back, either too busy looking like they hate the world, or they have their face glued to their phone screen. I don’t let it bother me.
The wooden double doors burst open, the class before ours emptying out. When the last person is gone I head inside, taking a seat in the fourth row back, close but not too close to the front.
Setting my bag between my feet, I wait. I don’t see the point in pulling my laptop out. The classroom fills in, only a few seats left unoccupied.
From below, the professor enters from the side door, his back stooped, graying hair, and beady black eyes. He looks around at the room, his lips slightly snarled and turns to his desk, shuffling papers.
Finding the one he’s looking for he begins calling out names.
“Aurora Abbott?” He calls out first. I’m not surprised, almost all through school my name was always called first. A few people glance my way when I raise my hand, but they all look bored, none of them realizing I’m one of those Abbotts.
Fallen.
Disgraced.
A stain.
The professor moves onto the next name, calling out everyone and checking them off. He then passes out the syllabus, going over it, before going straight into the lesson. I’m thankful to actually have work to do.
Class ends and I continue with my day, not returning to the dorm until three. I’ve barely closed the door when Kenna enters behind me.
“I’m exhausted,” she announces, dropping her bag on the floor before flopping dramatically onto the couch face first. “Can we order pizza?” she mumbles into the pillow.
Grabbing a Sparkling Ice strawberry kiwi water, I turn to face her prone form. “Um, I guess.” I think about how much cash I have on me to contribute.
“Awesome!” She hops up, suddenly all smiles. “My treat,” she adds and I breathe a sigh of relief. “Where’s Li?”
“Still in class, I guess.” I give a shrug, sipping the flavored water.
“We should post something with our schedules so we know where each other is.”
“That’s not a bad idea,” I agree.
“I’ll text her and see what kind of pizza she wants.” Kenna rolls off the couch, heading to her room.
I do the same, leaving the door cracked behind me. I pull out my computer from my backpack, setting it up on my desk.
My phone rings and I smile when I see Hazel’s name on the screen.
“Hello?” I answer.
“How’s my big famous college-going sister? Haven’t forgotten about the little people yet, have you?”
“I miss you,” I reply, my tone wistful. It’s been too long since I’ve seen my big sister. “And I could never forget my little people,” I joke, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear, perching my butt on the end of my bed.
“See any cute guys?” she asks.
Of course my mind goes straight to Mascen. Despite his hateful attitude and hurtful words, there’s no denying he’s gorgeous. His face might be sculpted from stone, just like his heart, but it doesn’t mean I can’t admire the art.
I realize I should be thinking about Cole, but...
“No,” I answer, keeping my thoughts to myself.
“Just remember, there are a lot of rich guys there—wealthy families, old money, Rory. Mom might’ve been a piece of shit, but she wasn’t lying when she said it’s just as easy to love a rich man as a poor man.”
I cover my face with my free hand. “Yeah and look where it got her.”
“That wasn’t her fault.” I’d beg to differ, but I keep my mouth shut. “Tell me more,” Hazel continues, ignoring my silence. “How are your roommates?”
“I think I lucked out there. They seem pretty great. We’re getting ready to order pizza.”
“Ugh, I’m jealous. I miss carbs.”
Hazel eats healthier than anyone I know, too scared to gain an ounce that she might not get as many tips if she does.
“You could come visit me. We could get pizza together.”
“Rory,” she sighs, her breath echoing over the line. “I know it’s been a while since we’ve seen each other, but now isn’t a good time for me to travel.”
I pinch my eyes closed. Of course it’s not. “Yeah, it was a dumb idea.”
“Rory—”
“I gotta go. Love you.”
“Love you, too.”
I hang up, tossing my phone on the gray bedspread. I probably shouldn’t have ended the call hastily since she did reach out, but it’s frustrating when I haven’t seen her in person in years .
There’s a light knock on my door and then Kenna pokes her head in. “I’m not interrupting am I?”
I shake my head, forcing a smile. “Not at all.”
“Li gets out of class at three-forty-five so I thought I’d go ahead and order the pizza. It’s our first day so pizza and wings seems like the most appropriate way to celebrate.”
My smile is genuine this time. “Wings too now, huh?”
She sticks her tongue out. “I’m starving I can’t help it. I want all the food.”
Looking at her tiny figure I have no idea where she puts everything she eats, but in the days we’ve been living together I’ve seen her ingest more than I’ve ever seen any other human eat.
“I’m hungry too,” I admit, having skipped lunch.
“What kind of pizza do you want?” She’s already pulling out her phone, eyes on the screen.
“Supreme.”
“You got it.” She lifts the phone to her ear, walking away.
My phone buzzes on my bed and I pick it up.
Hazel: I’ll try to see you soon.
I snort, rolling my eyes. We both know it’s a lie.
But it’s okay. I love my sister, but a part of me knew when she walked out of the house I’d probably never see her again. At least I get to talk to her and for that I’m truly grateful.
Still, the ache in my chest doesn’t ease.
“This pizza is delicious.” Li lifts her hand to her mouth, trying to hide her chewing.
“So good,” I agree, reaching for a fourth slice. Our food is spread over the living space, the TV tuned into a mindless reality show that Kenna says is the worst but best thing she’s ever watched. That makes no sense to me, but hey, to each their own.
I have to admit, it feels good hanging out with them. Girlfriends are a luxury I haven’t been privy to.
“Thanks for getting the pizza and stuff.” Li flicks her fingers over the smorgasbord of other food including wings and brownies.
“No problem.” Kenna bounces slightly where she sits, full of energy.
“Yeah, thank you,” I echo, even though I’ve already said it a few times already.
Money wasn’t an issue for my family at one point, but I’ve spent the majority of my life with it being a struggle, tucking away every penny, and sometimes going hungry. I’ve learned to be extra grateful when I’m presented with a free meal.
“We should make pizza nights a weekly thing.” Kenna beams at the two of us, stretching across the table to grab another slice. “Maybe on Saturdays? Fridays are usually when the parties are and it’s the best night to go out anyway.”
Li wrinkles her nose. “Maybe Saturdays are reserved to always have dinner together, but not always pizza. I do not want to be one of those people who gains the freshman fifteen when I can avoid it.”
“Okay, I’m good with that. What about you, Rory?”
“I’m in,” I agree. “I can cook some during the week.”
“Thank God, because I can’t.” Kenna laughs. Staring at her half-eaten slice of pizza she mutters, “Why can’t guys be like pizza?”
“Greasy?” I blurt. “Because most already are.”
Li hides her giggles behind her hand and Kenna shakes her head. “No, delicious and unfailingly loyal.”
I pause, my face wrinkling. “How is pizza loyal?”
“Has pizza ever let you down?”
“Well, no.”
“Exactly.” She snaps her fingers and digs in for another bite.
“Can’t argue with that logic.” I reach for my flavored water, gulping down the last of it. For some reason I can’t stomach plain water. It’s silly since it’s literally flavorless , but I think it’s nasty.
We finish our meal, clean up the leftovers and throw away the trash, before the three of us head into our separate sleeping areas.
I change into my pajamas and climb into bed. Lying on my back I stare up at the ceiling at the silly glow in the dark stars I stuck up there. They remind me of happier, better times. Ones where my days were filled with laughter and love, before scandal hit and tragedy struck, imploding everything.
Rolling to my side I cup my hands under the side of my head. I made it through the first day, one step closer to freedom.