Chapter 20
TWENTY
FRANKIE
Cassie is avoiding me. I haven’t seen her since the party, but I’m not concerned about that. She is trying to figure out her emotions because it’s obvious she’s intrigued by me. We are so alike and she hates that.
When she left, so did I and ended up watching the game in my room, spread out on my couch as the party thumped below my feet. She was the only reason I stayed and when she left, I had no interest in anyone else.
However, tonight is The Claiming and excitement is reaching fever pitch among the students.
It’s the unknown and the sheer wickedness of it that has captured everyone’s attention, and I don’t miss the whispers as I pass through campus with my friends. It’s as if a storm is coming and there will be no shelter from the deadly effects of it, and I can’t fucking wait.
We head to art and as we enter the classroom, Miss Sloane catches my attention with her tight pink dress and soft smile.
Jesse whispers, “I’ve died and gone to teacher heaven.”
She smiles and I don’t miss the interest flare in her eyes as she angles her head to one side and, for a brief second, I believe she is flirting with us. Her gaze shifts between us as if she’s considering something and then she turns away, effectively cutting the moment, and Jesse groans.
“I’m having inappropriate thoughts of a woman who is dressed in red flags.”
“She’s wearing pink. What, are you color blind now?”
He nudges me hard. “I’m guessing her underwear is red, though. Fuck me, I’m guessing she’s a trip worth having.”
“Possibly.”
For some reason, my interest in our delectable teacher is fading and I wonder if it has anything to do with my interest in a certain wild spirit who goes by the name of Cassandra. I’ve never met anyone like her before. It’s as if we are meant to be here together. She is a breath of fresh air in a stale room and has become a craving that won’t diminish and a scratch that won’t stop itching. She is a challenge I have yet to conquer—but I will. Tonight. When darkness falls and candlelight replaces sunlight.
Art offers me a creative outlet in the guise of structured education, and I use my time in the studio effectively to unleash the madness inside my mind. My brush strokes are bold, dark and crafted from a twisted imagination and as Miss Sloane peers over my shoulder, she says with admiration, “Your interpretation of the subject is creative, Frankie.”
She chuckles softly because we are tasked with sketching a bowl of fruit and as I regard my work, a self-satisfied smile threatens to crack my severity as I gaze at the bowl of fruit that is very different to the one set before us. Mine is rotting, with creatures crawling from inside the various pieces. Worms, spiders and rotting flesh. The carcass of an apple crumbling as it falls.
“Is there anything you want to tell me? A private word, perhaps?” She whispers out of hearing of my fellow students and I shake my head.
“I’m good, thanks.”
She sighs. “You possess a rare talent, Frankie. Art is a medium that demonstrates it more than any other. It’s open to interpretation and there is no right or wrong answer to that. Have you ever considered making a career of it? I’ve a feeling you could be a considerable talent at whatever you turn your hand to.”
“I have no interest in a career involving art.”
I dismiss her with a slight shake of my head.
“What are you interested in?” She whispers against my ear and I pull back a little and say dismissively, “Nothing you would know anything about.”
The bell rings and as the class scrambles to leave, she says quickly, “If you ever want extra tuition, come and find me.”
As she leaves, I don’t miss the smile she directs at Jesse, or the way his gaze trails after her as she disappears into the supply cupboard.
“Do you need a minute?” I tease him and he nods, a thoughtful gleam in his eye.
“I’ll catch you up.”
I say no more because if Jesse wants to trip down the rabbit hole, she will provide an extremely soft landing, and if I wasn’t so fixated on Cassie, I would probably jump right in after him.
* * *
As I head to lunch, I notice Kennedy and her friends in front of me and groan inwardly. I almost consider ducking into an open classroom door, but as she catches my eye, I’m positive she would consider that an invitation, so I fix a blank expression on my face as she turns to me and smiles flirtatiously.
“Hey, honey.” She flutters her eyelashes as she waves off her friends with impatience, effectively securing a one-on-one chat with me.
I carry on walking and she matches my pace.
“So, tonight’s the night.” Her words are delivered with excitement and an invitation only a fool would miss.
“If you say so.”
“Are you taking part?”
She asks a question nobody but me and my fellow elusives has the answer to. The names on the challenge list are kept secret and nobody knows who they may come up against. There are rumors and false claims which add to the intrigue of what will prove to be an extremely dark experience.
I don’t answer her and she giggles, “I am. If it’s you chasing me, I won’t run too hard and just so you know, that will be your last chance to claim something amazing this semester.”
I still say nothing and her words rush at me with desperation. “We were so good together, Frankie. I can give you what the other girls can’t. I match your depravity, and there is nothing I won’t do for you.”
I note the cafeteria a few steps away and as we reach the door, I stop and say dismissively. “Why would I want something I grew bored with almost as soon as I had it? Go and find somebody else to play with because I’m not interested, and–” I fix her with a sneer. “If you were the only girl crawling through that dungeon, I wouldn’t bother to make chase.”
Her shocked gasp rolls off me like oil on water and as her eyes fill with tears, she whispers, “Why are you being so cruel?”
“Because you’re so dumb I must spell it out for you and save you from making a fool of yourself.”
I turn away because I’m not interested in sugar coating the situation to spare her feelings. Kennedy James is only interested in one thing. Status and position and she believes that by being my girl she will be considered the queen of the school. But I am a reluctant king and would rather that title went to anyone other than me because I’m not interested in jostling for position among the faculty. I know my place and it’s in a world nobody here would understand, except for possibly one girl, who, like me, lives a different life to the rest of the students and teachers at Rockwell Academy.
* * *
The guys are at our usual table and as I join them, Santi grins. “So, we get to bring your dark mind to life tonight, Frankie. It should be interesting.”
“Is everything set?” I ask as Ali delivers two boxes of pizza and takes the seat beside Jack.
He nods. “It’s all in place. Jesse will be at the river checking who makes it out and I will be at the entrance. Santi will be inside the chamber officiating and as we know–” he chuckles softly. “You and Jack will be otherwise occupied.”
I turn to Jack, who appears thoughtful.
“Anything to say, Jack?” I ask because I’m surprised that he put his name on the list at all. He is the only one I’m worried about because it must have been for a good reason, and I’m guessing it involves Cassie. I don’t want anyone getting in my way because Jack would be a strong adversary.
“Why did I put my name forward?” He shakes his head and groans. “I must be mad.”
The others laugh, but I consider him carefully. “You can always back out. There is a reserve list longer than roll call.”
He shrugs. “I’m curious, I guess, and have always loved a challenge.”
“Are you sure it’s not because of a certain young lady you are quite friendly with?”
Santi teases and I stop breathing as Jack leans back and sighs.
“Cassie has been in my life since I could breathe. We are close. We always have been because we share an unconventional life. I protect her and she has my back. That will never change.”
I study his expression carefully as he shrugs. “We are competitive. It’s written in our DNA and have always tried to better the other. When Cassie takes on a challenge, I’m the one beside her, which is probably why I signed up for this.”
He regards me with a blank expression. “It was never an option to stand by and watch her take on a challenge that I’m not part of. It’s not the results we are doing it for. It’s to win.”
“So, you’re chasing Cassie.” Ali shakes his head. “But if you claim her, she’s yours for the semester. Are you good with that if she’s as close a family? It would be like Frankie claiming his cousin Siri.”
Santi laughs out loud. “Can you imagine that? Both of you stuck with women you can’t have. God, I hope it happens. That would teach you a hard lesson, Frankie.”
“Or we could agree to help one another out.” I say coolly, regarding Jack through hooded eyes.
He considers me carefully. “I claim Siri and you do the same to Cassie.” He chuckles softly. “Good luck with that.”
“What makes you say that?” I ask, and he grins.
“Cassie likes to win, and she has been taught by the best.”
“The best?” Ali interrupts, showing obvious interest.
“Her father. You see guys–” Jack chuckles softly. “Ryder King is a legend. I have never known anyone to get the better of him, both in the military and civilian life. He has sharpened his craft and taught Cassie from the crib. She is more than a match for any man and my money is on her getting out of that tunnel and onto the opposite side of the riverbank before the centurions have even started their chase.”
He adds, “Which is why I agreed to the challenge, because I always have something to prove to her and to myself. It’s a matter of pride with us because if Cassie is intent on winning, I am too.”
“But what happens if you claim her, Jack?” The malevolent gleam in Ali’s eye makes me smile.
“Then we carry on as we always have. As friends.”
“And you would be happy with that?” I ask, leaning forward, his answer important to me.
“Of course.” Jack shrugs. “I love her. I always have as anyone would love a best friend.”
“So, if someone, say Frankie, got there first. How would you react to that?”
Santi asks the million dollar question and for a second, I register a brief moment of panic in Jack’s eye that he quickly disguises with a shake of his head.
“Then the best man would have won because if he gets anywhere near her, or in front of me, he is deserving of his prize.”
I don’t miss the warning in his words as the atmosphere stills and tension increases. It’s only broken when Jesse arrives and whistles slowly.
“Man, that Miss Sloane is something else.”
“Why, what happened?”
My focus shifts and he shrugs. “I’m just making an observation.”
As he reaches for the pizza, I’m struck by the way he won’t meet my eye and I smile to myself. Fuck Jesse, he is opening a can of worms that could prove extremely bad for him because if I know my friend, something happened back there that he is not willing to admit to. He will, though. I’d stake my life on it because Jesse can’t keep a secret from me, no matter how hard he tries.