Chapter 16
SIXTEEN
My room is now freshly painted, white and crisp, and the new bed I’ve been supplied is even more comfortable than the last one.
The sheets and pillows are also brand new, and the thread count must be higher than my zip code.
I feel like I should send Avery a thank-you note.
I grin to myself at the mental image of her reading all about her little prank backfiring.
I’m also in love with my new boots, and I spend hours trying them on with all my new clothes to see what I like best. Hannaford is quickly teaching me to take the good with the bad.
True to form, the lock the Jackal promised me is already installed by the time I arrive back at Hannaford, and the only key is on a chain around my neck. If anyone wants access to this room, they will have to pry it from my cold, dead body. I’m sure nothing would give Joey more pleasure.
My great mood lasts until choir, and then I’m overcome with nerves.
I arrive early, having sprinted down the halls and shoving other students out of my way, so I can corner Miss Umber and persuade her to take pity on me.
Our assignment is to sing a solo in front of the class, and there is no way on this earth that I’ll be able to do it.
I’ve been practicing at every available opportunity.
I’ve become decent at distracting myself, but the second my concentration wavers, I get the shakes and lose my stomach contents.
If I perform in front of the class, Avery will not only have photos of my disgrace, but she will also have a new weakness of mine to exploit.
Now that I’ve managed to lock down any access to my room, I’m not looking to give her a new avenue to explore.
Miss Umber looks right through me. There’s a puzzled look on her face, like she’s trying to place me, and I grumble under my breath.
Such is life when you share a class with the lead singer and guitarist of Vanth Falling.
I’m not sure she remembers any of my classmates, only the shining god that joins us each lesson.
It doesn’t matter to me if she doesn’t remember me.
All that matters is convincing her to let me have a private assessment. It’s not an easy sell.
“Part of the mark is your ability to perform for a crowd. I alone am not a crowd, Miss… er-And-Anderson.” I ignore the stumble over my name. I’ve already had to tell her what it is twice.
“I understand that, but I’m currently undergoing extensive therapy to be able to do so, and my healthcare professionals aren’t comfortable with me stepping out on stage to more than a few people.
” Lie-lie-lie, I don’t care. I’ll keep spewing out falsehoods until I get what I want, and if she asks for proof, I’ll call in a favor.
Fuck, I’ll call in ten favors. Whatever it takes, I’m not getting on that stage.
“Oh. Yes, okay. That’s a different case. We wouldn’t want to upset your parents and have them in here, would we? You can come after the Thanksgiving break, and I’ll assess you privately. Now, take a seat and do your warmups! Mr. Morrison should be here soon, and then we can start.”
I thank her and slump onto my usual chair, relief coursing through my veins.
I'm still feeling prickly with irritation and relief when the rest of the students arrive. Avery has her hand tucked into Blaise’s arm, and they're chatting happily with their adoring fans. I nod to Lauren when she joins me, but my mind is on Avery. What is the best way to get back at her for everything she’s been doing to me without becoming a bully myself?
If I get caught, I’ll lose my scholarship, but it’s more than that.
I’ve never done anything out of spite. I’ve hurt people, I’ve stolen, I’ve lied.
I’ve beaten someone until the life left them.
But never have I done anything with the intent of hurting someone purely to get back at them.
I've only ever acted in self-preservation or defense. That was the moral high ground I clung to so I didn’t lose my mind about all the wrong I’d done.
What am I willing to do to Avery as revenge?
“Oh, Lord. You’re staring at Avery again. Should I be worried? Is another Beaumont about to be taken out in handcuffs?” whispers Lauren, breaking my train of thought.
I give her a sidelong look, and she grins at me. I don’t know how she guessed about my involvement in Joey’s arrest. Maybe the whole school has already figured it out.
“What do you think of our oh-so-benevolent overlord?” I ask.
Lauren is nice enough. If she thinks Avery is the devil, then maybe I could be spiteful just this once. Lauren glances over to her, and we both watch as she plays around on her phone, not a care for the teacher and lesson going on around her at all.
“I think she’s lonely. I think she comes from a fucked-up family and her brother is so scared of anything happening to her that she’s been isolated.
Did you hear that Rory and Blaise got into a fight over dinner last night?
Rory came back from his football game and Blaise said, in front of the whole dining hall, that the pussy he could smell on him had better not be Avery’s. ”
Lauren giggles at the shocked look on my face. “I think he was just saying it to bait Rory into spilling about their sex life. Ash was there too, and everyone knows he’ll murder Rory it he touches her.”
“But why? If any of the rumors are true, they’re fucking half the damn school between the three of them. Pretty damn sexist to say she can’t sleep around if she wants to.” I did not want to think about any of the whispers I’ve heard. Or about Annabelle. Ugh, fuck Annabelle.
“I know. It’s an old-money thing. My parents would also have a lot to say if I started dating, and I’d murder my little sister if I found her hanging around someone like Rory.”
Lauren shrugs and settles back in her chair.
Ash Beaumont is lying to me.
I’m not stupid, and it’s starting to become really obvious. He doesn’t need my tutoring at all. I watch as he pretends to follow my explanations on his physics assignment, but he’s not even listening to me. He already knows every damn thing I’m saying to him.
Why the hell is he torturing me by being here, then? He’s more distracted today than he usually is, so I test out my hypothesis by purposefully explaining the theory wrong, and then I watch him answer the questions. He gets them all correct. What the hell is his problem?
“I told you during our first session that if you’re not here to learn, then you shouldn’t come,” I say, my temper rising.
It doesn’t really matter if he’s learning or not, I get credit just for being here, but I feel duped.
Like he’s just here to push all my buttons or to find ways for Avery to torment me.
“And I told you, if you want the credits, you’ll sit and teach me.
” He doesn’t look up from his work as he speaks, which is probably for the best. I’m seething even as I survey his stunning eyelashes.
It’s a crime that he has naturally sooty lashes that curl beautifully.
I wonder how many girls before me have stared at them enviously.
He looks like he’s wearing eyeliner, a dark frame around cerulean-blue irises.
“If you’re not actually learning anything, then we could just sit and study together in silence. I could get my work done, and you could… do whatever it is that you’re here for, without me having to ramble on uselessly.”
He glances up and catches me ogling him, but I refuse to blush.
I tell myself I’m staring because I’m pissed.
He gives me a slow smirk and leans back in his chair cockily as he crosses his arms over his chest. I forget sometimes that he’s built.
The uniform hides the physique of the male students far better than the legs and curves of the females.
Sexist bullshit. If the guys get to see whether or not I’ve shaved my legs this week, I think I should be able to see who bench presses my body weight on the regular.
“Enjoying the eye fuck?” he drawls. Oh, no. That self-flagellating tone will just not do. I need to take him down a notch.
“I’m assessing your weak spots so I’m confident in my aim when I have to take you out.”
He doesn’t back down. If anything, my words egg him on. His smirk turns into an entirely too-confident flirty grin. I haven’t been this close to swooning since Blaise’s appearance at the school. This guy is the devil’s spawn.
“Sure you are, Mounty. And will you be aiming for my eyes, then?”
I nod and attempt a glare. “Blinding you gives me a much better chance at survival. You’re twice the size of me, so unless you’re trained to fight in the dark, that should even the playing field nicely.”
He chuckles and lets his eyes roam over my chest and down my legs.
I hate people looking at my legs. The scars may have faded a little over time but they’re still plain to see through the sheer stockings junior girls are forced to wear.
I can’t wait until I’m a senior and can wear thigh-high socks.
Cute and a satisfactory cover up. His gaze is heated.
I think he’s flirting with me, but with no prior experience I don’t want to jump to conclusions.
I might be mistaken because of how badly I want Ash.
He’s such an asshole but, fuck, I’m attracted to him.
“Don’t sleep with any of the boys.” I look up to see Ash staring at me so intensely, my knees almost shake.
“What the fuck?!” I splutter out, more at my reaction than his words.
“I know it probably goes against your Mounty nature, but you’ll just dig a bigger hole for yourself if you fuck any of them.” How do I find him so attractive when he’s such a dick to me?
“My Mounty nature? I’m not some sexual fucking deviant! Why is every boy in this damn school so far up their own asses?”