Someone had stolen my clothes while I was sleeping. I’d left them folded on the chair beside the bed, but they weren’t there when I woke up. I hated the idea that someone had crept into my room while I was sleeping, and the image of Caldwell or Matthew sneaking through the dark was enough to give me nightmares.
I probably wouldn’t miss the clothes. The jeans were slightly too small, and the top was pretty much ruined after being covered in coffee yesterday, but finding them gone still upset me. It felt like a small piece of me had been taken with the outfit.
My only option was to wear something out of the closet. Clothing selected for me by some stylist I’d never met. It was such a small thing, but I felt like Matthew was trying to mold me into the person he wanted me to be rather than the person I was.
I didn’t have much choice though, unless I wanted to arrive at my new school naked. So, I begrudgingly ventured into the closet and selected a pair of black jeans, a cropped white top, and a leather jacket. The outfit wasn’t all that different from one I might have chosen for myself, if I ignored the fact the clothes hadn’t come from a thrift store and the labels all bore the name of some Italian designer I couldn’t pronounce.
A knock sounded at the door just as I finished sliding the jacket over my shoulders. I turned as it opened, and Caldwell stepped into the room.
“Good morning, Miss Isobel. I trust you slept well.”
“Well enough.” For a captive. “And you can just call me Isobel.”
“As you wish.” He nodded in agreement, but I imagined Caldwell would rather eat his waistcoat than call me by my first name alone. “Breakfast is being served in the dining room, and then a car will take you to school.”
“Is my father having breakfast with me?”
“Mr. LaFleur left for New York last night.”
“Right.” After a ten-minute conversation yesterday, it seemed my bio dad was already done with me. Luckily, I was done with him too. It was actually a relief to hear I wouldn’t have to endure the chill of his icy demeanor this morning, and I could hardly bear the thought of eating breakfast with his judgmental eyes watching my every mouthful.
“Well, lead the way,” I said, gesturing toward the door.
Caldwell gave another brief nod before returning to the hallway.
Breakfast was a lonely affair. I ate at a huge dining table that could have sat twenty people with two waitstaff watching from the doorway. They both refused to engage in conversation with me unless it was related to serving breakfast. It was painfully quiet and uncomfortable, and it made me desperately miss my normal morning routine. Mom and I would always eat at our tiny kitchen counter, propped up on stools, drinking our bodyweight in coffee. Our peaceful mornings usually descended into a battle over who got the last refill when only dregs remained in the pot. Mom always let me win, and the thought made my chest pang with sadness. I felt betrayed by the way she’d sent me here, and yet I couldn’t stop myself from missing her.
When I was finally done with my food, Caldwell led me to the front entrance. He opened the door, and as I glanced outside, I saw a large black car waiting in the driveway. A man in a suit almost as smart as Caldwell’s was already loading several large suitcases into the trunk. I didn’t recognize the luggage, but I knew it was all for me.
“I guess that’s my ride,” I said.
“Indeed.” I had no idea how Caldwell’s voice could both suck the life out of his words and also pack them full of judgment. It was a skill. He held out a backpack to me, and I frowned as I took it. It was most definitely not the bag I’d come with. The leather smelled expensive, and despite the fact I’d spent my life steering clear of designer clothes, even I recognized the Gucci logo across the front of it.
“The personal items you brought with you are all inside,” he said. I had a bad feeling my backpack had gone to clothing heaven along with my jeans and top. “We’ve packed everything you might need for your time at the academy. But this is in case you require anything else.” He lifted his hand to reveal a credit card with my name on it. It was black and shiny, and I wondered how high its limit was. My father was clearly rich, but I had no idea just how rich.
I took the card and tucked it into the back pocket of my jeans. I had no intention of using it though. “Well, thanks for everything. It’s been…” My voice trailed off because I wasn’t quite sure how to describe the last twenty-four hours of my life.
Caldwell sensed I was at a loss for words, and he gestured toward the car. “We’ll see you soon, Miss Isobel.”
I really hoped not, but I nodded and gave him a tight smile.
As I stepped from the house, I felt a weight lifting off my shoulders. The air was crisp and fresh, and a gust of wind seemed to clear the dark cloud that had been billowing around me since the moment I’d arrived at my father’s mansion. I was being forced to attend some school I’d never laid eyes on before, but at least I didn’t have to stay in the large hollow void that was Matthew’s home another night.
The driver opened the car door for me, and I thanked him as I made myself comfortable in the back seat. My phone buzzed as the car set off, and I glanced down to see my mom’s name lighting up the screen. I wasn’t quite ready to talk with her yet, so I ignored the call and stowed my phone back in my pocket.
I kept thinking about how she’d acted when she’d said goodbye to me. Her hug had been a little too tight and her smile a little too forced. For days, she’d been looking slightly ill. I’d thought she’d been sleeping badly because of the heat or because she was worried about how I would react to seeing my father for the first time. But now I knew the truth. She was readying herself to send me away.
I stared out the window as the car slowly drove back through town, and my heart gave a sad tug as we passed the bus stop. That was where I should have been headed this morning, and if my mom hadn’t been so resolute on the phone yesterday, I might have considered jumping from the car and onto the next bus home. I had a feeling she’d just ship me straight back here though.
A part of me didn’t want to go home right now anyway. Not when I was still so angry with my mother. I wasn’t thrilled to be going to this fancy school Matthew had arranged, but at least I didn’t have to see either him or my mom when I was there. There was also the added bonus of not having to deal with Nina or Levi as well.
I had never thought of myself as a girl who ran away from her problems. The more I thought about it, the more I came to terms with the fact that going to a new school might not be the worst thing in the world. I would never in a million years admit that to either of my parents. But, my mom was right; I’d been dreading my return to Rapid Bay High all summer, and a small part of me was relieved I wouldn’t have to face it on Monday.
The car headed out of town, but it didn’t follow the highway the bus had taken yesterday. Instead, it traveled down a winding road that led through a gorgeous leafy forest. Specks of sunlight danced across my window as it broke through the trees, and every so often, I’d catch sight of a river that wove its way alongside the road.
We drove for about ten minutes before the car started to slow, and the driver glanced over his shoulder to me. “We’re here.”
Any brief feelings of optimism I’d had quickly vanished. I swallowed down a lump of nerves as the car pulled to a stop.
A set of huge wrought iron gates towered over us. They were elaborately designed with swirling metal thorns and roses, and a large golden emblem featuring two roaring lions took pride of place in the center. The gates had sharp spikes protruding from the top as though they were protecting the entrance to a palace—or a prison. Although the gates were huge, they were set back from the road enough that the forest surrounding us effectively concealed them. You could easily drive straight past and not even notice them if you weren’t looking at the right time.
“I have Miss Isobel LaFleur,” the driver said into an intercom box.
“Grace,” I corrected him.
His eyes flicked to look at me in the rearview mirror. “Sorry?”
“My name is Isobel Grace.”
“Oh, my apologies, Miss Grace,” the man replied.
It was a simple mistake, but one that made the hairs on my neck bristle. I was not, and never would be, Isobel LaFleur.
Whoever was on the other end of the intercom didn’t seem troubled by the driver’s confusion, and a moment later, a buzz sounded as the gates began to squeak open. I took a deep breath and held it as I watched them scrape wide. Any irritation I felt quickly dissipated and was replaced by a flutter of nerves.
This all felt so sudden. Despite having a night to sleep on it, I’d barely had time to process the idea of a new school and being separated from the only life I’d ever known. My whole world had been upheaved in a day, and my chest tightened as the car started forward.
Perhaps if my mom had talked to me about it first, I wouldn’t have felt so anxious. It was only now as I entered the school that everything seemed to hit me. I wasn’t headed back to Rapid Bay anytime soon. This place was my new home.
I glanced out the back window and watched as the gates closed behind us with a clang. The sound felt so final, so permanent. There was no turning back now, whether I wanted to or not.
The car crept slowly up the driveway, a long gravel road bordered by ancient leafy trees. Beyond the trees, wide-open fields stretched into the distance, and the lush greenness was accentuated by white and yellow flowers scattered among the grass. For a prison, this place sure was beautiful. It was hard to believe there was a school hidden somewhere amid the pristine scene—let alone a school I would be attending.
When the line of trees broke up ahead and I finally caught sight of my destination, my eyes widened with disbelief. Just this morning, I’d thought Matthew’s house was the most impressive building I’d ever seen, but the school was so large and spectacular it made his place look like a shanty. The building sprawled wide in both directions, and its front featured gorgeous sandstone columns and tall windows reaching up several stories high. There were probably castles in Europe less impressive than Weybridge Academy.
The car stopped at the base of a grand entrance staircase that led to the school’s front doors. A woman was waiting at the foot of the stairs, and she started making her way to the car as we came to a stop. Given her pantsuit and slick bun, I guessed she was my welcoming committee. I jumped from the car before the driver had a chance to grab my door, and I tried to brush my hair with my fingers as the woman approached. I really should have spent more than five minutes on my appearance this morning.
“Isobel,” the woman said. She held out a hand toward me, and as I took it, as she gave a firm shake. “I’m Vice Principal Langley. Welcome to Weybridge Academy.”
“Oh, um, thank you.”
“We are so looking forward to having you here with us this year.”
I nodded, unsure what to say. Did she greet every student this way? Surely, this was below her pay grade.
She waved her hand, beckoning to someone, and a girl came to join us. She must have been standing with the vice principal when I’d pulled up, but I hadn’t even noticed her. She was dressed casually like me and looked to be about my age. She had gorgeous long hair that was a deep shade of reddish-brown, like fresh autumn leaves, while her sweet face and big doe eyes gave her a look of innocence.
“This is Cressida Farley, your roommate,” the vice principal said.
“Hi, you can call me Cress or Cressie. I’ll only answer to Cressida if you’re my mother or a teacher.” She shot Vice Principal Langley a cheeky smile as the words practically bubbled from her mouth. She seemed like the kind of person who was always brimming with enthusiasm.
Before I could answer, Cress closed the distance between us and gathered me in a warm hug. I was taken by surprise, but the hug was exactly what I needed after the last twenty-four hours. It was over before I could really react though.
“It’s so great to meet you,” Cress said, taking a step back.
The vice principal gave her a soft smile. I wouldn’t have been surprised if Cress had most of the teachers here wrapped around her little finger. It was hard not to immediately like her.
“Cressida will take you to your room and help show you around the school,” Langley said. “If there’s anything else you need, my door is always open.”
She searched my gaze until I nodded, and satisfied, she turned and made her way back up the steps to the building behind her.
“Phew, thank Beyoncé that’s over.” Cress rolled her eyes. “Come on, let’s get you to our room.” She grabbed hold of my hand and started pulling me up the stairs, following after Langley.
“I just need to grab my bags…”
She waved a hand at me though. “Oh, don’t worry about that. Someone will take them for you.”
I glanced over at the car and saw she was right. A man was collecting my bags and placing them on a trolley. Under normal circumstances, I might have worried about losing sight of them, but given that none of my actual belongings were packed inside those bags, I realized I didn’t particularly care.
Cress barreled up the stairs, dragging me with her. Her enthusiastic personality seemed to extend to everything, including the way she walked. “Just a warning, I can be a little full on,” she warned. “But you can always let me know when I’m being too much, and I’ll try my best to tone it down.”
I smiled at her assessment of herself. “I can handle full on.” I kind of liked her buoyant personality. It was refreshing to be around after spending the summer being ignored by the girls I used to think were my friends. I tended to buzz at a much lower frequency than Cress, but perhaps I needed someone like this in my life.
“Good.” She grinned back at me. “Because I think I drove my last roomie a little crazy.”
“Well, that’s always something to look forward to.”
She laughed. “Yeah, I think we’ll get along just fine.”
I smiled at her, but as soon as she looked away, my face fell. I wasn’t sure if I was ready to let someone else into my life. Was I ready to risk another friendship after being so badly burned by everyone back home? Cress didn’t seem like someone who was going to give me too much choice in the matter though. I’d known her all of two minutes, and already her infectious personality was burrowing into my heart.
We entered the building through a pair of solid wooden doors. They were thick and heavy and groaned loudly as Cress used both hands to push them open. I almost offered to give her a hand because it seemed like a two-woman job, but I was surprised by the slight girl’s strength. She quickly got them open and set off into the entrance foyer.
I stopped just inside the door though and gaped up at the wide-open space within. The school looked ancient from the outside, and I’d expected the inside to resemble a dingy old castle, but internally, everything was modern and elegant.
The entrance was light and bright, and everything was white with gorgeous black accents. My eyes were naturally drawn to the sweeping staircase, which was the central focus of the foyer. It curved up in a large spiral all the way to the highest level of the building, and as my eyes lifted upward, I could see huge skylights covered the ceiling allowing the morning sunlight to stream in from overhead. The school was beautiful, but its extravagance only reminded me just how out of place I was. I would never fit in among such opulence.
It took me a moment to realize Cress had continued walking, and I hurried to keep up. There were a few other students crossing the foyer who I had to dodge around to catch up with her, and I could feel their curious gazes on me as I passed. It’s like they could immediately tell I was an outsider. My outfit wasn’t too different from Cress’s, but perhaps, despite my expensive clothes, they could still smell the poor on me.
Cress was already speaking when I fell into step with her. It seemed she’d gone straight into tour guide mode.
“So, this is Esher Hall,” she said, fanning a hand at her surrounds. “It’s the school’s main building where all our classes and meals are held. There’s a resident ghost haunting the place, so if a door ever closes for absolutely no reason, that’d be Not-So-Moaning-Myrtle.”
I struggled not to smile. “Not-So-Moaning-Myrtle?”
“Well, no one’s ever heard her. She’s a stealth ghost, you see?”
“Okay, beware the stealth ghost, noted.”
She winked at me and laughed before she continued on with her not-so-conventional school tour. She showed me the bathroom with the best lighting for makeup, a janitor’s closet with a minibar containing all the best snacks, and her favorite window from which to watch the boys practicing rugby shirtless after school. These were just the highlights from the first floor as we passed through the building.
“The girls’ and boys’ dormitories are in the two buildings behind Esher,” Cress said as we made our way outside. “You should be grateful you’re a girl. They renovated Lauder Hall over the summer, and our new rooms are to die for. The boys’ dorms aren’t bad, but they’re all going to be so jealous when they see what ours look like this year.”
We’d arrived at a large square that separated Esher from two identical buildings on the opposite side. High hedges bordered the area, and a footpath meandered through manicured gardens. A tiered fountain sat in the center of the square with three stone cherubs taking flight at the top of it. The sun’s light shimmered through the water that cascaded from the cherub’s horns, and the soothing sound of the trickling fountain mixed with the laughter of a group of students sitting around the edge of it.
It was surprisingly peaceful out here, and for the first time since I’d entered through Weybridge’s imposing gates, the tense feeling that had been gripping my chest eased a little.
“Home sweet home,” Cress said, gesturing at the building to the left of us. It was like a miniature version of the castle she’d just taken me through, and I found it impossible to believe I’d be living there. It all felt ridiculous for a girl who normally lived in an apartment above a café.
“So, where are you from?” she asked as we started across the courtyard to our dorm.
“A town called Rapid Bay.” I managed to pull my attention from the gorgeous building and turned to Cress. “It’s a tourist town by the sea, but it’s pretty tiny, so you’ve probably never heard of it.”
“You’re right, I haven’t,” she said with a shrug. “I’m from New York, but my parents are based in Paris at the moment.”
“Oh, that must be hard.” I couldn’t help but think of how much I already missed my mom. It had only been a day, and she was still in the same country. I couldn’t imagine her being on another continent—even if I was currently angry with her.
“Not really, they’re always traveling.” Cress shrugged again. “Plus, I had our townhouse all to myself this summer. It was great.”
I matched her smile, but I didn’t envy her one bit. I might have spent most of the summer working at the café, but I couldn’t imagine being left alone in an apartment for the break. Especially if I’d already spent the entire school year away at boarding school like Cress had. If anything, I felt a little sorry for her.
Just as we reached the front door to Lauder, it opened and a boy stepped through the entrance. He was frowning with his head tilted down and his eyes focused on the ground. He must have sensed us standing there waiting for him to pass because he lifted his head, and our gazes collided.
As our eyes met, I felt a flare of recognition, but I knew I’d never seen him before in my life. The strangest mix of emotions ran through me. I felt both a sense of comfort and like I was helplessly exposed all at once.
His bright green eyes pulled me in so intensely that I struggled to look away. I was stunned by the way he had affected me. Who was this guy?
“Hey, Noah,” Cress said. Her words felt distant, like I was hearing an echo of them from underwater.
The boy slowly turned to Cress, and when his eyes moved to my roommate, the connection between us snapped. I could finally breathe again, and I immediately felt like an idiot. I must have been staring at him like a total fool.
“Cress,” Noah replied. “I was just inside looking for you.” His voice was deep and pleasant, and now that I wasn’t so distracted by his gorgeous eyes, I realized they weren’t the only attractive thing about him. He was so stunning he didn’t quite seem real. His deep-brown hair was unkempt and fell down across his forehead. His lips were full and soft compared to the sharp line of his jaw. He was tall—far taller than I was— and his tight shirt did little to cover the strong muscles corded beneath.
This boy was the kind of guy who gave fathers nightmares and made grown women swoon. He was overwhelming in every sense of the word, and I got the feeling he could destroy a girl’s heart with just one look. He was trouble in both the best and worst sense of the word.
“Well, here I am,” she replied. “This is my new roommate, Isobel. She’s just started at Weybridge, and I’m showing her around.”
My mouth went dry as his all-encompassing green eyes returned to mine. The intensity with which he’d stared at me just seconds before had completely disappeared though. He now seemed so bored as he took me in that I wondered if I’d imagined it. He looked me over just once before returning his attention to Cress. It wasn’t at all surprising that a guy like him would have no interest in me.
“Are you coming to Luther’s tonight?” he asked Cress.
“Yeah, we’ll be there,” she replied, her smile widening.
“We can catch up then. I’ll leave you to your babysitting duties.” The corner of his lip twitched, but he continued walking past us before I could see his expression properly. With each step he took from us, I felt myself breathing easier.
Cress started giggling, jolting me back to reality. I quickly looked away from him and found her smiling at me. “I see you’ve already experienced the Noah Hastings effect.”
“The what?” As the words left my lips, the name finally seemed to register in my mind. Noah Hastings. This was the guy my father had been warning me about? I glanced over my shoulder and watched him walk away from us. Matthew had called Noah a boy, but I really didn’t think that was an accurate description of a guy with that many muscles.
“Noah has a way of making girls lose their words,” Cress explained.
“You didn’t seem to lose your words,” I said, dragging my eyes away from Noah.
“Because Noah happens to be my cousin. And yuck!” She emphasized her point with an exaggerated shudder. “Anyway, half the girls at school imagine themselves in love with him.”
“Why only imagine?”
“Because you can’t love someone you don’t really know,” she said. “He’s left a trail of broken hearts a mile long.”
Perhaps that was the reason for Matthew’s warning, though my father really didn’t need to worry. There was nothing I hated more than guys who didn’t treat girls well and bulldozed through their emotions. I’d been that girl. I kind of still was that girl. And if there was one positive thing to come out of Levi cheating on me, it was the determination I felt never to let something like that happen to me again. If Noah was half as bad as Cress suggested, I’d be steering well clear of him this year even without Matthew’s advice.
“But, enough about my dreary cousin,” Cress continued. “Let’s get inside and show you our room already.”
She pulled the door open and entered the building. I glanced over my shoulder one last time, catching sight of Noah as he was flocked by a group of girls. One girl in particular seemed to stake her claim over him as she linked her arm with his. She was gorgeous with long red hair and legs that went for days. But, despite her obvious possessiveness of Noah, the other girls in the group weren’t discouraged, and they continued giving him flirtatious smiles and fluttering their lashes at him.
I couldn’t help but be reminded of Levi, who’d always been fending off advances from other girls—even when I’d been standing at his side. I scrunched up my lips with distaste. It appeared every school had their king, and I’d just met Weybridge Academy’s.
