“Whatcha doin over here, newbie?”
My cheeks flushed as I jerked my gaze away from Noah to look at Luther who was standing over me, a wide grin stretching his mouth. I really hoped he hadn’t been standing there long enough to catch me watching his friend like a crazed stalker.
“Just taking a breather,” I said.
“Do you want company?”
I lifted my eyebrows, surprised by his offer. “I don’t think Anna would approve. She seems to think you’re trouble.”
He watched me for a moment, almost weighing my response. It seemed he liked what he heard though because his grin grew and he took a seat beside me anyway. “Ah, but I’m the best kind of trouble.”
“And what kind is that?”
“The kind that everyone needs—fun with a dash of mischief, all rolled into one delicious package.”
“I have no idea what that means.”
Luther replied with a laugh before he leaned forward and lifted his hands to warm them by the fire. He looked the picture of ease sitting beside me despite the fact we barely knew each other. He wasn’t watching me though; he was looking in the direction I’d been staring before he interrupted me. “So, were you really taking a breather, or were you just enjoying the view? You seemed awfully focused on my boy Noah when I arrived.”
“I wasn’t focused on anyone,” I quickly replied. “I must have zoned out for a second there.” I tried to sound unbothered, but I could feel my cheeks warming, likely betraying my lie.
“So, you weren’t checking out Noah?”
“I hadn’t even noticed him.”
“Because you don’t have to be embarrassed if you were. Lots of the girls enjoy drooling over him.”
I could definitely see why this guy annoyed Anna so much. “I wasn’t drooling. I’m not interested in any boys here—not you and certainly not Noah.”
He laughed again. “Okay, if you say so.”
“I do.” I folded my arms over my chest, hoping the matter was settled.
“But just so you know, he’s been watching you tonight too…”
My eyes narrowed on Luther. He was clearly messing with me. “You really are full of trouble, aren’t you?”
His lips turned up in a mischievous smirk. “The best kind, like I said.”
I shook my head and relaxed a little. Even though I’d only just met Luther, and he was totally obnoxious, I felt surprisingly comfortable around him. He had a terrible way of getting under your skin, but I kind of enjoyed his ridiculousness. Perhaps we could be friends.
“So, what classes are you taking this year?” he asked.
“It’s a party and you’re asking me about classes?”
“Well, since I’m here on an undercover mission to discover all your secrets, I figured I should start with your weekly schedule…”
“An undercover mission, huh?”
He nodded gleefully. “But, shhh, don’t tell anyone.”
I rolled my eyes and laughed.
“So, newbie, your classes are…” Despite his jokes, Luther did seem serious about his task.
“Sorry, Luther, but your undercover mission is already failing. I actually have no idea what classes I’m taking yet. My dad organized everything for me.”
“Ah, one of those fathers. Mine’s like that too.”
“I don’t really know the guy that well,” I said, not wanting to talk about Matthew any more than I had to.
“It’s like looking in a mirror,” Luther said. “My dad’s a total mystery to me too. Kaden and I started a sucky dad club back in freshman year. You’re welcome to join if you want?”
“Sounds exclusive,” I said.
“Oh, it’s the most exclusive. Only the coolest kids get to join.”
“Well, it’s an honor to be invited then.”
He gave me a warm smile. It was the first genuine expression he’d shown, and he suddenly seemed so much more innocent.
“Is Noah a part of your club?” I had no idea why I’d asked that. I’d just told Luther I hadn’t been completely drooling over his friend, and here I was asking questions about Noah the first chance I got.
“No,” Luther replied. “He’s got a shitty grandfather instead, so he doesn’t qualify.” Luther sounded like he was still joking around, but his expression had become more reserved. Although he was happy to talk about his own father and Kaden’s, it seemed like Noah’s grandfather was a more closely guarded subject.
I didn’t want to push it, so I quickly changed the subject. “So, I haven’t met Kaden. I’m guessing he’s one of your friends?”
Luther’s tense shoulders relaxed at my question, and he nodded, pointing to a guy sitting with Noah. He had dark hair and an easy smile, which was a striking contrast to the bored look on Noah’s face.
“He’s the brains of our little trio,” Luther said.
“And what are you?”
“The balls.” He didn’t even take a second to consider it.
I snorted. “The balls?”
“Oh, yeah. If it weren’t for me, shit would never get done.”
“And what’s Noah?”
“The heart.” I was taken aback by the answer. He sounded sincere, which was surprising. Luther seemed like the type of guy who rarely took anything seriously. I found it hard to believe it was true though. From what I’d seen and heard about Noah, it sounded like his heart was hard and neglected. How else could he so happily destroy the feelings of so many girls?
I shook my head, wondering why Luther was even sitting here having this conversation with me. I was the new girl. A nobody. Someone who hadn’t even known Weybridge existed a day ago and certainly didn’t belong at the school. From the way the girls had been talking about them, these boys were too popular to be interested in me.
“Why are you talking to me?” I asked.
Luther shrugged, seemingly much less surprised by the directness of my question than I’d expected. “I’ve got a good feeling about you, newbie.”
“You do?” I frowned.
“Yep, and I always trust my gut.” He stood and brushed a hand down his top to straighten it. “I know you said you’re not much of a dancer, but no one ever looks bad dancing with me…”
“Is that your way of asking me to dance?”
“Yep.”
I smiled and shook my head. “Actually, I think I’m going to call it a night. It’s been a pretty long day for me, and I’d like to feel awake for my first day of classes tomorrow.”
“Suit yourself,” he said. “But just remember what you’re missing out on.” He jumped backward and spun around in a smooth circle, dramatically spreading his arms wide as he swirled. He actually made the move look good, but it wouldn’t have been out of place in a cheesy boy band routine. Once again, I couldn’t tell if Luther was being serious or not. Even his cheeky grin couldn’t confirm either way.
I rolled my eyes. “I’m sure I’ll survive.”
He chuckled under his breath. “Yeah, newbie, I think we’re going to get along just fine.”
I watched him walk away, a small smile still on my lips. Luther was a bit of a playboy, but I’d kind of enjoyed our talk.
I slowly stood and went to search for Cress and Anna. I found them getting drinks out of one of the large coolers and was grateful I didn’t have to face the dance floor again. They both had small beads of sweat dotting their brows, and I was guessing they’d only just taken a break from dancing.
“Isobel!” Cress squealed happily, throwing her arms around me.
I laughed as I caught her. She was pretty buzzed, but at least she wasn’t as drunk as Lily’s roommate.
“We missed you,” she said. “We thought you were coming back to the dance floor.”
“Sorry, I’m really not much of a dancer.”
“That’s okay. You’re here now.” Cress linked her arm through mine. “And you haven’t got a drink. We better fix that.” She turned to the drinks table, but I planted my feet to stop her.
“I would love to, but I think I want to head back to the dorm and get some sleep before tomorrow.”
“But it’s not even late yet.” Cress pouted at me.
“I know, but I’m absolutely useless if I don’t get a good night’s sleep.”
Cress let out a disappointed sigh. “Okay, we can go.”
“Don’t be silly. You guys stay. I’ll grab a ride home with someone else.”
“Are you sure?” Anna asked. “We’re happy to come with you.”
“Totally sure. I don’t want you guys to leave because of me. I’ll see you back at school.”
Anna hesitated. “Okay, but only if you’re certain.”
“I am.”
Cress gave me a big squeeze. “We love you.”
I smiled and nodded as she wrapped her arms around me. I was pretty sure it was just the alcohol speaking, but it was nice to hear all the same. “Have fun. I’ll catch you guys later.”
I turned and headed for the path that led back to Luther’s house. I was a little uncertain about finding a lift with a stranger, but it was better than forcing the girls to leave when they were having so much fun.
As I walked down the path and the music behind me began to fade, I heard voices up ahead. A girl was speaking, and since she was talking so loudly, it was easy to make out what she was saying.
“… and I can’t believe you just let all of those girls practically crawl all over you tonight…”
“Is that why you dragged me out here?” a guy responded. “Because I really don’t need this shit.”
“But, Noah,” she whined. “Isn’t it time you forgot about all these other girls? I’ve been patient, and you said things would be different with us this year. That we could finally be together.”
I came to a stop as I caught sight of Noah and Veronica. She had him pressed against a tree on the edge of the path, and while they hadn’t seen me yet, there was no way I could make my way past without them noticing. The last thing I wanted was to interrupt them having such a private conversation, and I hesitated as I considered what to do.
“I never said that…”
“Oh, so I just imagined it?”
“Well, I didn’t say it, so you must have imagined it,” Noah snapped back.
“But we’re supposed to be together,” she continued. “I want it. Both our families want it. I know deep down you want it too.”
“I’ve made it perfectly clear, Veronica. I’m not interested in a relationship right now.”
Veronica stepped away from him slightly, and I could see the hurt in her eyes. I knew Cress and Anna weren’t fans of the girl, but I didn’t like seeing her so upset. Did Noah really have to be so blunt with her?
“Isobel, is that you?” I glanced over my shoulder as Lily came up behind me with her drunken roommate slumped heavily across her shoulders. My eyes darted back to Noah and Veronica. I hoped they hadn’t noticed Lily calling out my name, but Noah had turned in my direction, and his eyes seared into mine.
I hated that I’d been caught eavesdropping, but it’s not like I had much choice. Veronica and Noah were arguing right in the middle of the only route back to the house. If they wanted their conversation kept private, they should have chosen somewhere more secluded. Noah only kept eye contact with me for a moment before he stormed away from Veronica and continued up the path toward the house.
Veronica turned in our direction as well, but she barely seemed to notice me. Instead, her eyes narrowed on Lily, who was now at my side. “What are you looking at, Charity?” She practically hissed the words before running after Noah. It was only after she was out of sight that any of us seemed to breathe again.
“She shouldn’t-a called you that,” Lily’s roommate slurred as she teetered dangerously on her heels. She kept swaying like she was going to fall over, and if Lily hadn’t been propping her up, she definitely wouldn’t have been standing.
“It’s fine, Amber.” Lily’s expression betrayed her true feelings, and I could tell she was hurt.
“Why did she call you that?” I asked.
“Because I’m a scholarship student.”
“So?”
“So she called me Charity, as in charity case.” Lily sighed. “I couldn’t afford to go to Weybridge if it wasn’t for the scholarship.” She didn’t look at me as she spoke, as though she was worried I’d be judging her. Little did she know, I was the last person who would look down on her for that.
“That’s ridiculous,” I protested.
“Yeah, it’s super ridiculous,” Amber mumbled from where she was nuzzled into Lily’s shoulder. “You’re a super-duper-smarty-pants.”
“Amber’s right. Veronica shouldn’t have called you that,” I said. “You’re here on merit. Not just because your parents happen to have more money than they know what to do with.”
“Yeah, well, money is what counts around here.” Lily shrugged. “And it’s not the first time I’ve been called that. I doubt it will be the last. I know I’m lucky to come to this school.”
Lily seemed completely resigned to her place in the school’s pecking order—the poor kid who had to be grateful for even being allowed in. It made me angry thinking of Veronica or anyone treating her that way, but I wasn’t exactly surprised. I too felt out of place at Weybridge, and I hadn’t even told anyone about my background. After finding out how Lily was treated, I was only more convinced I’d made the right choice by keeping it quiet so far.
“This school’s the one that’s lucky to have you,” Amber said. She might have had way too much to drink, but at least she was a sweet drunk.
Lily blushed and let out a gentle laugh at Amber’s garbled compliment. “We really need to get you back to school.”
“Here, I’ll give you a hand.” I went to Amber’s other side and took her arm, placing it over my shoulder.
“You have two heads,” Amber mumbled to me through bleary eyes. “And they’re so pretty. I wish I had two pretty heads.”
I lifted my eyebrows as I glanced at Lily, and she looked to be withholding a laugh. It was a compliment, sort of, but the fact Amber was seeing two heads on my shoulders made me doubtful she could make out my features clearly enough to determine I was pretty.
“Uh, thanks. I think,” I said as I focused on her again.
“Do I know you?”
“No. I’m Isobel.”
“Isobel.” She sounded out each syllable of my name, like she was tasting it but couldn’t decide if she liked the flavor or not. I wasn’t sure what she concluded because her head slumped forward a moment later, and Lily and I had to brace her to keep her upright.
“Are you okay, Amber?” Lily asked.
“Yeah, I’m good.”
She sounded far from it.
As we slowly started walking with Amber flopped over our shoulders, Lily shot me a smile. “Thanks for helping. I’m not sure I would have made it back to my car on my own.”
“I’m surprised you made it this far.” Amber was much heavier than she looked, but it was mostly because she was a total dead weight at this point.
“Me too.” Lily let out a laugh. “I probably should have enlisted some help to get her home, but I was just happy she’d finally agreed to leave the party with me.”
“Well, I’m happy I was in the right place at the right time.”
“Same.”
Step by step, we slowly made our way back toward Luther’s house. It took a while to traipse our way through the trees because Amber kept lurching and swaying as we walked. I had no idea why Luther thought a party in the middle of the woods was a good idea, especially when people were drinking.
It was a relief when we arrived back at Luther’s driveway and better still when Lily headed for a car right by the house. It was an old sedan, far nicer than the car my mom drove back home, but it still looked out of place surrounded by the luxury vehicles that lined the driveway. I would have killed to own a car like this, but Lily looked embarrassed as she pointed it out to me.
“This is me,” she said. “I think we should put Amber in the back seat.”
“But I want to go in the front,” Amber complained.
“Not tonight,” Lily replied. “I won’t risk you throwing up on the dashboard.”
“I’m not going to throw up,” Amber grumbled, but at least she didn’t complain as we helped her into the car. She perked up a little once she was inside, and she looked past me and started smiling as I was doing up her seat belt.
“Noah Hastings is so hot,” she slurred. There was a dreamy look in her eyes, and I shook my head as I finished strapping her in.
“Yeah, well, it’s a shame that sometimes beauty is only skin-deep,” I replied.
Amber started to giggle. “I think he heard you.”
“What?” My chest tightened, and I glanced over my shoulder. Noah was leaning against a car a little way down the drive. He was staring in our direction, his green eyes narrowed. I didn’t have a chance to analyze his expression because he immediately turned away. He couldn’t have heard me, could he? I hadn’t been speaking very loudly, but he wasn’t standing that far from us either. Maybe he had overheard, or perhaps he was simply scowling at me because I’d listened to his conversation with Veronica earlier. Either way, there was nothing I could do about it now.
I gave Amber a half smile and a shrug before closing the door on her. I took a seat in the front and stared out the passenger window. I watched the lights of Luther’s house disappear as Lily drove off.
I hadn’t even been here a day, and already I’d made new friends, been to a crazy party, and somehow managed to piss off the supposed king of Weybridge Academy. I had to wonder what on earth this school had in store for me tomorrow.
