Saint

26

For the first time since I started at Angelview, people are treating me with respect. Like, real, consistent respect. A part of me thinks I should be a little ashamed that it’s because of who I’m sleeping with, but the part of me most interested in self-preservation doesn’t really care.

I don’t trust everyone, or course. Hell, other than Loni and Henry, I don’t trust anyone. I know these people could flip back into hating me with a snap of Saint’s fingers. Some of them still hate me, like Laurel, who thinks that granting me a few forced words of kindness will make me forget she poisoned me, and Jon Eric and Fi

It’s nice not being ridiculed and tormented every waking hour of my day.

On the last Wednesday before Fall Break, I make my way to the library to study for a test. I’m feeling lighter than usual, and I think it’s the combination of not being a total social pariah, and the incredible sex. I’ve let Saint come back to my room at night, and he’s making up for telling everyone we’re having sex in big, mind-blowing ways. I might actually be somewhere in the realm of happy for the first time in months, and it’s a feeling I really don’t want to go away.

Unfortunately, when I walk into the library and almost immediately spot Liam, some of that happiness does fade. He’s been avoiding me completely since the dance. This is the first time I’ve seen him outside of class, and I hate that things have gotten so bad between us.

I want to try and mend things as best I can. I can’t fix whatever’s going on between him and Saint, but that doesn’t need to dictate Liam’s relationship with me.

Right?

Squaring my shoulders, I march over to his table and plop down in the seat across from him.

He glances up, then immediately scowls.

“What are you doing?”

“Sitting,” I say, like a smart ass. “What’re you doing?”

He doesn’t answer my question, just shrugs and mumbles, “Whatever.” Turning his attention back to his book, he tries his hardest to ignore my presence.

Well, two can play at that game.

I pull out my books and spread them out in front of me, focusing in on my study materials for my upcoming test. We work in silence for some time, but I can feel the tension boiling just beneath the surface between us. He wants to say something. And he wants to say it bad.

“You know, I had a lot of respect for you when the semester started,” he finally breaks the silence, looking up at me. “You were one of the only people I’d ever met who didn’t immediately fawn over Saint like he was the goddamn prince that was promised.”

Folding my hands together on top of my books, I level him with a steely gaze.

“So, you used to have respect for me, and what about now?” I ask.

His nostrils flare with clear irritation. “Now? You’re just another bitch who sold herself out to someone who’s only going to use you to find out what makes you bleed.”

My a

“You know what my problem is?” he growls. “Fools like you who convince themselves he’s not that bad of a guy after all. That he doesn’t do terrible things to people just to get his rocks off. Not too long ago, he was torturing you for shits and giggles. Remember that?”

“I could never forget that,” I say through gritted teeth.

He chuckles, but it’s not because he finds anything fu

He starts packing up his stuff, as though getting ready to leave. I’m so stu

“I’m stupid for wanting to be with Saint, am I?” I spit, pointing at him, not giving a damn that we’re in a library. “You were his friend. If I’m stupid, what does that make you, huh?”

Stopping, he turns to glare back at me, then shrugs. “Just another fucking pawn.”

With that he circles around and storms away from me, and I stop chasing after him.

I don’t try to talk to Liam again at all before fall break. Screw him. If he’s going to be an ass, I’m not going to deal with him. I’m so ready for the break, and for campus to be empty and quiet. While I’d love to go home to visit Carley, there’s a longer winter break that I’ll return to Georgia for, and it’s simply too expensive to try and go back for both.

While I’m sure to miss Loni, and if I’m completely honest, even Saint, I’m looking forward to the time alone. I have plans to catch up on schoolwork and to begin my intensive swimming drills. And truthfully, it’ll be such a relief not to walk around and have everyone’s eyes on me. I haven’t been glared at nearly as much since it became known that Saint and I are hooking up, but people still stare at me like I’m some kind of oddity. Something they don’t quite understand but are too curious to ignore.

The first real day of break, I wake up to absolute silence, and it’s blissful. Loni and Henry both took off yesterday, and Saint’s supposed to be on a plane to New York, where he’ll be spending the break at their Manhattan home. I get out of bed and decide to head straight to the pool. Moving to my dresser, I begin digging through one of my drawers in search of my swimsuit when suddenly, my phone starts to ring. I frown, wondering who could be calling me first thing in the morning on day one of break.

To my shock, Saint’s name flashes on the screen.

I answer with a baffled, “Hello?”

“Come downstairs.”

His voice is clipped and leaves very little room for argument.

“Huh?”

“Don’t make me repeat myself, Ellis.”

He’s extra bossy today. Oh, goody.

“I thought you were going to New York?”

“Changed my mind. Now pack a bag and get your ass down here, I’m tired of waiting.”

With no further explanation, he hangs up. I take my phone from my ear and stare at it for several moments, completely lost. Why would he change his mind about New York? Was it just to spend more time with me, or had something new happened between him and his dad?

Though I’m certain it’s probably the latter option, the thought of him specifically staying for me makes my heart flutter in a very stupid way. Shaking my head to dispel the stupor he’s cast over me, I don’t hesitate to pack a bag. I should at least send him a quick “Fuck Off” text, just to save face and at least pretend he can’t order me around, but I don’t.

I’m too curious and excited about what he has pla

Once I’m packed, I hurry from my dorm and make my way down to the building’s entrance. I immediately spot a sleek looking Tesla in the street. It has to be his, and I frown, surprised at his having an electric car since he normally speeds around campus in his shiny Range Rover.

Saint opens the driver’s side door and steps out of the car as I approach.