Eden

33

My stomach is nothing but nervous knots for the next few days as I wait for Nora to contact me. She should be reaching out any time now, either by phone or through Ghost, as our Sunday meet-up is supposed to happen this weekend.

I’m honestly terrified to interact with her again given everything I now know. I don’t know whether I should confront her about it all, or wait and stay quiet, pretending everything’s as fine as it usually is.

Though it’s probably the most logical one, the problem with option number two is that I’m furious and I don’t know that I can keep myself in check around her. Saint tries to help, calming me down as much as he can by fucking me into oblivion each night, but my anger just comes back the next morning, fresh and hot.

It’s been three days since Saint and I made up, and honestly, he’s become the highlight of most of them. We hang out during the day and sleep together at night, and we actually talk to each other about our lives. Now that all our worst secrets are out in the open, we’ve managed to have normal conversations about things like books, movies, and favorite sports teams.

It’s a weird change of pace, but I really like it.

He hasn’t told me anymore about his encounter with his dad, but I don’t push for more information. If he wants to tell me he will, and honestly, I could be perfectly happy never knowing the details.

God knows I knew more about that family than I ever wanted to know.

That’s what I think, anyway, until I spot Mr. Angelle on campus. I’m walking to class, feeling better than I have in ages, when movement catches my eye by the administration building. I turn and freeze when I see Saint’s dad moving down the sidewalk. I can’t help but stare at his bruised and battered face. I thought Saint had gotten a beating, but seeing Jameson, it’s clear the younger of the two was the victor in their fight.

I feel a strange, savage satisfaction at that realization.

Mr. Angelle doesn’t look my way or divert from his path at all. He appears to be on a mission as he climbs the steps to the administration building and disappears through the doors.

Whatever the reason for his visit, Saint should know that his father’s here. I dig out my phone and send him a quick text, then tuck it away and continue on to my class. The day progresses pretty normally from there, and I almost forget about Jameson’s visit entirely, until fourth period. As the substitute teacher is going through her lesson, she’s suddenly interrupted by the intercom speaker hanging above the board. It’s what Headmaster Aldridge always uses when he’s making a big, school-wide a

“Students of Angelview Academy, I have a quick a

There’s a silence, then the classroom explodes with sounds of outrage. I’m a little stu

I have a bad feeling I’m going to be blamed for this. Somehow, someone’s going to come up with some bullshit logic to pin the whole thing on me. To make me the bad guy once again when I was actually starting to look forward to the event. Saint promised me a night of normal, and I’m disappointed I’m not going to get it now.

The sub calls the class back to attention, but it’s a lost effort on her part. Even as we all quiet down, it’s obvious there’s only one thing anyone wants to talk about, and its prom.

People are angry and disappointed. I hear whispers wanting to demand answers of Aldridge, or even setting up a petition to go to the board directly. What they don’t realize is how futile all those efforts will be. While I’m sure the other board members bought the idea of safety first—hook, line, and sinker—I’m positive it was Mr. Angelle who brought it up, and the students’ safety is not his top priority.

Rat bastard.

I shoot a glance toward Saint. He’s looking at me, his expression determined. What’s he thinking? I never got a response from him about his father being on campus, but he’s got to be considering a similar scenario as I am.

When the bell rings at the end of class, I shoot from my chair and make a beeline for his desk before he can get away.

“Ellis,” he says.

“Angelle,” I reply, glancing around to make sure no one’s paying attention to use as they hurry from the room. “We need to talk.”

“Talk or talk.”

I jab my tongue in my cheek. “About your dad being on campus today.”

“And?”

“I think he’s the reason we’re not having prom,” I say when he climbs to his feet.

He slings his arm around my shoulder and starts ushering me to the classroom door. “Possibly.”

“Do you think there’s more to it, though?” I chew on my bottom lip nervously. “Like, could he use this to turn the whole school against me?”

“Paranoia’s got you stressed, little masochist.” Saint laughs and presses a kiss to the top of my head, which earns us more than a few stares and sneers. “Are you really so worried about what all these assholes think of you?”

I try to shrug under the weight of his arm. “Not necessarily, but I wouldn’t mind not being completely hated and despised for once in my academic career at Angelview, you know?”

He gazes down at me a moment, his brow furrowed.

“I got you. Besides, I promised you some normal high school experiences, didn’t I?”

Before I can question what he’s thinking, he stops in the middle of the hallway and raises his voice enough that everyone can hear him.

“Listen up, fuckers,” he snaps, catching everyone’s attention immediately. “Spread the word, prom is still happening, but at my house. Don’t be a shithead and come dressed up.”

There’s a loud, collective woohoo that rises into the air at his a

He faces me, arms stretched wide, and I’m nibbling on my bottom lip when he joins me again.

“That was … over the top.”

“And you thought I was ignoring those corny ass movies you play while you’re bouncing on my—”

“Stop.” But I feel my cheeks heat and I can’t stop my grin from widening.

“Come on.” He drops his arm and takes my hand. “Let me take you back to your dorm.”

As Saint and I walk across campus, I feel so happy, it’s like I’m floating. I don’t even mind the blatant stares as we pass hand-in-hand, or the loud whispers speculating about what we are to each other. None of that matters. All that matters to me in this moment is Saint, and how shockingly thrilled I am to be at his side.

Like normal fucking people.

When we reach my building, we stop and turn to face each other.

“I’ll be back after track practice,” he says, pinching my chin between his thumb and forefinger. “We’ll watch another one of those lame ass movies, okay?”

I watch him go before heading into my building. I still feel like I’m floating as I make my way up to my floor, then down the hall to my room. Despite Mr. Angelle showing up, I have to say, today has been a good day.

When I open my door and step into my room, I freeze and realize I’ve spoken too soon.

Ghost is inside, waiting for me.