I keep to myself as we make our way down to the library to begin research on a personal essay of our choosing. When Declan glances at me from across the room, my anger rises up and makes me look away. I still can’t believe he did that to me at the party last weekend. And, now that I’m mad at him, I can’t exactly ask about his necklace and if he knows where the key to the hidden garden might be. No, I refuse to talk to him.
So I’ll have to figure this out on my own.
I start my research by looking into the books about Shelfbrooke Academy’s history. I’m hoping that the symbol that’s above the garden door lock and on Declan’s necklace will be explained. Maybe I’ll even find out where Shelfbrooke keeps old artifacts. Maybe I’ll get lucky and find a book calledOld Keys of Shelfbrooke and Where To Find Them.
I chuckle to myself and keep searching the library. By the end of the class period, I’ve skimmed every single history book there is, including a few biographies of previous school deans, but I’ve got nothing when it comes to the gardens. The only thing the history books seem to say about the gardens is that they’re beautiful masterpieces that sprawl across several hundred acres. Only a few books mention Declan’s grandfather as the head gardener and original designer. But there’s absolutely nothing on the symbol.
I pack away my books and start to head out of the library, on my way to second period, when someone clears their throat behind me.
I know who it is. And I don’t turn around.
“Sophia,” Declan says, walking next to me despite being ignored. “Sophia, I want to talk.”
I keep my eyes forward. “You want to talk? That’s funny. Because you didn’t want to talk at that party last week.”
“Sophia,” Declan says softer. “I can explain.”
I turn the corner and slip into an alcove that has a large window overlooking the gardens. “Oh, please explain,” I say with as much sarcasm as I can. “Please tell me why you acted like my friend for two weeks and then straight up betrayed me in front of those two jerks at the party.”
“I know it looks bad,” he says, running a hand through his dark hair. Those eyes of his still make my toes tingle when looks at me, but I grit my jaw and refuse to think about how cute he is. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t do anything—” He sighs again, and he’s either a really good actor, or this is actually bothering him. “I feel terrible. I hate myself for doing that to you.”
My stone-cold façade fades a little. But I keep staring at him. “So explain,” I snap.
He glances around. “It’s Chad Stokes. He’s one of the Big Five.”
“The rich Shelfbrooke families?” I say, vaguely remembering the term Big Five. In Cali we don’t have stupid phrases like that. Maybe because everyone is rich where I come from.
He nods. “He knows you. He knows you from Malibu and when he found out we were friends, he…” Declan shakes his head like he’s embarrassed. “He threatened me. He said he’d take my job away. Said he’d have the entire gardens burned down if I didn’t stay away. See, when you first got here, he sent a Knight Watch message to everyone. We were told not to befriend you.”
“What?” My voice is louder than I intend. “Some guy tells everyone not talk to me, and they listened?”
He shrugs. “Maybe not everyone. Chad only talks to the elite of Shelfbrooke. The only people whomatter,” he says, rolling his eyes at the last word. They’re the reason you’re being shunned.”
“But why?” I say. “I don’t even know this guy.”
Declan shrugs. “I don’t know. I’m sorry, I really am. But he was right there and if I had said anything—I didn’t want to lose my job, or the gardens…”
“It’s fine,” I say. “The gardens are special to me, too.”
“I’m not like them,” Declan says, a pained expression on his face. “I don’t come from money. I get free tuition because of my grandfather’s hard work. Outside of these gates, I’m just a regular guy. All the other students here are wealthy, and they know they’re better than me.”
“They’re not better than you,” I say.
My phone rings, which is odd since it’s the middle of school and no one ever talks to me anymore. I look at the screen and see Belle’s name. She wouldn’t call me unless It was important.
“Sorry, I have to go.”
Declan nods and apologizes again but I don’t have time to think about what he just said and the implications it has on my social life here at Shelfbrooke Academy. I’m concerned about my cousin right now.
“Belle?” I say, answering my phone in a corner of the hallway so I don’t get trampled by the other students.
“Come home,” she says, her voice panicked. “Please come home.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Everything.”
Chapter Fourteen
