Luke steps in close. “If you’re finished?”
I lift my head, but his question is to Jack. Jack releases me and chucks me under the chin.
“See you in second.”
Luke holds his hand out, and I take it as we head to first. I don’t know what today holds for me, but somehow I think I just got a taste. And fuck, is it going to be bitter.
“How are you holding up?”Kenz asks as I drop into the seat next to her in art.
I sigh. “A fewwhores, whisperedsluts, and a lot of flirting with the horsemen.”
“What?” Kenz looks confused.
“That’s what I’ve had to deal with so far. So overall not bad for a first day as the horsemen’s whore.” I pull out my notebook.
“Come on, sunshine, it can’t be all that bad.” Nico stands next to our table with a smile. I want to tackle hug him and let him keep the mean girls away from me.
He sets his stuff next to mine and grabs a chair. He nods to Kenz. “How’s it going, Kenz?”
“Good.” She seems surprised and alert by his presence.
“You can relax.” I laugh. “He’s not a growly horseman. He’s my friend.”
I reach out and tug on the hair hanging into his eyes. He dips his head and grins. Little butterflies scatter in my stomach.
Penny and Nat walk in. I go still, waiting to see what they’ll do. Yesterday I couldn’t even meet their eyes after what happened in the bathroom.
“Hey, Harper.” Penny smiles like everything is good.
Nat gives me a nod as they pass.
I blow out a breath. Guess they’re doubling down. Or maybe they genuinely like me? Wouldn’t that be a trip.
“What happened with the leeches?” Kenz glances back at them. Penny smiles and gives her a little wave.
“They came to the coffee shop yesterday to study. The guys ignored them. And Eli punished me for letting them use me to get to them.” I squirm in my seat remembering the punishment. It reminds me of this morning. I lean into Kenz to whisper, “I might try to use Penny to stay at Caden’s or Luke’s instead of my house.”
Tanner strolls in. His blond hair is perfectly styled, and his blue eyes fix on me before they shift to Nico. Of course, neither of us did anything wrong to him—even a perceived wrong—so I’m not sure why he glares at Nico.
What he did to Ava was so much worse than what they did to him.
He heads to the back of the class without saying a word to me, and I release the breath I held. I’m not sure I wouldn’t have gone off. He used Caden’s sister to get back at them and didn’t own up to the consequences that never should have happened.
“All right, class.” Ms. Sullivan comes into the classroom and shuts the door. Her gaze settles on Nico. “Nico Lee, correct?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Nico sits up straighter.
“Glad to have you in class.” Ms. Sullivan smiles and claps her hands, looking around the room. “Okay, we’re splitting up into partners for the next few weeks of class.”
The class buzzes with everyone asking their friends to be their partners. Nico gives me a sly smile that makes me cross my legs. Usually I’d pick Kenz.
“Not so fast.” Ms. Sullivan holds her hands up. “You don’t get to choose. In real life, you work with whoever you’re assigned to. So you get a group project and life lesson in one.”
Groans fill the room.
“So you don’t think I’m playing favorites.” Ms. Sullivan holds up a basket filled with paper strips. “I’ll choose two names, and that’s your partner.”
This could be really good or really bad. There’s a group of girls to the side who have been giving me the stink eye all class. That could be awful. And then there’s Nat and Penny, who are at least nice to my face. It would be awesome to work with Nico or Kenz.
