“We’ll see Amelie out to the car,” Slate declares, to my shock and horror. It’s the first time he’s spoken all night and it fills me with dread. This can’t be good.
“Lovely, boys!” The incubator beams like a fool and her and Monty disappear into the house like a pair of young teenagers who can’t keep their hands off one another. I make a gagging sound.
“It’s gross isn’t it?” Kalen agrees, catching my eye and giving me a small smile.
“Shut the fuck up, Kalen!” Onyx barks. “Don’t fucking talk to her. She’s the goddamn enemy.”
He throws me a look of such loathing, I actually take a step backwards. What is his problem? I start to gear myself up for a fight but the twins seize an arm each and begin to drag me from the house.
“Hey! Get off me! Kalen? Why are you letting them do this?” I cry.
“Shut up, whore! Don’t you dare speak to our brother. He’s too nice for his own good. Let’s get one thing straight: you’re not fucking welcome here. You need to fuck off back wherever you came from, and if you can take your slut of a mother with you, well, we might just let you both leave in one piece.”
Shock fills me. I knew Onyx, and to a lesser extent Slate, didn’t like me, but this level of hostility is completely unfounded. I’m being threatened - I get that, and I’m pretty sure they mean it - but could mylifeactually be in danger here?
As always, when threatened and backed into a corner, I do the one thing I shouldn’t: I mouth off.
“You don’t scare me! What are you going to do, perfect little prefects?” I spit. “You don’t know shit about me, about what I’ve done or what I’m capable of. You pampered little rich boys don’t scare me! I dealt with worse in first grade!”
With that, I shrug them off and let myself into the back of the car.
“Everything ok, Miss Rossi?” My driver asks as I sit and seethe.
“Just fine. Let’s go,” I tell him.
It takes me about ten minutes to calm down enough to remember the phone in the bottom of my bag. Result! It was surprisingly easy to swap out and lift. Whilst I was in the house I didn’t allow myself to check my messages, choosing instead tofocus on phoning family whilst I could. If I got busted, I didn’t want to have wasted my screen time flirting with Sawyer.
Now though?
I have nothing better to do.
I sit back in the plush leather seat and hit the messages icon, getting comfy. I grain when I see three messages from an unknown number.
Unknown number
Hey, it’s Sawyer here. Just wanted to say I had a great time tonight. Can’t wait to see you again.
Unknown number
Hey Amelie, Sawyer here. Just checking you got my text.
Unknown number
Hope to hear from you soon.
The last message was sent less than an hour ago. I smile and rattle off my reply.
Amelie
Hey Sawyer, just got your messages. I misplaced my phone and only just found it. I had a great time Friday and would love to see you again. When’s good? How’s your weekend been? I’ve been thinking of that kiss...
I grin when the ticks light up to say the message has been sent, received and read. The flashing ellipsis that tells me he’s already responding has me sitting back in my seat and smiling. For the first time since last Friday, I actually feel happy. I like the way he makes me feel; it’s not an act. I really did have a goodtime on Friday, and Ihavebeen thinking about that kiss. I’d love to see him again before the cat’s out of the bag, but I don't fancy my chances of sneaking off campus tomorrow. Instead, I settle for texting back and forth, our messages gradually becoming more and more flirty and downright suggestive.
I know I need as much hard evidence to nail him with as possible, but for tonight, I just allow myself to enjoy his messages and his interest. I love that he’s so into me, that he doesn’t play games and that he’s not afraid to let me know just how much he wants me. It feels good, homesick and a long way from home, to be wanted by someone.
Tonight, I allow myself to live the fantasy. I can remind myself that it’s all a game, tomorrow.
Chapter Seven
