“Oh, but I thought you like metaphors? A woman of class, you said?” Blaze teases me, and I should be mad but instead I’m infinitely grateful that he’s treating me like normal.
“What class?” River retorts. He reaches out to rub my shoulder.
“Fuck all of you,” I grumble.
How are they being so nice? How are they willing to put up with me, despite everything?
I blink quickly to stop any pathetic waterworks.
“But if you’re going to be all supportive and emotional and shit,” I continue, “fine, you can help me deal with this stupid dean issue. Who isnotgoing to expel me over a few measly rats.”
Blaze laughs and kisses my cheek again. “He’s definitely not. He won’t even expel you because of a minor house fire.”
“Minor,” Asch mutters, shaking his head. “No, he’s not. Who do you want to go with you?”
“Me,” River says before either of them can speak up. “I’ll go.”
The three of them start arguing about who gets to help me, and my eyes get runny despite all the blinking.
It’s good to know they’ve got my back.
I smile, and somewhere in the void of my chest, I feel a gentle thumping.
16
PANDORA
Waiting for the dean is a lot like waiting for the principal. It shouldn’t be. There’s no detention in college, and why would the dean care about individual students? But here I am, sitting in the little waiting room outside his office while his assistant keeps giving me curious looks.
Me, my boyfriend, my other boyfriend, and the third boyfriend, because all three of them decided they wanted to tag along. I’m sitting on an uncomfortable chair along one wall, Blaze and River in the chairs on either side, while Asch stands with his arms folded and looking like the bodyguard Blaze doesn’t want him to be.
“I can handle it on my own,” I tell them, not bothering to keep my voice down.
“Can doesn’t mean ‘have to,’” Asch retorts. “We’re here whether you want us to be or not.”
River nods, reaching out to rub my arm. “And we’ll reward you for a job well done after this.” The dean’s assistant gives him a look, but River meets her gaze with a shrug.
“We’ll take her out to dinner,” Blaze says, as if to appease the assistant. Then he adds, “With sex as dessert.”
I laugh at the assistant’s scandalized expression, and I give Blaze a quick peck on the cheek as thanks.
“I want a five course meal at the most expensive restaurant Harmony has. Which means it’ll be mediocre food, but…” I squeeze River’s thigh.
“But there will be better things to eat after,” River says with a smirk.
Asch rolls his eyes. “Subtle, man. Real subtle.”
I wonder how long the dean is going to make me wait. It must be one of the power play things, like how Papa is always late for everything.My time is more important than yours, etc. etc.
I’m debating simply leaving when I spot somebody walking down the hall.
I would recognize her anywhere, even when she’s dressed in a neat sweater and baggier pants.
“Look, River,” I say, pointing. “It’s that woman who beat you up.”
River glances in that direction. “I need to talk to her about a rematch,” he says, getting up. “I’ll be right back.” He leans down to brush his lips against mine in a chaste kiss. “Good luck, Pandora. Try not to stab anyone.” He starts off toward her, and Asch takes the seat he’d just vacated.
I watch as River approaches her, but I can’t hear anything. My stomach twists, though, and I end up pinching Asch’s thigh. He winces and grabs my wrist, but I don’t let go.
