Page 8 of Wicked Titan

The door opens as Principal Huntington walks in, taking a seat at his desk. “So, I’m presuming what happened was unintentional and a onetime occurrence?”

I don’t say anything as Asher speaks up. “Yep.”

My eyes snap to him. What is he doing? I figured he’d be happy to place the blame on me.

“I really don’t want to fish you two out of the lake again. It’s the first day of school. Can we at least make it through the day before we take another swim?”

Asher responds with a quick, “Yep,” right as I say, “Yes.”

“All right. I don’t want to see either of you in here again.” He grabs a pen, and scribbles something out on slips of paper before handing one to both Asher and me. “Get to class.”

“That’s it?” I ask before I can stop the words from pouring out of my mouth.

“Yes, unless you plan on taking another morning swim together.”

“Nope. I don’t plan on doing anything with him ever again.” Standing from the chair, I hurry out of the principal’s office.

I wasn’t sure what I’d expected, but that wasn’t it. I figured suspension or maybe even getting kicked out, but nothing … didn’t see that coming.

Walking down the hall, I’m aware of Asher heading in the same direction as I finally locate my locker. I want to ask him why he hadn’t told the principal the truth, but that would involve speaking to him and nothing good will ever come from that. Even with my back to him, I feel his heated gaze penetrating me. I freeze, knowing he isn’t going to walk away until he has the last word.

“Now you owe me.”

He couldn’t just be a decent human for a split second? I knew he wasn’t covering for me out of the kindness of his steel heart—if he even has one at all—but I hadn’t asked for his help. Dickweed volunteered all on his own. Without turning around, I respond, “I don’t owe you shit.”

A seductive laugh fills my ears. “You got me wet, so shouldn’t I get to return the favor?”

I take a deep breath, commanding my mind not to entertain his obscene remark. “No.”

“Wise decision.” His lips brush against my ear as he whispers, “So do me a favor and stay the fuck away from me.”

I suck in a breath, ducking back as I turn to face him. “Stay away from you? You’re the one always in my face or breathing down my neck. You need to stay away from me.” He’s a psycho. There’s no other explanation. I didn’t want to be anywhere near him or his friends. Damn Elliot. I’m still going to tell him where to stick his royal tour when I see him.

Asher takes a step back, leveling me with his gaze. His assertive eyes travel down to my feet and back up to meet my eyes. Why does this assessment feel more extreme and infiltrating than the others?

“Game on.” His voice is low, cunning, as I perceive a dire challenge in them.

Game? What are they serving at this school? All the students seem to live in a daze. The only game I want to play is the one where I figure out how to get out of this place and get my old life back—what’s left of it, anyway. My house would be a good start, and I’d have Haley next door. Maybe I could even talk her into moving in with me so the house wouldn’t be so empty. I make a mental note to call her after school. She’s been my best friend for as long as I can remember, and I shouldn’t be ignoring her calls. In the past, she was the only one who could make me feel better. Even if nothing will make me feel better now, I still need her. The events of the morning have reminded me just how much I need her and my friends. Even Mason, although I feel nothing but guilt when I think about him. After all, I’d been straddling his lap, making out with a boy in a hot tub while my dad was out somewhere, taking his last breath. To think I was so nervous and stressed out that night about a boy who, at the end of it all, should’ve been my last concern that day.

My mind snaps back to the current boy standing in front of me. Slamming my locker shut, I hook my messenger bag on my shoulder then jerkily twist my still-damp hair into a messy bun on top of my head before stepping in front of Asher. “Save your game for Allison, or some other girl who wants to deal with your unhinged ass, because I’m already done with you and everyone else at this school.”

Stomping off, I don’t even care if I’m headed in the right direction. I’ll find my class eventually. It might be best if I do get lost for a while so I can walk around and cool off because right now, the only thing I want to do is walk out of this stupid school and never look back. In particular, I could do without the probing emerald eyes that I still feel slicing through me long after they are out of sight.

6

I already regret aborting the plan to walk out of school. I’ve made it through fourth period but now it’s time for lunch, and it looks like everyone hangs out in the courtyard overlooking the lake. The same lake responsible for the odd looks I’ve fielded for attending my first day of school in sweatpants and a messy bun while everyone else is polished and primed, looking their best. Even before my swim in the lake, I didn’t care about impressing them with my appearance, not that much would impress these students. And I hate to admit it, but I’m amazed with this campus’s lunch selections. My old school offered one option, and it was usually not edible. This school had more selections than I can count, and as I browse the Golden Café, every option looks as delicious as the last. My eyes fall to the mouthwatering chicken scampi that I selected as my stomach rumbles. I’d trade it for the inedible food at Edgewood High in a heartbeat if I could.

Blowing out a breath, my eyes scan the courtyard. Asher and his group are sitting in the same spot as this morning which sends me in the opposite direction, heading to the grassy area that has wooden picnic tables lining the lake.

Plopping down on the smooth wood, I sit and stare at my food as I mindlessly eat, ignoring everyone and everything around me until I catch a glimpse of someone taking a seat across from me out of the corner of my eye. Looking up, a girl with red hair and freckles smiles at me. “Can I help you?”

“You already have.” Grinning, she takes a huge bite of her salad.

“What?”

“You sat here. I hate sitting by myself, but it beats sitting in the library while the librarian feeds crickets to her pet snake.”

“That’s nasty.”