“Who was that?” I keep my voice low and lean close to Madeline so she can hear me.
Without breaking her stride, she whispers back. “Mitch O’Neill. He’s a fashion student. Obviously. He’s also a bit of a letch, so just keep your distance tonight. Although, honestly, I doubt that he would try anything with you since everyone knows that Quinn has claimed you for his own.”
Her words make me cringe, but I don’t have a lot of time to think about them. After we cut through the gate, we’ve been walking down a small path through the woods. I didn’t know that this place even existed, although I have been spending all of my free time working in the art department.
“Where exactly are we going?” It’s not that I’m worried, not exactly, but I do like to have a general idea of where I’m going, especially when I’m dressed like a hooker and wearing heels that are so high I feel like I’m tottering with each step. I have no idea how Madeline wears these things without falling over, but then I remind myself – this is how she grew up.
“There’s a clearing back here.” Madeline pauses and points, and through the woods I see the flicker of a bonfire. “The teachers don’t really like us coming back here, but they know better than to stop us for our after break party. It’s an annual tradition. Everyone comes together for one night of fun before we all try to crush the competition.”
Her voice sounds heated and I’m really glad that we’re not working against each other. In fact, she sounds a lot like Quinn, but there’s no way that I’m going to tell her that. I have a very good feeling that she wouldn’t appreciate the comparison.
“Are we almost there?” As soon as the words leave my mouth, we turn a small bend in the woods and the path opens up into a clearing, just like Madeline had said. In the center of the clearing is a huge bonfire, with lots of students standing around talking. Someone has brought a stereo system and they turn on the music while we stand there.
Immediately, I feel the beat pumping through my bones. I love to dance, but with my luck and these heels, I’d probably end up in the fire tonight. Ignoring the way I want to move, I keep looking around.
Some of the students have noticed that we’ve walked up and come over to say hi, but I can’t help but search the crowd for Quinn. I know that he’s going to be here. I can’t imagine that he would miss any opportunity to be the center of attention. It takes me a moment, because he’s off to the side of the clearing, but when I see him, I suck in a breath.
Of course, he would look amazing.
Gone is the stressed-out Quinn that I sometimes see in passing in art class. Tonight he has on low jeans that cling to his hips. His button-up shirt is undone so I can easily see his strong chest, and his hair is mussed up. He looks…normal, and relaxed, and like someone I’d want to talk to, if I hadn’t already gambled away my virginity to them.
At first, I can’t tell what he’s standing by, but then he takes a step back and I can see more clearly. While the clearing has been packed down by years of parties and countless footsteps, he’s standing close to the edge of the woods. A dark path leads away from him, but I have no way of knowing where it goes.
Nudging Madeline, I get her attention. “Where does that path go? The one by Quinn?”
She doesn’t have to look before she answers me. “The swimming hole, but I really advise you to stay away from there. It’s not the best place to be if you want to…stay a lady, if you know what I mean.”
I’m pretty sure that I do, and I shiver before turning my back on Quinn and inserting myself in Madeline’s conversation. She takes one look at my face and introduces me. I know that I look stressed out, which is what happens whenever I think about the fact that I owe Quinn my virginity.
“Natalie, Vincent, this is Abby. She’s a painter and just transferred in.”
Madeline’s friends are both sculptors. I can easily tell by their muscled forearms. Vincent has on a plain black t-shirt and dark jeans, but Natalie is as dressed up as I am. Before I can start to feel nervous, she grins at me.
“We know who you are, Abby. You’ve caused quite the stir since coming to Trinity Prep.” Raising her cup, she gives me a toast and then takes a long sip. I can smell the beer on her breath when she continues speaking. “I would have thought that Madeline here would warn you away from Quinn. He’s bad news, you know.”
“Yeah, I’m beginning to figure that out.” Even though I’m not looking at him, I swear that I can feel his eyes boring into the back of my head. Quinn is well aware that I’m here, and I’m starting to wonder if I made a mistake in coming.
“Too bad, too. I’ve always thought that Quinn looked fun.” Vincent shrugs and then leans forward conspiratorially. “Once you make good on your end of the bet, you have to let me know how it is. I’ve been dying to know for years now.” He winks, and I can’t help but laugh out loud.
“I’m not making good on the bet, sorry,” I tell him, but before I can say anything else, someone comes up behind me and loops their arm around my waist.
“I was wondering when you’d show up. In fact, Abigail, I’m a little hurt that you didn’t come right over and say hi to me.” Quinn pushes a cup into
