When the bell rang, I rushed out of the room, but I wasn’t quite fast enough.
Olivia caught up to me before I made it to my locker. “What’s the story with you and my brother?” Her accent was the same as Simon’s, making her sound cool but intimidating.
“There’s no story,” I said.
“Then what did he mean about his offer?” She crossed her arms and glared down at me.
Until that moment, I hadn’t realized how tall she was, but she had to be a good foot taller than me. I stared at her a moment before my gaze shifted to a random spot behind her. Why couldn’t she just leave me alone?
“Listen, Chloe. I don’t know what sort of deals you’re making with Simon, but he’s off limits to a slag like you.” She tossed her hair over her shoulder, gave me a disgusted look, then spun on her heel and walked away.
I blew out a breath. Hitching my backpack higher on my shoulder, I reluctantly headed to my next class: Media Communications. That was the only good thing about this school—they offered a lot of extra electives and encouraged us to take them so we’d be well-rounded by the time we graduated. I was just grateful I didn’t have to take all the normal, boring classes, like World History.
My steps faltered, and I frowned. Why did the thought of that make me sad? It was the strangest feeling, like that class was somehow important… Only, I had no idea why. Or why it affected me so deeply. I shook off the sudden melancholy and rushed across the courtyard to get to the technology building.
Kids hung out in groups in the courtyard, seemingly unconcerned with being late to class. Me, on the other hand, wanted to get there early. I loathed walking into a full classroom, hated the way people still stared at me like I didn’t belong here. If only I could shout at them that I agreed—I didn’t belong here.
The toe of my shoe caught on a bag that had been carelessly tossed on the ground, and I tripped. I held out my hands to break my fall, but my backpack slipped off my arm, knocking me off balance even more. My shin slammed against the edge of the concrete walkway, and I cried out in pain.
Adjusting to sit on my butt, I peeled my sock down and winced. A large and very noticeable scrape covered my shin, the flesh red and angry. Blood oozed from the wound and trickled down my leg.
Tears stung my eyes as I stood, snatched my backpack, and sprinted to the closest bathroom. I locked myself in a stall and unrolled a wad of toilet paper that I gingerly pressed against the scrape.
“Ow.” I cringed.
I hated this place so much. All I wanted to do was go home, back to Keene Valley where I had family and friends who were nice. I dug my cell phone from my backpack and opened my messages with Abby.
Me: I CAN’T STAY HERE ANOTHER DAY. I NEED TO COME HOME NOW!!! PLEASE. BEG YOUR MOM AND DAD TO COME GET ME.
I quickly deleted my text and rested my head on the wall. If I sent that, Abby would want to know what was wrong, and I really didn’t want to explain how much of a loner I was around here—and not by choice. I didn’t need to add her pity to the list of things weighing me down.
Drying my tears, I wiped the blood from my leg. The scrape wasn’t as bad as I thought it was. I pulled my socks up a little higher to cover as much of the cut as I could. Then I headed to class.
My usual seat was occupied—because of course it was—so I searched for an empty one. Simon waved to me from the back of the room. I tried to pretend I didn’t notice, but when he called my name, I couldn’t ignore him.
Slipping my bag off my shoulder, I took the seat next to him. The room was set up like a typical science lab with tables that sat two people, but instead of microscopes, we had computers.
“Hey,” I said.
“About Friday…”
“Yeah, about that.” I ran my finger along the edge of the keyboard, refusing to look at him, knowing if I did, I’d be swayed from my decision. “Your offer was sweet, and really generous, but I’m not going to be able to go.”
“If it’s a problem with your mum and dad, I can ask them. Parents can never say no to me.” He laughed, and my heart tripped over itself.
Despite my better judgement, I faced him. “You’re used to getting your way, aren’t you?”
“It’s the Brit in me. Everyone loves it.” He lifted a single brow and gave me a cocky grin.
Shaking my head, I smiled. Who cared what Olivia thought? If I was stuck here, I might as well have some fun. And really, Simon was the only good thing about being here, and I desperately needed a little bit of good right now.
“So, six p.m.?” I asked.
CHAPTER TWO:
Homesick
I HAD THE LUXURY OF LARISSA driving me to school in the morning, but because of her charity commitments, she couldn’t pick me up at the end of the day, so she arranged for a personal driver to bring me home. His name was Declan, and he was nice—funny, too—but I always felt so awkward in the car with him, like I was some sort of celebrity who needed to be pampered.
I’d never had a car of my own—Mom could never afford to buy me one—and I hadn’t expected Aunt Beth and Uncle Dean to buy me one. Though, I did secretly hope Dad would eventually give me a car, but he hadn’t mentioned anything about
