Raina
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHxhCtMQaN
I drop Ariel off at his bike, then head home. I still have a ton of homework to get started on if I want to get a head start on my classes, but all I really want is to take a hot shower, grab a cup of coffee, and curl up with a book. The house is empty when I let myself in, padding through the kitchen to start the coffee pot. There's enough light left from the setting sun to see, so I don't bother turning on the overhead.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbi7bXHPSt
My phone chimes, and I check the notifications.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKC4ngxBzae
Gabriel Ziegler would like to connect!
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHFknndiTn
I snort and dismiss the request. I'm not falling for that trap. My phone buzzes again, and I frown at the text coming through.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPm5YrNhcWN
Don't you want to be friends?
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFgKkQTh8w
Really? I remember Ariel's statement about the Angels, how they pretty much did as they pleased. I suppose tracking down a phone number isn't that hard.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEz7LtmNBo
New phone. Who is this?
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6mcamPpoP
My coffee is ready, so I pour myself a cup and carry it upstairs before responding to the flurry of messages.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjTF7Ja5Od
Three guesses.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aALkH1RVd
??
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImdHwnUHkr
Well?
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMgpnx3mq4
????
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eEHu2klmj
Impatient much? I toss the phone on my bed while I pull out pajamas and unbraid my hair. I carry my clothes and coffee into the bathroom, closing the door on the incessantly buzzing phone. I take my time washing my hair and shaving my legs. Once I'm comfy in my jammies, with my hair wrapped in a towel, I go back to clear the dozens of notifications.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNmGNAaM2o
I ignore most of them, deleting the texts from Gabe without reading them, but I smile at the meme Ariel sent me and send a quick message to Jenna, letting her know I'm back safely and headed to bed.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0MDJDJZmE
My messages chime again, and I sigh, realizing I'm going to have to silence them. Ariel's FB message is a nice break in the middle of a flurry of texts from numbers I don't recognize.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gkq0znT8V
Coffee? Same time, same place? My treat?
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPsnnoS7Yr
I settle back against my headboard and hit reply.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vKFj0Q109
Sounds good.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJvWfffdKv
His reply is lightning fast.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAv4h4Ictaw
Sleep well, beautiful. See you soon.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fpA2e46tX
I close the window and start blocking the numbers attached to the unread messages. The phone buzzes in my hand with an incoming call, and I dismiss it as well. Hitting the Do Not Disturb, I set my alarm and plug the phone into the charger.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiqJhZ3ayP
Tomorrow's another day closer to going home, I remind myself as I turn out the lights.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GXq9YZ69M
****
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaEGkY6nXo
I'm surprised to find Jenna sitting at the breakfast nook when I come downstairs in the predawn gloom. From the flawless application of her make-up, it's obvious she's been up at least as long as I have, despite her champagne silk dressing gown. She's putting the fancy French press coffee maker on the table as I walk in, and the scent of bacon and fresh baked pastries fills the air.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWo4yYhSBVm
"Raina, honey." She smiles at me sweetly and I feel caution run cool fingers down my spine. "I felt so bad about not seeing you last night, so I thought we could have breakfast together. I want to hear all about your first day."
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DJnX8b9st
The last thing I want to do is talk about what's going on with school.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSguQJ6f6kl
"It's fine." She hands me a cup of coffee, and I hover awkwardly over the table to add cream and sugar. "School is school, wherever you go, right?"
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53szgQrWV5
She makes a non-committal noise.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpH7h9bqLZx
"Courtney said you had a little… run-in… with the Reeves boy."
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlbgFQwFRn
"Just a case of mistaken identity," I say. My palms are damp and I rub them over my skirt like I'm trying to smooth the stupid pleats.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiPeyg9Ho9
"Still. The Reeves are clients of Warren's. You should avoid any more of these little mistakes." Her eyes narrow at me over her coffee cup.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75CGHIegKc
"I'll do my best." I grab my coffee and start for the stairs. "I'm gonna grab my bag and head out. Thanks for the talk."
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56wY4xkqXr
"Raina!"
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAorzq5M4Tj
I smooth my face into neutral lines before turning back to Jenna.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7m3C3sMWkX
"I don't care what kind of trash your grandfather let you slum around with. But as long as you're under this roof, there won't be any more of those lowlife boys sniffing around. Understood?"
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEjsXyFt6I
My fingers fold into fists. For a long moment I look into my mother's cold blue eyes before nodding.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWwT0R3l9H
"Understood."
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibkpkkfL7R
Courtney is hovering at the top of the stairs, twirling her honey streaked curls around her fingers. Her satisfied smirk makes my palm itch with the desire to slap her, but I keep walking. Joaquin's door creaks, and I see his brown eyes peering out through the crack. I give the kid a wink and he ducks back, shy as always.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXpKiotiUB
I'm shoving the last of my books into my bag when Courtney pushes open my door.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxlzZvO3O4
"You need to take the brat to school. The nanny has the flu or something."
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU52O5hYrrN
Joaquin stands behind her, looking miserable. His shirt is buttoned crooked, hanging out of his khakis, and his light brown hair is sticking up in the back. I bite my tongue to keep from asking why Jenna can't take him. I should know better than anyone that the woman doesn't have a maternal bone in her body.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTzd1eZhs0
"Okay," I say neutrally. If they think a little babysitting is going to bother me, they're going to be disappointed. She flounces off, and I wave my six year old half brother in the door.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjSNwd7zoq
"Just you and me, huh, Wa-wa?"
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFXBzxQtrV
He gives me wide eyes, and I grab my hairbrush off the dresser, smoothing his wayward cowlick before dropping to my knees to fix his buttons.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpLYvaV6Xg
"Sorry," he whispers, clutching his backpack straps. I think it might be the fifth word he's said to me in the entire time I've been here. I feel guilty, realizing he's still practically a baby, and I haven't exactly been very nice to him.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJd6POJnRS
"No worries. Isn't this what big sisters are for?" I grab my phone and send a quick text to Ariel, apologizing for breaking our coffee date. It buzzes back, and I can't help but laugh at his emoji response.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBHsF0PzOA
"Let's get you to school, little dude." He grabs my hand as we clatter down the stairs. I stop in the kitchen long enough to grab a pastry and some bacon off the abandoned breakfast table, wrapping them in one of the fancy linen napkins. Joaquin's eyes widen as we stop next to the Beast, looking up at the door above his head.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5In7WNmeJN
"Back seat, buddy." I pull the passenger seat forward and bend to pick him up, swinging him easily into the cab.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGHbnFj9go
"You're strong," he giggles, climbing onto the bench seat and fumbling with the seat belt. I climb up on the running board to help him with the buckle.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8wH2aZdsv
"Well, duh. You gotta be strong to work on a ranch." He wrinkles his snub nose and I hand him the food. "Eat up, dude. We better get going."
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgBD6ljV0J
He nods with his mouth full, and squeals when I slide into the driver's seat and turn the key. I look at his delighted face in the rearview and grin, remembering how much I loved riding in this old truck when I was a kid. I punch his school name into the GPS of my phone, sliding it into the hands free cradle.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDXy2amGVp
By the time we pull into the drop off line, he's loosened up enough to start chattering like a little monkey, mainly about how cool my truck is and how impressed his friends are going to be. I listen to him with amusement- loving monster trucks seems to be hardwired into all boys, country and city. I park behind a BMW, waving off the teacher who starts for the passenger door, and hop out to help Joaquin down. He clings to my neck as I step down from the truck, and I realize no one told me if I'm supposed to pick him up.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohsGzSdRpV
"Do you have a phone, buddy?" He nods, pulling a bright green shock proof case from his backpack. I put my number in while the teacher waits for us, and hand it back to him.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19j8BDusdx
"If you need me, you call me, okay?" He nods at me solemnly, and lets the teacher take his hand. I'm halfway around the Beast when he collides with the backs of my legs in a fierce hug.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZzjN4gy2R
"You're my favorite sister," he says. I squat down to give him a quick hug.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYon8nx7NR
"You're not so bad for a little brother," I tease. I scoot him off towards the teacher and get back in the Beast, shaking my head. It's a pretty shitty world for a kid when all it takes to be their favorite is a ride to school.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9LdOBKV24
I'm predictably late to my first class, but it doesn't matter. As soon as I slip in the door, the teacher directs me to the office. The secretary has me wait while she makes a phone call, then indicates the door behind her.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQNbvnETFs
"Miss Silver." The middle aged woman behind the desk tilts her head at the chairs arranged in front of her, waiting until I take a seat to speak.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8b5BjUV9WV
"I'm Mrs. Perkins, the dean here at Sullivan Prep. meant to have you in yesterday, to welcome you to our school, but I'm afraid it slipped my mind in the first day rush."
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡViKfSY8pWR
"That's okay." I fold my hands in my lap, keeping my feet flat on the floor, and plaster on my best neutral, pleasant face. "I found my way around."
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3nL31XUi6
"Yes." She looks down at the paperwork on her desk, drawing the word out thoughtfully. "So I've heard. You do realize, we have a very strict code of conduct here at Sullivan? One which includes no fighting?"
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLl4mxps1Ch
"I wouldn't dream of starting a fight, ma'am." I give her a sweet smile. She harrumphs and leans back in her chair.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lrLQ2U307
"I've read your transcripts, Miss Silver. You're obviously not stupid."
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrMdAVcFzD
I just look at her, waiting for her to get to the point. After a moment, she sighs, rubbing the bridge of her nose like she's got a headache.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbQMvXyHcl
"I can understand your feelings," she finally says. "I'm sure it's not easy to leave behind your whole life and have to learn a whole new set of rules. But you're going to have to make the best of it." She flips through a few pages and pulls out a form. "I'm going to assign you a student guide, for your first week. They'll help you settle into life here at Sullivan, show you the ropes."
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZPuCVeaz2
I gnaw on the inside of my cheek, wanting to argue. She raises her eyebrows at me, but I stay silent. Passing the paper across to me, she rises, giving me the cue to leave. I shake her offered hand, and she holds on to it for a moment, her gaze steely.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcV22sBlTfY
"Miss Silver. I hope we won't have any more conversations like this?"
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡideRLT5dhU
"No, ma'am."
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeqDQbvYhI
She nods, releasing me, and I leave the office, looking at the paper in my hand. There's a girl hovering by the door, her square face set in a scowl, and she moves in front of me as I start to pass.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJK2A9CiZ2
"You're Raina?"
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdd4vvacgss
I take a minute to answer, looking her over. She looks vaguely familiar from some of my classes yesterday, but there's nothing friendly in her face. Her chestnut hair is pulled back severely, and her blue eyes behind her black rimmed glasses are hard. She's obviously not happy with her new job, and I'm not sure I blame her.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZU8otGzcG
"Guilty," I reply with a smile. "But really, you don't have to-"
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtr96jiMwd
"I need the extra padding for my college applications." She cuts me off, and turns on her heel to lead me out the door. "I'm Brittany," she throws back over her shoulder. I follow her without comment to the door of our history class.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8O32bug1e
She hands the teacher a pass and practically shivers me into one of the empty desks at the front. There's a flurry of whispers and giggles behind us, and I try to ignore them, typing notes into my laptop. Something strikes my screen, and I pick up the wadded paper with my thumb and forefinger, setting it off to the side. I have no interest in whatever drama is going on.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUrj7I8ZN1
My phone buzzes non-stop in my bag, and I ignore it as well. My internal countdown is still ticking over, but now I've added a new one. I look up at the clock in the front of the room, calculating the hours and minutes until I can get out of this place.
ns3.15.204.106da2
