“Yeah, but we will be away with the Harkwrights and I doubt Aeron will stay celibate the entire time. So what happens then, do I leave the room until he’s done or will he make me watch?” My breathing is growing fast, and D is in front of me in no time.
“Lu, for crying out loud.” Her palm connects with my face and I can’t help but look at her, slack jawed. “Well, I wasn’t about to kiss you,” she says with a smirk and it doesn’t take long for both of us to laugh.
“Now, listen to me. I don’t know what Aeron will do, but I think everything will work out fine. Besides, Maddox will be there. I’m sure he’ll keep you company while Aeron does whatever he does to drive you away. There isn’t anything you can do but accept it and try to distract yourself.” She passes me my bag before leading me out of my room.
When I come back, I’ll find out what my new number is and I probably won’t see this room again. After almost a year, it feels strange that I won’t come back here or to this wing of the Academy.
“Don’t get all nostalgic on me, girl. We’ll be back in no time. No doubt the second year will be just as eventful.” She rolls her eyes and we head downstairs to the waiting car. Top girls don’t need to collect their bags, they get the valet service. Another thing I refuse to use when I get in the top ten.
We enter our limo and I’m dreading who we will carpool with today. No doubt yet another group of high numbers who like to remind us just how hated we really are.
“Ahh shit, just our fucking luck.” I have no idea what D has seen, but as Tucker, Jake, and Tom slide into the car, I’m understanding her cussing.
I don’t know what is going on with her and Jake, but she can’t avoid him any longer.
“At least Emmet isn’t with them,” I say as I gently jab my elbow into her ribs, but she doesn’t react. Instead, she’s just staring at the ground as though it holds the answers to the universe.
“He gets his own car, although I will pass on your commiserations to his absence,” Tucker says with a smirk as he pulls out his phone, and starts tapping away at the screen.
“Watch what you say, homegirl.”
“Yeah, don’t count yourself lucky that you got us instead,” comes from Jake, his eyes locked on D, and I don’t think anything can remove them.
“Where’s Maddox?” I ask softly and Tom loses his usual look as he leans a little closer. I think I prefer bored Tom. He’s looking at me a little too curiously right now.
“They assigned him a different car. Would you swap one of us for him, if you could?” he asks simply, but there’s an undercurrent of a warning there.
“I thought Bradley was coming back before we went on the retreat,” I say instead, choosing to ignore Tom and his curiosity.
I can see Jake’s jaw tightening and the left side of his face develops a twitch. I don’t think he likes my comment; the mystery surrounding these two is growing more perplexing. Although, it feels as though it’s a lot simpler and I’m just overthinking everything. Maybe if you stop, you’ll see what is right in front of you.
“He was supposed to. I guess bringing it forward ruined his plans. Although…” her eyes flick up, but she doesn’t finish her sentence and I don’t think she needs to.
He was due back a few days ago, the fact that we’re going on the retreat early shouldn’t have affected it. So the question remains, why didn’t he come back like he said he would?
We’ve been in the limo for well over an hour now, the atmosphere is filled with tension and I feel as though I’m about to burst free from my skin. Daria won’t look anywhere close to the direction of Jake, Tom takes the time to look between all of us, his bored facade back in place. Tucker hasn’t put his phone away the entire time and doesn’t even bother trying to talk to anyone, and I’m just sitting here. Staring out of the tinted windows and waiting to arrive so I can get out of this car, and leave all the tension in my wake. That may be a dream, but anything has to be better than this.
“Let’s play a game,” Tom suddenly says, rubbing his palms together in what I assume is glee.
Tucker puts his phone away and Jake stops grinding his jaw and looks up at him. The only one who isn’t looking at Mr. Bored is D.
“What game? If I hear even a suggestion of dares, then I’ll open the door and throw you out of it,” Tucker growls, and Tom only smiles more.
“Let’s play truths.” Everyone, apart from me, is rolling their eyes now and I don’t understand why it would cause this reaction.
“We’re not in high school anymore, Tom. I’m not answering a stupid question just because a game says I have too,” Jake says and Tom shakes his head, almost mockingly.
“No questions, we move around in a circle and supply a truth of subsequent worth to the one before. The more trivial the first is, the more the rest can be. Unless you feel brave.”
“It sounds moronic, count me out,” Tucker slides his eyes closed, and I guess that’s the end of his participation on this joy-filled car ride.
“Who goes first?” I ask, before Tom points at me.
“You asked, so you can go. Make it a good one, Thirty-Four.” His eyes are sparkling and it’s almost mesmerizing.
“O-okay, I’m adopted.”
“Boring. Daria, your turn.” Although Tom always seems to be around when I need help, I really can’t think of a reason to like him.
“This is stupid, but what else is there to do?” She rolls her shoulders back and takes a few moments to think about a truth to share. “My mama threatened to disown me if I came to the Academy.”
Shit! I was not expecting that.
“That’s some heavy shit right there, your go, Jakey boy.”
“Fine, I think Bradley is a dick, and that makes you one in association.” He’s looking right at D and her cheeks are flaming as she holds his stare, before being the first to look away.
“That’s just weird, okay. I resent the fact the Senior makes us fall into the same field as our respective parent.” Tom may look bored but he doesn’t sound it, and I can’t believe he just said that about Sir Harkwright.
“I wish I had chosen a different car,” Tucker grumbles before cursing when Tom claps with glee.
“You’re playing now! Okay, missus, you’re up. Let’s not make it such a boring one this time.”
“I don’t know what I’m supposed to say, I’m an honest person. Everything is a truth with me,” I reply and I earn myself a whole round of eye rolls.
“There must be something. You can’t be that boring, surely. Just a disappointment,” he mutters before turning his stare to D and I can’t stop my mouth from opening.
“Emmet is a deceitful idiot, and I hope I never get claimed by him because I love telling him no.”
A pin could drop, and I would know exactly where it has landed by how quiet this car has become.
“Okay, new game,” Tucker says as he leans forward, all attention is now on me. “Why do you enjoy telling him no so much?”
“I thought we wouldn’t b-be a-asking questions.” I sound lame even to my own ears, and everyone but D is smirking or rolling their eyes.