Page 25 of King

Setting my bag down, I make sure I’m tucked behind the tree before I open the bag Isaac dropped. The potent smell of pine and fruit hit my nose and the nug is frosty as hell. After breaking it apart, I roll it into a joint that’s bigger than I expected. Leaning my head against the tree, I spark the joint with an old lighter from the bottom of my backpack.

The first hit is relieving and that’s when I realize it’s been a while since I’ve taken a deep breath. If I'm going to stay in Eden I’m going to have to keep my stress under control and that means remembering to breathe.

A cough escapes my lips before I take another couple of hits, my head becoming hazy as I stare out at the field. The sky. The grass.

Birds chirp in the tree above and a squirrel skips by on the bright green lawn.

Finally, I've found some peace.

With fresh air around me, I get to thinking. It’s not every day a girl from The Grove gets to go to a school like this. Despite its many drawbacks, seeing a school like ERA on a transcript gets you places. I won’t let them get the best of me. They all want to see me drown and I won’t give them that satisfaction. Not Lea. Not the Archibalds.

Especially not Damien King.

The joint is back on my lips when Damien’s words ring through my head again. I was wrong about Damien. He’s more than trouble. He’s the devil. Alive and walking.

My phone buzzes in my lap, bringing me back to earth.

Willow: I’m fine! R U?

I text her back, not beating around the bush.

Jo: Why are you helping Lea Huang?

Willow must be honest about doing fine because it’s not even a full minute before she texts me back.

Willow: I just want to fit in, and I have my own tactics for doing that. Trust me. Love U. Xo

My sister might be onto something. If I’m going to fight I’d be better off doing it on their terms. I’m impressed by how mature she’s being and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t proud.

By the time I text her an “I love you” in return, the joint is down to its filter.

“I knew I smelt something good,” Allie’s voice comes from beside me and I look up to see her smiling.

“Last puff?” I hand her what’s left of the joint and when she takes it, I know we’ll get along. “Isaac dropped it. Wait, shouldn’t you be in class?”

“I made an excuse to get out early so I can check on you.” Allie drops her tote and sits beside me. A sweet aroma blends with the crisp air. She puts out the burning end in the grass. “Wait, you hung out with Isaac?”

“Bumped into him in the hallway,” I clarify. She nods and leans her head against the wood with me, looking towards the sky. I decide to pry. “What’s tonight? He said it’s a shame I won’t be there.”

Allie’s brows knit together before she smiles. “Ah yeah. He’s talking about the annual back-to-school party at King’s.” She tilts her head towards me as if she’s trying to read the expression on my face. “I would’ve said something but it would be like stepping into the lion’s den. Anyone who’s anyone at this school will be there and for you, that’s not exactly a good thing if you're on the shit list.”

“Wait, you’re going?”

“Wasn’t planning to.” She shrugs. “But Nate usually drags me. I go in protest.”

“I’m coming too.”

Allie turns her head to get a full look at my face. “You did hear me say it’s at Damien’s house right?”

I nod, “I heard you.”

Allie looks at me with a look of awe before she shakes her head and lets out a laugh. “Man, you’re something else.”

The Kings won’t see it coming, Damien especially. And if I’m going to gain the power back in this school, showing them I don’t give a fuck is one way to do it. Besides, I need to find out what Damien meant by what he said.

Sucks when everyone knows what happened to your parents except you.

“Hey, Allie,” I start.

---