Page 77 of Knight

I dedicate the next few weeks to keeping my nose in the books and my head in the game. Along with some help from the twins, I’m finally starting to get a grasp on this algebra stuff and I’m excited that my art project is coming together. It’s my best work to date. Since Willow spends most of her time with the Quinfreys and her other snobby freshmen friends, I’ve spent more time at the Perezes. It’s starting to feel like a little secondary home.

The twins help make the daily grind bearable. I’m grateful and while I know Christian’s willing to take our friendship further, it’s like I have a block. A clog that won’t let me. Damien called non-stop for the first few days after that ash incident. But it seems he’s got the picture. I haven’t seen him at all lately and I assume he’s off somewhere brooding or getting fucked up. Regardless, Christian’s had my back. Even got Lea to back down but that’s because she has Damien where she wants him. To herself.

The thought of the two of them together makes me sick to my stomach but I have to focus. And I do, making it to the last day of school before Christmas break.

I’m watching the clock go by in the last minutes of biology before it’s home free. Well, it’s to the airport. After the Archibalds agreed to the trip, Willow helped me pack two weeks’ worth of clothes. It all fit into one suitcase and my backpack. As for Willow, she’s bringing four pieces of luggage. We said our goodbyes this morning, my sister promising to check in when she can and I already miss her.

The last-minute crawls by, my mind zoning out, the screen in front of us playing The Grinch. I’m wondering what Damien’s doing for Christmas. Either he’s hanging with Lea or a couple of escorts and a pound of blow. My mind combines the two in my brain and it’s not a pretty sight. Shaking it from my head, I shift my thoughts to what it’s like in Mexico but it keeps going back to him. To Damien. How he looked when I left. How happy we were before he let it all go to shit.

When the bell rings I jump out of my seat, ready to get the fuck out of here for two weeks. A vacation away from Eden Gardens is exactly what I need. This is not about making Damien jealous. This is not about getting together with Christian. This is about me getting some much-needed space.

The twins wait for me in the front foyer and when I get there, a bunch of students are saying good-bye to their friends. Luggage fills the space and I guess we aren’t the only ones leaving Eden for the holidays. It’s snowy outside, a blizzard building and as an east coast girl, I’m itching to get away from the first storm.

“Ready for some Perez family fun?” Allie asks, looking less thrilled than that sentence sounds. She has a denim jacket over her uniform, a sudoku book in her hand.

“I’m sure it’ll be better than most of my Christmases,” I say, trying to lighten the mood. But if I’m being honest, now that I’m standing here, I’m starting to get a little nervous.

Sure I’m leaving Eden Gardens but it’s for two weeks.

Two whole weeks with Allie. A girl I don’t know if I can trust.

Two whole weeks with Christian Perez. A guy with a shady sense of loyalty who’s also interested in me even though I can’t stop thinking about his best friend.

Is a two-week trip a good idea right now?

“Merry Christmas, Mr. King,” Headmaster Beckett’s voice comes from behind us. “Please, try to have a good one.”

Damien stumbles around him, leather jacket barely on his shoulders as he tries to steady himself. Headmaster Beckett looks wary but lets him go anyway, cringing when he stumbles into a girl.

“Oh my god, I’m so sorry,” she squeals as he moves around her.

All eyes are on him and I’m wondering if everyone else is as surprised to see him as I am. He staggers by us, and when he makes eye contact with me, those butterflies still flutter, my heartbeat picking up. Those eyes. No matter how glossy. No matter how lost. There’s something about them that can always turn me into a … basic bitch.

“Perez,” he slurs, looking between the twins. Then those eyes land on me. “Rowland.”

I want to ask if he’s okay. I also want to ask who he’s spending Christmas with, even if I know the answer. Isaac’s dad flew him out to the west coast early, and with Marion out of the picture, I know Damien’s ringing in the holidays alone. That breaks my heart. Regardless of what he’s done.

“Finally leaving?” He smirks my way but his gaze falls for a second.

“She’s coming with us to Cabo for the holidays,” Christian speaks up for me before Damien stumbles. “Shit,” Christian mutters, reaching out to grab him, catching his arm. Always loyal. Always there. “You gonna be alright, King?”

It’s like the kids who get to leave don’t want to. Not yet. They’re taking their time heading to the doors, rubbernecking to see the royal show. Is that all Damien is to these people? All he’ll ever be? A show. Seems we have another thing in common.

“I’m fine,” Damien tugs his arm away, his jaw clenched. He glances at me again before he heads for the door, a flask coming from his leather jacket.

“King’s fuuucked,” Allie says, purple beanie matching her streaks.

“Guess he started the holiday partying early.” Christian shrugs.

I can’t take my eyes off him as he wanders into the snow with nothing on but that leather jacket. I mean, I’m wearing the same thing so I’m no better but still, at least I have a hat and gloves.

He’s trying to spark a joint and he looks so cold. So alone. Especially when he stumbles down the set of stairs. No one’s outside except him and a couple of kids heading to their rides. No one’s stupid enough to be out in this storm except to go to their car and I don’t see his limo at the bottom of the stairs.

When he finally catches himself, he sits there, staring out into the blizzard. Allie and Christian talk about Christmas plans but all I see is him. And like seeing your addiction for the first time in weeks, there’s a strong, hard pull.

Fuck.

I head out into the storm and I don’t answer Allie and Christian when they call out to me. I keep going until I reach him, the door closing behind me. His hands are like two white gloves, snowflakes hanging off his eyelashes framing that deep gaze.

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