Page 27 of Hooves & HeartStrings

I reach over to the comforter beside me, grabbing my phone. My fingers move quickly, typing out a message to Stacy.

Me- Hey, call me when you're done with practice. Need to talk.

I hit send and let the phone slip from my hand as I wait for her response.

The tour may have been uncomfortable and filled with all kinds of awkward moments, but I did enjoy meeting the others in my group. I can’t believe Lucius has such a variety of friends.

Sawyer talked the most and I think she’ll fit in with the girls and me. She's definitely a Sphinx, but mixed with something else. I'm not sure what, but she's very pale, and her hair is the color of a whiteout.

I could tell Luci and his group have been friends for a while and are close. Much like me and the girls were until we had to part ways at the end of summer with Dahlia. We knew she was bitchy, but the prejudice against monsters was not cool.

I still can't believe they put her with Sawyer as a roommate. Dahlia has made her stance on monsters known, but I guess if anyone could change her mind or break her down, it would be Sawyer. I can't wait to introduce Sawyer to Stacy—they're going to get along immensely.

Speaking of Stacy, my phone lights up before it starts to ring. I sit up and answer it quickly.

"Hey, babe, I just got done with track. I'm on the way back to the dorm. What's up?" she asks, her voice cheery.

"You'll never guess what happened today," I say, leaning back against my pillow once more.

"You had the monster tour and orientation thing, right? Oh my god, did you meet another smoking hot monster? Dammit, I should have signed up. Stupid track," she says, her words quick and excited.

"I did meet some new people, and I'm starting to think it's just mandated that all monsters have to be attractive. But guess who was in my tour group? Lucius," I blurt out before she even gets a chance to guess.

"Shut the hell up," she shouts. "What is he doing here?"

I close my eyes, trying to calm my nerves. "He's attending school here along with all his friends. And he says he wants to win me back. Kept asking if we could talk and told me he's not giving up. Blah blah blah."

Stacy groans. "So sexy. You have a huge Centaur groveling at your feet, you lucky bitch."

"Stacy!" I snap but laugh despite myself. "We're focusing on him leaving me and not even letting me explain. I know I messed up, but I tried to right my wrong immediately, and he wouldn't allow it."

"I know, babe. I'm sorry. I just really liked the guy." She sighs.

My body heats with jealousy and anger at her words.

What does she mean she liked him? She better not try to make a move on him.

"Marley? Babe?" she calls, pulling me from my thoughts.

"What?" I bark.

"Ummm, you were growling. What the hell? Jesus Christ, Mar, were you growling about me saying I liked him? You jealous betch!" She cackles. "I would never do that to you. I liked him for you. But this just proves maybe you should give him a chance. It's not very fair you're mad he didn't give you one, and now you're not giving him one. Two wrongs don't make a right."

"Ughhh, you're right," I groan. "And sorry I growled. I didn't even know I was doing it. Even though I know you wouldn't make a move, I got jealous." I giggle, feeling slightly embarrassed. "I can't explain it."

"I'll grab some wine to bring back to the room so we can make a plan. Oh, and you can show me these friends he brought with him. Maybe momma Stacy wants to snag her a monster man or two," she jokes, making me cackle.

"Deal," I say, hanging up and feeling a bit lighter.

But the lightness is fleeting as the reality of Lucius being here sinks back in. How am I supposed to deal with seeing him every day? And what if we do end up in the same classes? The thought sends a shiver down my spine.

The tattoo.

Oh God, what if he sees it? How am I going to explain that? ‘Me and the girls got a little tipsy and got tattoos. The hoofprint on my hip was to remind me of the best summer of my life.

He’ll think I’m certifiable. A creepy stalker.

I close my eyes, trying to find some calm, but all I see is Lucius's face, his intense eyes boring into mine and his voice echoing in my head, saying he's not giving up.

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