Page 61 of The Prey

“Why don’t you come out with me tonight?”

“To do what?”

“Socialize. Relax. It’s just a little party.”

“What party?”

“The party at The Mill. It's to celebrate the start of the recruitment season and all that. It's really a glorified excuse to drink and hang out, like anyone at this school actually needs one though, am I right?”

There's a noise from the bedroom, and Bel shakes her head. “I think someone is getting antsy out there. Come on.” She grabs my hand, and I let her, taking my trash bag in the other.

In the bedroom, I grab my supply bucket and broom and head out behind Bel. We go to the cleaning closet, and she helps me put everything away. Then she waits patiently while I dispose of the trash. I double-check that I have my wallet and my keys in my jacket pockets, and as I'm patting I feel an unfamiliar outline in my skirt pocket.

Oh shit. The pregnancy test. How could I have forgotten to put it back? Panic rises in my chest. If Tanya realizes it’s gone before I can replace it, I have no doubt that she’ll know it was me who took it. And then what? I need to get rid of it.

“Are you leaving right now?” I question.

“Yes, and I’m taking you with me. I won’t take no for an answer. You work way too hard, and you need a damn break.” She winks and then grabs my hand, dragging me out the door. I try to dig my feet into the ground and conjure up any response I can so that I can turn around and put the test back without suspicion, but there’s no use.

Crap. I’ll have to make sure I keep it hidden and that I don’t lose it.

“Could you slow down? I have tiny legs,” I grumble, and Bel lets out a laugh.

“I’m sorry. I’m just so excited.”

Her response makes me smile, and I let her lead me out to a sleek silver car that likely cost a fortune. She jumps into the driver's seat, and I slide into the passenger side. Once inside, she tosses a bag in my lap as she starts the car and buckles herself in.

“Here, I have some makeup if you want to use it. No pressure, but I didn't exactly give you time to get ready.”

“No, you basically kidnapped me.”

“Touché.” She grins.

I smile back at her, take my hair out of the messy braid I'd put it in earlier, and finger comb the dark strands. Then I dig through her bag and find some lip balm and a little bronzer. I refuse to use her mascara because...germs…and quickly shape my eyebrows. I look at my reflection in the tiny compact mirror and give a small nod. I look human and less like the pale maid version of myself. Not that anyone will notice.

In the ocean of sharks at this school, I'm the little seahorse simply trying to keep up. If anyone notices me at this party tonight, I'll be shocked. I do have to wonder, though, if Sebastian will notice my absence.

Who am I kidding? He’ll definitely be in attendance. At least one person will notice me. Nervous energy encompasses me, and I start to bounce my leg up and down. I’m out of my element here.

My anxiety rises as we pull up the long drive to The Mill house. I've been here a couple of times since I came to Oakmount, but this will be my first official party here. Bel parks the car in the driveway and exits the vehicle, urging me to follow. I exit the car a little more slowly, and she waits by the hood for me.

The second I'm near, she threads her arm through mine and drags me up the stairs to the huge double doors. “You’re going to have a great time. I promise.”

One of the doors is propped open with a football, and she nudges it to lead me inside. Music thumps from inside, and as soon as we walk in I’m assaulted with numerous sounds, sights, and smells. The space is already crowded even though by school standards, it's still pretty early. I’m tempted to look anywhere but at the people in attendance, but that would be awkward as hell, so I look up and scan the crowd.

A good majority of the partygoers dance on the makeshift dance floor, red plastic cups in hand, while others linger at the edges, a guy or girl glued to their side. Not what I was expecting. Someone slips in behind us, bumping into me, and I skitter out of the way, in turn bumping Bel and causing us both to teeter.

A pair of strong arms circle her waist, dragging her backward into an ironclad chest. Instantly she relaxes into Drew’s embrace, and it’s like he's an envelope and she's the love letter tucked inside. Nuzzling the side of her neck, he whispers something into the shell of her ear that makes her smile.

Jeez, watching them makes me feel like I’m watching some sappy rom-com. I’m happy for her, though. The best love stories are the most hard-fought.

Turning away from them, I scan the crowd once more. My gaze stops on a man who’s sitting on a throne across the room. Okay, not a throne but a huge, ornate chair. I find it hard to breathe when I notice those familiar green eyes of his, the same eyes that haunt me in my dreams. He’s staring at me, legs splayed wide, leaning on the hand he has propped up on the arm of the chair. His hair is disheveled, and he looks bored out of his mind, but it’s hard to tell if he really is or not since that’s his usual expression.

He looks away, his gaze cutting from mine as a girl crosses in front of his path and then settles into his lap, grinding herself against his groin. My cheeks heat as if I have a reason to be embarrassed. Yep. This is exactly as I've always pictured him. A king sitting on his throne, giving no thought to the rest of us peasants.

No. I can’t stand to see him like that. Not when I know what lies beneath the surface, hidden under that cruelty and emotionless smile.

Without giving him another ounce of attention, I turn and head toward the kitchen to find something to drink. If I’m going to survive this party, I’m not doing it sober.

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