Page 52 of Dare To Break

The second I straight up, Lacy entwines her arm through mine. “And I refuse to live with an introverted hermit.”

I let her walk me toward the door. “I’m not a hermit.”

“I get it, you know.” She flashes me a sidelong look. “You’re still settling in. Churchill Bradley Academy can be an overwhelming place. There’s the pressure of being socially acceptable. It can’t be easy coming from a state school in god knows where in Michigan, with all those metal detectors and violence. You’re not used to this kind of environment, which is why I still think you should try out for the cheerleading squad.”

I let out a sigh. “Lacy, I’m not good at dancing, and I’m pretty sure my face might crack if I have to smile that much. Also, I don’t think I can shout ‘Go Roosters’ with real enthusiasm. Plus, I don’t think Tina likes me.”

“She’s a bitch.” She laughs. “We all know that. She also had her eye on Miles. To be honest, I really thought you and Jace would hook up.”

My thoughts get all tangled up at the knowledge that Tina is interested in Miles. “I … have a thing for swimmers.”

Fingers twitching, I battle the need to smooth down my skirt. No one has noticed I’m without underwear. At least, no one I’ve noticed.

Someone knows.

My pulse accelerates at the thought, and I go hot, then cold.

“Come on.” Lacy tugs gently on my arm. “Come watch Brad practice with me.”

“Fine.” The need to bolt still strong. “I’ll come, but I just need to go back to our—”

“Oh, no.” Shaking her head, her grip on me tightens. “I’m not giving you the chance to go and hide.”

She doesn’t allow me to escape as we leave the main building and head around toward the football field. A cool breeze sends goosebumps over my skin, and I can feel them all the way up the inside of my thighs. I try to ignore how it makes me shiver, while my stomach clenches.

Eleven players are already running around on the field when we arrive. Their coach is standing on the sidelines shouting instructions. The whole team is wearing black shorts and jerseys with the academy’s red and white rooster mascot on the front.

“Coach Braun used to play for an international team before he retired,” Lacy brags as we head to the stands. “He thinks Brad has the talent to make a name for himself in the game.”

A handful of other students are spread out, taking up seats. We end up joining the cheerleaders, right at the front, who are huddled together.

Slipping carefully into my seat, I keep my knees pressed tightly together. Why did I let Lacy talk me into this? I could have changed by now. This is risky.

You like the risk.

Tina scowls. “What’s she doing here?”

Lacy stows her bag by our feet beside mine. “I asked her to come.”

“Why?”

“Because she’s nice.”

Tina’s eyes widen. “Oh my god, Lacy. She’s your pet project this term, isn’t she?”

“Pet project?” I echo.

Linda tosses me a sympathetic look. “Zoey was her last one, before …”

“She died.” Tina finishes bluntly.

I twist to face my roommate. “What are they talking about?”

“It’s nothing.” She waves her hand in the air dismissively. “You are not a charity case, Arabella. I genuinely do like you.”

Something fragile inside me dulls, the small hope of friendship flickering into embers.

Is that really how they all see me? Something to fix? Someone beneath them?

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