Page 31 of Soul of a Psycho

I think that’s where the library comes in. Part distraction, part habit.

But I’m perfectly fine. It’s not like I’m obsessed or anything.

I finish off the chocolate just as I let myself into Lamb Hall, shoving the wrapper in my bag. There’s a few girls on the velvet chaise, huddled around Britney. I skirt past her before she notices me, and make my way up the stairs. It’s bad enough that I have to deal with her sneers in the showers in the morning. The last thing I want is to catch one before bed. I was right when I thought I drew a line in the sand, with me on Ruby’s side, because it seems that if you aren’t on their side, the only few left are Ruby, Lana, and Callie.

Which is honestly fine with me. I know now how shallow people can be. I had all those so-called friends back home, but none of them were actually friends when I needed them. If I have just one good one, I’m happy.

When I drop my bag by the end of my desk, Ruby sits up from her bed and sticks her hand out expectantly. I roll my eyes and bend over, reaching into the side pocket of my bag. I don’t know when we got into this habit, but it’s annoying.

“Here,” I grumble, and hand her my last Twix.

“Thank you very much,” she says, and quickly starts to make work of it.

“That’s the last one,” I tell her. “Whoever restocks is trying to push the granola bars.”

“Well, good on them. They probably know you’re one more transaction away from diabetes.”

I narrow my eyes at her. “I don’t eat that many.”

“Yeah?” She takes a bite from her candy and nods towards the waste bin. “You wouldn’t call that ‘many’?”

I flinch when I see the little wire basket overflowing with wrappers. Maybe I do need to cool it.

“Yeah. That’s what I thought.” She smirks.

I ignore her and find a pair of warm sleep pants to change into, leaving my jacket on. The radiator can only do so much for a California girl. I’m about to flick off the light when Ruby props herself up.

“You aren’t going to brush your teeth, Barbie? Shouldn’t go to sleep with all that sugar coating them.”

I scoff, used to her digs, and click the light off.

“No. Are you?” I mock as I pull the comforter back.

“No, but I’m not the one who’s also been wearing a jumper that hasn’t been washed for a month straight.”

My bottom lip falls open, and I turn to see her shrug in the dark.

“Just saying.” She turns away from me. “You sure are attached to that thing for it being a lost and found piece.”

Okay, I have aminorobsession.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Sky

Isit on the side of the table that faces the food hall doors, hoping I’ll catch the sight of Cade just once. But so far, there’s been no luck.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea,” Callie says, pushing her food around.

“Of course it’s not a good idea,” Lana tells her. “But that’s the point.”

They’re talking about the party. Even being on the wrong side of things, it’s all I’ve been hearing about. The Halloween Bonfire in the woods that is supposed to be a rite of passage for seniors.

“We could get expelled,” Callie pushes her plate away.

I don’t disagree. How can the faculty not see smoke coming from the woods? But on the other hand, if everyone is going, they can’t expel the whole senior class, can they?

“That’s a plus, not a con,” Ruby tells her, and I roll my eyes.

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