Page 258 of Vile Boys

“Shhh …” I murmur, looking around. “It’s hard on them.”

“Right, right, I get it,” she says, winking. “Is the sex good? They say the boys from Tartarus are like hedonistic fuck toys.”

“Don’t embarrass me. I’m already mortified.”

“But it’s so much fun,” she jests, and she pulls me in for another hug. “But I’m so glad you’re back, girl.”

“What did I miss?”

Kayla’s voice makes me look up. She just walked into class, which is about to start, and the look on her face immediately goes blank the moment she sees me sitting in one of the benches.

“Oh my … God.”

She throws herself into my arms, practically smothering me. “Crystal! You’re back! I’ve missed you so damn much.”

“It was only a couple of days,” I say.

“Yeah, yeah, I know. Mini family vacation,” she says, rolling her eyes, which confuses me. I stare at Penelope, who just shrugs and touches her lips like she doesn’t want me to tell Kayla the truth.

I guess Kayla is not aware of all the things that go on around this campus. Maybe it’s better this way. Wouldn’t want her to get dragged in too.

“It’s not the same here without you,” she says.

“I missed you too,” I say. “But you’re killing my back.”

She laughs and leans away. “Sorry, girl. You look scrawny, though. Did your mom feed you well?”

I rub my lips together. “No, she was far too busy with her new boyfriend, so I was the one doing most of the cooking,” I lie.

“Oh, is it that same guy we saw last time at Fi’s Cups and Cakes?” she asks.

I nod. “Yup. Caleb’s dad. Awkward.”

“Oh wow …” Penelope says with owl-like eyes, and it makes me want to hide underneath the table. “That is messed up.”

The teacher begins his class, and we sit and listen, but Penelope still texts me.

Penelope: I want to talk with those guys. Ares, Blaine, Caleb. I just want to make sure they have good intentions with you. Do you have their number?

Me: Please don’t ask. I don’t want you dead too.

Penelope: They can’t kill me that easily. Besides, I’ve gotFelix, Alistair, and Dylan to back me up.

Me: Okay … if you’re sure about this. But don’t blame me if they end up killing each other.

Penelope: Do you care about them?

It takes me a few seconds to respond.

Me: Yes.

Penelope: A lot?

Me: Like a lot, a lot.

She smiles at me before she continues typing.

Penelope: I don’t judge. I remember that feeling from when I first got together with the Skull & Serpent Society guys. I just want you to be safe. You’re my friend.

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