Page 51 of Cruel Legacy

“What was that, Pet?”

Austin leans back in his chair, kicking his feet out and crossing them at the ankles. “Sounds to me like that was ano.”

Finn tilts his head to the side, considering that answer. “You can move voluntarily or we go to option two.”

What’s this shit? Since when do they even talk to me? I look over at Holden, who’s in his usual seat, watching our exchange. I can’t tell if he’s in on this or not. His emotionless face always looks bored. Like he’s checked out on life around him when more than one or two people are around.

It doesn’t matter to me what he thinks about this anyway, ‘cause I’m not letting Finn order me around. I shrug, unperturbed by the threat.

Austin chuckles and says, “I’m pretty sure she’s choosing option two.”

Finn steps away as the teacher comes in, sing songing “Option two is myfa-vo-rite,” as he takes his seat. I exhale and give Austin a smile. I’m glad my bluntness didn’t completely turn him off that first day. He’s the only other person I know who has an issue with these legacy brats running around like they’re in charge, making stupid demands -as if they’re some kind of gods- instead of students like the rest of us.

At the end of class, Finn slips by me, chuckling at something on his phone. He shows it to Holden, who gives a curt nod, before they disappear through the door.

I get some weird looks in my next class, but I ignore them. Whatever’s up their asses, has nothing to do with me. I’m heading towards The Rock when some chick steps in my path.

“What’s this I hear about you trying to sit next to a Trium?”

Ohgod. I knew it wouldn’t last. I’ve been to enough schools to know the popular kids always have groupies, and there’s always one bitch that thinks she’s in charge of the horde of them, laying claim to the hottest guys. I’ve been lucky enough to avoid them, until now.

“Don’t.”

“Don’t what?” She asks, brows furrowed in confusion.

“Don’t know you, what you heard, or give a fuck,” I step around her, leaving her to work through it on her own.

This is gearing up to be a headache inducing day. I would skip out to my room or the library, but since I woke up late and didn’t eat, I’m starving.

When I reach the checkout counter after ordering my lunch, I’m told there’s an unpaid balance on my account that has to be cleared before I can access the dining services. I try to tell the cashier whatever she’s reading isn’t up to date, because all my fees were paid in full, but she doesn’t listen and moves on to the person behind me like I’m not even here.

I pull up my account on my phone and see she’s right. It shows an unpaid balance that equals my time on campus so far.

I stalk off and call the finance office. They tell me it’ll take seventy-two hours to review my account and resolve the discrepancy. I’m glad I have food in my room, so I don’t have to waste money on takeout.

For the rest of the day, I feel people’s eyes on me as I walk around campus. I hear them whispering about me not having money to eat. Pointing out that I’m obviously living above my means or trying to defraud the school, bouncing checks.

When my last class lets out, I can’t get to my dorm fast enough. The only reason I don’t run there is because I won’t give these gossiping twits ammunition like that. I walk at a leisurely pace, letting them know I don’t give a shit about what they’re saying.

LJ is waiting for me outside of my dorm, with bags at her feet. “What’s all that?” I ask.

“Uh, just a few things I picked up on my break.”

“Do you need help carrying them over to your dorm?”

She shakes her head, biting down on her lip. “They’re for you.” She rushes along and says, “Don’t be mad, but I heard a few people in my English Lit class talking about what went down in the dining hall. So, um, I got you some groceries.”

Her English class is nowhere near the dining hall. “God, is everybody on this fucking campus a gossip? Why can’t people mind their own fucking business?”

Her face deflates at my outburst. “Look LJ, I appreciate the sentiment, but you shouldn’t have wasted your money.”

Her lip quivers. “It’s not a waste, Thea. I was worried about you starving in the dorms and I know Austin is the only other person you talk to, but I wouldn’t trust that he’d feed you.”

I’m feeling properly chastised. “I’m sorry about my outburst. It’s just been a whole day with people whispering about this. I’ve already talked to the finance office. It’s just gonna take a few days for them to correct their computer glitch and I won’t starve because I actually have food in my fridge. My aunt and uncle are not having financial problems or bouncing checks or whatever else you may have heard.”

“Oh. The way everyone was talking…” She gives me a sheepish smile. “I guess I’m no better than them, believing what I heard without investigating. God, I’m so sorry, Thea.”

“You believed them?” I don’t know why that stings.

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