Page 32 of Cruel Legacy

We haven’t said anything yet, but the student body knows her mouthing off has painted a target on her back. It’s just a matter of time before we start lobbing arrows at her. I turn back around to see Holden was watching me the same way I was watching him. He asks, “What’s that look about?”

“Just brainstorming ideas for what to do about our new neighbor.”

Chapter17

Holden

Islip into my seat in statistics while opening another file on my tablet. I’d rather be reading a book right now, but sorting through these records is more important. Now that we know who our neighbor is, we need to find out everything we can about her.

We’re all suspicious of new people and Pax always thinks people are playing an angle. Most of the time, he’s right. The dorm situation is probably a mix up. There’s a code input each year to show the fourth room as unavailable, but this wouldn’t be the first time they accidentally assigned someone to it because of a computer glitch. The school usually catches their error before they issue a key.

Pax’s father knew Theona was moving in before the night of the prank, so that’s what I’m focusing my energy on. If he knew, then someone else must’ve too. I’m trying to find out who she’s been in contact with and who would have told her to drive through the south side of town that night.

If she were quiet, and blending in, we would probably just overlook both instances, but every time we see her, she’s giving us shit. Nobody talks back to us the way she does. If someone were trying to distract The Trium, or knock us off our game, these insidious little moves would be the perfect way to do it. I hypothesize it’s one of the other frats.

I’m on research duty. Pax is busy plotting her demise, and Finn can’t quit talking about wanting to bite her ass. It’s a nice ass, and the only reason I know that is because I’m paying attention to her in a way I haven’t looked at girls in a really long time.

I can see her as more than a set of organs and limbs inhaling oxygen and dispelling toxins. I want to dissect her eye color, evaluate the width of the cupid's bow on her lips, measure the size of the two tiny freckles under her left eye. But I have to ignore my curiosity about her, because nothing and no one comes before my brotherhood.

I rub the small scar on my palm. I’ve sworn loyalty above all else to Pax and Finn, and it’s an oath I intend to keep.

Finn decided he’s sleeping in today, so for the next ten minutes, I have the class to myself. I like to read the intro to the lesson or review my notes in peace before the other students show up. Some would say I don’t need to prep, since I have perfect recall, but the process is comforting and keeps my mind from wandering onto things it shouldn’t.

The door squeaks open andTheawalks in, a disposable coffee cup in her hand.

The class is empty. There are plenty of seats for her to take, but she sits down next to me. I watch her arrange her workbook on her desk, so she’s not here to ask to share mine again.

At the party, never once did I jump in and tell Pax to back off. There’s no way she can think I’m an ally or that I want her anywhere near me. Even if I sort of do.

I can smell that she’s drinking a dark roast from the cafeteria. She’s sipping on the watered-down version of caffeine like it’s the nectar of the gods. I like coffee, but I make mine in my dorm room. No way in hell I’m drinking that pre-ground crap.

She doesn’t speak. She just slips her earphones in and opens her workbook and laptop. It looks like she’s reviewing the material, just like I am. I don’t have much experience with seeing other people actually study.

I’m not talking about a cram session in the library the night before a big test or paper is due. I mean methodical studying and taking notes to make sure they understandandretain the information long after the test is over. The kids we went to private school with didn’t study. They didn’t need to when their parents could pay to have their transcripts show whatever grades they wanted.

I’m hunched over my side of the table, trying to maintain a bubble of space between us. I startle, sitting upright in my chair when her leg bumps against mine.

Intellectually, I know touching is natural. That it happens when you’re standing or sitting too close to someone, but I’m used to people going out of their way to avoid touching me, as if intelligence is contagious. They could be so lucky.

“Sorry.” She mutters, snatching her leg away as if she’s been burned. The look on her face isn’t horror, like I’ve got a communicable skin disease. It’s unease. I guess her friend explained what happens when you cross a legacy. Good. Maybe she’ll survive this school after all.

The other students trickle in, and she shifts her bag and body further away from the aisle. The move causes her arm to brush against mine. My skin feels warm where she touched me. She’s closer now and I catch a whiff of her scent. Are girls supposed to smell like warm apple pie if they’re not eating it?

My left hand twitches. I suddenly find myself fighting the urge to grab her hair and shove her face into the desk just to put some space between us.

If Finn were here, he’d be smooth and charming to get her to move. I don’t have the patience for it, but I need hergone.“Why are you sitting here?”

My voice is gritty, like I haven’t used it in a long time. She tilts her head to look at me, but doesn’t answer. “There are plenty of other seats in the classroom. I suggest you move to one of those.”

Her eyes flick to my lap before she drags them back up my body. “This seat seems like the best in the house. If you don’t like sharing, you can move.”

“I was here first.”

“And I’m here now.” She turns back toward the front of the class. “Now, zip it, pretty boy. I’m trying to hear the lecture.”

My mouth opens. I’m forced to close it when no sound comes out. She wants to hear the teacher and did she just call me,pretty boy? I know I’m attractive. My face is well proportioned. I’ve got these exotic grey eyes and big muscles.

Objectively, I’m what many women call hot, but they don’t say it to my face. Not anymore. They reserve all those niceties for Pax and Finn, who respond appropriately and reciprocate in kind. My resting fuck off face scares them away.

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