Page 40 of Twisted Legacy

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Thea

Another day of classes down, and three more weeks left in the semester. I’m still just taking it day by day and class by class. I psyched myself up into coming to the library. The building has way more open spaces and dark nooks than I feel comfortable being around, but the paper I’m writing requires sources other than the internet.

The Coxsuckers may have reversed whatever they did to my grades, but I missed a major test while I was recuperating. The teacher won’t let me make it up, and now I have to ace this final paper to keep my A in ethics class.

I ignore the looks I get when I walk through the revolving glass door. This is another reason I avoid being out in public. All the fucking staring grates on my nerves. I just want to get back to my normal life. Or at least normal-ish.

I can’t even process the train wreck my life has become in peace, because my family drama and attack is being gossipped about all over campus. But I can’t avoid people forever. That would just give them one more thing to run their mouths about.

I amnota scared little bitch. I need to remind them of that, and the first way to do so is to stop hibernating in my room. I might not want the extra attention, but I’ve got it. Now I need to figure out how to cope.

I’ve just pulled out my notes for the paper I need to write, when a body slides into the chair catty-cornered to me. I wait all of a minute before asking, “Can I help you?”

“Thea…, right?”

He knows damn well what my name is. They all do. The guy looks vaguely familiar, but I’m not sure where I’ve seen him before. “Do I know you?”

He laughs. “No, I suppose not. I’m Archie Tucci.”

Poor guy. Did his parents not want kids? “What do you want, Archie Tucci?”

“You know. I noticed that you don’t get out much, and I was thinking it’s a shame. A cute girl like you, you shouldn’t be hiding out in your dorm, so I figured we could hang out. Maybe catch the new movie over in the Annex.”

“Did you?”

“Yeah, now that pledge season is over and you haven’t aligned with anyone, that means-”

He thought he’d shoot his shot. “Pass.”

“Wha-what?”

“I said, I’ll pass. As in, I don’t wanna bang you. Cause that’s where this conversation is going, right? You take me out to a movie, maybe grab something at a diner.” I take in his clothes. “Or a three-star restaurant. Take me for a drive. And I’m supposed to put out.” I turn my attention back to my notes. “You can save your money, gas, and time. I’m not interested.”

“Wait. You think you can turn me down? You think you can get a better offer than me?”

“I just did, so yeah I can, and yes, I do.”

“Look here, bitch, you’re not important. I don’t care what rumor you started around school. We all know you’re still a nobody. The Zeta Nu Drop Out Pledge.”

I’m successfully ignoring his rant until he sneers, “You think what happened with your chastity vow ceremony and Mayhem Night was bad? That was just the beginning. I was offering you a lifeline, you stuck-up bitch. A way to survive the people gunning for you after that shit you did to Zeus. You’re not under The Trium’s protection, so they will come for you. ”

My body locks up at the mention of Mayhem Night, but I force my head up and words out of my mouth. “If anyone thinks they can take me, they’re welcome to try.” I size him up. “What d’ya say? You think you got what it takes to go toe to toe with me?”

I wait for him to answer. When he doesn’t, I shoo him away. He climbs to his feet then grips my hand, hissing, “You need to be more appreciative of what I’m offering.”

I look down at where his fingers are locked around my wrist, gritting through the pain as my newly mended bones grind together. My eyes snap to his face, and I let him see the threat in them. “Do you want to lose that hand?”

“Ooh, this looks fun.”

Archies eyes widen, and his face loses color, as Finn slides into the seat he’s just vacated. Casting a quick look behind him, he says, “Finn, hey.”

“Heeey.” Finn drawls. “Whatcha’ doin’?”

“Just talking to the Zeta Nu Dropout. Reminding her of her place.”

Finn leans back, putting his feet up on the table. I slide my book over so he doesn’t knock dirt onto it. “And that place would be…?”

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