Page 24 of Envy

You trust Garret enough to stay in his house.

He took me to school instead of ordering an Uber this morning. He dropped me off in front of my dorm without a word and then drove off.He also made sure I had a bowl of fruit on a tray in my room in the morning, as well as new clothes in my size.

I don’t know what to think or why he did it, but I’m grateful.

“I didn’t think I could make a friend.” He looks up. “You know, after everything.” I scan the library as if someone is out to get me at any second.

“It doesn’t work like that,” he says, lowering his voice.

I lean forward. “How does it work exactly?”

Any help I can get will be welcome at this point. Staying at Garret’s house has clouded my judgment. John hasn’t texted me. It’s as if Garret has the power to keep him away, and I don’t know what to make of it.

“Keep to yourself and don’t fall into a trap.”

“What do you mean?” I ask curiously. I don’t have a guy in the Order who is in love with me and will keep me safe.

The current one ruling the school hates my existence. Garret doesn’t want me; he wants to destroy me.

“You say no at all costs, Rose. Do you hear me?” I nod. “If any asshole corners you, you say no. And you don’t go anywhere where you might find yourselfalone with them, especially Garret.”

“What about me?”

My stomach flips.

Garret takes the seat next to Azriel, looking at him as if he wants to slit his throat and play with his vocal cords.

Azriel looks at him unfazed and then at me. “I was warning Rose to be careful on campus.”

“I heard my name,” Garret points out. Then he glances at the designer sweater he left on the dresser this morning, as if he’s peeling it off my chest. “Nice sweater.” He gives me a wink.

My cheeks flush. Azriel looks at me and then back at Garret. “What are you doing, Garret?” Azriel says in a hard tone, like he’s scolding a child.

“I came to say hi.” He glances at my assignment in front of Azriel. “You need help?”

“No.”

Ignoring me, Garret picks up the paper with the list of works to choose from for an analysis. He scans the list and places it on the table, turning it around to point. “Edgar Allan Poe’sAnnabel Lee.”

Azriel looks at me. We both know it would be difficult for me to read and analyze.

“She’s going to need a lot of help with that one,” Azriel begins.

“I’ll help her,” Garret says, snatching the paper. “You can help her with the math and stuff. I’ll help her with this.”

I’m about to protest, but Garret gets up and walks out as if his word is final and I’ve agreed to let him help me.

“Fuck,” Azriel says, rubbing his eyes.

I watch Garret through the glass window, wanting to stab him when he smiles at a group of girls.

“Why?”

“Because he’s fucking crazy,” Azriel mutters, as if that’s supposed to make me feel better.

“What do I do now?”

“Nothing,” he says. “There’s nothing you can do, Rose. The guys messed with him when he was younger. He got into some trouble and was always the crazy kid left alone in his big house, getting whatever he wanted. Then his father died two years ago, and he spiraled. He was put on medication. When his mother remarried after being left with nothing, he went dark. It was as if the lights were on, but no one was home. No one—and I mean no one—could change his mind once he set it on something. He smiles, laughs, plays along. But some of us know it’s all a lie. Garret doesn’t give a shit. He does whatever he wants.”

---