Page 7 of Lords of Ruin: Owned

Vincent: You’re right, no one should be looking at you.

“Mrs.Lewis is going to be the death of my GPA.” Jasmine huffs, looking at the B+ on the top of her history paper, as we pack up for lunch period.

“Didn’t you get in early decision to MIT?” I say in a bored tone, as I swing my bag over my shoulder.

Jasmine throws her head back and whines. “Yes, but I am still waiting on Yale, Princeton and NYU. A B+ will make me look like a slacker.”

A snort escapes my lips as I think about it. On the surface, she may seem like a laid-back girl with her blonde mohawk and ever-changing colorful highlights, a little black book of girls that would make any guy on this planet jealous, and an eclectic taste in music ranging from R&B to punk. But don't be fooled - mybest friend is not a slacker. In fact, she's a scientific genius who could probably cure cancer by the time she turns 26.

“Miss Stewart, a B+ will not kill you.” Mrs.Lewis comments as I slip out the class room, but Jasmine stops me with an apologetic smile.

“Go try to convince her to let you redo the paper.” I roll my eyes, and Jasmine smiles, kissing my cheek.

“Lo-lo I love you.” Willow squeals, turning sharply on the heel of her sneakers.

“Hey, remember don’t call me that in public.” I play pout, just as Jasmine sticks her tongue out at me.

I turn, shifting my bag further up my arm, just to come face to face with a hard chest, and an Irish Spring scent.

“Woah pretty lady, you got to watch where you’re going.” The smooth purr of a southern drawl that’s sweet like sugar and slow like syrup, pours over me and I make eye contact with Jasper.

I mean Jasper isn’t as fine as Cast, or as gorgeous as Vincent, or as panty dropping as Damien, but he’s sweet with that boy next door charm, kind eyes and wavy brown hair. He has a body that most farm boys do, and it makes me appreciate the weekly egg delivery we get from his family farm every week, because ain’t nothing boy about Jasper’s body. He’s hard, toned and sunkissed. I probably could have dated him years ago, but I was sick, and then he was taken and then he didn’t feel like a boyfriend any more. He kind of just felt like a friend. A gorgeous to look at, smooth talking friend. Everyone has one of those, right?

“Jasper, what did I tell you about standing around and playing wall?” I tease, crossing my arms over my chest.

Jasper laughs, pushing his hands deeper into his pocket, and licking his lips. “My apologies ma’am.”

“Don’t let it happen again.” I wag my finger at him, and he bestows the brightest, whitest smile I have ever seen in my life.

“You heading to lunch?” He asks, moving out of my way so that we can walk side by side.

“Yes, sir. You want to chow down with me? I heard it’s Sloppy Joe Tuesday.” I elbow him in the side, and wiggle my eyebrows.

“Sloppy Joe? I guess it’s a cold cut ham and cheese day for me.” Jasper sighs, shaking his brown paper bag.

“You are insane! Sloppy Joes are literally the best.”

Jasper opens the cafeteria door for me, as he rubs the back of his neck. “I don’t trust that meat is all beef, and putting a shit ton of cheese does not make it edible.”

I walk into the cafeteria and clutch my chest like I am totally offended, but cheese literally makes everything better and Jasper’s taste buds are officially dead, if he thinks any differently. “I am telling you, dude, please let me throw your taste buds a funeral.” I turn around and place one hand on his shoulder, and the other on my chest and pout, as we stand in line. “I promise we will put them to rest with respect.”

Jasper’s head lolls to the side and he sighs. “My tastebuds are fine, thank you very much.”

“No, they are not. Trust me, they’re dead.”

“Fine, we’ll send out invitations for next week, if you answer a question for me.”

I squeal. “Yes, anything.”

“What’s up with you and Vincent?”

My skin runs cold, and I turn towards him, at an almost glacial pace. “What do you mean?”

“I mean Vincent has been staring at you since we got into the cafeteria and he is walking over here as we speak.”

I freeze, my stomach dropping. Jasper’s words hang in the air like a heavy fog, and I instinctively look around, trying to spot Vincent in the crowded cafeteria. Sure enough, his blue eyes are locked onto me, and his gaze is unwavering. The corner of his mouth curls up into a small smirk as he begins to make his way over to us, and my heart skips a beat. I’m not sure if it’s from the intensity of his stare or the sudden rush of adrenaline that courses through me. Either way, I feel like I’m about to be in deep trouble.

Jasper’s teasing voice pulls me out of my thoughts. “He looks like he wants to rip your head off.”

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