Page 6 of The Wrong Prom Date

“Well, the bell sure isn’t for me.”

I shot my assistant a scowl, but he simply grinned and proceeded to pass over a piece of paper. “Here’s your class schedule.”

I glanced down at the schedule without really seeing what was written on it. I’d been homeschooled with some of the best teachers in the country. Whatever subjects Zeke had selected for me, I had no doubt I could ace them.

“The faculty all know to expect you today,” Zeke continued. “If you have any problems, Boss will be out here all day.” He nodded at the other black Escalade parked next to mine. I couldn’t see my bodyguard through the dark tinted windows, but I knew he’d be sitting in the driver’s seat, vigilant as always. It was going to be weird without him shadowing my every footstep, but the school had assured us that no press would come onto the grounds. I’d believe that when I saw it, but I was willing to give independence a crack for a day. If there were problems, we could always reassess tomorrow.

“I’ll be back at the house,” Zeke said. “But just call me if you need anything.”

He was beginning to sound like a worried mom. Not my mom, of course. She was one of the reasons I was in this mess. She hadn’t even consulted me about the decision to send me to high school. And while she might have given birth to me, I was fairly certain she only thought of herself as my manager. The woman was as heartless as they came and didn’t have a maternal bone in her body. I suspected the only reason she had kids was so she could profit off them. She was currently in New York traipsing my five-year-old sister, Zoe, all over town, trying to launch her modeling career.

As the last few kids disappeared through the front doors of the school, I pushed the car door open and jumped out of the vehicle.

“Any last words of advice?” I asked, looking back at Zeke.

He smirked in response. “Try not to piss off too many jocks,” he said. “They punch a whole lot harder than anyone in your movies, and we wouldn’t want to mess up your pretty face.”

I put my middle finger up at him, making him laugh, before I shut the door and started toward the school. Since the bell had rung, the parking lot was empty. I was normally a stickler for punctuality, but I’d been far too terrified to brave the masses and enter the school on time.

Without all the kids running about, I started to notice the school buildings. They were dull redbrick eyesores that looked more like a prison compound than a place that housed children. Did all schools look like this, or was I just unlucky?

I was barely through the front door when I encountered my first student. He was standing just inside the entrance, and I suspected he’d been waiting for me because his eyes lit with recognition. He was wearing dress slacks and a button-down shirt that made me wonder if I were underdressed. None of the other kids I’d seen in the parking lot seemed as polished as him though, so I suspected it was just the way this guy rolled. Besides, I was Liam Black, so there was no way anyone would think the designer jeans, T-shirt, and leather jacket I was wearing weren’t dressy enough. It was more likely everyone else would reconsider what they had on.

“Liam, we’ve been expecting you,” the guy said, holding out his hand in greeting. “Welcome to Lincoln High.”

I stood still, ignoring his offered hand as I continued to study him. He must have been about my age, and he seemed pleasant enough. His smile was a little too forced to be genuine, but people often struggled to be themselves around me. At least he wasn’t squealing. Man, I hated it when they squealed.

“I’m Angus Fable,” the guy continued, not seeming at all bothered that I hadn’t shaken his hand. “Student body president.” He lifted his chin a little as he announced himself, so I guessed his title meant something important around here.

“I’m going to show you around and help you find your classes today.”

I really didn’t want a tour guide, so I flashed him the sheet of paper I had with my schedule on it. “No need, I’m all sorted.” I went to walk past him, but Angus fell quickly into step beside me. Apparently, he wasn’t so easily put off.

“It’s no problem at all if that’s what you’re worried about,” Angus said. “There’s an assembly in the gym to start the day, so I’ll take you there first.”

I blew out a long breath, quickly realizing that resisting this guy would be futile. I’d met my fair share of people who didn’t take no for an answer, and sometimes, it was simply easier not to fight it. I waved him ahead of me. “Well, then, lead the way.”

Angus grinned broadly, and he started to walk slightly ahead of me. It was the first genuine expression I’d seen on his face since I’d met him. Clearly, he got off on other people’s deference, which would explain why he was so quick to point out that he was president of the students at Lincoln High.

“So, the camera crew got here earlier to set up for the announcement,” Angus said. “None of the other students are aware you’re joining us for the semester, but they’re all going to be so excited.”

My face paled at his comment. “None of them know I’m coming?”

“Nope.” Angus shook his head. “It’s going to be a surprise.”

The news was enough to make me want to turn around and leave. I should have known the studio would want to capture my arrival on film, and I wasn’t sure I could deal with the hysteria that such an announcement would create. The fact there would be cameras filming every second of it didn’t make me feel much better.

My mother had to have known this was happening, and it wasn’t the first time she’d left me in the dark. I hated surprises, and I despised being made a fuss of. Sheknewthat, but like always she’d decided that keeping me ignorant was the best way forward. It was just another way she liked to control me.

“So, what do you think?” I glanced at Angus, who was watching me expectantly. Apparently, I’d just missed whatever he’d been saying.

“Think about what?”

“About introducing me to some of your colleagues in the industry,” he replied. His eyes were bright with anticipation, and it wasn’t the first time I’d seen that look before. We’d barely exchanged three sentences, and the guy wanted something from me. Typical.

“Yeah, whatever you want, man,” I replied, earning myself a broad grin. Angus was practically salivating. There was no way I’d be introducing him to anyone though. I was happy to help people out when I could but not when they clearly just wanted to use me.

Angus paused as we reached a set of double doors. One of the doors was wedged open slightly, and I tilted my head to look through the gap. I could see a brightly lit basketball court and a mass of students sitting on the bleachers. My mouth went dry, and I swallowed as I quickly took a step back from the door, making sure I was well out of view.

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