Page 20 of The Rivals' Touch

I snort a laugh and when I look up, my eyes clash with Zayd. He watches me over his shoulder.

I ignore him and type another response to Bennett, a smile playing over my lips.

Me: I’ll think about it ;)

Bennett: Such a tease!

“Right, class, eyes forward. Put your phones away,” the teacher says as he caps the marker and points to someone in the back. “Phone away now, Elle. Last week I told you all that we would use this hour today to do research the old-fashioned way. That means no internet!” He sweeps his finger across the class accusingly. “Libraries exist for a reason.”

Someone chuckles in the back.

“Since we have a new student today, I need someone to catch her up on what we’re doing. I believe I divided you into four groups last time, is that correct?” He looks down at a sheet of paper in his hand. “Yes, four groups. Who’s willing to take Remi under their wing and show her the ropes?”

“We will!” Zayd speaks up, balancing on the back legs of his chair.

I narrow my eyes.

“Great. Remi, you’re with Zayd’s group. We’ll meet back here in an hour.”

The sound of chairs scraping on the floor fills the room, and I reluctantly stand up and grab my bag off the back of the chair.

“Sis!” Zayd grins, swaggering over with Jacob and Legacy.

“I’m not your sister!” How many times do I have to tell him?

Zayd smirks on his way past. “Our parents are marrying. That makes you my new sister.”

Legacy sneers, looping her arm through Zayd’s.

“Okay then, brother.” I play along, shouldering my bag and following behind. “Tell me how to get to the library, and I’ll walk there on my own. No need to escort me.”

Jacob puts his arm around my shoulder, his smile making his dimples pop. “Don’t be like that. Let us look after you. We’ll make you feelverywelcome!”

The tone in his voice tells me exactly what he has in mind. I flip him off and storm ahead with no fucking clue where I’m going. If it gets me away from these two dickheads, I’ll walk these halls blindly until I find a teacher who takes pity on me.

“Sweetheart, we’re only messing!” he calls after me as they all laugh, but I don’t stop. I’m on a mission to put as much distance between them and me as possible.

It soon becomes clear that I have no clue where I am or how to get to the library. The hallways all blend into one. Brick wall after brick wall greets me as I turn corners.

“Some signage wouldn’t hurt,” I mutter when I come face to face with yet another hallway. Half an hour has passed by when I finally flag down a teacher and make my way to the library.

I find them on their phones at a table near the back. So much for research. Legacy sits giggling on Zayd’s lap while he nibbles on her neck.

I’m instantly annoyed.

I cross my arms and wait them out.

Jacob looks up from his phone first. He flicks his light brown hair out of his eyes. “Got lost, huh?” He winks and pulls the chair out next to him. “Sit down, sweetheart.”

I set my jaw.

Zayd lifts his head from Legacy’s neck and smirks at me. “We got you some books.” He gestures to a stack on the table as Legacy drags her nails through his tousled, dark hair. “Do the research!”

My mouth falls open. “Are you for fucking real?! I’m not doing your research for you. What have you been up to all this time?”

“Waiting for you,” Jacob points out without looking up from his phone.

“You’ve waited for me so I can do all the research while you sit around on your phones?”

---