Page 40 of Malicious Pacts

I didn’t think she’d be too surprised to have me try to get her attention. Every time I ran into her over the last week, I tried to say at leastsomething.I respected her space while she was pissed, but I also needed her to see I wasn’t a threat. Since I was about to invite her along with me, I hoped I’d made at least a little headway with it.

“I wanted to see if you’d be interested in going with me to Crestview to sign up for classes. Look, I know we’ve gotten off on the wrong foot, and I really,trulywant to change that. I never in a million years would have expected that car, and I don’t want you to think I’m here to take anything from you—certainly not your dad. Rick understands that I mayneverbe ready for a father-daughter relationship. We may always just be family friends. But you? You’re my sister. That’s something I’veneverhad but havealwayswanted. I have a feeling we’d like each other if we got to know each other. What do you say?”

Something crossed her face. It was only a flash. Curiosity? Longing? Could it be that she wanted a sister, too? I didn’t have much time to figure it out because she rolled her eyes and shook her head.

“I’d rather shave my head with a rusty knife.”

“Wow. That was super descriptive,” I said. “Okay. Well, what else were you going to do? Just hang around here? Come on. It’s just a few hours. If you hate it, I’ll never ask you to spend time with me again.”

Another low groan escaped her. “You’re just going to keep asking, aren’t you?” I nodded. “Whatever. Fine. But wecan’tbe seen together,” she said.

“Actually, I came up with a good, self-deprecating excuse for that,” I said with a smile. “I came prepared if you’re interested.”

Her arms crossed over her chest. “Go on. I’m listening.”

“If anyone asks why you’re with the goth weirdo, just tell them I moved in next door, and my parents came to meet yours. Your dad felt sorry for me and forced you to go with me to sign up for classes because my parents are basically lost around here. I’m your charity case.”

Oh, my goodness. A smile. It was only the faintest hint of one, but it was there before she took control of her face muscles to put back on the trusty RBF.

“I think I can work with that,” she said, her nose turned slightly in the air.

I smiled. The lengths I was willing to go to get that girl to like me was disturbing. Truthfully, she scared the shit out of me because I had no idea what she was capable of. Was she a sociopath? Was she the backstabby, Mean Girls kind? Was she just a lonely girl with some issues who honestly just wanted someone in her life who she could count on? A sister maybe?

I hadnoidea, and it was absolutely maddening.

But until I figured it out, I wanted to try my best to get on her good side. I figured one of two things would happen. We’d either end up tolerating each other and staying out of the others way, or we could even be sisters. Family.

Please don’t be a psycho.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

“How in the hell is this loud bastard relaxing to you?” Harper asked over the loud growl of the engine.

“Are you kidding? That’s what makes this thing great! It sounds like a beast. That’s what was so awesome about muscle cars. They had a lot of power.”

She shook her head. “You’re so weird.” A few moments of silence passed before she surprised me. “Are you scared about going to a new school?”

I tried to keep the surprised look off my face. She’d asked a completely normal question, and her tone wasn’t even condescending.

“A little, yeah. The people who attacked the church still haven’t been found, so it’s still on my mind.”

She waved a dismissive hand. “Crestview is one of the most heavily guarded private academies in California. All the politicians’ kids go there, and so do kids of celebrities, and some of the kids of the other wealthiest people on the west coast. This school has alotriding on security. Trust me. You’ll be safe there. That’s why my dad—” she paused. “Dadwanted you to go there.”

I swallowed. She’d corrected herself… She’d corrected herself while trying to reassure me. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think she was actually trying here.

“That makes me feel a lot better,” I said. “I didn’t realize it was that secure. Maybe living there on campus won’t be so bad after all. Thank you.”

She shrugged and looked out the window. “Yeah, whatever.”

We were silent for most of the hour-long ride there. It was kind of awkward since neither of us knew what to say to the other, but we both started a few short conversations. I learned that, even though she hates superhero movies and most of the other genres of movies I like, she likes to read. She likes a couple of the genres I like, and we both agreed Colleen Hoover was pretty great.

It wasn’t much, but it was a start.

When we were about two miles from the school, Harper turned to me. “I think we need to set some rules right now before we’re on school property.”

While her wording was rather blunt, her tone was still relatively friendly. I mean, it was icy, but forherit was friendly.

“Okay. Sure. Whatever makes you feel comfortable. I’m good with that.”

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