Page 14 of Cold and Broken (The Titans of Founder's Ridge 1)

“Great.” I know she doesn’t give a shit who I am so I don’t bother with niceties or introducing myself.

“I just wanted to warn you.” She pauses for dramatic effect.

Instead of playing this game with her I turn back to Ivy to continue our conversation.

Margaux lets out a startled gasp, as if me ignoring her is the biggest shock she’s ever received. “Stay away from Connor. He’s mine. We’re destined for each other,” she seethes.

I throw my head back with laughter, knowing all eyes in the cafeteria are on us. “Don’t worry. I’m not interested in spending any of my time sucking the limp pencil dicks of the uber privileged. They’re all yours.”

Margaux and her two puppets look outraged and stomp away with dramatic hair flips while other students around us snicker. I look up and make eye contact with Connor who sits with a look of cool disinterest on his face but icy anger in his eyes. I smirk and wink at him before going back to ignoring everyone aside from Ivy.

“Oh, I fucking love you girl,” she says through peels of laughter. “Where were you two years ago when I started going to school here.” She wipes a tear. “Damn. They want to break you, like they have everyone else who’s transferred in but I think you might be unbreakable.”

“Is that what they told everyone to do? To break me?” The only negative experiences I had so far are interactions with the guys and Margaux.

“Yep,” she says popping the p. “If you want, I can drive you to and from school until swim season starts. That way you can avoid a repeat of this morning.”

“That would be great. It’s not out of the way for you though, is it?”

“Not too far. I live in the same gated community, just at the front.”

I have the rest of my classes with Griffin and Connor. They both ignore me which is fine by me, although they do end up sitting near me in every class. My last class of the day is Physics and I’m surprised when Mr. Jameson strides through the door. He runs through the syllabus and gives our first assignment.

“Miss Nelson, I’d like to speak with you after class if you have a moment.” Mr. Jameson says as he dismisses the class. I pack up my bag, heavy with books and the school issued iPad and walk to the front of the class.

“Connor? Do you need something?” Mr. Jameson raises an eyebrow at Connor lurking in the back of the room.

“I’m Lilith’s ride home,” he says, sounding bored as hell.

“It’s okay, I’m riding with Ivy from now on. We’ll be able to start our day without wanting to kill each other now. Plus the peasant won’t drag her filth into your fancy car.”

“No.” He crosses his arms.

“What do you mean, no?” I growl. “I found a ride with someone else. Go. Home.”

“No.” He says again.

“Oh for fuck’s sake, go home. We can fight about this there.” Then I realize I just swore in front of a teacher. “Sorry,” I tell Mr. Jameson.

“It’s okay. Connor, Lilith asked you to leave and you don’t need to be privy to this conversation either. Goodbye.” He gives Connor a stern look and for the first time I see Connor back down.

“This conversation is not over, peasant,” he throws over his shoulder.

“Can’t wait,” I drawl with an eye roll.

Jesus Christ this prick is next level.

“How was your first day?” Mr. Jameson asks.

“Fine.” This is weird, are we just chatting?

“I know how these kids can be to new students, they’re bored and privileged and cruel. The guys are, well, teenage boys with one thing on their mind. The girls are worse. I noticed you have attracted the attention of Connor, Levi, and Griffin. I want you to know that you can come to me if you need anything,” he smiles warmly.

“Thanks. After growing up on the south side I feel equipped to handle just about anything though. Truly, these rich punks don’t scare me.”

“Okay,” he squeezes my shoulder, “see you tomorrow.”

I shoulder my bag and head out of the building. The parking lot has cleared out, I see Ivy talking to a few guys by her car. She’s flirting heavily with one of them. I dump my bag in the back seat of her car and wave hello.

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