Page 5 of Cold and Broken (The Titans of Founder's Ridge 1)

I don’t like the ping of jealousy that I get at hearing she may have a boyfriend. I tell myself it’s because having someone to confide in will make her harder to break. It definitely has nothing to do with how gorgeous she is or her fiery personality and the challenge to tame her.

Liar.

3

Lilith

I can’t see the party but I can hear it. I haven’t seen Dad since he and Victor walked out of our rooms so I’ve busied myself unpacking everything in the living room and kitchen. I’m trying to figure out how to hook up the television when I hear a knock on the door.

“Hello?” I open the door to see one of the staff, grounds keeping I think, holding a garment box.

“Lilith Nelson?” he asks. When I nod he smiles and I take note of how cute he is. He looks to be around my age, with tan skin and inky black hair. There’s a tattoo peeking out from under his sleeve, which is pulled tight over impressive biceps.

“That’s me. What’s this?” I point at the box.

“I’m not sure but it’s from the prep school and it’s a garment box so I’m going out on a limb and suggesting it’s your uniforms?” His smile never falters.

“Oh, right. I forgot I’d have to wear a uniform.” I grimace at the box. “Thanks, I’ll take it from here.”

“It’s actually pretty heavy, I’ll put it in your room for you if you’d like,” he offers.

“Sure.” I open the door wider for him to come in. “I didn’t catch your name?”

“Mateo. I’m a part time groundskeeper.” He shakes my hand. “So you’re in high school?”

“Yeah, senior year. We just moved from Chicago.”

“Transferring your senior year?” He winces. “Brutal. Especially going into the lion’s den at Founders Prep.”

“Are you in high school?” I give him a once over, he could be a year or two older than me.

“Nope. I graduated in May from the public school. Starting at State College next week.” He returns my once over. “I’ll be around though, if you want to hang out sometime.”

“Yeah, sure. I’d like that.” I give him a smile. We exchange numbers and he goes back to work.

Curiosity gets the best of me and I open the box of uniforms. I was expecting run of the mill plaid skirt, button down shirts, blazer type uniforms but what I see takes me by surprise. There were five outfits together, I guess so we don’t have to have repeats, God forbid. There is one pleated black skirt, one royal blue pleated skirt, one royal blue tartan pleated skirt, and two plain black pencil skirts. Five blazers, two black, two blue, one white. Then seven white button down shirts with three ties, blue, black, and blue and black diagonal striped.

Holy shit I have to wear a tie.

There’s also a variety of socks and stockings in ankle, knee, and thigh high lengths. At the bottom of the box are two pairs of shoes, a flat Mary Jane and a high heeled Mary Jane. Then there’s a pamphlet at the bottom describing acceptable combinations and further dress code information. There’s also a set of five gym clothes and two one piece swimming suits with the school logo on the front.

I’m surprised I’m allowed to pick my own panties.

I’m hanging up my uniforms when I hear my phone’s text notification.

Zion: How’s it goin

Me: Eh. Meet the son that’s my age. He’s a raging dick.

Zion: Rly? What happened?

Me: I was sitting out by the pool and he and his buddies dumped ice water over me.

Zion: The fuck?

Me: Right? Douchebag rich assholes

Me: I’m not looking forward to school Monday

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