Page 16 of Cruel Academy (Princes of Ravenlake Academy 2)

Instead, I braid it into fishtails quickly. I don’t give a shit about being cute. Matter of fact, I’d prefer to be invisible.

Even though I know that’s impossible.

I’m going to stand out to these snobby rich kids. They can smell the stench of Public on me. I’m prepared for the worst—whispered slurs, shit stuffed in my locker, eating lunch by myself every day for the rest of the semester.

None of that bothers me that much, though.

What bothers me is what happened last night.

When Levi grabbed me, I felt sopowerless.Even that rat-faced bastard had me at his mercy. If it weren’t for Caleb, he would’ve done what he set out to do.

I shove that thought aside as a chill runs down my spine. Relying on Caleb Wilson to save me isn’t exactly a winning survival strategy.

Especially because he’s now the biggest threat I’m facing.

I saw the look on his eyes when I told him I would be at Ravenlake this semester. Pure hatred.

I know what I did to him was wrong. I deserve his hatred.

I just wish I could be the one saving myself for a change. I look at myself in the mirror. My shoulders are thin beneath the straps of my bra. Hardly any muscle in my arms, not a trace of an ab in my reflection.

I’ve always been rail-thin. More of a yogi than a brawler.

But when Caleb pinned me against his chest last night, I felt his muscle. His power. His raw strength. I’ve seen it in the ring a million times over, but it’s different to be up close and personal like that.

He can take care of himself.

I wish I could say the same for me.

Sighing, I go digging in my closet for the most anonymous outfit I can assemble. My plan is to avoid attention for as long as possible. That starts by dressing the part.

But nothing I pull out is quite what I’m looking for. Ten minutes later, I’ve tried on every outfit twice and I still have no idea what to wear.

“The floral dress is so cute on you.”

I spin around and see my mom standing in the doorway. She is petite—even shorter than I am—and has on a pair of cigarette trousers with a pale pink button-down tucked in. As far as moms go, she is fashion-forward and effortless. I kind of hate her.

“I can’t wear a dress on my first day. I’m not eight.”

“Dresses aren’t for eight-year-olds.” She plucks the dress from my bed and holds it over me, nodding as she stands back. “This is perfect.”

I grab the hanger and throw it back on the bed. It doesn’t matter what I wear because the kids at Ravenlake Prep are going to shun me regardless. But that shunning will be even more thorough if I show up looking like I just came from Easter Sunday Mass.

I glance at the clock next to my bed. “Shit!”

“Haley.” Mom frowns. “Language.”

“Sorry, but I’m going to be late.” I grab her shoulders and push her out of my room, closing the door in her face when she turns to try and talk to me.

“I can drive you today if you want,” she says through the door. “I thought maybe I could go inside with you and help you find the office. You don’t have a parking permit for your car yet, so you could get a ticket if you park in the lot.”

I pull on a pair of high-waisted jeans with large rips in the thighs and knees and yank a cropped white tank top over my head.

My mom seems to have a sixth sense for when I’m decent, because as soon as I’m covered, the door opens and she is leaning against the doorway again.

“And are you sure you have all of the books you need? I’ve never had to buy textbooks before. That was always something the school provided.”

“Perks of private,” I say, strapping on my favorite pair of leather sandals. “You have to pay for everything.”

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