Page 31 of Cruel Elite (Princes of Ravenlake Academy 3)

It’s almost cinematic the way the room seems to divide in a straight line that points directly to her.

But I don’t know why I’m surprised. It has happened before.

All of this has. Like this exact moment is on replay from three years ago.

So much has changed since then.

But two things are still the same.

Penny.

And me.

* * *

Three Years Earlier

“If I have my mom donate some extra money, can I skip this pep rally?” I joke, taking a seat between Finn and Viktor on the front row of the bleachers.

“Not the fall one, but better luck in spring,” Finn says with a wink.

Finn and Viktor are a grade ahead, so they know everything about Ravenlake already. Thanks to them, the other Golden Boys and I have been going to high school parties all summer long, making friends and connections.

Still, I feel more like a lost freshman than I’d like to.

Finn’s dad speaks, then Principal Cooprider. I ignore them both.

Halfway through the assembly, I look up.

And there she is.

Penny LaFevre.

I realize with a start that the last time I saw her was the last day of eighth grade. I was so busy chasing high school parties all summer that I forgot to check in with her and see how she was handling all the stuff with her dad.

By the looks of it, she’s doing just fine.

She was always pretty, but in a kiddish kind of way. A cute way.

Now, she’s… hot. Sexy. Curvy.

Can all that really happen over one summer?

She looks up quickly, almost like she felt me looking, and our eyes meet.

I should probably look away, but I can’t seem to divert my eyes. Penny lowers her chin nervously, tucks a strand of blonde hair behind her ear, and smiles up at me.

And I’m gone.

Somehow or another, we end up at the same party that night. It’s at Finn’s place, of course.

The place is packed to the rafters with grinding Ravenlake Prep kids. Alcohol is flowing, music is thumping, hormones are surging through the roof.

I see her and make my way over.

“Long time, no see,” she says, leaning in close so I can hear her over the music thumping through the speakers.

“I was… a bit busy this summer.”

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