Page 38 of Cruel Elite (Princes of Ravenlake Academy 3)

“I’m going to school, not on a date.”

Her eyes narrowed. “In high school, there’s no difference.”

Then, either in punishment for my snarky comment that morning or for the way I treated Maryann at the yoga studio, she sent me off with a travel cup of coffee and no breakfast.

“If you buy breakfast with your debit, I’ll know,” she whispered in a vicious warning. “And I took the cash out of your center console last night.”

My stomach is growling, and I clear my throat to hide the noise as I turn to face my “friends.”

Jennifer is waggling a flask in the air, her tongue pinched between her teeth in a smile. “First day of our last semester celebration?”

Anika grins, but keeps her response measured until she can see how I’ll react.

I narrow my eyes on Jennifer. “Shots before first period is a little alcoholic, don’t we think?”

Both of their faces fall. Jennifer drops the flask and chews on the corner of her lip. “Only if you make it a routine. Today is a celebration. Our last semester together before we take on the world.”

Her enthusiasm for the future is foreign to me.

At this point, the only thing I know for sure is that I want out of Ravenlake.

Beyond that, I have no plans. Certainly no “take on the world” plans.

I, for one, would be happy if I could just eat a meal whenever I wanted.

My stomach churns again, begging for food. I suppose I’d rather have some alcohol to numb the feeling than nothing at all.

So, I sigh and hold out my hand for the flask. Jennifer and Anika practically squee with pleasure.

It’s tequila, my least favorite. I wince as the liquor burns down my throat.

“God, Jen. Who drinks tequila straight from a flask?”

“A wannabe alcoholic,” Anika says with a stifled laugh.

Jen shoots her a look. Anika shrugs apologetically before looking to me for approval.

That’s the kind of power I have over my friends and other people in this school. They’ll sell out their own friends to earn my favor. That’s the kind of control my mom has been pushing for me to have.

I have it. Just like she wanted. Just like she demanded.

Still, it isn’t enough for her. Nothing ever is.

I laugh and wink at Anika, sending her to cloud nine, and then take another swig form the flask.

I’m tempted to keep drinking, but straight tequila on an empty stomach on the first day of school is a real recipe for disaster.

“I also brought some of the leftover beer cans from the party,” Anika says, unzipping her leather backpack and flashing us the contraband.

One beer on an empty stomach will be fine.

We all huddle in the corner of the bathroom with our drinks. The conversation quickly turns to gossip about the upcoming semester.

“Caleb and Haley were the big story last semester,” Anika says. “Who do you think will be next?”

Jennifer smirks and looks at us both meaningfully, clearly waiting for us to say something.

“What? Are you going to barf?” Anika asks, poking Jen’s stomach. “What’s wrong with you?”

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