Page 19 of Spearcrest Knight

“That’s more than I’m earning right now,” I say.

They both laugh, and Freddy passes me his notepad and pen. “Here, write down your name and number and we’ll stay in touch. Are you sure it’s going to be ok with your school?”

“I’m just going to try and make sure they don’t find out.”

“So long as I’m not signing up for something illegal,” Freddy says.

“No, no, of course not.” I quickly write down my name and phone number and hand him his notepad back.

He glances down at it and looks up at me. “Nice to meet you, Sophie. I’m Freddy, and this is Jess, my little sister.”

She gives a little wave and I can’t help the big goofy smile on my face. They feel so welcoming and… normal. Just nice people who don’t live in massive villas and travel around in Bentleys and private jets.

People like me.

“Nice to meet you both.”

After I leave, I make my way back to the school, walking on clouds. Each footstep is lighter, the weight on my shoulders suddenly lifted. I left school crushed by anxiety, but I’m returning and I don’t have to worry about Evan (for now) or about finding a job (for now), and that’s a victory.

That night, I treat myself to a rare evening off and cuddle up on the common room couches with Audrey and Araminta. I am extra careful to check nobody is around when I tell them about the events of the day and my new job at the café.

“A café job!” Audrey laughs. “Could you be any more wholesome?”

“I’m sure it won’t be as cute as the movies make it out to be,” I say. “But it beats having to tutor Evan.”

“I still can’t believe you made a deal with him,” Audrey says. “Like making a deal with the devil. You sure you know what you're doing, Sophie?”

“I think it's kind of hot," Araminta says. "Two deadly enemies turned reluctant allies. You know what's next, don't you?”

“I wouldn’t call us allies,” I interrupt quickly. “I’m just lucky my plans happen to fit in with his laziness.”

“Still, though,” Audrey says. “Best be careful. I wouldn't be surprised if he tried to lock you up in his house and torment you or something. You know, torture you for his own amusement or whatever gets him off.”

I wince. “Well, he’s making me do his Lit work for him, so it’s not like he’s doing any of this out of the kindness of his heart.”

“I’ll never understand it,” Araminta says. She’s in her satin pyjamas, absent-mindedly pulling on strands of her long black hair. “It’s like he hates you, but he’s obsessed with you at the same time.”

“Hardly.” I try to shake my head, but Audrey forces me to stay still. I am sitting at the foot of her armchair while she pulls my hair into two French braids. Despite her firmness, it’s strangely soothing, so I don’t mind her manhandling me a little. “He wouldn’t give me half as much shit if I was rich.”

“I don’t know…” Audrey says dubiously.

“You’re wrong,” Araminta curtails the conversation. “Evan Knight would find a way to crawl his way under your skin even if you were the bloody queen of England.”

“I’d have him thrown in the Tower of London,” I mutter darkly.

“You won’t need to anymore,” Audrey says lightly from behind me. “You’ve got sexy Freddy to protect you now.”

Heat rises to my cheeks and I turn to glare at her. “Don’t be childish, Audrey. He’s not even sexy.”

“Did she,” Audrey says to Araminta as she pushes my head away to continue braiding my hair, “or did she not spend at least half an hour describing how ‘stylish’ and ‘kind’ and ‘sweet’ Freddy seems?”

“A crush on your boss, Sophe?” Araminta says with a suggestive waggle of her eyebrows. “My my, such scandalous behaviour.”

“I blame myself,” Audrey sighs dramatically. “I didn’t think my summer fling would have such a profound influence on the poor girl.”

“You’re all a right pair of idiots!” I say, my cheeks ablaze. “So immature.”

“Alright, alright, we’ll stop teasing if you answer one question,” Audrey says, and her evil grin already tells me she’s looking for trouble. “Who’s hotter? Freddy or Evan? You have to be honest, though.”

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