Page 56 of Spearcrest Knight

Her colourful exuberance is a direct contrast to the austerity of Sophie’s plain black dress, and as a result it holds no power over me.

I gaze down at Rose, wondering whether I could fancy her if she wore her long gold hair in a severe centre parting, wore big boots and matronly outfits. Somehow, I doubt it.

If it was that easy, then I could get over Sophie and finally live a normal, happy life.

“Won’t you dance with me, Evan?” Rose asks, drawing closer. “It’s my favourite song.”

“Uh… I’m busy right now.” I shrug. “Maybe later?”

“Oh, you’re busy?” She flutters her eyelashes. Her make-up is a work of art, pink and gold glitter artfully decorating the bright blue of her eyes. “Anything I can help with?”

“Uh, no.”

I side-step her and resume my lurching journey over to the trees, where Sophie is now leaning against the rough trunk of an oak, talking to Araminta and a boy with dark hair. I don’t recognise the boy, so I can only assume he’s in Year 12, but he leaves almost as soon as I arrive anyway.

Araminta turns with a start when I appear at her side and her eyes immediately narrow. Sophie’s reaction is almost imperceptible: a slight raise of one eyebrow.

“Can we help you?” Araminta asks icily.

“I wannna—” I look straight into Sophie’s eyes. She holds my gaze and says nothing. “I wanna see if Sutton’s having a good time.”

“She’s having a grand time,” Araminta snaps.

It’s clear she doesn’t like me. I can understand why. But she could be stabbing me straight in my chest right now and it still wouldn’t be enough to draw my attention away from Sophie’s direct gaze.

“I thought you were scared of getting caught,” I say to her.

“I thought I deserved to have fun,” she answers drily.

Her voice is like a match set to my alcohol-fuelled veins. Heat rushes through me. “What kind of fun, Sutton?” I step a little closer. “You’d have a lot more fun with me.”

“I doubt it,” Araminta snaps. “Come on, Sophie, let’s go get another drink.”

She takes Sophie’s hand and pulls her away. Sophie follows without protest, but she turns her head slightly as she goes, and pokes her tongue out at me.

That’s when I realise she might be a little tipsy.

The sight of her tongue peeking out between her pursed lips is like an electric shock right to my system. I am instantly and embarrassingly aroused, but I resist the urge to follow Sophie. It’s clear Araminta doesn’t want me around them, and if I’m honest with myself I know exactly why.

I turn and jump when I find myself once more face to face with Rose. The doll-like expression of innocence and sweetness is gone, replaced by a disdainful sneer.

“Really, Evan? Her?”

I sigh. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Sophie. Fucking. Sutton.”

This is dangerous ground. Rose is a powerful influence in Spearcrest—not enough to call my power into question, but enough to make Sophie’s life unpleasant in the way it used to be.

“I’m not even angry,” Rose says (a blatant lie, since her face is flushed with fury), “I’m just disappointed. Don’t you know you could do much better?”

My jaw clenches. The mist of alcohol seems to evaporate in the sudden gale of annoyance blowing through me. “If I wanted to hear your opinion on anything, Rose, I’d ask for it. But since you have nothing intelligent or relevant to contribute to a conversation, you might as well keep your mouth closed.”

“Don’t be so fucking defensive, Evan. It’s a bad look.” She gives an airy laugh which doesn’t quite manage to make her appear as careless as she wishes. “Over Sophie Sutton of all people? Just because she acts stuck up and dresses like she belongs doesn’t mean she’s one of us, or that dating her would be anything more than a fucking charitable act.”

I stare at her as she speaks, at her expensive clothing and empty blue eyes, and my fury goes out like a blown candle.

“You’re really fucking pathetic, Rose.” Her eyes widen, but I don’t stop. “You might be wearing the prettiest dress and the most expensive makeup, but it doesn’t hide what you really are: some vapid, brainless, jealous fuckingbaby. Grow the fuck up, yeah?”

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