Page 31 of Princess of Hawthorne Prep

At least, I hope he wouldn’t.

Except for the run-in before school this morning, I’ve been successful in avoiding my ex. I know his schedule by heart and have steered clear of the areas he usually lurks. The problem is that I won’t be able to escape him forever.

Despite Austin’s warning, Jasper does what he wants.

Takes what he wants.

And that includes me.

I set my lunch on one of the tables and then head over to my thick folder where my photographs are kept. Once settled on a stool, I carefully spread them out in front of me. Everything that happened this morning gradually drains away as I study the images.

This right here is my happy place.

If only it were possible to spend all of my time in this studio.

Or outside, searching for the perfect shot. I glance out the window with longing. It’s such a beautiful day. The need to escape this prison floods through me. But I can’t do that. It would only cause more problems with Mom.

Just as I refocus my attention, Everly and Summer step inside the studio. The dark-haired girl laughs at something her friend says before her green eyes land on me. That’s all it takes for any lightheartedness simmering in her expression to vanish as her lips wilt at the corners. Even from here, the frostiness of her gaze freezes me to the core.

Much like Jasper, I’ve gone out of my way to avoid Austin’s twin. I send up a little prayer, hoping she’ll ignore me rather than engage in a confrontation. I don’t think I can take much more before splintering apart into a million jagged pieces.

What’s become obvious is that I’m public enemy number one at Hawthorne Prep. And the ones who don’t consider me an adversary think I’m an easy target.

Instead of leaving, Summer pivots and stalks toward me. It would be impossible not to notice the way her hands clench and unclench at her sides. I’ve tangled with her enough these past few weeks to know that I’m about to get an earful.

Hopefully, that’s all I’ll get.

I tense, bracing for impact.

Three.

Two.

One.

“Seriously, what the hell is wrong with you?” she seethes, practically foaming at the mouth. “Why are you so intent on hurting my brother?”

Embarrassment heats my cheeks as I glance to where Mrs. Chambers was quietly working and realize that her desk is empty. She must have disappeared inside her office.

I shake my head. “No, that’s not—”

Summer whips up a hand. I’m almost surprised when she doesn’t eat up the distance between us and slap me across the cheek.

“I don’t want to hear it. I saw the pics.” She lowers her face to mine and growls, “I was there when you sent them to Austin.”

The image of that scenario actually playing out leaves me squirming. It’s not difficult to understand why he’s so angry and desperate to lash out and inflict damage.

After everything we went through and all the promises that were made, it would cut to the bone.

“I never sent them to Austin.”

Her expression turns incredulous as she arches a slim brow. “Is that supposed to make it better?”

I squeeze my eyes tightly closed for a moment and attempt to organize my thoughts. “What I meant to say is that I wasn’t with Jasper at the party and I never cheated on Austin. I…I don’t know what happened Friday night.”

Her brows slam together as her upper lip curls in disgust. “What do you mean? Were you seriously that drunk? Because guess what? It’s not an excuse for hooking up with your ex.”

“No,” I blurt desperately. “I don’t remember having any drinks. We arrived at the party and were outside for a while.” I scour my brain, trying to figure out where everything went so wrong. Where the memories should be, it’s blank. I jerk my shoulders in frustration. “I don’t remember much after that. All I know is that I woke up in Duke’s bed the next morning.”

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