Page 89 of Princess of Hawthorne Prep

As tempting as it is to cling to the lifeline she’s throwing, I step closer and drop my voice. “You don’t have to do this.”

Confusion flickers across her expression. “Do what?”

Heat stings my cheeks as I force myself to address the obvious. “Stand by my side. I don’t want you getting hit by shrapnel and becoming collateral damage. You know what this place is like. It’s not a matter ofifthey turn on you, it’s a matter ofwhen.”

With a jerk of her shoulders, she straightens to her full height. “You’re right, I know exactly what it’s like. Which is why we’re going to walk in together.”

Her unexpected offer of solidarity has emotion welling up inside my throat. It takes effort to tamp it down. “I appreciate that.”

More than she can possibly realize.

More than I’m able to put into words.

Especially right now.

I can't help but issue one last warning, needing her to understand what she’s opening herself up to. I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy.

“I just want you to be sure.”

Unconcerned with the growing number of stares aimed in our direction, Everly slips her arm through mine. “Forget about these assholes.” She sends a scathing look toward the groups of students standing around and gossiping. “In fact, you should feel sorry for them.”

When I give her a questioning look, or, more accurately, one that saysare you crazy, she continues. “Just think how pathetic it must be to peak in high school. Most probably don’t even realize that it’s all downhill from here.”

That comment does the unexpected and lightens the mood.

It’s amazing how one loyal friend willing to stand by your side is enough to boost your morale and make the bleakest of situations tolerable. Her offer of friendship isn’t something I take lightly or for granted.

She gives me a determined nod before we start off again. After the first couple steps, I realize my chest no longer aches as if there is an elephant sitting in the middle of it. I draw a breath of fresh air into my lungs before slowly expelling it back into the atmosphere. The pit that has taken up residence at the bottom of my belly since Mom’s affair came to light shrinks just a bit. It doesn’t completely dissolve, but it no longer feels like I’m moments away from being sick.

It’s only when the back of my neck prickles that I lift my head and scan the pockets of people. Just like always, my gaze is inexplicably drawn to his, as if I was aware of him standing there, watching me. His green eyes flare with dark emotion as if I’m the one who inflicted the damage. Even though I steel myself against the pain, it explodes in my chest like a gunshot wound. The combustible energy we always seem to generate tugs at the deepest part of me. I don’t understand how I can feel so strongly about someone I should loathe.

No…

Idohate Austin. He’s blown my world apart.

Unfortunately, my heart hasn’t received the memo just yet, but it will.

With enough time.

It’s like someone reached into my chest, wrapped their hand around my beating heart and wrenched it from my body while still dripping blood. I have to remind myself that he betrayed me in more ways than one. Not only did he hurt me, but my mother as well.

And there’s no way to forgive that.

“Are you all right?” Everly whispers, breaking through the trance that has fallen over me.

I jerk my head into a stiff nod.

“Are you going to talk to him?” she asks tentatively.

“No. There’s nothing for us to discuss. It’s over.We’reover.”

“The stubborn expression on his face says otherwise.”

That’s too damn bad. Austin Hawthorne no longer calls the shots where I’m concerned. I force my gaze away from him and focus on the stone building looming in front of me. Thirty more steps and we’ll be safely inside.

Ha!

As if there’s any security to be found within the prestigious academy.

---