Page 95 of Princess of Hawthorne Prep

The Morgans quietly pulled Jasper out of school after the meeting with the police. Last I heard, he was attending a pricey reform school in England. With him gone, I no longer hesitate around every corner and wonder if he’s lurking in the shadows, waiting to pounce. Or if he’ll come up with a new twisted way to punish me.

Aubrey was suspended for the remainder of senior year. She’ll still be allowed to graduate from HP but can’t attend in-person classes. She sent a letter apologizing for her part in drugging me. I appreciate the sentiment but suspect her parents forced her to write it as part of her punishment.

Without my ex stirring up trouble, things have grown quiet. No one wants to bring up what Jasper did for fear of being attached to the scandal and facing stiff consequences from our new headmistress. Even the mean girl squad is taking a break from being their bitchy selves. The atmosphere is more what I always imagined Hawthorne Prep would be like before I actually stepped foot inside the building.

After a handful of moments, I spot an empty table near no man’s land and beeline in that direction. No longer is there the sensation of eyes crawling over me as I walk by. Once I’ve reached my destination, I set my tray down and settle in the middle of the table.

I don’t have a problem sitting by myself. Strangely enough, throughout everything that’s happened, I feel like I’ve grown stronger. I can handle myself and whatever comes my way. Nothing could be worse than dealing with Jasper.

I unscrew the cap from my water bottle before lifting it to my lips and taking a swig.

As I pick up my fork, ready to dig into my seared scallops and baby spinach with spiced pomegranate glaze, a deep voice says, “Hey. Mind if I join you?”

Recognition sets in as I glance up and find Duke standing across from me with his bagged lunch in hand.

“Sure.” I wave toward the long stretch of empty table. “That is, if you can find a spot.”

With a snort, his lips curl into a smile. “I’ll do my best to squeeze in right here. We’ll just have to find a way to make it work.”

Once settled, he opens his paper bag and takes out two sandwiches along with a Gatorade.

After he wolfs down one of them, he asks, “Are you doing all right?”

I nibble on my PB&J as the question circles around in my brain. It’s almost a surprise to realize that I am. I’ve made it through to the other side and lived to tell the tale. How many people can say that?

“I’m good.”

“Glad to hear it.” He picks up the other half and takes a big bite.

“Is it okay if we sit with you?” Everly asks.

Summer and Kingsley stand beside her.

My gaze darts to the auburn-haired girl before reluctantly sliding to her friend. Summer Hawthorne stares at me from eyes that are deep green with gold flecks that dance within them. Unlike weeks ago, they’re no longer filled with hostility and scorn.

A deep ache fills my heart before gradually spreading throughout my chest. As much as I’ve tried to relegate Austin to the past, it’s proven to be an impossible task. He continues to fill all of my waking thoughts.

And most of my dreams at night.

I shoot a quick glance at Duke from beneath the thick fringe of my lashes. His jaw has tightened and a muscle tics in his cheek. Everly doesn’t bother giving him the time of day. I’m not sure if her easy dismissal inflames his temper or not.

Even though she’s friends with Summer, Everly has stuck by my side and over the past two weeks, we’ve grown closer. Not only is she nice, she has a great sense of humor. If Duke would just give her a chance, he’d probably change his mind. Although, one look at the hostility blazing from his narrowed stare is enough to tell me that a reversal of his opinion isn’t going to happen anytime soon or without a fight.

“Of course.”

Summer settles beside Duke with Kingsley on the other side. Everly sits next to me and opposite her friend. As we dig into our lunches, discussions regarding our new headmistress pop up. What has become apparent is that she doesn’t care about appeasing the wealthy parents who send their kids to the elite prep school, and she’s unwilling to look the other way when students behave badly.

Which they do quite often.

My guess is that’s the reason the atmosphere around here has undergone such a drastic improvement. Whatever the explanation, it’s a welcome change and a breath of fresh air. I no longer dread walking into this place each morning.

“I heard Brentwood has a kid starting here soon,” Everly says.

“Hmm. That should be interesting, considering how welcoming most of these assholes are,” Summer interjects with a snort.

“If that’s true, no one will mess with her kid. Not after the way she ran Jasper out of town,” Kingsley adds.

We all nod in agreement.

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