Page 8 of One Twisted Lie

Magnus tips his head to the side, reaching out and squeezing his shoulder. “Well, we’ll be here when you come back out.”

I think about it for a second. I hate that Avery is like this. Like I said, I know I can be an asshole, but I actually care. I care more than any of them know. I care that Daniel and Magnus are probably fucking. I care that Magnus is just going to break Daniel’s heart. I care that Avery is heartbroken over something, even if it is admittedly unusual.

But I know something that might cheer him up.

“You know what’ll make you feel better? Let’s go to a rave!” I say excitedly, clapping my hands at my brilliant idea. “That’ll take your mind off it. There’s one in Zurich this weekend. We can hop on a train Friday after classes and be there by the time it starts.”

Magnus wags his brows at me, and I already predict that he’s going to fucking roll his ass off this weekend. “Ooo, will there be treats? Molly always makes me horny.”

Carter shakes his head. “The wind makes you horny.”

“Yes, I’ll find us the good stuff,” I confirm, high-fiving Magnus. “Fuck yeah. Hey, Avery, maybe that’ll make you feel better.”

“We can try, but everything sucks right now. The universe is out to get me. The stars aren’t aligning. The—”

I sigh. So much for that plan. “Okay, we get it.”

“Ozymandias, you’re such a dick!”

Once again, Carter’s on me. I have no idea what his fucking problem is. God, he gets me so fucking pissed. Can’t I just have one good idea?

“What?” I ask, growing irritated. “What the fuck is your problem?”

“You’re my problem,” he snarls, snatching up his textbook and his laptop as he pushes his black-framed glasses up his nose. “Unbelievable.”

And as he marches away, I’m left to wonder where the fuck I went wrong.

Chapter 5

Carter

I’m slinking in the shadows like some creep. I know I should probably come out and help Ozymandias take Sebastian down a peg or two, but I can’t help but just watch.

After Avery told us what happened with Sebastian, and after we all saw the state he was in, I think all of us wanted to do something about it, but Ozymandias is the only one bold enough to actually confront the new kid.

Andconfrontmight not even be the best word to use.

Sebastian looks—simply put—fucking terrified, and I can’t blame him. Despite my absolute loathing of him, Ozymandias is intimidating as hell. At six foot four, he’s taller than even Magnus, and he has these broad shoulders and perfectly outlined muscles that make you realize he could probably beat your ass to the ground. Not only that, but he’s also—groan—the king of kings. It’s a point of contention between us, but he’s the richest kid here. With his connections, I have no doubt he could even make someone disappear if he wanted it badly enough.

And that face.

It’s like supernatural-level hot. Not that I think he’s hot. No. Not at all. He’s just someone that you can’t help but look at. Strong high cheekbones, chronically pursed lips, and dark blue eyes that can’t possibly be real. His nose is straight, regal, and proud, and the angles of his face are archaic.

Sebastian walks away with his head held up high, but I’m smart enough to spot the tell-tale markers of nervousness and hesitation in his eyes. Whatever Ozymandias told him has struck its mark.

I finally emerge from my spot behind a tree, arms crossed as I walk up behind an unsuspecting Ozymandias. “Nice.”

He startles at my presence, whipping around with wide eyes. When he realizes it’s me, those same blue eyes narrow. “Excuse me?”

“The way you defended Avery,” I say because I did hear most of it. He stood up for his friend, he made it clear we are not the friend group to fuck with, and he put Sebastian in his place. I chuckle. “I forget that sometimes you can be a decent person.”

He shakes his head as he pinches the bridge of his nose. There’s some sort of turmoil within him that’s unusual—defeat paired with irritation—and he finally scoffs. “Fuck off, Everett.”

“Really?” I say, growing irritated like I always do in his presence. “I try to pay you a compliment and that’s how you react?”

“What do you want me to say? Thank you? You’re just being a dick, per usual.”

Now, my face is in flames. What the fuck is his problem? Why does it always come to this between us? It’s like we can’t have one civil conversation without jumping down each other’s throats. “Jesus. I wonder what it’s like to be such a raging asshole.”

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