Page 3 of Sinister Legacy
Madison is one of those rare unicorns who slots into all social groups. It’s effortless for her.
“Of course.”
After inputting my combination, I open my locker and grab the books I need. Beside me, Cassie swaps hers out.
“You should keep an eye on her.”
I snort a laugh, shutting my locker. What Madison and everyone else here fail to understand is that I don’t care enough to worry about Jessica moving in on Liam.
With her hands in her jacket pockets, Madison pops her gum before pushing off the locker. “Your first class is geography, right?”
I nod, shouldering my bag. “Science, right?”
Madison smirks. “You stalking me?”
I eye her pink puffer jacket and black ripped jeans. Her shoulder-length, wavy, raven hair has been dyed to cover up her natural blonde color. “Maybe.”
Her tinkling laughter rings out. That’s the one thing I like the most about Madison. She’s dark and brooding but has the brightest laugh, which she reserves for a select few.
“If he cheats on Keira, I’ll personally string him up by his balls,” Cassie growls beside us as we set off walking.
I roll my eyes, but Madison nods.
“I’ll help you out. The guy is a sleaze.”
“Asafesleaze,” Cassie says, nudging me with her shoulder.
“What are we doing for Halloween?” Jasper asks, dipping his fry in a dollop of mayo on his plate.
We’re at our usual hangout spot, a burger joint down by Blackwoods Bay. It used to be a seedy bar before it was renovated and rebranded. But no amount of fresh paint can remove the lingering stench of stale beer.
“We’re partying, of course,” Kit says, his arm wrapped around his girlfriend, Kara.
“Did you know,” Ava, seated to my left, starts, “that people with names that begin with the same letter as their significant other are statistically more likely to stay in a long-term relationship?”
I chuckle around my mouthful of fries. It’s too funny not to when Kit scrunches up his face in confusion.
“Could you be any more random? We’re talking about Halloween, and you bring up statistics?”
Ava shrugs, her musky perfume tickling my nose. “It’s interesting.”
Kara, dressed in Kit’s gray, oversized hoodie, tucks a lock of her brown hair behind her ear. “We’ll make sure to invite you to the wedding.”
Kit chokes on his coke.
On my other side, Hayley inspects her blood-red nails. “This year, I think we should spice things up.”
“What do you have in mind?” Jasper asks, chewing loudly.
“Can you not chew with your mouth open?” Hayley pulls an unimpressed face.
Jasper chews even louder.
Drinking the last of my coke, I place it down on the table, letting my eyes scan the crowded room. It’s peak hour, and most, if not all, tables are occupied.
“Tell us then,” Kara says, leaning into Kit.
Hayley shrugs, but there’s nothing casual about it. She’s like me—bored and restless with life.
