by Mae Doyle
They all want to hear what’s going to happen. Before either of them can continue, though, the door opens and Mr. Fletcher strolls in. He’s younger than the rest of the staff here, which makes a lot of the girls swoon.
Instead of settling down behind his desk like normal, he leans against it and crosses his arms. His eyes land on me and he gestures. “Come here, Kiera, Luca, Parker.”
The three of us stand and walk to the front of the room. I follow the boys, not wanting to let them get behind me. It’s not that they would attack me in the middle of a classroom, right?
It’s not worth the risk.
When we’re all in front of him, Mr. Fletcher regards us all, steepling his hands in front of his face like it’s going to make him look older and more in control.
“Do you three know what’s going on here?” He sounds a little bored, and for a moment, I hope that this doesn’t have anything to do with breakfast.
When Luca and Parker don’t answer him, I speak up. “No, sir,” I lie. “Please tell us what’s happening.”
Luca shifts his feet a little and I hear Parker stifle a chuckle, but I look straight ahead. All I want to do is pretend that they’re not next to me. That this isn’t happening.
What if I get kicked out? I can only imagine the glee on Asher’s face and how angry Uncle Levi would be.
“It’s about your math level, Kiera,” Mr. Fletcher says, his voice dropping a little to keep everyone else from listening in. “I’m a little worried about how well you’re going to do in this class if you don’t get help. Did you take any algebra classes back home?”
My face burns and I shake my head. “They weren’t offered.”
This time, Parker doesn’t try to hide his laugh. “Do they do anything besides addition in West Virginia?” He asks, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “I’m surprised that you even know how to write your name, Kiera, honestly.”
Mr. Fletcher cuts his eyes at Parker but doesn’t say anything. Great. It’s good to know who really rules the school around here.
“I want you to get some tutoring if you’re only going to fall more and more behind,” Mr. Fletcher says. I hear what he’s saying, but I don’t want to acknowledge it.
“Luca and Parker need tutoring too?” I ask, my voice hopeful. There’s no way that these two assholes could possibly be good at math. Right?
This time, it’s Luca’s turn to laugh. “No, darling, we’re the top students in class. I know that your little West Virginia brain can’t comprehend the fact that people could be good at math, but it’s true. If you can count that high, you’ll be able to see that there’s two of here, but just one of you.” He turns to Mr. Fletcher. “Is she that terrible at math that she needs both of us to tutor her?”
Mr. Fletcher sighs. “No, I just know that you two are busy with lacrosse. I thought that you two could take turns working with her. I don’t know how long it will take, but…”
He trails off when he sees the look on my face. “I’m sorry, do I not get a say in the matter? Or are you going to continue to talk about me like I’m not here?” Now I’m pissed. I know that everyone in the room is listening to what I’m saying, but I don’t give a shit.
I’m not going to stand here and let him talk about me like I’m stupid.
“And I don’t want their help. I can do it on my own.” Turning around, I stalk back to my desk and slam into my seat. Luca and Parker follow soon after, neither of them speaking to me.
I can’t believe this. What a great way to add insult to injury – of course two of the devils would be the smartest people in my math class. Of course the teacher would want them to tutor me. But I’m not going to let that happen.
I hate them both.
***
“Are you sure you don’t want to watch a movie with us?” Clementine hovers near my table in the library, even though both Lila and Sophia have already given up on me. “I know that you’re stressed out about math, but you have to give your brain a break or you’re going to go crazy.”
“Not a chance.” I shake my head. “I have to figure out how to handle this on my own or Mr. Fletcher’s going to make me accept tutoring from one of the devils, and there’s not a chance in hell I’ll do that.”
She grins at me while she waits for me to realize what I’ve said. It sinks in and I have to laugh. “It’s just not fair that they’re good at math,” I tell her, even though I know I’m whining. “I want to be better than them, but this shit is just so hard!”
“It really is.” She leans over my paper and shrugs. “I’m sorry that my math class was full. It sucks that you had to take Eric’s classes and they wouldn’t let you change any of them.”
“Yeah, I guess that my aunt and uncle didn’t donate quite enough money to the school for that to happen. I’d call and ask for more, but we both know what would happen.” It sucks, but even as the words leave my mouth, I know I’m right. They washed their hands of me. I’m on my own now.
“Well,” Clementine says, standing up and shouldering her backpack, “you know where to find us. We’d love to have you. I think that Lila snuck some popcorn back and we’re going to break into the kitchen to use the microwave.” She grins and I force myself to smile at her.
“I’ll be here, thanks. Breakfast tomorrow though?”
She laughs. “As long as there isn’t any roadkill, I’m there.”
I smile at her after she throws me a wave and then turn back to my math. It sucks that I was so upset after talking with Mr. Fletcher at the beginning of class that I had a hard time paying attention. I’m pretty sure that he went over all of this during class, but for the life of me, I can’t remember it.
“Aw, shit,” I say pushing the book away from me and dropping my head to the table with a thud. I’m the only one still in the library except for the librarian, but she ducked off into the back a while ago, so there’s nobody here to witness me having a mini meltdown.
“You look like you need a friend.” The voice cuts through the silence and I sit up with a gasp, my eyes widening when I see Luca walking towards me. He’s obviously showered after lacrosse practice, and he pushes his damp hair back as he comes closer.
I immediately feel my heart start to beat faster. He’s just so damn hot, with his tousled hair and the way he strolls towards me. Shifting uncomfortably in my seat, I try to ignore the feeling growing between my legs.
“I have friends,” I finally manage to say when I find my voice. “I’m actually going to be joining them now, so I’ll see you later.” Pushing my chair back, I try to gather my book and papers into a pile in a hurry, but I stop dead in my tracks when he reaches out and puts his hand on mine.
“That’s a lie, darling. I can always tell when people are lying, and I hate liars.”
I hope to god that he can’t hear my heart pounding right now in the silence of the library. His skin feels electric on mine and I hate myself for even thinking like that. I shouldn’t find him attractive. I shouldn’t want him to keep touching me.
He’s a devil, for fuck’s sake, and all he’s done since I got here has been to ruin my life and make it as hard for me as possible.
“Not a lie.” I jerk my hand out from under his and grab my books. A piece of paper flutters to the ground between us, but I don’t want to bend down and get it. It’s probably just scrap paper anyway, and there’s no way that I’m going to take my eyes off of him right now.
Luca pauses, like he’s debating what to say, then just shrugs. “So you got your homework under control? I told Parker that I’d come and check on you when you didn’t come back to the dorm with your gaggle of friends.”
He was watching for me? I frown. “I don’t need you to keep tabs on me,” I tell him, stepping around the chair and putting it between the two of us. I don’t know that he would do anything to hurt me, but I sure as hell don’t want to stick around to find out. I know that Asher has to be pissed about the roadkill, but he hasn’t done anything to retaliate.
&nb
sp; That actually scares me more than if he’d lashed out at me.
“Let me know if you change your mind, darling. I’m here to help you with your math.” Even an idiot would be able to hear the suggestion in his voice, and I swallow and back up slowly.
“I don’t change my mind, and I don’t want your help, Luca.”
Holding my breath, I turn and walk away from him. It’s a lie. I want his help. I just hope that he wasn’t serious when he said that he can tell when people are lying. No matter if he knows the truth or not, I can feel his eyes boring into me the entire way across the library.
It isn’t until I get outside that I can breathe again. The air is thick and heavy with the promise of rain, but it’s better than the charged air inside the library.
It’s better than being near one of the devils.
Chapter 11
I’m late to homeroom. I know that I finished my math homework, but it’s not in my backpack. It’s not in my math folder or tucked into my book. There’s a strong feeling of panic as I run in the room and my stomach sinks when I realize that all seats are taken. Reluctantly, I slide into a seat in the front row, right in front of Asher.
He hasn’t spoken to me since I dumped the rotten possum on his head yesterday morning, and I can’t help but hope that maybe he’s moved on. Found someone else to hate. His cousin has possibly gotten into a good school, and that may mean that he’ll leave me alone.
Yeah, right.
The morning announcements are fast, and everyone pulls out homework and projects to work on. I know that need to finish my poetry review that’s due next period in English, but I have to find my math. I’m more afraid of Mr. Fletcher right now than I am Mrs. Capps, the English teacher.
“Missing something?” Even though I haven’t heard his voice in more than 24 hours, I know Asher when he speaks. My whole body trembles and I turn to look at him, making sure to keep my face as calm and passive as possible. He looks bored, and even that thrills me.
There’s something about him, hell, about all of the devils, that makes me ache. I feel my core tightening whenever I’m around them, no matter what they’re saying or doing. I can’t help the way I feel, but the irony that I’ve never felt this way about any guy before isn’t lost on me.
I want him. The realization hits me as I look at him. Holy hell, that’s something to unpack later.
“Just looking for my math. I know that I stuck it in here somewhere.” I try to keep my voice light and airy as I poke around in my backpack, but I’m beginning to feel panicked. I finished it last night, but then where could it be?
After another moment of digging, I stop and sit up. It’s just not in my backpack, and I’m going to have to admit it. Did I leave it in my room? Did I drop it by my desk? If so, I could totally run back to get it. I’d end up a bit late to my next class, but it would be worth it to show Mr. Fletcher that I can handle his class on my own, without the help of a devil.
Suddenly, though, I pause. Ice runs down my back as I remember something that happened yesterday in the library. I’d dropped a piece of paper in the library yesterday and left it there rather than bend down in front of Luca.
Fuck. No. The cold feeling is replaced by sweat and I brush my hand across my forehead as I rip deeper into my backpack. I haven’t been at school long enough for my backpack to be filled with crap, so there’s not much to look through, but I dig anyway.
“You sure you picked it up off the floor?”
I jerk my head up to look at Asher. He’d sounded bored before, but now there’s an evil glint in his eye. He knows where my homework is. Turning around, I spot Luca in the back corner of the room. He’s bent over his paper, working hard, doing his best to not look at me.
“Give it back.” Turning back around, I fix Asher in place with a stare. “I need that, and you have to give it back to me.”
He laughs, making Mrs. Wickes look up at us. “Everything okay over there? Do you need to be moved, Kiera?”
Me? Taking a deep breath, I shake my head. “We’re fine,” I tell her, and as soon as she looks away, I lean closer to Asher. “Give it to me. I worked hard on that.”
“You did? Could have fooled me since so many of the answers were absolute shit. Tell me, Kiera, were you top of your class back home or is everyone in the mountains there as stupid as you?”
“Fuck. You.’
Asher’s eyes widen. “Don’t make promises that you can’t keep, little girl,” he warns, reaching out and tugging gently on my hair. I knock his hand away and fix him in place again with my stare.
“I mean it, Asher. Give me my math back.”
“I mean it,” he mocks, his voice high and tight. “I mean it too, Kiera. You don’t belong here. You’re too damn dumb to even hold onto your math, so maybe you should be the one who fucks off.”
I open my mouth to respond, but Mrs. Wickes clears her throat and I turn back around to face the front of the room. As much as I want to fight with Asher and get my math homework back, there’s no way that I can do it without getting into trouble.
Gritting my teeth, I flip my math book open. Although my homework last night took a few hours, if I work hard and fast, I may be able to crank it out again. No guarantees, but having something to hand in, even if it’s not complete, is a hell of a lot better than not having anything.
I can feel Asher’s eyes boring into the back of my head as I bend over my work. My poetry isn’t finished either, but I don’t have any way to get them both done. I’m going to have to prioritize, and if I don’t want Mr. Fletcher to really push me having a tutor every single afternoon, then I need to show him that I can manage on my own.
By the time the tone sounds for us to move to our first class, I’m nowhere near done, but at least I have a few problems written out and solved.
Ducking my head, I pick up the pace as I head to my next class, but the devils all fall into step with me. Asher looks his arm around my shoulders, pulling me close to him. I stiffen immediately, and want to jerk away, but he’s stronger than I am, and I end up melting into his body.
I want to hate it, but I can’t help that there’s something nice about him pulling me close. If only he weren’t such an asshole, I could allow myself to really relax, but I don’t trust him.
But does this mean that he’s forgiven me for breakfast yesterday? Part of me hopes so, but I’m terrified that this is all just a ruse.
“Listen, Kiera, I think that we got off on the wrong foot when you first came here.” Asher has his head bent down to mine so that I’ll be able to hear him over the noise of the hallway. It doesn’t matter, though, because everyone falls silent when they see the two of us walking together.
It seems that everyone knows about the two of us. People are shamelessly staring, and I can’t help but wonder where my friends are. I could use them right now.
“I think that you’re an asshole,” I tell him, speaking loudly enough to make sure that everyone can hear me. I don’t want anyone here to think that I like being tucked under his arm like this, because I don’t.
Right?
“And you,” I say, turning under Asher’s arm so that I can spot Luca, “you’re the asshole who took my homework.”
To his credit, he blushes just a bit, but quickly recovers and shakes his head. “All I did was pick up some litter in the library. Not my fault that you can’t keep track of your stuff. What if it had been part of a journal or something? I’m sure that that would have been mortifying.”
I pause, trying to decide if that’s a threat, and Asher has to pull me along to make me walk with him again. I have a journal in my room, but there’s no way that they know that, right? The only way for them to know about my journal would be for them to have been in my room.
And I’m pretty sure that I’d know if they went in there. Right?
My heart’s beating faster than before as I think about where I have it tucked away in my closet.
Luca reads my mind. “So you do have a journal,
huh?”
“Every girl has a journal,” Parker says, scoffing at me. “We just haven’t found it yet.”
Haven’t found it yet.
This time, when I stop walking, even Asher can’t pull me forward and make me take another step. “You assholes have been in my room. When? How? How the fuck did you get a key?”
My pulse is racing as I look at the four of them. Only Caspian looks down when I catch his eye. The other three devils grin at me like they’re glad to be caught. Like they like seeing me so mad.
“What I want to know, Kiera,” Asher says, reaching out to brush some hair from my face, “is where your pictures of your parents are.”
I smack his hand away and glare at him. All of my pictures are in my suitcase at my aunt and uncle’s. Even though I hoped all last week that they would send me my things and my favorite clothes, they haven’t, and I’ve finally resigned myself to the fact that they’re not going to.
“They’re not here.” My hands are balled into fists and all I can think about is how great it would feel to punch Asher right in his perfect face. I’ve never hit anyone before, but I can only imagine how incredibly satisfying it would be to break his nose.
His perfect nose.
“Yeah, I thought not.” Parker pulls a piece of paper out of his backpack and holds it up so that I can see it. At first, I can’t believe what I’m seeing, but then I lunge for it, wanting to tear it from his hand.
“Give it!” My pulse pounds in my ears as I stare at the picture. I have no idea how he got a copy of it. There’s no way that my aunt and uncle would have given it to him, but he has it. He has a picture of me and my parents. We all look so happy. They’re holding hands and I’m on the ground, my arm swung around Rufus.
“This little thing? I thought it was a piece of trash. Just like you.” Parker fingers the top of the picture and my heart leaps into my throat. If he tears it, I’ll throw up. I know that I will.
“Please, Parker, don’t hurt it. Let me have it.” I don’t want to beg these assholes for anything, but this is the one thing that I’ll make an exception on.