by Ruby Vincent
I screamed at him. I raged and cursed and swore every filthy word I knew, and he heard none of it through my gag. Even so, I wasn’t the only one making their anger known. Adam had been placed next to me, and as I looked around, I saw more boys had been taken.
Cameron held up a hand. “Settle down, guys. No one is going to hurt you. We brought you here for a reason, and trust me, you’re going to want to hear what we have to say.”
Cameron stood and jumped off the boulder. My futile cries died in my throat as uncertainty gripped me.
“This is not a prank or hazing,” Cameron began. “This is an opportunity. An opportunity that I was given during my orientation week by the Elites that came before me, and one they were given by those who came before them.”
Cameron stopped in front of me. He met my eyes, towering over me as my body went rigid.
“We’ve chosen you because you’re the ten most likely candidates to enter the Elite Class. That is an honor on its own, but it’s one that’s given by test scores and grades. To truly be one of us—to be accepted as an Elite—it is us who will do the choosing.”
Cameron seemed to be speaking to everyone, but for some reason, his eyes didn’t stray from me. “We invited you out tonight to let you know what we’re about. To show you what you can become. We’ll be watching. We’ll be assessing you. And we’ll let you know where you truly stand when this week is over.”
I swallowed hard as another smile twisted his lips. He looked into my eyes... then he snapped his fingers.
“Ungag them.”
A hand crossed my vision and tugged the gag out of my mouth. I didn’t hold back when it was gone.
“What the hell!” I spat. “Have you ever heard of a text? What kind of psychos would kidnap people from their beds?!”
The guys around me were saying much the same.
Cameron wasn’t fazed. “It’s tradition. New candidates are brought out here for a little chat. If you want to run off whining, go ahead. We won’t stop you.” He looked over my shoulder. “You can untie them.”
Someone grabbed my hands and freed me. I turned around and met their faces as they pulled the masks off. It was Santiago and one of the guys I met at the dinner, Heath Dowell. I looked around at everyone in the group. It wasn’t just Heath, Santiago, and Cameron. I recognized the two other Elite Class boys they were with at the dinner.
They went down the row, untying the other guys: Adam Moon, Zachary Fields, Landon Foster, Cole Reed, Michael Young, three guys I didn’t know, and—
“I’m going to kill your ass, Cameron!” Derek shoved Heath out of the way and stalked toward the older boy. He stuck his face in his, eyes blazing. “What the fuck is wrong with you?!”
Cameron didn’t flinch. “Try to keep up, Grayson. We told you why you’re here. We’re offering you acceptance into the Elites. Don’t let that mouth ruin it.”
Derek scoffed. “I’m getting into the Elite Class either way. You don’t decide shit.”
“I’m not talking about the class. It’s one thing to wear the E on your chest. It’s another to truly be one of us.”
My brows snapped together. Was that why only five of the Elites were here instead of their whole class? Were they not a part of their little... club?
But why would they think we would want to be?
“Why do you want me?” I asked. “Why do you want any of us?”
Cameron stepped past Derek like he wasn’t there. “I’ll tell you. I’ll tell you everything as long as one thing is very clear. Nothing you see or hear tonight is to leave these woods.” His pleasant smile evaporated. Cameron scanned the group with a look in his eyes that made me take an involuntary step back. “I’m serious. If you rat us out, you’ll regret it. So leave now if you don’t want to be one of us.”
“I’m out.” One of the guys I didn’t know threw up his hands. “I’ll keep my mouth shut, but whatever this is, I’m not interested.” He grabbed his friends’ arms. “Parker. Jose. Let’s get out of here.” The three slowly backed away. When they saw no one was going to stop them, they turned and ran.
I glanced at Adam, eyes questioning, but he wasn’t looking at me nor was he moving. He stood stock-still, gazing at Cam. Not even Derek moved, although he still looked like he wanted to knock Cameron’s head off.
Maybe it was loyalty, or it could have been curiosity, either way, I didn’t leave either. I turned and faced Cameron.
“Alright, we’re staying,” I announced. “Explain.”
“Gladly.” He gestured at the others. “Come closer.”
Slowly, the other boys moved in until we formed a semicircle in front of him and the Elites. The lanterns cast shadows over their faces as Cameron began. “It all started twelve years ago with the scandal that took down Evergreen Academy. You know about it, of course.”
To my surprise, Adam and the other boys nodded. “No,” I spoke up. “I don’t.”
Cameron inclined his head. “Right, you wouldn’t. Ask your boy, Adam, about it later. He knows all the details.” He took his eyes off me and kept going. “Like I was saying, the scandal hit the media and everyone found out what was really going on at that school, but while some people bleated and moaned about how awful it was, the members of the Elite junior class at the time saw its genius. That was the year they formed the Network.”
“The Network?” I repeated.
“That’s right. If there is one truth in this world, it’s that it’s all about who you know. That matters almost as much as what you know or how talented you are. Connections, boys. That’s what the Network offers you, and Breakbattle is the key.”
I opened my mouth. I think I had a question, but it died on my lips. Cameron’s soft voice had me spellbound. My eyes followed him as he moved through the semicircle.
“This school makes it easy for us. They sort the worthless from the gems. The Elite Class is the best of the best. The smartest, the fastest, the strongest, the ones that not only have the ability to be great but the willingness to crush those who stand in their way. The Founders saw this and realized what a waste it is to let them graduate and then scatter to the wind.
“We should be banding together. We should be helping each other on the way to”—Cameron paused in front of Michael and Cole—“the Olympics. There are members in the Network who have gone and came home with the gold. Wouldn’t you like to meet them? Wouldn’t you like their endorsements, their tips, their coaching?”
Cameron slid away before they could answer. “And you, Foster.” Landon’s pool water eyes met Cameron’s steadily. “I know you have bigger aspirations than Daddy’s fashion line or Mommy’s cosmetic company. It’s hard to go against your parents, but it becomes a bit easier when you have others backing you. We have college scouts in the Network, Foster. If you want to take your wrestling all the way, there are people who can get you there.”
Adam was close enough that I felt him stiffen when Cameron came to him. “Moon,” he began. “I didn’t want you. I didn’t think you had what it took until I saw you go up against Young. There is a killer instinct somewhere beneath that toothy grin, and if you use it, you’ll find yourself in the right position to make the connections that will help you when you take over Shea Industries. It’s a big job running a billion-dollar company. I know you don’t want to let one dad down, let alone all of them.”
I sensed Adam getting tense. Taking the heat off him, I blurted, “What about me? What is your little club supposed to do for me and why would you want me in it anyway?” Cameron turned piercing eyes on me. “I lost today’s trial and none of you know me.”
He inclined his head. “You did lose, that’s true. But I was watching you. I saw you pull back and analyze Justin’s weaknesses in less than a minute. You saw that he’d overextend himself when he lunged and that was a perfect time to flip him, and you tried to do it although you didn’t know how. You also noticed the way he crossed his legs and left an opportunity to knock him off balance. Again, you went for it. If
you knew how to properly pin him, the match would have gone to you. You demonstrated two of the most important things an Elite must be able to do: find their opponent’s weakness and go after it with everything they’ve got.”
I gazed at him, struck speechless. That wasn’t what I was trying to do. I was just trying to win a silly school match.
But the look in his eyes says this is far from a game.
“As for what we can do for you,” he continued, “that depends on what you want. We’re all about expanding the Elite Network to include people from all fields and backgrounds. If you get in, you’ll be the first member to speak four languages and be so well-traveled. If you lend your talents, we’ll lend ours when you need them.”
I had no reply. My head was spinning with the implications of what he was telling me. This was bigger than a couple of boys messing around in the woods. The kind of stuff he was talking about made futures and fortunes.
“And then there’s you, Grayson.” Cameron twisted around to face him. “The only thing I know for sure you want other than pretty girls is to be on top.” He threw out his hands. “Well, it doesn’t get any higher than the Network, so what’s it going to be? Are you in? Are you all in?”
Derek scowled. “You say you’re on top, but how are we supposed to believe you? Who is in this Network? Name these Olympians and scouts and CEOs.”
Cameron didn’t skip a beat. “Those are the kind of details you get when you’re officially in the Network. You haven’t gotten in to the Elite Class. You haven’t proven yourself, but... I will tell you this. You already know one person in the Network. He used to change your piss-soaked diapers.”
Derek’s snarl fled as surprise flashed across his face. “Dad? My dad? But— That’s not true!” Derek quickly swung back to anger. “He would have told me!”
“Would he?” He stuck his face in Derek’s. “Like I said, you haven’t proven yourself.”
Derek bared his teeth but said no more. Cameron turned his back on him. “Now, I repeat. Are you in?”
A clear voice broke through the night. “Yes.” Landon stepped forward. “I’m in.”
“I’m in.”
“Me too.”
“I’m in.”
“Whatever.” This came from Derek.
It was down to me and Adam. I was first to move to Landon’s side. “I’ll do it.”
“Okay,” Adam spoke up. “Me too.”
Cameron’s smile sent a shiver skittering up my spine. “Perfect. Now you can come with us.”
He and the Elites pivoted and walked off in the direction of the boulder. We were blindfolded when we came in, but they were off now and I didn’t need a map to tell me the lights were in the opposite direction. They weren’t leading us back to school.
“What is this?” I asked. “Where are we going?”
“You’re going to have to trust us if you want to be one of the Elites,” he called over his shoulder. “Just remember to keep your mouth shut.”
That reply did not fill me with confidence, but the other boys set off to follow them without hesitation.
Adam bumped my shoulder. “Come on. If we’re doing this, we’re doing it.”
I looked between him and the boys disappearing into the trees. “Alright,” I said as I let out a shuddering breath. “Let’s go.”
Chapter Four
The noise pulled us deeper into the woods. I didn’t understand the sounds I was hearing. It made no sense. My confusion only deepened when I spotted the glow breaking through the trees. What was going on? Where were they taking us?
Together, we stepped out into a clearing. My jaw dropped.
“Oh no,” Adam moaned.
“Dammit, Cameron!” Derek cursed. “You’re such an ass!”
The older boy laughed. “Don’t be like that. The volunteers always get together during O-Week and throw one of these. You should be happy you’re invited, but remember, you keep what we talked about to yourself.”
With that, he and his friends walked off and joined the party. Yep, party. Boys and girls were talking, dancing, and drinking if the red Solo cups held what I assumed they did. The rest of the Elite Class was here and some boys from our orientation got the invite, but clearly none of them knew about our meeting by the boulder.
I looked at the kids assembled and then down at myself. Everyone was in their pajamas, but we were the lucky ones without shoes, and in Cole’s, Michael’s, and Derek’s case, they didn’t have on shirts either.
“This is not good,” Adam whispered.
I glanced up at him, but he was looking in the other direction. I followed his eyes to... Melody.
The girl stood next to the keg holding court. Whatever she was saying must have been interesting because a group of guys and girls were fixed on her as she went on, waving her hands and gesturing.
I elbowed him. “Why don’t you run back to the dorm and get changed before she—”
The sentence wasn’t out of my mouth before one of the girls she was talking to glanced in our direction. Her eyes bugged at the sight of so many hot, half-naked boys—and me—and she tugged on Melody’s arm. Melody turned and looked right at us.
I clicked my tongue. “Too late.”
“It’s not too late,” Adam said. “I’ll just go back like you said and—”
I grabbed his arm before he could run away. “She’s already seen you. Don’t be embarrassed. You’ve got more clothes on than those guys.”
“I’m in my boxers,” he hissed.
“So are half the guys here. Own it. Be confident. And use full sentences when you speak to her.”
“But—”
I shoved him in her direction and let fate take over. Adam stumbled off as I looked around the party. This was the first party I had been to.
What am I supposed to do with myself?
I wasn’t much of a drinker. Mom had no qualms about letting me sip from her glasses of wine or take a swig of her beers growing up, and I accepted fast that I hated the taste. The speakers were pumping a steady beat, but I could not dance for anything. Maybe I was the one who should head back to the dorm. There was nothing for me to do here.
I turned my back on the party. I’m tired anyway. I’ll just—
“Don’t leave so soon.” A hand fisted in my pajamas and pulled me up short. “We haven’t had a chance to talk.”
I didn’t get out a word before I was spun around and pulled to someone’s side. His velvety silk pajamas caressed my cheek as he pulled me close and enveloped me in his spicy sweet scent. I had a brief thought about pulling away, but it vanished when Landon smiled down on me.
“We all know each other, but you’re brand new. If we’re about to spend the next four years together, we should lift the veil of unfamiliarity.”
We?
I broke away from his gaze as the other boys moved in on us. Cole, Michael, and... Derek.
My heart shot into my throat when I laid eyes on him. “Um... is that your way of saying you want to get to know me?”
Derek scoffed. “I already know you—”
I stiffened. What? How—
“—you’re another loser fanboy that thinks stalking me online makes you my friend.”
I flushed hot. “I’m not a fanboy! I just wanted to talk to you.”
He raised a brow. “About?”
I swallowed as my eyes flicked between the guys. “It... wasn’t important.”
“That’s what I thought.” He looked at the others. “You all waste your time with him. I’m going to party.”
Derek strolled off. Within seconds, two girls ran up to him and tucked themselves under his arms.
I shook my head as I watched him go. “What’s up with your friend?”
“He’s not our friend,” Landon replied. “He’s not friends with anyone.”
“Who cares about him?” Cole stepped forward. “What’s up with you? Do you really speak four languages?”
“He does,” Landon said before I coul
d reply. “Plus, he’s better at math than Santi.”
“I answered one question,” I cut in.
“Still,” Landon went on. “It was enough to impress Cam and that guy does not impress easily.”
Cole’s gaze turned appreciative. “Nice.”
“Why does it matter?” I asked.
“How can you ask that after what just happened?”
Michael closed the distance between us. “We’ve lived in Evergreen our whole lives,” he said. This was the first time I had heard Michael Young speak. His voice was soft and smooth like water passing over a riverbed. It slipped into my ears and stuck in my brain. “We’ve gone to the same schools and we’ve known we were headed to Breakbattle since elementary.”
“We’ve also known we were expected to become one of the ten boys in the Elite Class,” said Cole. “Just like Moon—even though he likes to play it cool—and Fields. Our parents expect nothing less.”
“But we expect even more,” Michael continued. “We’re going to be better than the best. We want all the privileges that come with being Elite and more.” His tone was measured, but his gaze burned into me, rooting me to the spot. “I’m not stopping with Olympic gold medals. I’m going even higher. I plan to break world records.”
Cole nodded in agreement.
“That’s great,” I replied for lack of anything better to say. What did this have to do with me?
Landon gave me a little shake. “Cam was right about my aspirations. I’ve got plans that Mom and Dad don’t know about—that they don’t want for me. Which means, I need the right kind of people on my side. We’re not friends,” he said bluntly as he gestured at Michael and Cole. “But this is bigger than that. We’ll be the real players at this school, so we need to know our allies, and it seems... you’re going to be one of them.”
“So let’s talk,” Michael finished.
My eyes ping-ponged between them. “Right now?”
“No,” Cole said. “Tomorrow. Lunch. Sit with us.”
They fell silent, clearly waiting for my response. The expressions on their faces spoke to their seriousness. Why was everyone at this school so intense? I could only imagine what it would be like when we had to battle for everything. Maybe I should remove myself from the craziness now.