Evergreen Academy - The Complete Series

by Ruby Vincent

  Airi stopped in front of her door and moved her tray to one hand. She reached for the keypad. “How about no? Honestly, what are you even doing right now? This is a new level of pathetic.”

  Airi placed her finger on the first number then gave me a pointed look. I turned my head away and faint beeps sounded in my ear.

  “I just thought I’d give you one last chance to end this,” I continued, “because I’ll be coming after the Diamonds and making sure you, Isabella, and your rabid bitch, Natalie, pay for what you did.”

  Airi choked. Her hand slipped on the doorknob and it swung shut in her face. “What did you just say?”

  I gave her a salute. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

  I took off before she could recover and was pushing into my room by the time the insults started. Hurrying to my bed, I unbuttoned my shirt and took out the camera.

  Come on, come on, come on. Please tell me I got it.

  I was wrong about it being hard to smile. This one came with no problem. I watched the screen as Airi typed in her passcode and the grin came to my lips.

  I did warn her.

  Chapter Three

  I was first to Wheeldon’s class the next morning. If I was going to be surrounded by so many enemies, then it wouldn’t be good for me to follow them into a room after they’ve had a chance to plot.

  Isabella, Natalie, and Airi shot me poisonous looks when they came through the door. The Knights weren’t nearly so predictable.

  I stiffened when Jaxson, Ryder, and Maverick filed in. They all knew I was coming after them now; I wondered how that would change things.

  They were already making your life miserable. What more can they do?

  Maverick turned down my row and went to his seat without sparing me a glance. Ryder didn’t pretend he couldn’t see me. The bastard winked at me before taking his seat next to Airi. I looked away when they leaned in and started whispering about something—that rare smile hanging on his lips.

  I shifted away—

  —and jumped when Jaxson leaned over me.

  “Ooh, why so nervous?” Jaxson rested his elbows on my desk and leaned in close enough that I was engulfed in his spicy sweet scent. Jaxson had a problem sticking to the uniform rules and today was no different. His shirt was only half buttoned, giving me a straight view to his hard chest. “If my sweet Valentina is going to take us down, she’ll have to be tougher than that.”

  I tore my eyes up and met his. “I was never sweet, and there is no ‘if.’ I will take you down.”

  “If you say so.” His tone told me everything I needed to know about how seriously he was taking this. Jaxson reached up and pushed the hair behind my ear like he had so many times before. His fingers lingered on the shell of my ear, following the curve down to my neck.

  “I heard you got off with Connor Masterson behind the sports complex.” I tensed, and not just because of what he was saying. His finger was tracing a lazy pattern on my neck and it was everything I could do not to shiver under his touch. “He said you gave him a good deal too. You know I’ve been trying to get with you for months. It’s starting to hurt my feelings that you’re going with everyone else but me.”

  “When are you going to give that a rest?” I hissed through gritted teeth. “I don’t sell my body.”

  He shrugged. “You also said you were a virgin and we all know that was a lie.”

  Smack!

  The slap rang out through the classroom, causing a dozen eyes to swivel to us.

  Jaxson straightened slowly. The red handprint stark on his cheek as the grin melted off his face.

  Molten anger rolled through my veins. The hand that slapped him shook. Forget long, drawn-out revenge plots; I was ready to leap over the desk and claw his eyes out.

  “I’ll admit I deserve that,” Jaxson began, “but you only get one for free.”

  “Excuse me.” The classroom door slammed shut with a bang. Wheeldon’s bulk was even more intimidating coupled with the glare he was giving me and Jaxson. “Do we have a problem here?”

  “Nope,” Jaxson said easily. “All good here.”

  He loped off but the eyes on me remained. I yanked out my textbook and buried my nose in reading rather than look at anyone.

  I shouldn’t have hit him. That wasn’t how I wanted to do this, but I couldn’t stand him throwing in my face that I wasn’t a virgin. That had been taken from me.

  I didn’t lift my head until the door opened again for the AV students to wheel in the television.

  “Good morning, sophomores.” Ezra’s charming voice filled the room. “Just a few announcements to kick off our year. This weekend marks the first football game against the Lancaster Prep Falcons. I’m sure everyone will be there to cheer Maverick and the Kings to victory.”

  Maverick inclined his head to accept the applause that rang out. The guy was quiet and mellow in the classroom, but a beast on the field. The Kings were undefeated under him.

  “Next week we vote on the theme of this year’s homecoming dance. Your options are: Under the Sea, Alice in Wonderland, An Evening in Paris, or Artic Paradise. The dance will be held at the end of the month, and like before, students will be given one afternoon off to...”

  I tuned out the rest. What did I care about silly little dances?

  I was first out of the door when the bell rang. My next class was art with Scarlett and I was actually looking forward to it.

  She beamed when I walked through the door. “Valentina. It’s so good to see you.” She stood and came around the desk to enfold me in a hug. She looked the same as she always did—freckles dusting her cheeks and paint splattered on her overalls. She pulled back and rubbed my forearms. “How have you been?”

  “Good.”

  She lifted a brow. “Really? I know you had a tough time of it last year. Honestly, I was surprised you came back.”

  I shrugged. “I wasn’t going to let a few bullies control my life.”

  Scarlett squeezed my arm. “You’re a strong girl.” Scarlett had been one of the few people to show me any kindness last year.

  “Speaking of coming back,” she went on. “Why did you choose art as your elective? I didn’t think you were passionate about it.”

  “It was either this or public speaking, and I’m never standing on stage in front of my class again.”

  She winced. “Oh. Right. Well, grab a workstation and we’ll get started.”

  Unlike last year, the room wasn’t taken up by stools and easels. This time individual work tables lined the space in neat rows. I went to one at the front and set my bag next to the stool.

  “Alright, class, welcome to Art Studio II,” Scarlett began. “This year will be different. We’re shifting away from painting and instead working with other forms of expression like sculpting, ceramics, and drawing. So take out your textbooks and read chapter one, please. Afterward, we’ll discuss.”

  I chanced a look around as I pulled out my book.

  No Maverick.

  He hadn’t signed up to take art this semester, and neither had the other Knights. Clearly, it had been a good idea to choose Scarlett’s class. This would be a rare break from all the craziness.

  After my final class let out, I headed back to homeroom to get my phone. I hated Evergreen’s policy of keeping them locked up all day, but I had as much a chance of getting the headmaster to change his mind as I did of getting rid of the mark.

  Wheeldon didn’t look up from his desk when I came in. I crossed over to the lockbox where he kept my cell captive and fished it out. It buzzed in my hand the moment I palmed it.

  Glancing at the screen, I froze.

  Another look at Wheeldon confirmed he couldn’t give a flying fart what I was doing so I didn’t waste a second pulling the message up.

  000-5673: I can’t do everything you want, but most of it won’t be a problem.

  My fingers flew across the screen.

  Me: What can’t you do?

  000-5673: Hacking into
Evergreen’s network is impossible. It was designed by Marcus Beaumont himself. People better than me have tried and it doesn’t get much better than me.

  I deflated. Damn it. What now?

  Me: What about Maverick Beaumont’s laptop? Also impossible?

  000-5673: Maybe not. Doubt there’s military-grade encryptions on a teenage boy’s sticky laptop. But if he’s half as good as his father, it’ll still be tough. That will cost extra.

  I chewed my lip, thinking. I knew Maverick was good. He reduced my old laptop to a pile of scrap metal in minutes, but if there was even a chance this guy... or girl... could do it then I would pay whatever it took.

  Me: Money is not an issue.

  000-5673: My favorite sentence.

  Me: What about the phones? The videos?

  000-5673: Won’t be a problem.

  Me: And none of this will be traced back to me?

  000-5673: Like I said, it doesn’t get much better than me.

  Me: Fine. What do I call you?

  000-5673: Make up whatever name you like. I’ll send you the account information now. I receive payment within the hour or the deal is off.

  Me: Also fine. How much do I owe you?

  My eyebrows shot up my forehead at the next text message. I had asked to be put in touch with the best hacker they could find, so it shouldn’t have surprised me that the best wasn’t cheap, but still—

  It’s worth it.

  I blew out a breath, steeling my resolve. It was worth it. Taking down this school and everyone in it was never going to be easy, but I’d empty every cent in my bank account if it meant making them feel a fraction of what I felt on that stage.

  I slipped my phone in my bag, turned to go, and found Isabella blocking the door.

  My eyes flicked to Wheeldon who was still absorbed with whatever was on his computer.

  “Move, Isabella.”

  She didn’t even twitch. “What are you trying to pull, Moon?”

  I walked up to her and stopped when we were inches apart. “I’m trying to go back to my dorm. How about you?”

  Her eyes narrowed into slits. “Don’t think I don’t see what you’re doing trying out for the dance team. You getting on doesn’t mean anything.”

  “I got on the team?” A smile lit my face as a scowl crossed hers. “Nice.”

  “You can’t challenge my title,” she hissed. “You’re marked. The Diamonds will sooner cut off your hair than put a crown on it.”

  Shaking my head, I replied, “Not everything is about you and your vicious clique. Did you ever think that it’s not that I want your title, it’s just I want you to spend the rest of our time here knowing that you don’t deserve it.” Isabella’s face tightened with every word. “That the girl from the Wakefield slum who learned to dance in front of a television is better than you.”

  “You don’t know ballet!”

  I waved my finger. “It’s not the best ballet dancer,” I said, repeating something Sofia told me long ago. “It’s the best dancer period. And if you’re so good—classically trained by top instructors since you were in the womb—then a little step and hip-hop will be nothing to you.”

  “It is nothing.” She bent down and got in my face. “Just like you are. I’m not worried about you.”

  “Really?” I pressed my finger to her temple. “Then why is that vein twitching so hard?”

  Isabella seized my hand before I could pull back. “Don’t—!”

  “Ladies.”

  Our heads whipped around to face Wheeldon. The man spoke without looking away from the screen. “Leave my classroom now.”

  I didn’t need to be told twice. I yanked my wrist out of her grasp and moved around her to the door.

  Isabella didn’t follow me out so I was able to make it back to my dorm with no more drama. I got busy putting the rest of my plan into motion the moment I was inside.

  Not being able to hack into Evergreen’s system was a setback, but one I had a plan B for. If Alex, as I was now going to call them, couldn’t get in and erase my presence from the security cameras or get me room passcodes, I would just have to get creative.

  “I HATE THAT WE’RE NOT in the same class.”

  Sofia reached over and plucked my angel food cupcake off my plate. She had half of it in her mouth before I got out—

  “Hey!”

  She chewed unrepentantly. “I deserve it. I’m sad.”

  “But we’re sad about the same thing, cupcake thief.” I got back at her by spearing a piece of her roasted salmon.

  “You can have that—way too healthy for me.” She placed her tray on the tiny reclaimed wooden table and pulled her legs up onto the couch. We were sitting in our spot on the roof. Despite everything, I couldn’t deny how beautiful it was out here with no lights or traffic to take away from the calm of night. Sofia sighed. “It’ll be harder to let you know if I hear anything about you.”

  “Have you heard anything?”

  She shook her head. “Nothing except you getting on the dance team and trying to challenge Isabella. Is that true?”

  “I always wanted to get on the team, but I won’t lie, pissing off Ballerina Bella is a big bonus.”

  “People overheard you to Ryder. It’s getting around that you’re planning to get back at the Knights.”

  I shrugged. “If people didn’t know already, they would soon enough.”

  “Are you sure there is nothing I can do to help you?”

  “Sof, I love you. That’s why I’m keeping you out of this. The best thing you can do is warn me if someone else plots to sabotage my homework or throw me down the stairs.”

  “Don’t joke about that.”

  I crumpled my napkin and tossed it back on my tray. “I have to go. There’s a couple things I need to do before bed.” We hugged and then I grabbed my things and left.

  The quad was eerily quiet that night. There wasn’t a soul about, making my sneaking feel shadier. I peeked at the security cameras on my way into my room.

  They make things difficult, but tonight you may help me too.

  Lying on my bed was my change of clothes. I quickly got into them and then turned to face the mirror as I put on the final touch.

  Wow. I really look like a guy.

  Staring back at me was a figure in a yellow blazer, plaid pants, and a dark brown, bowl-cut wig. The wig had been easy enough to get my hands on. You can have stuff like that delivered. The hard part had been hunting down an Evergreen boys’ uniform online and getting someone to sell it to me. I thought at first about sneaking one out of the laundry, but I figured the boy would notice an entire uniform going missing.

  No, this was perfect. This was all I needed for Airi Tanaka.

  Well, almost everything...

  I stepped away from the mirror and reached under my bed. The suitcase holding everything I needed for this year sat innocently beneath my sheets. It took me seconds to dig inside and find what I was looking for.

  Time to go.

  Silently, I eased open my bedroom window and slipped outside. If any good could have come out of falling down the stairs, it was that being put on the first floor had saved me a lot of headache.

  My feet were soundless on the freshly mowed grass as I skirted around the building to the front door. Taking a deep breath, I strolled inside and passed through the lobby to the first-floor dorms. I kept my head slightly lowered, highly aware of the cameras that tracked me.

  I passed my room and stepped boldly up to Airi’s door. I didn’t hesitate as I tapped in the passcode and heeded the soft chime to step inside.

  Closing the door behind me, I leaned against it, letting my eyes adjust to the darkness. Airi’s room cleared before me and I resisted the urge to whistle. I thought my room was nice, but it was nothing compared to what this rich, pampered princess had done to hers.

  An expensive throw rug took up most of the space. It matched perfectly with the plush, imperial sheets the lovely Airi was sleeping soundly on.

 
; I approached her bed, eyes locked on her. Airi’s face was half covered by the beauty mask, but the same couldn’t be said for the beautiful hair that covered the pillow. I once complimented her luscious, jet-black waterfall. It was obvious to everyone that Airi took special care of her hair and never left her dorm unless it was perfect.

  I wanted to cut every strand of that perfect hair from her evil little head. Watch her weep and shake when she found herself as bald as her little boyfriend Ryder was. I wanted to... but scissors weren’t what I brought.

  I held out my hand, and the metal head of the hammer glinted in the scant moonlight seeping in through the window.

  I gazed down at Airi. She looked so peaceful, almost sweet, as she made soft wheezing noises in her sleep. I reached out with the hammer, and closed my fingers around the neck of the violin.

  It’s sweet that she keeps it right by her bed on the nightstand.

  Backing away, I moved over to the window and unlatched it. I prayed to every deity I had ever heard of that the hinges wouldn’t squeak as I gently inched it open.

  Only when it was big enough for me to slip through did I heave myself outside and take off.

  Adrenaline hammered in my chest as I raced to the outside of my bedroom and pulled out the box I had placed next to the window.

  Hurry, hurry, hurry!

  The warning skittered up my spine and latched on to my ear, shouting at me as I picked up speed and fled to the back of the sports center. I needed privacy to do this, somewhere that no one would overhear. The woods were out, so that left our—and Coach Panzer’s—secret spot.

  I burst onto the roof and let the door slam shut behind me. My lungs were working overtime, but it wasn’t fear or anger or pain. I was smiling. I was smiling so wide my cheeks hurt from the strange feeling. Placing my hand on my chest, I marveled at the lack of tightness. Was this the key to pushing back against the darkness?

  I let the violin slip through my fingers and crash to the floor. The first splinter appeared in the wood and was swiftly followed by dozens more when I brought the hammer down.

  I let loose. Smashing, beating, and pulverizing the stupid thing into a million pieces of wood. When I was satisfied, I carefully picked up the bits of violin and placed them into the box. A thought occurred to me as I closed the top.