by Ruby Vincent
That also felt like it was for me, and possibly Ryder.
Translation: Don’t sic your mothers on me or it won’t end well.
“An updated version of the handbook will be given out by your homeroom teacher. Sign it to show you acknowledge the new rules. Thank you. Goodbye.”
Evergreen winked out and Darren’s shit-eating grin returned. “Thank you, Headmaster. Those aren’t the only changes so let’s get into them now. Unlike the old Knights, we care about this school and the students.”
I could sense the boys stiffening.
“Our reputation took a hit when someone leaked the Evergreen Gone Wild videos to the press. We became jokes in the media, but now it’s time to go back to what makes this school great. From now on, the Knights and the Diamonds will be in charge of all events and club activities.
“We will decide the themes, the destination for the class trips, all of that. As for clubs, those that don’t add value to the school are over. There will be no anime club, foreign film club, creative writing club, book club, adventure club, art review club, cooking club, or dance club.”
I wasn’t surprised to hear him say the last one. This is exactly what Isabella wanted.
“The decision is final so don’t come to the Knights whining about it. The clubs that are left, besides the academic clubs, are chess club, classical dance club, art club, key club, sports club, and drama club. The previous presidents of those clubs have been replaced by the Knights and the Diamonds. If you want into the club, they have to approve you first.
“We are getting back to our values and rewarding those who uphold them. Evergreen Academy is still the best school in the country. We will make sure the rest of the world knows and stop anyone who tries to bring us down. That is all.”
The broadcast cut off seconds after he finished even though his co-host never got to speak a word. In more ways than one, replacing Ezra with that guy had been a terrible idea. At least Ezra had charm.
I looked at my friends as Roundtree passed out the new handbooks. There was nothing charming about the look on Ezra’s face now.
“Why would anyone choose them to be Knights?” Paisley asked, not letting her voice carry past my ear. “They can’t believe this is better for the school.”
It’s not about the school anymore. It’s about me.
My attention shifted to the phone box. I had never turned it back on after shutting down the conversation with Ace. That was against the “rules” but I didn’t care. I was done playing Ace’s game.
“What’s your schedule, guys?” Kai asked when we left the classroom.
I read out the small slip of paper. “I have Advanced Literature II, study period, Economics, and Calculus on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. On the other days, I have Advanced Environmental Science, Advanced Psychology, P.E., and Individuals and Societies.”
Everyone went around and shared their schedules. No one would be alone—not even Sofia who found she was in the same higher math classes with Ryder. The only problem was me.
“What is Individuals and Societies?” Zane asked. “I don’t remember seeing that when we signed up?”
“It’s only available for students in Advanced Psychology,” I said.
Paisley nodded. “I saw that, but I decided to do Advanced Government because I’m going to double major in Poli-Sci. Val, why didn’t you tell me? I would have signed up with you.”
I shook my head. “No way. You just said that’s going to be your major. I would have felt awful if you changed because of me.”
“But you can’t be alone, Val.” Sofia pushed through the boys to stand in front of me. “Especially not you.”
“I didn’t have a choice. This is for my major too.” I held up my hands when I saw the protests coming. “There is nothing we can do about it, guys. The good news is none of the new Knights are interested in psychology so I doubt they’re in the class.”
“It’s not just them you have to worry about.”
Jaxson was right, but I put aside what he said. I wasn’t changing my schedule. These were the classes I needed for Somerset and no one was driving me out.
“Let’s go. We have to get to lit.”
We stepped inside to a new professor and a chill room. Except for Natalie announcing that no one could sit by us and the professor sending us to the back, no one did anything or looked our way.
I couldn’t help but feel uneasy. Natalie had the biggest mouth, but it was Isabella who was in charge. She would play this game like she did all the others. She’d play to win.
The group picked up on my mood as we left class. “What’s wrong, Val?” Maverick asked.
“It’s too quiet. I don’t like it.”
“She’s right,” Ezra echoed. “A few disbanded clubs and a room change are nothing. They’ll be planning something bigger to get to us.”
“And we’ll be ready for whatever it is,” Kai cut in. He took my hand. “Come on. We have study hall.”
The two of us turned to leave. We made it three steps before Kai’s hand was taken out of mine. “You trying to lose that, South Africa? Hands to yourself.”
Jaxson slid in between us and laced our fingers together. I gave him a look to let him know what I thought of his jealousy, but otherwise, did not stop him.
Study hall was being held in the library. We crossed through the oak doors and stepped into the quiet, softly lit space. A few students were already there and had claimed tables for them and their friends.
“Let’s sit at the big one in the back.” I pointed over the book carts. “There are enough seats.”
We tossed our bags at the feet of the chairs and got comfortable.
“What are your choices?” Sofia asked. “I thought I knew but talking to the reps changed my mind.”
“I’d like to go back home,” Zane admitted, “but it wouldn’t be the same without Sofia and Kai.”
“Aww.” Kai made big eyes at Zane. “My twin brother loves me.”
Zane almost shoved him out of the chair. “Shut up.”
I sighed. “I’m only applying to one college. If I don’t get in, I’ll go to community college and then apply again to Somerset.”
“Why would you do that?” Paisley asked. “You could get into so many great schools. Besides, don’t you want to get away from home?”
“No, the opposite. I want to be close to Adam.”
The atmosphere around the table shifted.
“I’m sorry. That was stupid.”
“It’s okay, Paisley. I know you guys are still getting used to the idea of me being a mom.”
Getting used to it was right. Most of the table got all shifty-eyed like they didn’t know where to look.
Sofia came to the rescue. “What about you guys?” She looked between Jaxson, Maverick, Ezra, and Ryder. “Where are you applying?”
“I’ll be working for Dad,” Jaxson replied.
Maverick shrugged. “Somerset has a great computer engineering program.”
“Somerset journalism majors do a semester abroad with actual news crews,” said Ezra. “I’d like to do that.”
“I’ll be doing business at Somerset. Stay close to Mom and Shea Industries.”
I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. They’re all staying? My boys are trying to get into Somerset.
My heart was fluttering wildly in my chest and I pressed my hand over it. The five of us being together was more than I could have hoped for. I hadn’t been able to think about losing any one of them.
A laugh broke through my good mood. “You don’t fool us.” Kai’s grin was wicked. “We all know why you’re going to Somerset and a top-notch education isn’t it. I gotta get me a harem too.”
Whack!
“Ouch!” Kai made a face at me as he bent to rub his sore leg. “What was that for?”
“No one would be in your harem, dummy.” It dawned on me what I was saying. “And it’s not a harem!”
“It’s a nonstop booty machine is what it is.
”
My cheeks were flaming. Beside me, Ezra laughed out loud.
“I like this guy. Why haven’t we hung out before?”
I swatted Ezra’s arm. “Don’t you start.”
“I could have a harem,” Kai went on. “I’m smart, witty, and devastatingly handsome. I should start taking applications.”
Everyone was laughing now. “I thought this wasn’t your thing?” I reminded him.
“I’ve evolved, Val. If half a dozen beautiful women want to love and pleasure me; that’s a burden I’ll have to bear.”
I rolled my eyes so hard I almost hurt myself. The rest of the table was howling. I guess I should be thankful my friends were so cool with me and my four boyfriends. The rest of my classmates thought it confirmed what they had been saying about me since freshman year: I was a massive slut.
“Isn’t this cozy.”
The good humor dried up like a teardrop in the desert. Our smiles melted away as Isabella, Natalie, Airi, and Darren descended on our table.
“What do you want now, Isabella?” I forced out.
“You’re looking at me like I’m not supposed to be here.” She tossed the hair she didn’t have. It was immensely frustrating that even with a bald head, Isabella was gorgeous. “It’s you who is not supposed to be here. New orders from the Knights. The marked and all their little friends are banned from the library.”
“What?” Zane lurched to his feet. “You can’t do that.”
“And yet,” Natalie said, “we just did. Pack your shit and get out.”
“How do you think you’re going to make us leave?” Maverick was next to get up, straightening to his full six feet.
Natalie’s smirk widened. “Fair point, quarterback, but you didn’t consider this—” She snapped her fingers and the sound of almost thirty chairs being pushed back filled the room.
The rest of the class had filed in while we were joking around and they all stared at us now. A couple of them were just as big as Maverick.
“If you don’t leave on your own,” Natalie continued, “we’ll drag you out. You might be more difficult, Beaumont, but just think about how scratched up your slut girlfriend will get in the struggle.”
I bared my teeth. “That pretty face of yours will get scratched up if you put a finger on me, Bard.”
My words were tough, but I was doing the math. Nine against thirty wouldn’t work in our favor, and by the way the boys were bristling, it would start a fight and someone would get hurt.
“Aw. You think I’m pretty.” Natalie gave me what could have passed for a pleasant smile. “That’s sweet, but flattery won’t get you anywhere. Leave. All of you. Now.”
Darren stepped up to me when we didn’t move. “You heard, Moon. You’re not allowed in here.” He put out his hand like he was going to grab my shoulder.
A low growl sounded behind me. “You want that jaw broken again, Rosewood? Don’t fucking put your hands on her.”
Darren’s face twisted into a scowl, but he must have seen something in Ryder’s expression because his hand returned to his side.
I bent and picked up my backpack. “Let’s go, guys. We don’t have time for this.”
Silently, we gathered our things and walked out. A flicker of movement made me turn my head and I caught Eric’s eyes as we made for the doors. He stood at a table alongside Claire and Ciara. The three of them dropped their gaze when they caught me looking. Shaking my head, I faced forward.
It begins.
“NOW WE KNOW WHAT THEIR game plan is,” Zane said as he plopped down on the floor. I wasn’t allowed in his room, but we could gather on the first floor and take up the front room. Classes were over and our homework was spread out on the floor now that the library was off-limits. “They are freezing us out.”
“He’s right,” Paisley said. “I’ve been kicked out of key club. They wouldn’t even open the door when I knocked.”
“I’m off the football team.”
I gaped at Maverick. “They can’t do that.”
“According to Coach, they can. The Knights told him they would keep the students out of the stands and order the team not to play if I step on the field. He decided it wasn’t worth the trouble.”
“So their plan to drive us out is—”
“—to take away our reasons to stay,” Ryder finished. “I bet it’s not going to stop here. Rosewood says they’re in charge of events too. Want to bet we won’t be allowed at the dances or on the senior trip too?”
“Then all we’ll be able to do is go from class to our dorm and back again?” Zane asked in disbelief.
Kai bobbed his head. “They are making this place even more unbearable than it already is.”
“What if they ban us from class too?” Paisley’s pencil shook in her hand. “That can’t happen. I’m trying to get into the Sorbonne.”
“They can’t do that,” I said firmly. “Our parents wouldn’t stand for that. I don’t think Evergreen would allow it either.”
“Does anyone still think... that this is only the beginning?”
Sofia’s voice was soft, but it seemed to pierce through us. I clenched my fists at seeing the looks on the faces around me.
This is not the beginning, I thought. I’m going to end it now.
It took us a while but, eventually, we got back to our homework. There wasn’t a lot of talking except for the occasional question to ask for help. Ryder was the first to finish. He wandered upstairs looking deep in thought.
Twenty minutes later, we were all done. I got to my feet at the same time as Ezra.
“Hey.” He slipped his hand into mine. “Do you want to sit on the porch with me again?”
“I’d love that.”
We said goodbye to the others and stepped out into the September evening. The sky was awash with blues, oranges, and purples and it brought a smile to my face.
“It’s so beautiful here,” I said as I sat down. Ezra pulled me into his arms and I rested my head on his chest. “It’s sad how ugly the academy is underneath.”
“This place can’t be all bad. I found you.”
“That’s true.” I tilted my head back and kissed his jaw. “Let’s talk about something else. Are you really going to apply to Somerset?”
I felt his nod. “I’m getting in too. Mom is a famous alumnus. There’s no way they don’t accept me.”
“I’d say something about special treatment, but I’m too happy. I’m glad you’re not going away.”
“I couldn’t leave you.” Ezra stroked my back in small soothing circles. “I love you.”
I froze. What did he just say?
“I love you, Valentina,” he repeated as though he heard my thought. “All I want is to be with you.”
I bit my lip hard. I was brimming with so much happiness, I thought something stupid might come out while my mind was doing flips. When I trusted myself to speak, the words tumbled out, “I love you too, Ezra.”
He put his finger under my chin and captured my lips. He kissed me slow and sweet—so unlike the feverish, lip-clashing kisses we usually shared, but I felt his feelings flood through me.
We were panting when we broke apart. It was a while before we caught our breaths, but the whole time, we were grinning at each other like fools. That was until his smile fell away.
“Ezra? What’s wrong?”
“Val, there’s something that I— There’s something that I need to do.”
“What is it?” A thread of worry crept up my spine. Ezra’s self-assured air had disappeared. “Are you okay?”
“No— I mean, yes. I—” He stopped and took a breath. “We have three weekend passes before we need special permission for more.”
I blinked at this topic. “Yes, I know.”
“I’m going to use one this weekend to see Mom. After talking to you the other day... I realized that I need to tell her the truth.”
My hands moved up to his cheeks. They were cold from the chilly air. “Do you mean you’re
going to tell her about Scarlett?”
“Yes.” His dark eyes were fathomless pools, but I had seen into the abyss and knew the pain and anger that he held there. “You’re so strong, Val. It’s time I was too.”
“Is there anything I can do? Tell me, please. I’ll be there for you however you need me.”
“You’re doing exactly what I need right now. I know it’s going to be hard, but it’s time.”
Smiling, I stroked his cheeks. “You are strong, Ezra. You always were.”
He leaned in until our foreheads touched. “I love you.”
“And I love it when you say that.”
He kissed me again.
“On an unrelated note,” Ezra said when we broke apart. “I can’t this weekend, but I was hoping next weekend you would use your first pass on me. We have been waiting too long to make love, Val. It’s past time we were together.”
My heart pounded at the thought. He was right. With everything that had gone on last semester and me having to save my three passes for Adam, we never got to take our relationship to the next level. It was time we did something about that.
“It will be my second pass,” I said. “There is somewhere I need to be this weekend too, but next weekend, I’ll be with you.”
Ezra held me close as the wind whipped and tugged at us, but neither of us thought to go inside. We stayed out on that porch as the sun made its final descent, then we enjoyed the beauty of the stars, like we used to do on the roof where we talked, kissed, and fell in love.
I PRACTICALLY FLOATED up to my room after Ezra and I said good night in front of his door. Stealing pockets of time with the boys was what would get me through this. I held on to that thought as I took my phone out of my bag and turned it on. It vibrated with a message soon after the welcome screen winked on. Then it buzzed again. Then again. Then again.
Ace: Knew what Scarlett was doing? Explain that. What was she doing? How did she betray the Spades?
Ace: Did it have to do with the phone? Was there something on it? Is that why she screamed for you to give it back?
Ace: You don’t get to say shit like that and then refuse to explain. You think you’ve been unfairly targeted, then tell me why.
Ace: I told you about ignoring me. Tell me what Scarlett did.