“Nice to look at,” I mumble, and while Dad misses that statement, Zack definitely hears. The way he looks at me, I know he’s thinking about the pranks, the fights, the constant torture. At first, he was the one that started it all, but then we started dating and …
No. No, Marnye, we’re not reliving old memories. Burberry Prep is supposed to be a fresh start.
“The teachers are posting grades today,” I say with a small sigh. “I know I’ve done well, but the competition here is fierce. I’ve never been a part of anything like it.”
“They post grades publicly?” Zack asks, his dark eyebrows rising up in surprise. “Sounds like a recipe for disaster.” I shrug my shoulders, but I know he’s right. Whatever my ranking, I’m going to be destroyed for it. I’ve already tried to prepare myself.
“Marnye!” Miranda shouts, waving her arms wildly. I’m happy to see her, but my chest gets tight when I notice Creed close behind. Fortunately, his mother, Kathleen Cabot, the founder of the Cabot Scholarship Award program is right there with him. She smiles at me, too, and the knot loosens up a bit. “Marnye,” Miranda gasps out, panting as she wraps her fingers around my upper arm. She starts to open her mouth to say something and pauses, looking past my dad and straight to Zack. “Oh. Who’s this?” She blinks those long lashes of hers as I chew on my lip in nervousness.
“Miranda, this is my dad, Charlie, and my … our family friend, Zack Brooks.”
“Well hello, Zack Brooks,” she says, flashing that winning smile. “And Mr. Reed, lovely to meet you.” She holds out her hand and shakes with both men as her mother and brother make their way over to us. Creed hangs back, but I notice his eyes taking in Zack with disdain. When I glance over my shoulder, I find my ex staring with narrowed eyes. I’ve seen Zack destroy stronger people than Creed Cabot with nothing but words. I used to think he was a monster.
“What were you going to say?” I whisper after I greet Kathleen with a hug, and her and my dad start up a conversation about the Burberry Prep campus. “You were practically panting when you ran over here.” Miranda’s blue eyes light up, turning them into sapphires. There’s so much warmth there; I can hardly imagine Creed’s eyes doing the same. Nope. Hell’s more likely to freeze over.
“Right,” she says, grinning at me. I notice her skirt’s not rolled up at the hem today, hitting her at the knees instead of mid-thigh. “Grades were posted just after breakfast.” I raise an eyebrow, waiting for the other shoe to drop. “And Marnye, you won’t believe it.”
“Believe what?” I ask as Creed and Zack continue to stare each other down. Honestly, they’re both assholes. They’d probably make great friends. Then again, I get the feeling that Creed, Zayd, and Tristan don’t much like each other. Birds of a feather flock together until the cat comes, huh? “Stop being cryptic and just tell me.”
“Dude,” she gushes, and it’s the first time she’s ever called me that, so I grin, “you’re number one.” My mouth drops open, and all the blood rushes from my face to my feet.
“What?”
“You’re number one, out of the whole first year class.”
“You’re kidding me,” I choke out, feeling the first wave of dread hit me. Creed’s just switched his attention to me, and I can see hatred burning deep in his gaze.
“First?” Dad echoes, putting a hand on my shoulder and making me jump. “Marnye, that’s incredible.”
“I knew we picked the right girl,” Kathleen says, her red hair curling and falling in a graceful wave over her shoulders. She has the same blue eyes as her kids, the same warm smile as Miranda. “Congratulations, Marnye, you’re off to an incredible start.”
An incredible start that’s going to get me killed, I think, looking back at Creed again. But he’s already turned away to flirt with some girl in a second-year uniform. There’s no better way to light a fire under a bully’s ass than to outdo them at their own game. Me being first in academics only spells trouble.
“Thanks everyone,” I force out with a smile. Zack catches my eye, and I look away. We didn’t exactly part as friends, although Dad doesn’t know that. I’m not about to spill my fears to either of them. “Should we get going?”
I notice the tour starting down the hall, and wave our little group along to join it.
Because I’m lost in my thoughts, I lag just slightly behind, and feel a shiver overtake me just before a palm slams into the wall in front of my face. I glance over and find Tristan with his blade gray eyes starting me down.
“You little bitch,” he growls out, the vehemence in his voice thick and unmistakable. “What’d you do? Fuck your way to straight As?” My cheeks flush, and I curl my hands into fists.
