“Shy, huh?” he queries, but I’m still not interested in having a conversation with him. What if I start talking and he immediately knows what I’m hiding? Then what? I do not want to be a spectacle here. I don’t want to be anything here, but an easily forgettable shadow in the corner. Then when I get home to California, everything will go back to normal and I can forget all about this. “You are Charlie Carson, the new headmaster’s son, correct?”
A brisk nod from me, and Church straightens back up. I sigh with relief as he wrinkles his brows and cocks his head at me. Back home, had I met this guy and not already been in a relationship, I would’ve swooned. As things stand right now, I just want him to go away, so I can get to my room.
My room in the boys’ dormitory, I think with a prickle of terror. Even Dad was a bit iffy about it. He insisted I stay with him in the headmaster’s house, but the board rejected the idea. They’ve already made an exception about giving me a roommate—for obvious reasons—so I at least have my own space. Promises to finish construction on the half-completed future girls’ dormitory next door have been made, but I don’t plan to stick around long enough to live there.
“Well,” Church continues as the door opens behind me, and boys pour in. The color drains from my face as they surround me in a sea, and the twins appear on either side of him. “We thought you might want a tour of the academy.”
“No.” It’s the only word I can force past my suddenly tight throat, and then I’m rushing forward and skirting around them. This time, I’m stopped by a firm hand on my shoulder, flicking my eyes up to find a guy with the prettiest sapphire blue eyes and dark, razored black hair. He’s glaring at me right now, his full mouth downturned sharply.
“Don’t you have manners? We’re trying to be nice to you.” The guy that’s looking at me right now is terrifying. His dark hair falls forward and covers half of his face, and he’s got this look about him, like he’s not afraid to throw down. Oh my god, Cody would hate you, I think as our eyes meet.
“I … I don't feel well.” I tear away from him, but his grip is like steel. At the last second, he lets go of me with a scowl. Fine, whatever, I don't care if he likes me or not. I'm not here to make people like me. I'm only here because my dad got a good job offer and my mom is … just not herself right now, you know?
I get the feeling though, that if the dark-haired guy had wanted to hold onto me and keep me there, he could have.
My breath is coming in panting gasps by the time I get to the top of the staircase, and I fumble with my keys, letting myself into my new room and slamming the door behind me.
I don't come out until breakfast the next day.The dorm bathrooms at Adamson All-Boys Academy are communal, but they do have private rooms for the toilets as well as changing rooms connected to the showers. It's mostly just that the sink/counter is open to everyone.
Dad was not okay with me using the bathroom and insisted I come to the headmaster's house to shower, but I'm not about to trudge nearly a mile across campus just to soak myself in some steamy water.
Sorry, but no.
So I wait for everyone to leave for breakfast, knowing I'm not going to get a chance to eat before class, and take my gym bag with my uniform in it to the bathroom down the hall. There's a guy with silver-blond hair brushing his teeth at the sink, but I'm swimming in a baggy hoodie and sweats. Even without the uniform, I'm pretty sure I'm passable.
Besides, nobody at the academy is looking for a girl. If they're not expecting it, they won't see it, no matter how obvious it is.
Well, I mean, so long as they don't get a look at my breasts.
Slinking past the lone applicant in the bathroom, I head for one of the shower stalls, take the key from the hook and unlock it before letting myself into a little antechamber, sort of like a dressing room at a department store.
“Rich assholes,” I grumble as I look around.
Okay, I freaking lied.
This is way nicer than any department store I've ever been in.
There's a satin chaise lounge with a frilly pillow, an oil painting on the wall that I'm pretty sure is not a reproduction, and a small bookshelf stocked with classic novels and topped with a tea and coffee station, plus a bowl of fresh fruit.
