Page 29 of Knox Academy Omnibus
“You got one too?”
“Daddy dearest wants me to like him.” I shrug.
“Well, he didn’t used to be like that when he was with my mum. Be glad you’re not allowed to take your phone from the house.”
Shit. That’s good to know. I thank Kalen for the head’s up and decide I’m done talking for now. I’m eighteen. It’s time to get shit faced.
Chapter Eleven
Kalen
The brain cells throwing a rave in my head need to chill the fuck out. Last night I decided to take Amelie and leave the tension behind. Sawyer was acting strange, not that he will tell me what’s going on, that’s just how he’s wired: family orientated, but private as fuck. He never opens up to anyone. The last few days he seemed happier and I was hopeful that he might finally have found a girl, or got laid at least, but last night he was like a bear with a sore head.
The twins are battling their hatred for our new sister, and also guilt over taking their prank too far. If I’m honest, I felt guilty by association, so I wanted to make it up to her and give her a birthday she would never forget.
The drinks went down like water and we danced the night away. Somehow, at the end of the night - or early hours of the morning, however you choose to look at it - we took a taxi back to school. I made sure she got back to her room safely. Even behaved like a perfect gentleman. More or less. I mean, come on, she was dressed like sex on legs!
A swift boot to the ribs quickly wakes me from my incoherent state. I remember the key not working and laying on the floor to rest my head.
“What the fuck?” I shout, instinctively cradling my ribs but wishing I could hold my pounding head at the same time. Fuck. Why did I yell? What the fuck did we drink last night?
“Get up,” Slate demands, leaning down to snatch the key from my hands. He opens the door and I fall inside, army crawling my way to the centre of the room. I’m not even bothering to try and stand yet.
“Classes start in ten minutes. You missed breakfast,” Onyx adds in his damn monotone voice. No matter how many therapists dad sends him to, he still doesn't have a range of tones. If you don’t know him, you would think he is in a constant state of pissed off. Which, he pretty much is, come to think of it.
“Just leave me, save yourselves,” I joke.
“Get up! Sawyer and Dad are livid that you took off last night, Laura was beside herself.”
“Ugh,” I groan. “Lets not pretend that woman gives a shit for one second! How long have her and Dad been screwing and not once did she mention kids!”
“We don’t give a shit about her, or her kids, we want her gone. She doesn’t belong here and you know it. We have to make her see that, Dad thinks she’s a perfect fit. It’s a joke,” Onyx spits, his anger taking over.
“Can we not talk about anything heavy right now? My brain cells are throwing a pity party for the ones I lost last night.” I use all my strength to pull myself off the floor, and Slate throws my uniform at me, Onyx picks up a can of Lynx and starts spraying it in my direction. Asshole.
Within two minutes we are set to leave, them with their pissed attitudes and me still tipsy. I make sure to snatch my sunglasses off my desk and pull up my tie.
The twins ditch me; my form room is in a different building than theirs. When I enter, I see Amelie is already in class, her head resting against the desk.
“I got you a present,” I say holding out a cup of coffee. I made the twins stop to at least let me get coffee.
“Thanks. I might need at least ten of these before the day is out.”
“Was worth it. Wanna ditch and find somewhere to sleep?” I whisper.
“I can’t. I have to face your dad to get my punishment for skipping detention straight after this class.”
“I forgot about that,” I laugh. He will go hard on her to show her he is serious about the rules. “I’m sorry.”
“Good morning class!” The form teacher beams. Oh God my ear drums have been smashed against my skull. Why does everyone feel the need to be so loud?
“Kalen, please remove the sunglasses, or I will have to give you a warning.”
“Start writing them out, if I take them off, my eyeballs will bleed.” The class laughs and I cover my ears. Dad is going to lose his shit, and I will lose my privileges. Although, given that I only use them to talk to girls, it is probably best if I have them taken away. Amelie’s the only girl I want to talk to now anyway.
A knock at the door distracts the teacher and gives me a much needed chance for my ears to recover. Amelie elbows me and nods to the door. Sawyer is standing there.
“Kalen, Mr Knox needs to see you outside. You too, Amelie.”
