Page 15 of Spin the Damn Bottle

CHAPTER TEN

PE's not as bad as it could be. I mean, I abhor every second of it, as they force us to play badminton indoors, and I have the coordination of a demented ostrich when it comes to sports involving a racket. At least no one trips me up, and the teacher doesn't seem intent on singling me out, which is a lovely change.

I drag my feet in the showers, reluctant to get to history, but I eventually have to get moving.

I arrive with the last bell, and as usual, my gaze immediately converges on Jason. I force my eyes away and plaster a pleasant smile as I wave back at Rowan like I have no care in the world. Like I don’t see Jason’s arm around the shoulders of the bitch who destroyed my art.

There's an open seat one row in front of Jason, smack in the middle of the class, but I ignore it, favoring one in the front row.

I don't hear a word Mr. Michaels says, but I fake being fascinated and attentive well enough for him to not ask me to participate.

When the class ends, my instincts want me to rush out, but I'm an Astrella, and my pride sings a different song. I take my time to pack up.

As I expected, Jason's steps soon approach. "Your room's ready." He leans back against the closest desk and has the audacity to smile at me. "You're going to love Glass."

"What could possibly make you believe you know anything about what I love, Alden?"

“You’re not wrong.” Jace smirks. “I only know you love art, and parties with your friends in the city, and, let’s not forget, the way my mouth feels against your pussy. I’m looking forward to learning more about you, doll.”

“Suck a dick. How many times do I have to tell you I’m not interested in whatever you’re offering?”

“Just like you weren’t interested in the car. Just like you won’t be interested when you’re taking my cock deep in your mouth later.”

I don't miss the way his eyes zero in on my lips.

I shiver, but I hide it. Outwardly, I treat him exactly like what he is: some random guy in my class. "Whatever you say, Jace. Catch you later." I leave the room and don't look back.

To my relief, he lets me.

Every moment with him is humiliating, exhausting, and the more time I spend with him, the more I lose who I am—who I was before him.

I can't get attached to him.

I won’t.

* * *

I just have art class before the end of my school day. It's only been six weeks since the burns, and my skin’s still painful and tight in places, so I don’t want to go to swim club yet.

I head out of the school with the throng of students and start to queue in front of the bus as usual, when it hits me: the buses don't even go to Glass.

Almost all of the legacies have drivers, and those who don't carpool.

Reaching the lake should only take about twenty minutes on foot, but it's freezing out here. I guess I could take the bus to the dorms and walk from there, cut the walk down to maybe ten minutes.

Letting Jason move me to his building seems like a worse and worse idea every minute, and I haven’t even seen the place yet. I'm weighing my options when a sleek, black sedan stops in front of me.

The back window rolls down and Melina tilts her head. “Hop in!”

I don't hesitate, gratefully opening the door and stepping into the warmth of the luxurious interior. Before I close the door, I notice the company and I freeze.

Like Jace's car, this one has a large passenger area with two rows of seats facing each other. Mel sits facing the driver’s back, and directly opposite her sit Yuki Moore and Manon Montgomery.

Manon is a ridiculously perfect, smooth-skinned, doe-eyed, black Barbie. Tall and limber, she's a cheerleader.I don’t have anything against her per se, other than the company she keeps. I even remember her coming to my defense that one time, though her effort was lackluster.

"Can you close the door?" Manon crosses her endless legs. "It's freezing."

I obey, though I feel like I've been trapped in a spiderweb.