Leaning back in my chair, I let that name percolate in my thoughts and try to make sense of everything I’ve just learned.
I’ve known Damon since I first started at Silvercrest, and he’s West’s best friend, so he’s been on my radar more than a lot of the other brothers, but I don’t really know much about his personal life because he’s quiet and keeps to himself.
Is he dating, or at least sleeping with, someone in a rival frat?
My gaze returns to the paused video of our intruder.
I don’t know what it is about the still frame, but I still can’t shake the feeling that I’ve seen it before.
On a whim, I open a screenshot from the video I took of Xave breaking into the mystery room at Baxter House and do a side-by-side with the paused video still on my screen so I can compare them.
Just to be sure I’m seeing what I think I am, I take a few measurements from both images and plug them into one of my editing programs to make sure they match.
A smile stretches across my lips as the results pop up on my screen.
Well fuck me sideways.
The person who’s been sneaking around in our walls is Xavier Hawthorne, and instead of infiltrating the house to wreak havoc on our security or to fuck with us, he’s doing it so he can get laid.
Huffing out a laugh at the strange turn of events, I save the proof of my discovery to both my hard drive and a flash drive, then shut my computer down.
Now that I know the “intruder” isn’t really a threat to us, I have time to figure out what I want to do with this information and how I can best use it to my advantage.
4
ANTHONY
“Any questions?”Professor Morris asks and taps the end of his telescopic pointer stick against the smartboard. “Any questions at all, because this is the last time I’m going to mention any of this until the exam review.” He pauses and glances around the classroom, then snaps the pointer closed when no one raises their hand. “I was going to get started on the next unit,” he continues. “But based on the zombie stares you’re all giving me, you’ve already checked out and won’t hear a word of whatever I say.”
A few people shift uncomfortably in their seats at being called out, but he’s not wrong. We’re only a few days away from the start of spring break, and for most of us, this is our last class of the day. I’ve barely absorbed anything he’s said since I sat down, and I actually like him as a teacher.
He’s one of the few educators at Silvercrest who seems to enjoy teaching, and he’s good at it. Our professors are world-renowned experts in their fields, but they can’t teach for shit, and sitting through their lectures is like watching paint dry or trying to see grass grow.
It probably helps that Professor Morris is half the age of most of his colleagues, so he understands things like pop culture and integrates them into his lessons.
And he’s hot as fuck, so sitting through his class definitely isn’t a hardship.
“Okay,” he says, resigned. “Change of plans. Instead of starting the next unit, I’ll cut you guys loose early.”
Several students burst out into cheers, and almost everyone starts gathering their things.
“But first,” Professor Morris continues, his voice loud enough to cut through the noise and make everyone stop what they’re doing. “We have to go over one more piece of class business.Thenyou’re free.”
Groans and a few boos ring out as everyone sits back down.
“Now that I’ve got your full attention, it’s time for everyone’s favorite activity!” he says with fake enthusiasm and taps on the screen of the smart board.
Two words appear on it.Group Project.
The collective groan from the class is loud, but Professor Morris just grins maniacally and leans against the side of his desk. “That never gets old,” he says, still grinning like a horror movie villain. “I know how much everyone loves group projects, but they’re a school requirement, so I have to assign them even if I don’t want to.”
I sink lower in my seat and absently spin my pen around my fingers as he taps on the smart board again.
“The project can be found on page two of your syllabus,” he says as a zoomed-in image of the section in question appears on the board.
I only half listen as he drones on about the project and what he expects from us. Like he said, all the information is in the syllabus, and the only thing I care about is finding out who I’ll be working with on it.
“And now the fun part,” Professor Morris says, his voice cutting through my musings. “Like I said earlier, you’ll be doing this project in pairs, and I’ve already assigned them.” He taps on the board again, and a screen full of coupled-up names appears on it. “These are your partners. And yes, this list is final. There will be no switching groups for any reason, so don’t bother asking.” He gives us a pointed look.
