Page 44
Eric and Jake ramble on about the basketball game last weekend, but when they start talking about the possibility of a championship, I tune them out. They’re both nice enough, I guess, and not entirely unfortunate looking, but I’m not interested.
When we reach the building, Professor Breen’s waiting for me at the door. She waves the guys away with a sour expression and escorts me inside.
As soon as I take my seat, she dips her head to whisper in my ear. “Miss Beaman, I’m not interested in your extracurricular activities, but I trust you’ll keep them out of my classroom.”
Horrified by her warning, my cheeks flush, and I nod. Apparently even the teachers are aware of my impending deflowering.
Professor Breen goes back to the front of the class, but instead of paying attention to her brief recap of last week’s lecture, the entire room focuses on me. I try to ignore the unwanted attention—the whispers and the countless pairs of eyes boring holes straight through me—but I can’t.
While I focus on the whiteboard at the front of the room, someone tosses something onto my desk. I glance at the tightly folded paper triangle, then at the dark-skinned guy who threw it. He grins, nodding his head toward my desk. I reluctantly take the hint and unfold the page.
Pick me and you won’t regret it.
I dart my eyes back to the guy, and he smiles.
This is going to be a long two months.
The second the lecture ends, I’m out of my seat, determined to flee the hall before anyone can walk me to my next class. Barely a quarter of the way through the first day, and I already wish I’d stayed in bed.
On the way to meet Nicole, I pass a group of girls, all dressed in short skirts and white blouses as if in uniform. We don’t run in the same circles, so I don’t remember their names, but I’m pretty sure all three got kicked out of one of the other sororities for ethics violations.
“If it isn’t Springer’s resident fame whore.” The tallest of the three—a girl with tight black curls cascading over her shoulder—glares at me.
Ignoring their stares, I keep moving forward. I don’t have time for an altercation. Unfortunately, they don’t seem to care.
“I’m talking to you.” The group spokesperson grabs my shirt, spinning me around.
With my gaze locked on the long fingers wrapped around my sleeve, I wrench my arm free. “What’s your problem?”
“You.” She flips her hair over her shoulder without missing a beat. “You’re my problem.”
“I don’t even know you.”
“I know you, Kennedy Beaman. You’re the girl holding the entire campus hostage with her virginity.”
I snort as a vision of me in a black leather bikini and thigh-high boots, leading a group of scantily clad guys in chains through the quad, flashes through my thoughts. “I’m not holding anyone hostage. I’m simply making an informed decision like a responsible adult.”
“Fame whore.” Her friend, a short blonde, bumps me hard enough to make me lose my footing.
“Come up with something new, already,” I snap. “That line’s getting old.”
“You come up with something new,” is her intelligent reply.
The short brunette, who’s been quiet until now, steps into my personal space. “Put a stop to your little competition before someone gets hurt.”
I gape at her. “Are you threatening me?”
“Who’s threatening who?” Lucas comes up behind me like a campus cop, acting all authoritative.
“It’s not a threat. It’s a promise.” Their leader arches an eyebrow. “Back off.”
“Knock it off, Colleen.” Lucas drapes an arm over my shoulder and squeezes. “Kennedy’s only trying to make me jealous.”
“Am not.” I grind out the words and try to shrug out of his grasp, but he’s stronger than I am.
“Whatever, Lucas.” Colleen rolls her eyes. “Keep your girlfriend on a shorter leash next time.”
The three witches take turns glaring at me before stalking off.
