AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“She came here just to see you, and you…” Danny doesn’t finish his sentence but from the concern on his face, he doesn’t need to. It may be my imagination but the insinuation lies heavy in the air:you fobbed her off, you were a complete and total cow to her.
Thankfully, I’m saved from speaking because Baxter stands at the front of the hall and hundreds of eyes are no longer focusing on my every spoonful. I take the only moment I’ve had all morning to relax slightly in my new seat.
“Lochkelvin students,” she announces, her voice loud and proud. I’m almost distracted from her speech by the existence of Dr. Moncrieff right beside Baxter. “A new year starts today. And in the great tradition of this school, I want you to become model citizens. Let this be the year you uncover your courage and find your outrage. Let this be the year you learn new things — not only academically, but in your free time. Discover who you are. Overturn ancient beliefs with relish, repeal the old ways of doing things, and let’s usher in a new reign of progress.” She raises a glass of orange juice. “To Lochkelvin. Let this year be the best one yet.”
Almost everyone copies her mechanically, probably not having even listened, the wordsTo Lochkelvinbuoyed around the room. The chiefs are frowning, however, Luke especially, and their glasses remain fixed on the table.
“A new reign of progress. Gee, I wonder whit side o’ the debate she’s on,” Finlay snarks. “It’s no’ like she’s meant tae be impartial or anythin’.”
Arabella’s an anomaly. That’s what Rory had said. But maybe the apple hasn’t landed far from the tree, after all.
Rory seems to realize this, too, because he’s got that troubled expression again, like maybe not all is going according to his expectations.
“Keep your wits about you for any funny business,” Rory tells Luke, shrugging his bookbag over his shoulders and leaping up from the table, a slice of toast still secure in his hand. He looks like he’s suddenly remembered he has somewhere he needs to be. “I’ll rally my followers to protect you and find out if there’s anyone here we need to worry about.”
Luke’s expression is one of deep woe. “It’s not like I have any option other than to be on high alert for the rest of my life.”
“We’re here for you,” Danny says, and Luke shoots him a small but grateful smile. “I know that doesn’t mean much coming from someone incapable of throwing a punch, but I know we’ll do what we can to keep you safe.”
“I know. I trust all of you with my life,” Luke says, and his eyes linger on me. He gives each of us a tense smile. “I just hope it won’t need to be tested.”
* * *
The first class of the year is math, which everyone except Finlay attends. The atmosphere is unlike anything I’ve felt during my time in Lochkelvin — acrimonious, sharp, all of it lancing behind me in the direction of Luke. As we wait for class to begin, Arabella swans in, her nose stuck in the air, and declares, “Professor Hodgson is held up at the moment. He told me we should all look over the examples on page seventy-six.”
Having left the dining hall in such a rush, Rory is now the picture of calm insouciance.He’s up to something, I think to myself, wondering where he ventured to as I obligingly turn the pages in my textbook. Rory flicks through his whole textbook, looking bored. “Oh, look at that. I’ve already read it from cover to cover. What’s next on Hodgson’s agenda, Belly, since you’re suddenly privy to all this top-secret information?”
Arabella’s face reddens and she glances over at Luke, who’s sitting there, not bothering anyone. “Maybe you should work on your diplomacy skills, because I’ve a feeling you’re going to need them a lot this year.”
The class is deadly silent, pairs of eyes darting between Arabella and Rory. But it’s not Rory who answers back.
“If you have something to say,” Luke drawls, “why don’t you say it to my face instead of making cagey little comments to my best mate?”
Arabella seems to have difficulty meeting his gaze. “You’re a fraud, Luke. It’s nothing personal, but you seem to have a very big problem with truth and deception.”
“The only fraud I see here is you,” Rory tells Arabella loudly, with a pointed flick of his hand in the direction of the shiny gold badge clipped to her lapel.
“Me becoming Head Girl? Really? You thinkthat’son a level with deceiving the entire country for years?” She shakes her head, her long braid falling over her shoulder. “I always knew you were crazy but this is something else.”
“Careful, Belly,” Rory says in sing-song. “I do believe that’s some rather ableist language from our new Head Girl, everyone. You do know not all disabilities are visible? I wonder what your aunt will think about that, since she’s off her rocker, too.” He pauses, tapping his pen lightly against the corner of his mouth. “No, I know: she’ll tell youwell done. Ten points to Arabella! Maybe you’ll be promoted beyond your worthagain. Arabella for headmistress!” He scowls at her, a fierce and stormy thing. “What fucking glass ceiling, huh? Seems you’re bloody well immune.”
I stare at Rory, agog. So does the rest of the class.
“What are youdoing?” Danny whispers to Rory, looking alarmed. “Do you want to be expelled?”
“I can’t get expelled, Danny-boy,” Rory says breezily, a happy little smirk playing on his lips as he stares down Arabella. “But others can.”
“How about you leave her alone?” Li pipes up, glaring at Rory. “She’s done nothing wrong.”
“Really, Li? Weren’t you listening to our esteemed headmistress this morning? She wants us to bemodel citizens. Not giant hypocrites.”
“How am I a hypocrite?” Arabella snaps, and at once I know this is a bad question to ask. I think Arabella does, too, because I see the moment she cringes.
“Because I know who you’re shagging, Belly,” Rory says, standing up and taking all the room’s attention. “Everyonedoes. And I think you’re letting him have undue influence over Lochkelvin proceedings — which, ergo, endangers students. Particularly given who his newly famous brother is.”
“So that’s what it comes down to, is it?” Arabella says, and I’ve genuinely never seen her face so red before. “That’s why you’re bullying me? Daring to be against the monarchy when you’re all for it?”
“Don’t flatter yourself. You don’t know the first thing about my beliefs and never will. But let me clue you in. It’s not the monarchy I support. It’sLuke. And being against the monarchy isn’t the same as being a useful idiot and joining fucking Antiro.”
Arabella looks taken aback, but in a heartbeat she composes herself and says, with a kind of feverish gleam in her eyes, “Antiro know the truth. Antiro do what’s right.”
“Yeah, yeah, you keep spouting your cult’s mantras, you imbecile,” Rory drawls, settling down in his chair as Professor Hodgson arrives. “And by the way,” he whispers severely, “your illegal fucktoy is acunt.”
“Welcome back to Lochkelvin, students,” Professor Hodgson says, picking up the chalkboard duster, his bright white hair its usual maze of zig-zags above his beaming smile. “I hope you all had a lovely holiday!”
He’s the only one smiling. Danny and Luke are gazing at Rory like he’s grown a second head. Li’s consoling Arabella, who even I feel a bit sorry for, her hand rubbing her tense back. The atmosphere feels like it could ignite with a single stray comment.
I blow out a nervous breath.
Welcome back to Lochkelvin indeed.
