AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Neo continues, “Decades ago, an empire stood where your feet are now. During a time when some locals were battling The Blue Bloods over this property, a bulldozer crashed into the stone wall, taking it down, along with a structural building that was set right behind it. This is all that remains. Many of our events are held above ground, but a few stragglers like to sneak off and try to get themselves lost down here. I advise you not to be one of those idiots. Rumor has it, a group came down here about twenty years ago and never came back up. A few years ago, a girl was lost in the tunnels and she came across remains that were claimed to be the missing students. Needless to say, this is not your playground.”
“Hey.” Riley bumps her shoulder to mine. I glower at her while she stares ahead at the guys with a coy look.
“Hey yourself,” I whisper back. “Jagger? Really?”
Her shoulders shrug causally, but there is nothing casual about this situation. “He’s no Crew Vance, but he’ll do.”
“Crew?” I laugh. “Please don’t tell me you have a crush on that guy.”
Riley’s cheeks tinge pink. “I wouldn’t call it a crush as much as an extreme infatuation.”
“Same thing.” I shake my head. “I’d be careful if I were you. Crew, Jagger, Neo—they’re all trouble.”
“It was just a ride on a bike. What’s the big deal?”
Neo goes on to discuss the ranks and games, which I was already filled-in on, while me and Riley exchange words.
“The big deal is that Jagger Cole isn’t a nice person.”
She waggles her brows. “He was nice to me.”
Who is this girl?
Jagger takes his place in the limelight and talks about The Society’s motto and the urgency to protect our secrets. “We will now begin the initiation for the junior class.”
It isn’t until Crew comes forward and begins talking that my ears perk up.
“Junior members, please see yourself at the front of the group.” His eyes immediately land on mine, as if he knew exactly where I was in this crowd of over a hundred people.
My chest tightens, pulse pounding.
“As most of you know, we have a new student,” he continues, still watching me. “Scarlett Sunder, could you please join the junior class in the front?”
My eyebrows cave in while my cheeks flush with heat from the unwanted attention.
When I don’t move, he uses an authoritative tone. “Now, Scarlett.”
What the hell is he doing? He knows I’m not a junior.
“Go.” Riley nudges me.
“No. I’m not going up there. I’m a senior. I have the credits to prove it.”
“We’re all waiting for you, Scar.”
Oh no, he didn’t.He knows how much I hate when they call me that in public. A nickname entails some sort of friendship or bond, and we most definitely have neither.
Everyone is looking at me. Not a single person in this crowded room has their eyes set anywhere but on me.
Riley bumps me again. “Ask questions later. Justgo.” She drags out the word, making her demand clear.
Seems I’ve got no choice, unless I want all these people mad at me for wasting their time. Against my better judgment, I make my way to the front. People step aside, allowing me through while watching me intently as I pass by them.
I don’t let them see my unease. My beer-drenched head is held high, hands stuffed in the pockets of my jeans, and I walk through the parted crowd like a fucking rock star. All the while, there is a torrential downpour coming from my armpits.
Once I reach the front, I stop directly in front of The Lawless. “What’s this all about?”
Crew’s gaze drags up and down my body before landing on my eyes. “You’re new here and the initiation is required for all students. Can we trust you,Scar?”
