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Bent over my bag of clothes, I exhale a heavy breath before I straighten my back. Slow steps lead me across the room to Riley’s bed, where I take a seat beside her. “I don’t like loud noises, large groups, or bright colors, but don’t change for anyone. Especially me.”
Her mouth curls upward as she fidgets with the gum wrapper. “I hate the quiet, ripped jeans, the color black, and,” she glances at my side of the room, “freaky skulls. But I don’t think you should change either.”
I smile back at her. “I think we’ll be just fine.”
Her arms fly around my neck before I can react and I’m squeezed so hard all the air expels from my lungs. “We’re going to be perfect.” She squeezes harder, and I could only be so lucky to pass out.
“Okay. That’s enough.” I gasp for air. “That’s a big hug. Okay. You can let go now.”
Riley releases her hold on me and we both laugh until the awkward moment is interrupted by a knock on the door.
I jump off Riley’s bed and head back over to my side to finish unpacking my clothes, placing them into my dresser.
Riley peeps out the hole in the door, and mumbles, “Oh no.”
“Who is it?” I ask, folding my black Seascape Snowboarding Club shirt and tucking it into the second drawer.
I’m grabbing another shirt from my bag when Riley backs away from the door slowly. “Okay. Remain calm. Everything is fine.”
I chuckle. “What are you going on about? Just open the door.”
“Scarlett." Her tone is fretful. “It’s them. Or him. One of them. They’ve never come to my room. Why is he here?”
She’s in full-blown panic mode and now clutching my arm as if I’m expected to save her from the monster in the hall.
“Anyone here?” A masculine voice hovers outside the door.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
“What is the matter with you?” I chuckle again. “It’s just a boy.” I take a step toward the door, but Riley grabs my arm.
“Not just any boy. It’s one of them—The Lawless.”
Ah. Now I get it. One of the chosen ones everyone must fear.Screw that.I jerk my arm away from her, grinning as I cross the room and rip the door open.
Face to face with one of my three enemies, I press my hand to the doorframe, not allowing him to enter, if that was his plan. “What the hell do you want?”
“Scarlett!” Riley bellows, shuffling to my side. Her fingers are back to being wrapped around my arm as she smiles nervously at our guest. “Ignore her. She’s new.”
Once again, I jerk my arm away from her and hold my stance, unintimidated by this asshole’s presence.
Standing in front of me is the infamous Jagger Cole. Drop-dead gorgeous, sun-kissed skin, and the lightest brown eyes I’ve ever seen. Seems he’s gotten some ink since I last saw him. He’s now sporting a full sleeve with various designs, all black with some red shading. He looks good. But he’s also one of the biggest douchebags in existence. He’s the type of guy who will suck you in with his good looks and charm, then spit you out and watch as everyone stomps on you.
“Well, well, well, I see you’ve found me.”
“Good to see you again, Scar.”
“It’s Scarlett. And I wish I could say the same, but I’d prefer a root canal over whatever conversation is about to be had.”
Riley takes a step back, analyzing the situation.
“Just came to welcome an old friend to The Academy. As a member of The Lawless, it’s my sworn obligation to befriend all that enter.”
I spit out a laugh. “As if you even know what a friend is.”
“I do. In fact, I happen to have two of the best. You remember them, right? Crew and Neo.”
“Oh, I remember them all right. How could I forget? After all, you three jackasses are the reason I’m at this damnation.”
