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“Trust me, I really don’t want you to be the office aide either,” I retort, absolutely hating the idea of being in close proximity of Arch Lancaster five days a week. Besides, I’m sure a Lancaster would never want to be a lowly office aide.
The boys share a look, Arch’s lips curling into a faint smile before he returns his attention to me. “You don’t like me, do you?”
“Not particularly.” The words fly out of my mouth with no warning, and for a second, I wish I could take them back. I’m not outwardly mean. That’s not my style.
“Love your honesty, because the feeling is mutual.” His smile is sweet despite his venomous words, and I can only stare at him in shock.
No one has ever told me to my face that they don’t like me. I don’t have a lot of friends here and part of that is my own fault, considering I prefer to keep to myself. People who work at Lancaster Prep adore me thanks to my father. I’ve lived on this campus for years, and many of the teachers and staff have witnessed me growing up. They feel connected to me, and I feel the same way about them. Like we’re one big happy family.
But my fellow students? They don’t think about me much at all. I don’t fit in, no matter how hard I try. I can’t ski in Gstaad over winter break and I don’t summer in the Hamptons or travel all over Europe. I’ve been nowhere because we don’t have a lot of money. I went to New York City a couple of times as a kid with my parents to see a Broadway show, but after Mom died, Dad didn’t have much time for Broadway. Or trips.
He prefers to stay here on campus. Where it’s quiet and peaceful and he can putter around in his garden or in his workshop.
“Y-you really don’t like me?” I ask Arch, still in shock.
To hear someone—the most popular boy on campus—say that to my face is…
Painful.
“No. I don’t. You think you’re better than everyone else. And you’re too quiet, like you’re full of secrets. What are you hiding, anyway? Because you’re definitely hiding something. Right, JJ?”
JJ seems uncomfortable, keeping his gaze cast downward on his feet. “Yeah, right,” he grumbles.
Secrets? I’m not interesting enough to keep any secrets. What is he talking about?
“Plus, you keep gunning for the number one position like we’re in actual competition with each other,” Arch explains, his intense gaze locked on me. “Get comfortable being number two, Albright. There’s no way I’m giving up the top spot. My GPA is solid.”
I wasn’t even sure he was aware that I was right behind him, GPA-wise. He rarely acknowledges me, not that I need his attention. I’d rather fly under the radar.
And I fully planned on trying to surpass his GPA this semester. I took two college credit courses over the summer and everything is advanced this and advanced that. My only relaxing period is in the office and I’m not about to let him disturb my peace. “Isn’t that the whole point? That we’re in competition with each other, trying to do better?”
He makes a scoffing noise. “You’renotcompetition. You’re just that try-hard girl who thinks she’s better than me.”
Anger fills my blood and I take a step back, trying to calm my breathing. “More like you think you’re better than me.”
“Guess what?” His brows shoot up. “I am.”
Seriously? Did he really just say that to my face?
“You’re a monster.” My words are a knee-jerk reaction and I immediately wish I called him something stronger.
Something worse.
Arch actually grins. “You’re right. Don’t ever forget it.”
“Oh, trust me. I won’t.” I lift my chin. “I’ll let Matthews know you refused to come back to the building with me.”
With those final words, I turn on my heel and head back toward the administration building, my anger growing with every step I take. How dare he describe me like I’m some annoying gnat that irritates him every time I come around. Like I don’t even matter to him. As if I’m somehow…subhuman.
How dare he dismiss me with a few words and a sneer on his lips. Who the heck does he think he is?
Well, I know who he is. And so does everyone else on this campus. He’s a Lancaster.
Meaning he’s untouchable.
I’m almost to the building when I feel someone whoosh past and suddenly Arch is right in front of me, a placating smile on his handsome face. I come to a stop and I’m tempted for the briefest moment to stomp my foot on top of his.
But I don’t. Instead, I say in the most demanding voice I can muster, “Move.”
