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Crystal.
“Crystal,” I murmur.
Her glare could shatter glass. “Didn’t think you’d have the guts to show your face around us again.” Crystal’s arms are crossed, her posture rigid with anger.
“Can we clear this up, please? Can you tell me what I did wrong?” I plead. “I don’t even know why you’re being so mean to me.”
“Clear what up? That you’re a backstabber?” Crystal spits out, her voice rising. A few heads turn in our direction, hungry for the latest drama that’s unfolding starring me. Again.
“Backstabber? Crystal, what are you?—“
“Save it! We all know about the fire and thatsomehow, you’re the one who ends up at KnightsGateManor while the rest of us scramble for a place to crash.” Her accusation hits like a punch to the gut. Does she believe I started the fire? The idea is ludicrous, insane.
“Crystal, what are you accusing me of, exactly?”
“Oh, cut the crap, Ever. You’ve always wanted more, haven’t you? To stand out from your family’s shadow? Well, congratulations. You got your wish at everyone else’s expense.” Crystal’s eyes are blazing, and it’s clear there’s no reasoning with her.
Lila joins in, her eyes mirroring the same cold judgment. “We know you did this so you could position yourself in that house,” she spits out, jealousy laced through her tone like poison.
“What?” I start, my voice desperate for them to understand. “How could I have done that? I was in class. We walked home together and went upstairs.”
“Must be nice, huh, Ever?” Crystal crosses her arms, her gaze cutting through me. “While we’re all stuck on sofas and floors, you’ve got your own room in a mansion. That fucking fire cost me this semester, you fucking bitch. My project was in that kitchen!” Tears spring to her eyes, and I want to console her, but she is being unreasonable.
“Crystal, listen to me—“ I plead, but it’s like talking to a brick wall.
“Save it,” Cass interjects, her first words to me sharp as knives. “We’re not blind. You played us all.”
“Played you? No, that’s not what happened?—“
“Whatever,” Crystal interrupts with a dismissivewave of her hand. “Just fuck off and never speak to any of us again.”
“Wait!”
They turn their backs on me then, leaving me standing there, alone and gutted. The whispers around campus become roars in my ears, everyone watching this humiliation unfold before them. Harsh laughter echoes in the distance, but it doesn’t reach my numb heart.
The pain of betrayal is fierce, twisting deep in my heart. How can they think I’d do such a thing? But the doubt and scorn in their eyes are clear—they believe this lie about me completely.
Who would do such a thing?
36
EVER
Back at the house, my hands shaking from all that has transpired today, it’s a battle of wills, and I’m losing.
Alistair’s azure gaze is like ice, Ben’s green eyes calculating, Charlie’s hazel spark with an intensity that scares me, and Damien’s grey ones are as unreadable as ever. I’m sick of the games, the whispers, the shadows trailing my every step.
I’m being stalked on campus by every fucker who attends the Royal Academy of KnightsGate, and I’ve had enough.
“This is bullshit,” I snap, slamming my palms down on the antique table. “I know you’re pulling strings around here; just give it to me straight. Are these things happening because of me?”
Alistair leans back in his chair, the very picture of arrogance. “We haven’t the faintest idea what you’re talking about.”
“Cut the crap, Alistair.” My voice is a blade, sharpand ready to cut through his lies. “You think because of who you are, you can just mess with people’s lives?”
Ben arches an eyebrow, his voice calm but irritatingly patronising. “We assure you, Ever, our influence isn’t used so trivially.”
“Trivial?” I scoff, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks. “You call this trivial?”
