Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 101985 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 510(@200wpm)___ 408(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101985 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 510(@200wpm)___ 408(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
My head swings to the left, to the right. Sure, there are cute girls around. Hot, even. Every ethnicity, every size, and shape, every sense of style. I could take my pick of whatever I’m in the mood for. But I’m not in the mood for any of them. None of them compare to the pain in the ass still glaring up at me like she wouldn’t mind me getting struck by lightning.
“And there’s plenty of eye candy to get my imagination going,” I finish. It’s a lie, but she doesn’t know it. And she’s terrible at hiding what’s going on in her head, like the anger simmering under the surface.
“Oh, I see. So it’s okay for you to talk about wanting to get laid, but I’m not even allowed to go to a party and meet new people. Yeah, that’s totally fair.” She stomps off again, her ponytail swinging back and forth like one of those old clock pendulums. It’s almost hypnotic.
I lengthen my stride a little to catch up—it’s not hard, considering the difference in our heights. “Lighten up, princess.”
“For the last time—”
“Sorry. Old habits die hard.”
“I do have a name. You can just call me by my actual name, you know.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” We’re headed for the coffee shop, which is where I can only imagine she wants to stop before going back to the condo. I have her bank card in my wallet as always.
I don’t know exactly how much is in her account, but the way he made it sound, the sky is the limit. The fact that he knows he can trust me with her account is almost humbling. But I’ve definitely proven myself, haven’t I?
We get to the door, and I reach for the handle, but Mia doesn’t follow. “What? You didn’t want a drink?”
She glances inside before looking up at me, and the smirk she’s wearing doesn’t bode well. “You know what? You already know what I like. Go in and get it for me. You’re the one paying for it, anyway.” With that, she plops down on one of the benches in the front and pulls out her phone, thumbs flying over the screen.
So that’s how it’s going to be, huh? Putting me in my place whenever she thinks I’ve stepped out of line. If it wasn’t for that girl coming on to me earlier, I doubt she would be this pissy.
And it’s only because of that—knowing she’s obviously burning with jealousy—that I go into the shop wearing a grin. If it’s this easy to push her buttons when I’m not even trying, how much more fun will it be to push them on purpose?
Princess Mia might not know it, but she just made my time at this school a lot more interesting.
10
MIA
“All right, I’ll need you to break down into groups of four.” The instructor stands at her desk in the front of the room and waits for us to shuffle around and find our study group arrangements.
I can’t pretend it doesn’t make me feel good when Posey immediately turns around and points at me, eyebrows raised. I nod quickly and try to hide my happiness. How pathetic. Am I that desperate for friendship? The desk next to mine is now empty, so she scoots over and plops down in the chair. “Awesome. I was afraid she would assign us to people we didn’t know.”
“I know, right? I didn’t think we’d have our own choice.” I look around the room, letting my gaze drift over Zeke like I don’t even notice him. Like I’m not constantly aware of his presence. He’s sitting by the door, one ankle crossed over the other knee while he slouches in his plastic chair. He could be asleep with his eyes open for all I know. He’s not moving.
I can’t help but want to ask Posey if it’s weird, him being here, but I also don’t want to draw even more attention to him.
Another girl comes over, tucking her bright pink hair behind one ear before pointing at the empty desk in front of me. I wonder how I’d look with hair that color. I’ve always wanted to try. “Do you have room for another?” she asks, pointing at the nearest empty desk.
“Sure!” Posey reaches over to the desk and pulls it closer while introducing herself. I wish I had her confidence. I guess it comes from growing up privileged and believing the whole world will move out of your way when you want it to. I might have the same resources at my fingertips that she has, but I don’t have that deep, ingrained belief. I wonder if I ever will.
“Lucky me.” A guy I recognize from class but haven’t yet met slides into the desk in front of Posey. “Finding three gorgeous ladies in need of a study partner.”