“That’s bullshit. You’re not weakening.”
Their voices were getting softer, but I could still hear them.
“I’d rather think that than the alternative,” Mr. Dawson said.
“Which is what?”
“That we have a rogue in the pack.”
Dastien said something else, but I couldn’t make it out. Only the tone. He was pissed.
A rogue? What did that mean?
It didn’t matter. It wasn’t my problem. I was getting the hell out of here.
I counted to ten before coming out of my hiding spot, and then took off down the path. Dense trees threatened to swallow it, but that look was cultivated on purpose. St. Ailbe’s had something to hide. The trail snaked sharply to the right, and then to the left, and then to the right again before it straightened out.
The parking lot was filled with at least a hundred cars. The three front rows looked completely full from where I was standing, and the fourth and fifth had some empty spaces. A line of black Expeditions took up the first row. What was up with that? The popular kids needed matching cars here?
Beyond the Expeditions were fancy cars galore. Even in the dim moonlight, they gleamed and curved in a way no ordinary Chevy could. I wanted to be annoyed by it, but the private schools in Los Angeles hadn’t been any more down to Earth.
A tall, red brick wall bordered the back of the parking lot. The top of the black iron gate peeked over the top of the SUVs. Both the gate and the wall were pretty high. I’d be in for a climb either way I went. Maybe the gate wasn’t locked.
I made my way through the cars, and slid to a stop as I reached the gate.
A group of no less than ten guys stood leaning against it. Some were chatting. A few were sitting down in a circle playing cards.
I was so dumb. I should’ve gone through the creek.
One of them looked straight at me and winked. “What’s the time?” he said to the guy next to him.
“2:26 AM. Damn it. That means Brandt won.”
A series of curses rang through the group, followed by one guy celebrating. “Hand it over, bitches.”
Axel’s car screeched to a stop beyond the tall iron gate. He jumped out of the car, leaving it idling. His headlights lit up the lot. “Shit, Tess. I told you this was a bad idea!” He stepped up to the closed gate.
I hadn’t said a word yet. The only thing I could think of was the fact that I was stuck here. The walls were closing in on me. Even outside.
Mr. Dawson, Dastien, and three other guys strolled up behind me. They were all dressed in black. Dastien stayed back while Mr. Dawson and the others kept walking toward me.
He wouldn’t even look at me, but he’d wait up all night to make sure I couldn’t run away?
Axel had been right. I was on lockdown, and they’d been waiting for me. Being predictable sucked.
“Alright, show’s over,” Mr. Dawson said. “Tessa, it’s back to the dorm for you.”
“This is bullshit.” I couldn’t believe that they’d been watching for me.
Mr. Dawson raised a brow. “Is it? Because I’ve a mind to think that you being here means it’s definitely not bullshit.”
“That’s besides the point.”
Dastien chuckled.
I pointed at him. “You shut it. It’s your fault that I’m—”
“I thought we went over this.” Axel wrapped his hands around the bars of the gate. “You don’t get to go near my sister again!”