"Just get lost," I mutter, waving him off. I don't know why I thought I could confide in him. He never had my interest at heart.
He disappears through the window and I'm left alone with the card in my trembling fingers. I turn it over again, reading the address that I know by heart already.
221 Lyre Street, North Haven.
I'm going to be paying her a visit very soon.
I hope she's ready for what's coming.
4
Pandora
The moment I wake up the next morning, I know the day is going to be painful.
It's my first day back at Eden Falls Prep, and I already know I'm going to be the target of vicious rumors at the very least. It's official now - Brazen has become the Oakes' family Firstborn, and I am reduced to nothing. Father went as far to strip all my rights, making Tianna the Secondborn of our family. I'm nothing now. Everyone will take advantage
Even Kelley seems to realize it, giving me an apologetic look as he drops me off at the school gates. "Here we are, Miss Pandora. I hope you have a good day at school."
"Thanks, Kelley." I take a deep breath before opening the car door and walking up the stone steps leading up to the school. The brick walls covered with ivy look more threatening than ever, like they're hiding a thousand secrets whispered between four walls. I sigh and head into th
e courtyard. It doesn't take long for the torture to begin.
"Oh, look who it is!" I look up to find Lai staring at me, walking away from a group of boys with his hands in his pockets and a wide smile on his face. "Little Lily Anna wannabe."
"Fuck off, Lai," I mutter.
"I beg your pardon?" He feigns shock, pissing me off even more. "Is that any way to talk to a Firstborn?"
A small group has gathered in the courtyard to watch him pick on me, and while he laughs at me, my eyes scan the crowd. There's Araminta, wearing an apologetic smile and shrugging when she sees me watching. She doesn't give a shit. She told me already she isn't a reliable friend - she takes whoever's side is more convenient.
"Oh, I suppose nobody's broken it to you yet," Lai goes on, advancing on me. "You're not one of us anymore. You don't get any special treatment from now on, Pandora."
"I never asked for anything from you," I hiss at him. "Only that you'd leave me alone."
"Well, tough luck." He tucks his thumbs in his pockets, smirking at me. "Your life's going to be hell from now on. I just hope you're ready for what we're about to do to you."
I walk right up to him, not giving a damn about the consequences as I jam my finger into his chest. "Haven't you already done enough, Lai?"
"Don't make me break my promise." His voice is a low, threatening whisper. "From what I've heard, you and Brantley made a little deal. You don't want me to break it, do you?"
I take a step back, hating that he's right. He smirks at me, watching my cheeks blush a deep pink as he waves me off. I mutter, "You're a prick. All of you are."
"Tell me something new." His attention is on another girl now, a gorgeous blonde standing by the entrance to Prep. "Got more important stuff than you to deal with now, little Pandora. Hope you have a great day at school. I have no doubt it's going to be... eventful."
I roll my eyes and push past the group of onlookers toward the entrance to the school. Lai may think I'm going to let them walk all over me, but he's got another thing coming. I'm ready to embrace my inner bitch, and get some serious revenge on their little boy gang. And I sure as hell won't go easy on them.
Lunchtime is a disaster waiting to happen. I walk down the food aisle with my hands shaking as I hold the platter of food. I have no idea where to sit. Araminta won't want me next to her now, and it isn't as if I've made any others friends. Dexter's nowhere to be seen, either, so I'm pretty much on my own.
With my teeth gritted together, I make my way to one of the empty tables, taking a seat and feeling like an outcast. I suppose that's what I am. What they've always seen me as.
I'm tucking into my food when there's a tap on my shoulder. I swallow one last bite of my hummus before taking a deep breath and turning around to see who wants to mess with me next.
Audra is staring me down, accompanied with a tall, burly guy who is currently stripping me naked with his eyes. On instinct, I fold my arms over my chest and glare at them both. "What do you want?"
"Good girl for asking," Audra purrs with obvious satisfaction. The bitch is going to just love messing with me now that I can't exactly fight back. "I’m assuming that means you're ready to serve us."
"Why the hell would I serve you?" I hiss. "I have better things to do than deal with spoiled little bitches like you, Audra."