So today, as we head into the school I cross my fingers and hope for a better day. We pass Lincoln, Maverick, and Finley standing on the steps like a group of dark gods surveying their subjects. My gaze is pulled to them as we climb the stairs. I can’t help but take in the way they command respect from those around them, even in silence. Each of them drips with the type of confidence you can only be born with. Everything about them screams power, attitude, and raw fucking sex appeal. I almost hate how undeniably hot they all are, my mind drifting to exactly what they could each be capable of. I try to shake the images from my brain.
Nope, I’m not going there.
As we get closer, I realize the only thing they’re actually watching is me, like I’m their possession and their enemy all at once. Even Lincoln, who’s acting like he hasn’t spent every night until last curled around me in my bed.
“Octavia,” Lincoln starts, and I swear to fuck I nearly trip up the goddamn stairs. Why am I such a mess around these guys? “You have a minute?”
I look at Indi, who shrugs and crosses her arms. I swear this entire place has me just trying to catch up. I don’t get why everything has to be so complicated. “Uhm, sure.”
Lincoln pulls me to the bottom of the stairs and back toward my car so we have a little privacy. I’m positive that the other two know exactly what he’s talking to me about, and I’m definitely going to tell Indi, so it seems a bit much, but fuck it.
He scowls at a group of kids walking toward us. They squeak and walk around the cars rather than passing us directly. “You don’t have to be so cruel, you know.” I sigh, and he turns his glare on me before rolling his eyes.
He rubs his fingers against his temples before looking back at me. “You’ve been gone too long. You have no idea how this place works.”
Now who’s being dramatic? I know this place is shady as shit, but he could leave as easily as I did if he wanted to. “What did you want to talk to me about?”
His eyes flash, and I watch conflict play out on his face. I have no idea what that’s about or why he’s giving me a peek behind the mask he wears like a second skin, but I see when he changes his mind about whatever it is he was thinking about before he starts to speak. “The video from the weekend. I know a guy, so if you want it taken down, I can handle it.”
My eyes go wide at his offer. This definitely isn’t what I was expecting him to say. “Why are you being nice to me?”
I can’t help but be suspicious, truce or not.
He glares at me again. I swear his face is going to get stuck that way if he isn’t careful.
“We called a truce, remember? Plus, if East mopes around much more, I’ll have to make him move out. He’s still being pissy with me, and it’s fucking with my chill.”
And now it all makes sense. He’s thick as thieves with Finley and Maverick, but he and East have always been weirdly close. Their bond’s the kind that nothing could ever break.
“Well, thank you, but unless shit turns dark, it’s not the end of the world. I don’t have the media banging down my door this time, so this is the kind of viral I can handle.”
He nods at my comment, like he expected as much. I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t accept his help, truce or not. After everything that’s happened since I came back, I don’t see me ever going to him for anything. Whether he’s helped with my nightmares or not. I’m still not convinced he wasn’t the one responsible for causing them. “Okay, if you need help, you know where to find me.”
“Was that it?” I ask, at a loss as to why he’d pull me aside for that. His eyes rake over me, and the conflict from before is back. I'm beyond curious what’s going on inside his head. There was a time not too long ago when he couldn’t hide anything from me.
Things were so much simpler back then.
Unfortunately, I don’t have a crystal ball or a time machine. Either would be useful these days, but I don’t live in a fantasy universe. I mean, I wouldn’t pass up the opportunity for a mind reading superpower either. That might make my life simpler too.
His jaw sets, and I know he’s made up his mind. “Yeah, that was everything. Have a good day.” He walks away from me, leaving me slack-jawed staring after him. Nothing about Lincoln Saint makes sense to me anymore.
I walk toward Indi, and we head inside. “What was that about?”
“Absolutely nothing.” I run her over the whole encounter, and she looks as baffled as I feel.
She shakes her head as we walk down the hall. “The people here make absolutely no sense to me.”
We head to my locker so I can sort out my books, and the main door slams closed. I look up and see Raleigh stalking toward us.
“Incoming,” Indi murmurs, moving so she’s standing just in front of me. I really do love her, and it’s been so much fun watching her come into her own.
“Morning,” she practically sings at him, making herself an obstacle before he can get to me. He straight up ignores her and stares daggers at me instead.
He folds his arms across his chest, practically vibrating with rage. I do not understand this guy at all. I thought I was good at reading people, but apparently I misjudged him a lot. “Why were you talking to Saint? I thought you hated him.”
Indi rolls her eyes before chirping up. “Hi, Indi, how are you doing? Yeah, I’m great, thanks, did you have a good weekend?”
He glances over at her before pinning me with his stare again. I have exactly zero desire to justify myself to him, so I don’t bother. “Whatever this is about, Raleigh, it’s a you problem.” The bell rings, saving me from this entire situation. “I need to get to class. When you have your shit together, come find me.”