Of course, if any of the girls missed that many rehearsals, we’d get cut. But it’s hard to find guys who’re both willing and capable of doing thepart.
“Look forward to seeing you at the party thisweekend.”
“The mid-production cast party? Canceled,” Jenna offers with a look toward Carly and her minions. “Carly’s solarium is getting renovated, and her parents won’t have people over until it’sfinished.”
“What about your place?” Kellan’s blue eyesdance.
If looks could melt skin, mine would be peeling off from the evil stares of Carly and her minions, and I swallow an incredulous laugh. “As much as we’re all BFFs, that’s as appealing as waxing my eyebrowsoff.”
He laughs as I head for the doors, falling into step next tome.
“I know I’ve been busy with practice, but we should rehearse together. Maybe at the party.” He squeezes my arm before holding the door forme.
“Maybe.”
I pass him and head to my locker to grab my books and sunglasses, the feel of his touch lingering on my bareskin.
Kellan’s attractive, and a lot of girls would love his attention, but he’s not my type. He’s sports and parties and being seen. But right now, I’ll take my allies where I can getthem.
I pull out a pen and lift the front hem of my skirt to write a single word on my thigh in blue ink, then I shut my locker and head for the maindoors.
If I’d thought Oakwood Prep would be simpler than the public school I attended most of my childhood, I was wrong. It’s full of people with too much money and too many expectations and too manyliposuction.
If I could go back to public school, go back to being normal… I’d take it in a hotsecond.
Because the difference between them and me is I grew up with less than nothing until I was plucked from that existence and told I was meant for anotherone.
Outside, I slide my sunglasses on as I head for the parkinglot.
The campus is sprawling and beautiful. I soak in the spring day, the expanse of green grass, the mature trees. It’s hot for Dallas, and all I want is to get home and jump in thepool.
I reach the modern steel fountain that marks the middle of the quad, the halfway point between the school and the parking lot, when a familiar form blocks myway.
I swear I’ve hit my daily quota ofassholes.
“There are consequences for taking things that don't belong toyou.”
Carly stands between me and the parking lot, flanked byminions.
“Roles don't belong topeople.”
“I was talking about Kellan,” sheretorts.
“People definitely don't belong topeople.”
My focus falls to Lana’s dirty manicure, the black smudges up her arm that weren’t there duringrehearsal.
Oakwood Prep is like society—the rules supposedly apply equally to everyone. They don’t. Not evenclose.
Even amongst the rich, there are circles of power, ofinfluence.
Carly’s dad is the head of the school’s board, which means she can do what she wants. To whomever shewants.
“If Kellan’s your pathetic attempt not to die a virgin, good luck with that,” she goes on, leaning in as she senses the kill. “No guy at Oakwood will touchyou.”
I close the distance between us and meet her predatory gaze head-on. “Promise I can get that inwriting?”
“Carly.”