Chapter 16
I’m not ready for this. I blow out a breath and finish buttoning up the white shirt of my Rosehaven Academy uniform. I pluck the uniform skirt off the bed, step into it, and pull it into place. Glancing down, I groan. Shit. I guess I have to tuck it in. I grumble as I smooth my shirt inside the skirt, then pull the zipper up at the back. After slipping one arm into my blazer and then the other, I tug it on, feeling decidedly ill at ease.
In front of the mirror, my eyes widen when I get a load of schoolgirl Lyla. Shit, this outfit is awful. I smooth my hands over the blazer and trace the embroidered rose on the chest with my finger. Well, at least they don’t put a thorn on the scholarship student uniforms. I snicker. Better laugh now because who knows how this day is going to go. And though this uniform feels incredibly awkward, I’m thankful I don’t have to figure out how to change up my limited wardrobe every day to make it look like I have more clothes than I actually do.
That reminds me, I’ll have to find the washing machine around here. Griffin told me that Greta does the laundry and dry-cleaning once a week. I have no idea which day though, and I’m not sure I can wait. I already hand washed my bra in the bathroom sink so I have a clean one to wear tomorrow.
I slip on the black ballet flats I’d swiped from my mom before I left. They’re an old pair so I doubt she’ll miss them, but no way was I going to be the girl wearing sneakers with her school uniform. After I’ve finished packing up my book bag, I pull my schedule up on my phone again. Chorus, precalculus, French IV, and study hall. I was taking all of these classes at my other school, so I assume I won’t be too far behind.
Hearing a shout from down below, I sling my bag over my shoulder and hurry down the stairs. Griffin and Beau are both in the kitchen at the island, shoveling cereal into their mouths as quickly as they can. Micah wanders into the kitchen at the same time I do but from the opposite direction. I haven’t asked where his room is, but it must be far from the rest of us, because I haven’t run into him while upstairs yet.
My eyes drift over each of them, noting how nicely they fill out their school uniforms. I wonder again if all the guys at Rosehaven are like this or if I’ve simply won the lottery with my housing assignment.
Griffin grins and winks at me. “Ready for school, sis? We’ll give you a ride.”
I huff out a laugh, not ready for this kind of familiarity. “Dude. Totally not your sister. And I can take the bus. It’s no big deal.”
“Except there isn’t a bus for the academy.” Micah shakes his head, grimacing. “You could try taking the bus that rolls through town once an hour, but you probably don’t want to be late on the first day. Not to mention, I saw it go by thirty minutes ago. It won’t be back for a while.” He gives me an apologetic smile.
Beau narrows his gaze on me. I get a distinct Come on, didn’t we just talk about this? vibe from him. “Just ride with us. Why wouldn’t you?”
I hesitate for a second. It’s not in my nature to automatically agree. And Beau made me go all soft last night, unable to resist him. I can’t let myself be that way today. I need to tighten every bit of armor around me and prepare for the worst.
In the end, it kind of irks me to say yes, but I don’t see another choice. It’s too far to walk, especially in these ballet flats that are a half-size too big.
My eyes flick from one to the other of them while I consider. “I guess there’s no reason to say no. Except, how will I get home? Don’t you still have practice this week? I doubt I’ll want to hang around after school.”
Micah winks. “That’s easy. Max will bring you home. He’ll drop Daph at work and then bring you back here. It’s too bad she has to work, or she could come hang out with you.”
I’m not quite ready for hanging out yet. And as nice as Daphne had seemed last night sharing her pizza and all, I’m not sure we’ve quite clicked yet. I’m reserving judgment.
Which is funny because I’ve been judging Beau up one side and down the other since I got here. Oops.
Still. It’s different, especially with guys. Especially for me. I need to use caution. Watch my step. He says he means no harm, but what asshole is going to be upfront about his intention to hurt you? I’m on my own here, with no one to take care of me but me.
My stomach rumbles.
Griffin smirks and tosses me an apple from the bowl on the counter. “Let’s go.”
The four of us scoot out a door I hadn’t realized leads to the garage. The three guys automatically walk ahead, but my eyes are caught up as I gawk at a literal fleet of cars, my teeth half-stuck in the apple I was biting down on. I pull it out of my mouth, counting. There are six different vehicles, ranging from sports cars to SUVs to a truck and a motorcycle on the far end, for good measure. I stand there, slack-jawed, as my eyes roam over them. “Why so many?”
Beau groans. “Dad likes expensive toys.”
I sputter, “But whatever happened to new drivers getting banged up pieces of junk for their first rides? You’re driving one of these?”
Griffin chuckles, clapping a hand on my shoulder. “It’s how we roll around here, Lyla. This is how the elite of Rosehaven Academy get around.”
He passes by me, going to a flashy-as-hell lime-green car. He pops one of the back doors open, and stands waiting. Micah goes around to the front passenger seat.
I glance at Beau, who is waiting for me to move. “Seriously? What the hell kind of car is this, anyway?” I walk over to it, admiring its sleek lines. My gaze meets his over the hood as I pull open the door.
He gives me a wry grin. “It’s a Lamborghini Urus.”
“Damn. Not that I actually know what that is, but—” I stare down at an interior that is so plush, surely my butt should not be sitting on it.
“Dad bought it for me when I turned sixteen. That truck over there is Griff’s.” He pauses for a second. “Your expression says it all. Don’t worry, we’re aware we’re spoiled.”
“It’s just a little different than what I’m used to. I don’t even have a license.” I roll my eyes and climb in as ladylike as I can in my skirt. “And so it begins, I guess.”