“Yeah, she’s quiet, but she seems pretty on top of things.” I clear my throat. “So, the cliques were everything you said they would be. I even heard some of the “Roses and Thorns” talk you told me about. It was like I was trapped in an alternate universe.” I laugh.
She smiles with her teeth clamped tightly together. “Yeah, I warned you about that.”
I hold up a hand, shaking my head. “It’s okay. I’m just going to mind my own business.”
And I’m definitely not telling you that the hazing of the new girl has already begun.She’d be down to the school so fast it’s not funny if I were to tell her about my lubed-up locker or getting yanked into the boys’ bathroom.
“Good plan, sweetie. I knew you were a smart one. Sounds like you’re going to be just fine there.” She grins at me with a wink, but it’s almost like she’s trying to convince herself.
Whether or not I’ll be fine at Rosehaven Academy remains to be seen, but I refuse to let anyone run me off, that’s for damn sure.
* * *
After dinner, I make my way up to my room, deciding I just need to chill for a little while. Today was mentally exhausting. I flop down on my bed and open my Insta account. I scroll mindlessly through pretty photos for a little bit, but I don’t follow very many people, so I quickly lose interest.
When the thought to search for Xander pops into my head, I debate with myself for a whopping five seconds.What could it hurt to just take a peek?I tap his name into the search bar, and sure enough, he has an account. As I poke around, I see it’s mostly images of Xander, Beau, and Micah hanging out, and if I scroll back farther, photos from football games the previous year. I see numerous kids I was introduced to earlier today, although I can’t remember most of their names.
I stop on one particularly good pic of Xander in his football uniform. His back is to the camera, hands on his hips, and he’s looking off into the distance. Fucking hot is what it is.
I don’t know if it happens out of reflex or what, but my thumb taps the little heart icon.Shit. Shit, shit, shit.I didn’t mean to do that. I tap it again to undo the action, squeezing my eyes shut.
After a minute of self-castigation, I set my phone down on my nightstand and hurry into the bathroom to wash my face.That’s enough screwing around for Scarlett today.How dumb was that?
I freeze, soap still covering my face, when I hear my phone vibrate on the nightstand.No. Noooo.Rinsing, I have an internal freak out before I rush back over. I perch on the edge of my bed and pick my phone up gingerly like it’s a snake that could dart out and bite at any second.
I don’t see anything on Xander’s account, which is where I’d stopped scrolling, but then I notice I have a message waiting. Oh,shit.
XanderG:Don’t think I didn’t see that.
What do I say? I totally just got caught scoping out his account. I’m such an idiot.
Me:I tapped it by accident.
XanderG:Mm-hmm. And what were you doing looking at my photo?
Me:We have mutual friends.
XanderG:It’s an old pic, Red. Wouldn’t have been in your feed. Nice try, though.
XanderG:It’s okay to admit you like what you see.
XanderG:And what you felt.
Me:Shut up.
It’s stupid and childish, but in the heat of the moment, I couldn’t think of anything else to say. He’s right on all accounts. Too bad the asshole has to come in such enticing packaging.
XanderG:I can think of a few different ways you could make my mouth shut up. We’ll try those next time.
I’m too pissed at myself to respond.Ugh, Scarlett. Just had to go and give him ammunition, didn’t you?
Chapter 8
Imust have fallen asleep not long after I banned myself from looking at any more Instagram. I still can’t believe IlikedXander’s photo.So freaking stupid.
The worst part is that I hardly know the guy, but he’d still robbed me of a restful sleep. I’d had multiple dreams about him, which is ridiculous.
At first, my sleeping mind had me sitting in a classroom, sensing that he was behind me—that’s it. But talk about driving my anxiety to new heights. Each time I’d woken up, I’d slipped right back into the same damn dream.