Blair

I look up from my phone. You’ve got to fucking be kidding me. Sighing, I climb out of the Subaru and look up at the ivy-covered, brick edifice. Students in blue and green uniforms identical to mine file through the iron gate, clumped together in groups I can only assume are as ruthless as they were at my last high school. Luckily, I haven’t seen Hunter since Thursday, when we moved in—apart from a very vivid sexual dream that left me all sorts of confused about my new stepbrother, but I digress.

I close my door and grab my backpack from the back seat, throwing it on as I lock my car with the fob. As I walk past luxury vehicles and fellow students with gold watches, designer bags, and diamonds, I keep my head up and eyes on the prize.

One year. I can handle this place for one year, and then I’m off to college. Hopefully in Paris.

I walk through the gate, ignoring the looks from other students, the curious gazes. My eyes take in the massive structure. This place is big enough to be a university. Four brick buildings surround the green quad, ancient maple trees scattered every few feet. My backpack thumps against my back as I walk to the administrative office. I glare at a group of girls as they snicker at me, but I hold my head high.

Picking up the requisite school laptop and a printed copy of my schedule, I head to the largest building—which I presume to be the library. I’ve never gone to a school that just gives its students computers, but then again, I’ve never gone to a school like Ravenwood Academy before. I have a few minutes to kill, and I might as well learn my schedule and see if I can orient myself.

I push the heavy, wooden doors open, and when they close behind me, I soak up the quiet and emptiness of the library. Inhaling contentedly, I stalk toward the back where several couches lie sprawling between two large bookcases. Just as I’m about to sit down, someone taps me on the shoulder. I twirl around. 

“Hey, new human,” a girl says, smiling up at me. She has short, black hair and golden skin. Like me, she’s in uniform—white shirt, green plaid skirt, navy sweater with the white emblem on the top left collar. It’s a crest with an ‘R’ in the middle, and wings on either side. According to Google, the symbol dates to Andrew’s grandfather, who started Ravenwood Academy in the early 1900s.

I set my backpack on one of the couches. “Hi,” I answer, somewhat surprised that she’s being so friendly. “I’m Briar.”

She shakes my hand. “Scarlett. And this is Jack.” She gestures to the guy behind her who is typing maniacally on his computer. “We’re the nice ones,” she whispers.

“How do you know I’m new?” I ask.

She laughs and points to my shirt. “Uniform rule number one: tuck in your shirt.”

I set my computer down. “Shit,” I chuckle, quickly tucking my shirt in. That explains the laughs. “My mom and I just moved here from California.”

Her eyes flick up and down my body. “Okurr, I can sense that vibe now that you mention it.”

Laughing, I shake my head. “I hope it’s not that obvious.”

She smirks. “No, it’s not. Don’t worry. You got that Cleopatra vibe going with your dark hair, but you also seem chill as fuck.” Her eyes peruse my face once more. “They’re going to eat you up,” she mutters, looking me up and down. “I assume you’re straight, which is too bad for me.”

“Scar, are you seriously hitting on the newbie?” The guy behind Scarlett shuts his computer and stands. Walking over, he holds out a hand. He’s tall and handsome, with red hair and thick, black glasses. “Hi, I’m Jack.” He turns to Scarlett. “You’re relentless.”

I chuckle. “I’m Briar.” As we shake hands, he wiggles his eyebrows. “She’s not wrong. You come in here with your Xena the Warrior Princess vibes…” He eyes my combat boots. “Those are most definitely not adhering to the dress code, and I love you for it.”

I look down. “What’s wrong with the boots?”

“Oh, I’m sure you’ll get reprimanded by Mr. Ravenwood. He’s the headmaster.”

I swallow. “I know who he is.”

Before I can elaborate, Jack pulls out his phone. “Scar and I usually meet at the coffee shop in town on Tuesday mornings. You should join us tomorrow. Here, program your number.”

I add myself as a contact and hand it back. “Mmm, coffee.”

“Oh good, I’ve found another addict,” he retorts, smiling. “This one’s no fun.”

“Hey,” Scarlett whines, hitting his arm. “I like caffeine, too.”

“Green tea doesn’t count, sweetie,” he jokes, shaking his head.

“Foul,” I mutter, making a face, and Scarlett laughs, throwing her arms up. I point to my backpack. “I actually came in here to figure out where the hell I’m going for first period,” I add.

“We’ll show you,” Scarlett offers, and I gratefully hand her my schedule.

“Ugh, history,” she mutters, glancing at the sheet of paper.

“That’s right by my first class. We can walk you over,” Jack declares. Before I can thank him, he changes the subject. “So where in California did you come from?”

“Marin City.” They both stare blankly at me. “It’s the town on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge, near San Francisco,” I add, my words practiced.

They both ahh at my answer, and we continue chatting for a few minutes. Luckily, the reason for me being in Massachusetts doesn’t come up during our conversation. I’m not sure how Andrew and Hunter are perceived here, and I want to get the lay of the land before I go telling people the headmaster is my new stepfather.

Just as I’m about to ask which classes they each have first, a loud bell sounds. I tug my backpack over one shoulder. They pull me along with them, through the door of the library and out into the quad.

“Just follow us,” Jack offers.

“I’ll give you a quick rundown,” Scarlett starts as we make our way across the quad. “Don’t make eye contact with anyone. Just focus on your own work.” I swallow, but she continues. “Don’t be intimidated. Most of them are just your typical rich kids, you know? Nothing special.”

“Well, except…” Jack trails off. We enter the building to the right.

“Except who?”

They both halt in front of the first door.

“Okay, here’s your classroom, bye!” Jack screeches, and then they’re gone. 

I sigh, looking into the large room where a few students are already seated.

Here goes nothing.

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