Bad, Bad Bluebloods(Rich Boys of Burberry Prep #2) - C.M. Stunich Page 0,73
on the arm of the chair I’m sitting in. I'm tempted to lay my hand on his knee, but why? What would that even mean? So instead I keep my hands cupped around the hot chocolate, and sip slowly.
Mrs. Amberton hands me a key to room 301 and tells me that Miranda and I will be sharing. The whole school knows by now that Miranda and Jessie are dating, so Jessie is put in a room with a random Pleb girl I've never seen before. Andrew and Zack are paired up, and my palms start to sweat as I notice Tristan heading up the stairs toward his room. I'm not ready for him to leave yet. Not just yet …
As if she's taken classes on how to make a grand entrance (as far as I know, maybe she has), the double doors fly open with a swirl of snow and in walks Lizzie, dressed head to the toe in designer athletic wear, her red and black plaid jacket slightly unbuttoned, just a hint of cleavage showing.
She sees me right away and I stand up, handing my empty hot chocolate to Zack before she throws her arms around my neck and gives me a huge hug. Last night, I messaged her to make peace. In reality, I've added her name to my list and crossed it off in the same go around.
Based on the conversation I had with Lizzie last night—most of which consisted of her profusely apologizing to me and begging for my forgiveness—she doesn't know Tristan is engaged. I can tell by the way she talks about him, that she’s still in love with him. When I glance over my shoulder and see him frozen on the stairs, one hand white-knuckled on the banister, his eyes all for her, I know he's in love with her, too.
A few of Lizzie's friends are with her, all of them wearing matching Coventry Prep beanies, the school crest sewn into the side. It's a little cliquish for my taste, but it's nice to see a swarm of queen bees sweep into the room that are actually on my side. It has not escaped my notice that the Bluebloods are bristling.
Lizzie's guardian approaches the counter and starts up a conversation with some of the Burberry Prep staff, wrapping her arms around Ms. Felton. A smile works its way onto my lips before I turn back to Lizzie herself.
“Our school doesn't do second-year trips, so it was a nice surprise to get your invite,” she says, her own engagement ring sparkling as she reaches up to tuck her black curls behind one ear. She turns her amber gaze over to Zack, and they both smile sheepishly before turning their attentions back to me.
The last time I was in the same room with the two of them, I was having my heart broken in two. This is so much better because this time, it's Tristan and Lizzie who are going to feel that pain. Part of me aches at the idea of Lizzie getting hurt; she's so sweet and genuine. It's impossible to imagine her making that bet with Zack way back when. Either the two of them have changed immensely since then, or else they're as full of shit as the rest of the Bluebloods.
“I'm glad you're here,” I tell her, and I mean that, even if it is all a part of my plot. Ugh. It shouldn't be this hard for me to extract vengeance. I'd rather just be a naïve, happy chick with no vendettas. I decide that once I graduate from Burberry Prep, I'm done with revenge plots forever. “I don't ski, and I hear learning isn't exactly easy. I need you guys to take turns babysitting me in the lodge.”
Lizzie chuckles, and it's such a gentle, cultured laugh. She's pretty, too, and nice. I'm damn near positive she's as close to perfect as any human being ever gets. That is, if you ignore the bet she made with Zack,
Like a viper, Harper slithers over to us, flashing her own ring in Lizzie's face.
“What … are you doing here?” Harper grinds out between her perfect, white teeth. She flashes me a look of pure venom that I pretend not to notice. Lizzie's face shuts down as soon as she sees that ring, and a tension creeps into the air that has nothing to do with me. I'm not even involved in their resulting stare down.