This Fearless Girl (St. Clary's University #2) - E. M. Moore Page 0,67
found—where it originated, who the depositors were. Goosebumps break out over my skin. I’m thrilled to be taking this step. For a long time, I wondered who left it. My father never really cared about that part, he only wanted to find it, only taking into account that it should’ve been the Wilders all along. But I love discovering the history of it, too.
“You okay?”
My smile widens. “I’m so freaking excited, you don’t even know.”
His face softens until it looks almost adoring. The longer we stare at each other, the more tension builds between us. Stone swallows. “We better get inside. We’re going to be late.”
“Yeah,” I choke out, voice suddenly dry with a longing I can’t quite explain.
He walks in first, and I follow. Mr. Burns is already standing at the front of the class. I quickly check the clock above the door and note that we’re not exactly late yet. It’s seconds before nine a.m., but that doesn’t stop him from glaring at the two of us.
I’m too busy apologizing to Mr. Burns to see anything before I take a seat, but when I do, a giggle erupts behind me. On my desk is a copy of a newspaper article from the local Clary paper.
“Weeks Since Disappearance and Legacy of Missing Treasure Seeker Under Debate.”
I look closer. This is the headline of today’s paper.
The giggle turns into an abrupt laugh, and my eyes swim with tears. I haven’t even read the fucking article yet, but the fact that someone could be this cruel….
“Dakota?” Stone whispers as Mr. Burns starts droning on with his shitty coffee breath.
My skin heats, and my limbs start to shake. A quick check to my left and right tell me everyone is looking at me. Of course, they are. They were waiting for me to come in. They’ve probably been laughing about this for minutes while I walked down the hall as oblivious as ever.
Stone rips the paper from my hands, his shoulders tightening as he reads it.
I stand from my desk, and Mr. Burns stops talking, not that anyone in the room has heard a single thing he’s said anyway. I turn to find the culprit behind me. I already knew it was Meghan, but the smug satisfaction on her face is enough proof even if I had my doubts. “You pathetic bitch,” I snarl.
Her lips curve into a cruel smirk. “How rude, Dakota. Some of us are here to learn.”
“Do you really feel that shitty about yourself that you have to drag other people down to your lowlife level? You think my father’s reputation is something to be laughed at? You think his disappearance is funny?”
She giggles, even though she’s trying like hell to hold it back. Gazing around at the other students in class, she bursts out again. “You think I feel shitty about myself? I thank God every day that I’m not you.”
I lunge at her—not even thinking for once, only reacting. The look of pure shock on her face is satisfying enough, even though I don’t get the chance to kick her ass. Strong arms band around me from behind. “Not a good idea,” Stone warns in my ear after my fist barely clips her chin. He got there just in time.
Mr. Burns’ voice splits the air. “Dakota Wilder! Compose yourself.”
Meghan’s hand covers her chin where I grazed her, the shock quickly dissipating into anger. “You’ll be sorry for that.”
“No, I’ll be too busy thanking God every day that I’ll never be a petty bitch like Meghan Tanner.”
Stone’s arms tighten around me, and I’m almost positive I feel the imprint of a smirk on my cheek as he drags me away.
“Mr. Jacobs, kindly remove Miss Wilder from the room.”
I struggle free from his grip to grab my bag. I don’t even look at Mr. Burns or anyone else as I exit. The room is pretty quiet, most likely paralyzed with shock.
“Oh, Stone,” Meghan chirps. “I almost forgot. Congratulations on your engagement. Marissa looks so polished and dignified. She’d probably never have an outburst like this.”
My feet stop, and my stomach plummets to the floor. Stone is there, pushing me along until he closes the door behind us.
“What? What did she say?” I ask.
Stone’s typing away on his cell phone. “The engagement announcement was in The Arizona Republic this morning.”
“Of course, it was,” I deadpan. “Wow. Great day for shitty news, I guess.”
I start walking, picking up speed as I go. I don’t know why I even stay in Clary.