whisper doesn’t draw his attention.
“Yeah, everything’s fine,” I lie, deciding I’ll tell her about everything later.
Class passes by quickly. I already know most of this stuff because I’ve spent the past few days going over my textbooks and getting a jump on studying, but I make sure to take notes anyway so that it solidifies in my brain. If I throw myself into schoolwork, I should be able to ace this class and all of my other classes.
Max and I split for our next couple classes, and I go through the motions of taking notes and reading the syllabi the professors hand out, but my mind keeps replaying my interaction with Declan and Elias over and over, dissecting every part of it.
They honestly seemed surprised when I told them what Gray had said. They seemed disappointed and pissed, like they expected better of him. And they seemed so fucking sincere when they told me they’d take my side over his.
Gray shows up in my last class before lunch, but I refuse to even look at him or acknowledge that I know he’s there. He does the same to me, which should be more of a relief than it is.
I slip out of the class quickly when it lets out, lost in thought as I head toward the dining hall. I’m barely paying attention to where I’m going and just walking on autopilot.
“Nice job, Sophie.”
The smug drawl from behind me makes me stop in my tracks, the fine hairs on the back of my neck rising like hackles. Caitlin’s falsely sweet voice grates on my ears, and I turn around slowly to see her flanked by her two little minions, Gemma and Reagan.
“Thanks,” I say shortly. I have no idea what she’s talking about, and I’m not gonna give her the satisfaction of asking.
“I heard you split up the Sinners,” she says, continuing on as if I did ask. “I never thought the day would come that a bitch like you would get between those three.” She cocks her head, scanning me from head to toe with an assessing look. “Can’t say I understand why. Why do any of them think you’re worth it?”
I suck in a breath to keep myself from hauling off and punching her in the face. As tempting as it is, I’m trying not to get kicked out of school this semester. She just wants to get under my skin, to piss me off—I know that, but I hate that it’s working.
“Fuck off,” I tell her flatly. “While you’re at it, go fuck yourself.”
Before she can respond, I turn on my heel and start walking again. I’m not letting that bitch feel any smug satisfaction for stating a fact that I already know.
And why should she be so smug about it?
God, I hate this. All of it.
“Sophie!” Max catches up with me quickly as I enter the dining hall. She sounds slightly out of breath. “What’s going on? Is it true?”
I try not to feel irritation at her question. Unlike the rest of the assholes on campus, she just wants to know if it’s true for my sake, not to stir up gossip or drama.
“You split the Sinners up? It’s all over school, Sophie,” she says, standing behind me in line. “Everyone’s talking about it. You don’t realize how big this is.”
“Oh, I do,” I mutter under my breath, glancing at the menu for today.
All of the words just blend into little smudges—I can’t focus on anything right now. Instead of ordering anything, I decide to step out of the line, Max following close behind me. I can always eat later, when things have cleared out. Until then, I don’t want to be lunchtime entertainment for the entire school.
“I heard Declan and Elias basically disavowed Gray,” she murmurs. “It’s over. Is that true?”
“Yeah, I guess so,” I tell her as we step outside, “but I didn’t have anything to do with it. It was their choice. I didn’t ask them to do it for me.”
Max frowns, thinking. “I’d like to believe them though. Declan and Elias. I got to know them a little better over winter break, when we were in the hospital waiting for you to wake up. I think they’re being serious. They’re on your side… or at least that’s what everyone is saying.” She looks at me expectantly, as if wanting my side of the story.
“They did tell me that,” I confirm, “but I won’t believe shit until I see it with my own