Kings of Quarantine (Brutal Boys of Everlake Prep #1) - Caroline Peckham ,Susanne Valenti Page 0,29

he suggested.

Oh fuck no. This is my goddamn time.

“I need to shower first,” I said with a shrug. “How about tomorrow morning? I’ve got a free period-”

“No need. I’ll head on down to the dining hall and wait for you.” He clapped me on the shoulder and my jaw clenched as I fought against the urge to let my feelings on that fan-fucking-tastic idea show.

“Perfect,” I replied.

Brown smiled and headed off towards the dining hall, leaving me to go on up to my apartment and enjoy my shower. It looked like that was the only part of the evening I’d be getting to myself now. Great. I’d just have to make the most of it. I’d wash my hair twice, scrub the shit out of my skin and probably jerk off for good measure.

Dammit, my life sucks sometimes.

I was wearing a black fitted dress with lace sleeves and my favourite necklace swung from my throat. My big sister had gifted it to me for my twelfth birthday. The silver pendant was circular and held an intricate Celtic knot inside it. She’d bought it on a field trip to Ireland and said it was a symbol of eternal love. Whether we were alone or apart, we would always be part of each other’s lives.

My heart tugged as I missed her and decided to write her a letter. Mila was still in the shower so I moved to my nightstand, pulling open the drawer and taking out a pen and the premium parchment I used for this purpose only.

I sat on my bed, resting my back against the wall and placing a textbook on my legs. I positioned the paper on top of it, poising the pen to write the words I needed to spill from my heart.

Dear Jessica,

So, I’m here at Everlake prep. Dad didn’t give in to my begging to stay with him, go figure, right?

I guess I’m getting the ‘real life teenage experience’ at last. I got really close to avoiding it, dammit. But it’s not so bad. I’ve even made a friend or two already. You’d love my roommate. She’s a dancer like you. And it may even be possible that she has a filthier mouth than you too.

You should see the guys here. There’s these three assholes who think they own the world. It would be funny if everyone in the school didn’t take it so seriously.

I’m off to be ‘initiated’ into their little club tonight. I know, I know…I don’t jump through hoops for anyone. I can practically hear you rolling your eyes, Jess. But I’m here for good this time. A full year (thanks again Dad). So I’ve gotta make an effort, haven’t I? And apparently this is a right of passage or something. So don’t judge me too hard, okay? You know me. Whatever they get me to do, I’ll come out swinging.

I miss you.

Love Tatty x

I folded the letter up and tucked it into my drawer just as Mila walked back into the room in a towel. It was almost seven already and from the looks of her, we were gonna be an hour late to the party.

“Tatuuum…” She sang like she wanted something.

“What’s up?” I swung my legs off the bed and she eyed my dress appreciatively.

“Firstly, you look hellfire hot. And secondly…” She bit into her lower lip. “Would you hate me forever if I met you at the party? Danny’s coming over and I haven’t gotten laid in like forever.”

I laughed, standing and pushing my feet into my black stilettos. “Fine, but you owe me one.” I smirked and she bounced up and down on her toes.

“I owe you ten!” She ran forward, throwing her arms around me so her wet, shea and coconut scented hair slapped against my cheek. “Do you know how to get there? You just follow the path to the other side of the lake and keep walking until you see the sign for the Oak Common House. It’ll lead you to the water’s edge and then you can’t miss it, okay?”

“Okay,” I agreed, stepping back. Her towel came loose and dropped straight to her feet. A laugh exploded from her lips and one tumbled from mine too.

“Woops. Guess you’ve seen it all now, huh?” She snatched up the towel, but didn’t bother to wrap it back around herself as she headed to her chest of drawers and fished out some lacy red underwear.

“Just don’t screw him on my bed,” I warned her.

“Promise!” she cried. “I