Lessons in Sin - Pam Godwin Page 0,28
didn’t want to fight the girl. I just wanted her to go away and leave my opossums alone.
“We’re neighbors. My room is right next to yours.” I gave her a tight smile. “I’m Tinsley.”
“I know who you are. Everyone knows.”
“Okay. Look, Daisy, I…” I stared up at her, searching for words that weren’t steeped in sarcasm and brutal honesty.
How did I tell someone to leave me alone without sounding like a cunt?
“Just spit it out,” she said. “Whatever you’re going to ask about my face, just ask it.”
“Um… No, thanks.”
“What? Why not?”
“Well, I’m not interested in your face, if I’m being honest.”
She huffed, incredulous. “You’re interested in something because you got all quiet and uncomfortable with your words. And you’re staring at my face, which I find quite insulting.”
“I’m staring at you because I’m trying to determine if you’re going to tell anyone about them.” I motioned at the opossums.
“I’m not interested in your diseased rodents, if I’m being honest.”
“You’re actually being a bitch. And they’re marsupials, not rodents.”
“They eat garbage. So basically, the same thing.”
“Basically, not the same. But hey, what does science know anyway?”
“You should be nice to me, Constantine. I might be the only friend you have here.”
“Oh, is that what this is? You being my friend?”
“No, I haven’t decided if I’m willing to take on that burden.”
“Don’t bother. I already made some friends.”
“Nevada and Alice?” She threw her head back and laughed.
Truthfully, I didn’t want to be associated with those mean-spirited hussies. But I didn’t appreciate or understand Daisy’s humor in the idea.
“What’s so funny?” I glared at her.
“They’re not your friends. They will never be friends with someone who looks like you.” She pointed at my face.
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“I don’t have the desire or the crayons to explain this to you.”
“Maybe just try using your big-girl words.”
“Fine.” She threw her hands in the air. “You’re prettier than them.”
Then she glowered with scornful derision as if pretty wasn’t how she would describe me at all.
I blinked, not following.
“Look at you.” She gestured and shook her head. “You’re like way-out-of-their-league, in-a-whole-other-universe prettier than every girl ever. The guys at St. John’s are already going crazy over you. Tucker Kensington, the captain of the football team—”
“Kensington? As in the global hotel chain?”
“Yeah. Those Kensingtons. When he asks you to the Winter Formal dance, which he will, every girl at Sion will hate you.”
“Except you?”
“Tucker is a total douchebag. I wouldn’t piss on him if he were on fire.”
Well, alrighty then. “What about Father Magnus?” Just saying his name sent a shiver through me.
“I mean, he’s a magnificent male specimen. But he’s devoutly married to God, more than twice my age, and also my teacher. That’s a triple veto. Way out of bounds.” She lifted a shoulder. “It’s unfortunate. He’s the only person here who seems to see me and not my face.” She narrowed her eyes. “You might be number two.”
“When I look at you, all I see is a self-righteous hypocrite, so…”
Her jaw unhinged.
I raised my brows. “You just judged me for the way I look.”
“No, I—”
“You literally said I won’t have any friends because of my face, all the while lamenting that no one sees past yours.”
She harrumphed and stepped back, looking all grumpy. “You’re different. I’ll give you that.”
“How so?”
“You’re smart, for one, which totally clashes with your appearance.”
“You’re doing it again.”
“You’re not what I expected.”
“Neither are you.”
“Let me guess.” She propped her hands on her hips. “You thought I’d be awkward and insecure.”
“No. I thought you’d be nice.”
She burst into laughter and sauntered away. “I’ll get back to you about our friendship. I need to pray on it.”
I couldn’t tell if she was serious or if her sense of humor was actually drier than my own. “I’ll be over here waiting on pins and needles.”
She better not tell anyone about Jaden and Willow. Swear to God, if anything happened to them, I would cut a bitch.
I remained in the grove for a couple more hours, eating the caprese sandwich I’d grabbed from the dining hall and enjoying the company of my fuzzy friends.
Nightfall brought a chill in the air that made me wish I’d worn a jacket. But as the opossums burrowed under the bedding I’d fashioned from my ruined skirt, they appeared to be plenty warm.
As nocturnal critters, they would eventually venture out into the dark. But not yet. Not until they were older and stronger. Maybe another month? I would do some research as soon as I