The Order: Hit and Run by Emma Cole Page 0,13
computer and begins comparing my information to what he has on file. “Everything matches up. Now, for the classes and extracurriculars.”
By the time he’s done I have a pile of forms to fill out, a full schedule, and slips to get my books and other supplies. My room and board covers everything from meals, to uniforms, a laptop and phone, books, anything needed, really, other than street clothes or anything off-campus. I could get used to this if the reason behind it wasn’t so awful, and I have to struggle to stay in the present and not get sucked into my constant misery. I’m not sure what else I’ll need an allowance for other than basic bills. I’m keeping my own phone plan, car insurance, and the couple credit cards, plus the storage unit. Not much else besides fuel and toiletries if I don’t like those provided by housekeeping. Yes, they have housekeeping.
I nearly stumble over my feet when a familiar and unwelcome face is waiting to be my escort. It was to be expected that I’d run into Drake's little posse, and my step-brother would be around as he’s a year ahead, same as Damien would have been. Like I said, I was pretty much expected to go from my high school, Mooreton High, to Blackbriar.
“Ashton.” I tip my chin at him, the best I can manage without bodily harm. He, or any one of them, could have stopped Damien. I start counting my breaths, in and out, as unobtrusively as possible. Worry registers in Ash’s eyes as it's apparent I’m struggling, despite my efforts, but he heads off Mr. Jacobsen as he comes out behind me, and I can only be slightly grateful for it since I’d barely managed to avoid the counseling he’d tried to foist off on me. I’ve gone through a couple months of it and taken the meds, and I’ve managed to wean myself off the daily ones without too much of an issue. Now I only have them on hand for occasional panic attacks and sleeping pills for the bad nights when I need sleep. Those put me out further than the dreams can reach.
“Cordelia, you know Mr. Reid already?” Ash’s tactics are thwarted, but I’ve had a moment to catch my breath at least.
“We’re acquainted; we attended Mooreton together.” I leave it at that, and Mr. Jacobsen wishes me luck and tells me to come see him if I need anything at all before leaving me with Ash. “Well, lead the way, dorms first please, if you don’t mind.” Mr. Jacobsen had made me two keycards for my room and to use for incidentals on campus, and I am more than ready to unload my arms.
“Here, let me take those.” I hug my papers to me more tightly when Ashton tries to take them. Apparently, I'm not quite ready to let them go after all. “Suit yourself.” His tone is clipped, and I give him space as he leads me to the dormitory.
There’s one. With three wings and six floors, the building houses a thousand students give or take a few. That’s how elite Blackbriar is. I have a detailed map I'll be going over as soon as I'm settled to find my classes, and since the campus isn't huge it should be fairly easy to memorize it. I have the rest of today and tomorrow to acquaint myself with the grounds.
“You should drop all this and leave. It’s not worth it, you know?” Ash finally speaks up after we’re outside and halfway to the dormitory.
“How would you know what is and isn't worth it to me? Maybe if you all hadn’t fucked up my life, I wouldn’t have been forced into this. But we both know that’s your specialty where Damien is concerned, don’t we?” Ash pales at the venom and truth in my words. The night of the wreck isn’t the only time he’s been culpable regarding Damien.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about. Stopping Damien was like trying to stop a train that's gone off its tracks.” He swallows hard, and I’m sure there’s some truth to his words, but I really don’t care.
“What happened, Ash? You wanted to date that summer, remember? We went out on a few that ended with us at that cabin Drake and Damien’s parents own on the lake. It was supposed to be us and your friends and maybe a couple girls they brought too. How did that end with Jag and Damien