The Order: Hit and Run by Emma Cole Page 0,17
again.
“Assholes! I knew you’d have a key. I want a deadbolt installed!” I yell through the closed door as I swipe at the tears that appear almost nightly on my cheeks. Based on the swearing coming from the other side, someone’s fingers had been in the way.
“Cora, it’s nearly noon. I suggest you get your things unpacked and get your supplies before classes start tomorrow,” a voice returns. I’m not sure which one of them it is, but it’s not any of the three from the night before. “And a deadbolt isn’t going to stop someone who can just get a key.” A thump on the door from a fist, I imagine, is left in parting.
Raking my hands through my messy hair, I plop down in the chair, having no clue how I’m going to make it through the day, let alone longer. I get up and go to the bathroom, relieving my bladder and doing what I can with my hair and teeth with what's on hand in my purse. The skin on my waist is itching and burning with patterned indents from wearing my jeans to bed, but I hadn’t been about to sleep without pants on.
As presentable as I can get, I make my way out into the common area, pulling up short when I find all of Drake's posse and Jaeger are in attendance, as well as a couple females who I’m assuming are other students. What a lovely surprise. Hoping to maybe make some friends, even if I'm feeling dishevelled, I smile at one of the girls. Only to have it fall as soon as she opens her mouth.
“This is the chick Damien was all hung up on? What was he thinking?” Pissed at myself for even trying, I roll my eyes at the blonde and keep walking. Every place needs a snatch, and I’m thinking there’s more than one around here as well. I can’t wait to meet the normal people.
“Oh, I don’t know about that, sugar. Little sis over there was a sure thing for putting out.” I whip around at Jaeger’s remark, shooting him a look full of disgust. He knows that isn’t how things went down with Damien.
Determined not to cower, I snap back. “I wasn’t little sis last night, now was I, big bro?” A couple of the other guys jeer at him for that, and the girl on his lap wrinkles her nose, not at all happy.
“Turnabout is fair play, Cora. Better watch that sass around here. It’s liable to cause you some issues.” Jag pushes the girl off his lap onto the couch cushion next to him, a couch I’ll have to make sure I don’t sit on, before getting to his feet and heading toward me. “Need some help getting your things out of the car?”
I shake my head no while trying to find my voice. After last night, I don’t want him anywhere near me. “Back off, Jag,” I whisper when he’s within arm’s reach.
He halts at the nickname I gave him during those first few months when he and his dad moved in with me and Mom. Regret flits briefly across his face before he opens his mouth again. “Sorry, Cora. Headmaster says to make sure you settle in. That goes for all of us, and you’re not settled yet, are you?”
Ignoring him and not wanting his company, I spin on my heel and dart out the door, down to the elevator that stands open. My hand reaches in to slap the button for the bottom floor before I race to the stairwell and down to the floor below. I've just stepped out as I hear the door above slam followed by creative cursing that echoes through the hallway. Instead of sticking around, I cross the floor, not making eye contact with any of the residents meandering in the hall, until I reach the stairwell on the opposite side.
Gingerly, I open it and peek in to see if it’s clear. After the magical pop-up Jaeger did yesterday, I wouldn’t put it past them to have a secret shortcut down. Instead of going to my car, I stop at the school store to collect my books and supplies. The guy at the counter lights up when I give him my list of classes for textbooks.
“You’re Cordelia!” At my surprise, he backtracks. “Well, yes, you’d know your own name. Dumb, Kent, scare her off, why don’t you?” The dude is mumbling to himself, and I’m looking around