Pretty Little Savage (Sick Boys #1) - Lucy Smoke Page 0,13

would shock and horrify her delicate sensibilities. And quite possibly send her running straight to Ms. Bairns, demanding that I be institutionalized and kept far away from the general, law-abiding, non-fucked up public.

She turns to go, but stops and glances back over her shoulder. "Welcome to Eastpoint University, Avalon." For some reason, it sounds more like a threat than a real welcome, and that's just fine with me. I deal with threats the way I deal with everything in my life—in my own, savage way.

5

Avalon

I hold the cigarette to my lips and inhale as the smoke drifts up. Several students pass by, scowling my way. I ignore the looks and focus on what’s right in front of me. This shit is the only thing keeping me chill right now when what I really want to do is something dangerous. My foot taps restlessly against the sidewalk as I glare at a girl who dares to scoff in my direction as she strides by. As if I’m beneath her.

The hierarchy of this place is laid out neatly. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out who's on top. Their stain free, name brand clothes say it all. The Gucci belts and Chanel bags mark the students who wear them as above the average classes—their attitudes and how they carry themselves pretty much does the rest. They think they're invincible because they have wealth and wealth comes with power. I smirk at them as I let the ash on the end of my cigarette fall where it may. Inside my head, a pounding starts.

Then there are the ones like me. Program kids and scholarship students. They sink into the background in old jackets and torn up jeans that are frayed from use, not fashion. I see them too, much as they don't want me to.

This place fucking sucks. I hate to admit it but there was a small part of me on the drive here that contemplated the idea of a fresh start—a personality makeover. It looks like no matter where I go, though, appearing weak in any way is not a choice. The need to wreak a little havoc presses against my pulse like a goddamn chokehold—I want to get away.

I force my thoughts onto something else—trying, if only for a brief period, to distract the darker inner workings of my own mind.

Just in time, too, I think as a shadow falls across my front. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" a vaguely familiar voice snaps.

Lifting my head slowly, I meet a pair of glaring hazel green eyes. My roommate. "I'm not doing anything," I say, lounging back, feigning relaxation when all I feel is anything but. "Just hanging out. Taking in the scenery." I take another drag from my cigarette before snuffing it out against the pretty white brick sidewalk. A dark smudge marks the area, scarring it. I toss the butt into a nearby trash can.

She shakes her head. "No, I mean with that," she gestures to the black mark I'd left on the ground. "Marking your territory? What are you, a bitch?"

I shrug, casting a glance back to the surrounding walkways as more and more students spill out of their respective buildings and make their way across the campus. "I had a nicotine craving."

"Well, don't," she replies tersely. "Kick the habit. It'll kill you anyway."

I grow still and look at her again. "What the fuck do you care?" I say with an arched brow.

Instead of answering me right away, she seems to finally realize just how many people are watching us. Her shoulders tighten, lifting as she tries to sink into the far too skinny body—seriously, her metabolism must be through the roof. "Come with me," she says suddenly, taking a step back.

I stare at her in confused, albeit amused interest. When it becomes clear to her that I'm not going to get up and do as she says on my own, she reaches down, snagging my wrist in her hand, and pulls me along. Normally, I’d break someone’s face just for touching me, but I find myself curious. So, I let her drag me behind her, interested to see what she'll do or say, when we turn a corner and she pushes me into a secret alcove so we’re cut off from the prying eyes.

"Listen," she says, spinning back to me once she's made sure we’re alone. “Normally, I wouldn’t give a shit and I’d just let you learn the hard way, but you’re my