Ruthless (Black Mountain Academy) - Mila Crawford Page 0,11

news. When I finally told them my plan, my mom cried and my father hugged me and told me that I was a light in the darkness.

My dad was always so supportive; when he died, it felt like I’d lost my best friend and my biggest supporter. He always told me to be brave, to be honest and true, both to myself and to those around me. Maybe it was that lesson that made me pity Kyler. Here this boy had everything anyone could want, and he was too busy throwing it away or ruining it.

When I finally reached the entry of the main house, I realized I’d left my book by the pool. An unreasonable rush of annoyance hit me. I was looking forward to reading it and I wasn’t going to let an idiotic asshole keep me from doing what I wanted. I turned around, my own pride and need for justice driving me. It wasn’t just my sense of right and wrong--it was also a sense of curiosity.

When I returned to the pool, I was relieved that Kyler wasn’t there anymore. I picked up the copy of Crime and Punishment and opened the book, noticing that there was something new written in it.

“We sometimes encounter people, even perfect strangers, who begin to interest us at first sight, somehow suddenly, all at once, before a word has been spoken.”

A quote taken directly from the book. A quote that has become truer than it ever was before.

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He stepped down, trying not to look long at her, as if she were the sun, yet he saw her, like the sun, even without looking.” -Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

Kyler

Three weeks went by and I hadn't seen or heard from the little mouse since the night by the pool. I found myself searching for her everywhere, the manor, outside waiting, hoping to get a glimpse of her. I even searched the halls of the Academy, not really understanding why I was suddenly so agitated that she just seemed to disappear on me. I always thought I was good at making myself scarce, but she was a master. I even went to dinner every night at the main house, hoping that my mother would invite her new charity case and daughter to feast with the masters, but not only did they not show up, my mother didn’t even convey any stories of them. A few times I almost asked about them but then decided against it. It would have opened a new conversation, and the last thing I wanted to do was talk.

“Going to that senior party tonight?” Tamlin asked as she pushed her food around on her plate. She never seemed to eat anymore. I remembered when we were young we would have these disgusting eating contests and now if anyone mentioned any food that wasn’t grilled chicken breast and salad, she made a face, taking out her phone and looking at caloric intake.

“Are you going to eat your food?” I asked, letting her know that I was watching. She gave me a look of disgust and shoved lettuce in her mouth. When that didn’t satisfy my death-defying stare, she followed up her previous bite with a piece of steak.

“Well, Madison and I are going,” Tamlin continued, her eyes on me as a mischievous smile planted itself not so coyly on her face. I hated how smug she looked. I hated that she had a right to be smug. As soon as she mentioned the little mouse's name, she had all of my attention and then some.

“You plan on lending her something to wear?” I asked, trying to cover up my sudden interest. I looked over at my parents, Monica’s face going from shock to indifference in seconds, while Edward was glued to his phone, like always. God forbid he didn’t increase his multi-billion dollar dynasty even for one minute. Maybe if they actually paid a little more attention, my life wouldn’t have turned into what it was.

“She’s really nice, Kyler. Lay off of her,” my sister said forcefully. “She’s trying really hard and it can’t be easy moving to a new town and not knowing anyone. Just be fucking nice for once in your miserable life.”

I mulled over Tammy’s words, then decided I didn’t give a rat’s ass about them, other than the fact that the little mouse was going to this party.

“Where’s the party?” I asked, causing my sister to pause and look at me with curiosity plastered all over