Saint (Angelview Academy #1) - E.M. Snow Page 0,38
sex-addict kid just dropped the Jesus card.
It takes all my strength not to snort out loud.
Mr. Norris appears to consider Gabe’s words for several moments. At length, he releases a weary sigh and shakes his head. “Justified or not, we can’t have students smashing each other in the face. Detention, Ellis. You’ll clean up the cafeteria after breakfast and dinner for the next week, got it?”
A breath of relief escapes my lungs so fast, my voice is squeaky when I reply, “Yes sir.”
At least I’m not expelled.
Mr. Norris goes to help Laurel up and takes her out of the gym. Her flock follows after them, crooning words of comfort her way, and throwing insults my way.
When they’re gone, I take a moment to collect myself before I turn my gaze to Gabe. “Thanks,” I say slowly. “That was … surprising of you.”
Bending down, he picks up my panties and twirls the scrap of pink lace and cotton on his finger.
“Nothing comes for free around here.”
“What—”
Before I can ask him what he means, he pockets my underwear and makes his way out of the gym without a backwards glance.
12
My perfect attendance is getting shot to hell, and it’s all Laurel’s damn fault.
When I reported for my first day of detention this morning after breakfast, I knew it was going to be hell, and I wasn’t wrong. People lingered in the dining hall specifically to mock me. Whatever reverence they might have felt toward me when they thought I was sleeping with Saint vanished the moment word got out the rumors weren’t true. I’m back to being reviled, and after what I did to Laurel, the target on my back only got bigger.
She was in the dining hall, waiting for me. Ready to make me miserable and torment me. She and her friends had spread out over three tables and destroyed the areas around them. Overturned coffee cups, syrup covering chairs, food littering the floor—each table looked like an army of toddlers had gone to town on it. I did take some comfort in the fact that Laurel looks like absolute shit. Her nose is hidden behind a plastic cast, and the dark bruises under her eyes made her look like a racoon. As haughty as she’d been as I was forced to my knees to clean up her mess, she looked pathetic.
By the time I was finally done cleaning, it was well past my hour for detention and I was covered in filth. Rushing back to my dorm, I’d had to shower and change as fast as possible, but it was no use in the end. I couldn’t make up the lost time.
My lungs burn with my effort to make it to English class on time, even as my brain works to make peace with the fact that I won’t.
My classroom is just around the corner, and as I go careening around it, I barely avoid running into a broad back making its way down the hall at a more leisurely pace. I stumble and nearly fall, but a strong hand catches my arm and helps me find my balance again.
“Thank…” I trail off as I realize it’s Liam standing next to me. I don’t know anyone else with a tattooed wrist, and I creep my gaze up his navy blazer until my blue eyes lock with his deep brown irises. He frowns down at me, his dark brow wrinkling as he quickly releases my arm.
“Watch where you’re going,” he growls, tugging his blazer sleeve back down to cover the ink.
“Sorry,” I mumble, feeling awkward and unsure of myself. This is the first we’ve spoken since the night of the beach party. I’d never even thanked him for saving me.
He’s already resumed walking toward class, so I hurry to catch up. I want to ask him why he’s late too, but I don’t dare. It’s clear he’s not interested in rekindling our lukewarm relationship, and I don’t want to push him and make him dislike me anymore than he clearly does. When we both wander into class, well after the bell has rung, all eyes turn to stare at us.
Including our teacher, Miss Stewart. She doesn’t look pleased as she folds her arms over her chest and taps a finger impatiently against her elbow.
“Thank you for joining us, Ellis, Halloway. You made it just in time to be assigned as each other’s partner.”
“What?” we both blurt out in unison. I glance toward Liam, and his eyes are wide.