The Sinners - Ruby Vincent Page 0,52
technically wasn’t a Ravener or an OB kid, so I took advantage of my backwater status and joined the Ravener line. I only had a problem with Raveners who had a problem with me. Let the actual kids who couldn’t think past the stupid Estate gate deal with this.
Brandon and I grinned at each other. “I love that you secretly love me,” he said.
“I love that you don’t let anything get you down.”
Brandon’s smile slipped. He was expecting me to whip out another smartass quip.
“Thanks, B,” he said softly.
“All right, class. Switch.”
I stepped to the side and came face to face with Hiro. He gripped his bad arm as our eyes met. I wondered if he was conscious of the act.
“Go on.”
I jumped. Sutton appeared at my shoulder.
“What do you admire about Mr. Saito?”
“You— You’re—” Sutton’s watchful eye made sweat prickle the back of my neck. Hiro Saito was half pissed, half bored, and all annoyed. What did I say to the angry boy who broke all of his rules... for me?
“Your smile,” I said. “It’s beautiful.”
Hiro opened his mouth and said the worst thing he possibly could.
“Yours is too.”
I FELT STRANGE FOR the rest of the day—or I should say the rest of the week.
“Yours is too.”
What the hell did that mean? Did he say that because Sutton was right there and it was the easiest thing to say? When was Hiro noticing my smile? Did he mean it? Was I a loon for stressing about three words thrown at me in a feelings workshop?
The questions spun around and around in my head. It didn’t help that the Angels declared my table as their new one.
Things had been quiet, but tense since Hart declared the new school order. Her promise to make fighting students resolve their issues after school was enforced to the letter. If a teacher so much as heard the word trash, that kid was sent to her. The result was lips sealed and glares intensified. The Raveners weren’t pleased, and a nagging feeling that they were gearing up to do something about it gripped me.
Saturday night, I was actually looking forward to hanging out with Brandon and my friends in his room. He promised the party would be low-key. Just some food, games, and a chill vibe.
“We won’t even have beer,” he told us at breakfast. “Soda only. Craig and I don’t need the trouble if it gets out alcohol got into the dorm again. Plus”—he glanced at Camila—“we want everyone to feel comfortable.”
That night, Camila messed around on her laptop while I searched my closet for an outfit.
“Are you coming tonight?” I asked.
“Maybe for a little while. There’s something I need to do first.”
“Can I ask you something? What do you think of Brandon?”
The tip-tapping ceased. “Why? Did he say something?”
“No. Just asking.”
“I think he’s—” The tip-tapping started up again and faster. “Well, he’s nice. He’s my friend.”
“What about Gabriel?” I asked. “It’s sweet how he always passes you his fruit.”
Splotchy patches reddened her cheeks. She was blushing like I saw Gabriel bend her over a desk instead of giving her his extra peaches.
“He’s a friend too,” she said firmly. “A friend going to college in New Hampshire while I’ll be at the University of Florida.”
“Oh my gosh, Cam. Did you get your acceptance?”
“Yes!” She hopped off the bed and ran into my hug. We jumped up and down, squealing and carrying on because the news warranted it.
“Congratulations!” I said. “You’re going to fry like an egg down in Florida but something tells me you tan well.”
“I do,” she said, grinning. “My brothers and I are celebrating next week when we leave for Thanksgiving break. We’re taking Dad’s car out to the coast. Enjoying the sand and waves that will be my new life.”
“That’s amazing, Cam. I’m so happy for you.”
“Don’t be too happy.” She went back to her bed, picking up her laptop. “They gave me a scholarship for twenty thousand a year, but tuition is thirty. I need more to bring down what Clay and Cas have to pay.”
It didn’t shock me that she said her brothers and not her dad. He was a figure often spoken about, but not relied on.
“I get you. Is that what you’re working on?”
“Oh, uh— No. It’s something else.” Camila’s grin abruptly disappeared. “It’s about Leo.”
My hand stilled on a hanger. “Leo?”
“Yes. Leo,” she said. “I spoke to my brothers. They’re angry and terrified of what might have happened. Everything they’ve done since he’s come back is