that smug expression off her face for good.
It’s strange how I have all these violent thoughts about Silver when I’m not a violent person.
Aiden wears the usual poker face as he takes the driver’s seat. It doesn’t take long for the car’s engine to rev to life.
Does Silver feel the same excitement I felt at the roar of the engine? Is he taking her hand in his and placing it on his lap?
My feet itch to go after them, open the car’s door, and pull Silver out kicking and screaming.
I bite the knife with its blood, but I don’t move.
Aiden is doing this on purpose after seeing my reaction to Silver this morning.
He knows she gets under my skin and like the usual arsehole, he’s using it in his favour.
It’s a mindfuck. A way to pull a reaction out of me.
But he won’t get what he wants.
“Ugh. That bitch,” Kim groans from beside me. “Are you okay?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?” I force a smile. “I’m the one who dumped him, remember?”
Even as I say the words, I can’t stop the tiny needles from prickling my heart repeatedly.
Death by a thousand needles.
That would be a tragic way to die.
Cole strides inside the car park and stops beside me as Aiden’s car squeals out of the school.
He’s silent for a moment, watching the Ferrari disappear in the distance with an emotionless face.
“Are you okay?” he asks me.
Why is everyone asking that? I am okay.
In fact, I couldn’t feel better.
If Aiden is with Silver then he’ll leave me the hell alone.
That’s exactly what I want.
I don’t trust myself to speak, so I nod once.
Cole nods back, “I’m here if you need anything.”
I’m about to shake my head when I spot Knox coming out of the school. His headphones are on as he scrolls through his phone.
A vindictive idea comes into mind.
An idea that will probably get me into trouble.
But you know what?
Staying out of trouble did me no good, so I might as well crash into it headfirst.
I smile, meeting Cole’s forest-coloured eyes. “Actually, you might. I have a brilliant idea.”
“This is a shitty idea,” Ronan whines. “Quel idiot is behind this?”
“That would be me.” I smile.
Ronan, Cole, Kim, and I are at Ronan’s mansion in one of his usual parties. I swear he throws them every other day.
Today is different. Instead of drowning in alcohol competitions, Ronan is putting his glory on pause to stay with us peasants.
We stand in the spacious kitchen from where butlers shuffle in and out with drinks and snacks.
Rock music thumps from down the hall where the rest of the students are dancing, drinking, and smoking pot.
Aiden and Silver haven’t shown up yet. Actually, unlike the cliché of mean girls, Silver isn’t big on parties. She’d usually sit on a sofa like a queen with her minions surrounding her. Even with her passive participation, she manages to attract the party’s attention and several of her admirers fall at her feet in worship.
The fact that I haven’t spotted her outside means she’s with Aiden. They’ve been together since the ending of school.
I try not to think of what they’ve been doing all this time.
I’ll be doing more than screwing now that you’re out of the picture.
Silver’s words from earlier assault me.
Nope. Not going there.
“Ellie, je t’aime.” Ronan taps the back of his neck. “But I still need my head.”
Cole sighs. “Stop being such a pussy, Astor.”
The three of us gawk at him. It’s the first time I’ve heard Cole say something like that.
“A pussy?” Ronan scoffs, appearing dramatically offended. “I’ll show you what a pussy can do, Captain.”
Cole hums as if he doesn’t believe him and Ronan elbows his captain in the ribs.
“Let’s go, Ellie.” Ronan grins, flinging an arm around my shoulder. “I’ll be your white knight.”
“I don’t need that.”
He feigns sadness. “Yeah, you kind of got yourself a king.”
My lips purse, but I try not to let it get to me.
“Are you sure about this?” Kim asks, her eyes filled with worry.
She’s game for partying, drinking, and the whole teenage scene, but she’s chicken shit when it comes to plotting.
Leaning in so no one can hear her, she whispers, “You know King isn’t the type to be manipulated.”
“I’m not manipulating him. I’m giving him back what he deserves.”
“True that,” Cole offers me a high five that I return.
“Okay, bitches.” Ronan pauses. “Aside from Kimmy and Ellie… so that only leaves Nash and Knight. Wait.” He searches around as if just realising something. “Where the fuck is