their gazes over my head to greet someone behind me. My back heats, and I just know Stone is right there within touching distance. I scamper out of the way like I’m a mouse and they’re feral barn cats. If Meghan is a mean girl, Stone, Wyatt, and Lucas are her counterparts in every way. They’re mean boys.
Wyatt laughs, the sound dark and rich, sliding into my crevices. Lucas, as usual, says nothing, preferring to observe instead. His brown hair in disarray and with a complete look of disinterest that turns mocking sometimes. He’s like a stray off the street. Always aware and skittish. Doesn’t say much but knows the territory far better than anyone else.
I glance over my shoulder to find Stone introducing Meghan to the duo that make up Stone’s best friends who are more like his family. She looks like she died and went to hot boy heaven. In her defense, Clary doesn’t have much in the way of selection. Our high school had a total of one hundred and fifty students, which has only marginally increased at Saint Clary’s. I can’t blame outside people for not wanting to come here. The big cities might be relatively close by, but in the meantime, there’s nothing to do here. Clary is for simple people, and I can’t help but wonder why the fuck that brought Stone and his little crew here.
For the rest of the day, I simultaneously try and fail not to notice Stone, Wyatt, and Lucas wherever they go. I guess that’s the curse of a small campus. I share several classes with each of them, and unfortunately, we eat in the cafeteria at the same time where I watch Meghan and all her cheerleader friends from high school get all up in the new guys’ business.
I knew this would happen if the Jacobs ever made Clary their permanent residence, which was why I was always so grateful they only showed up during the summers, and even when they did, they were so focused on the treasure that they never did anything else. I knew they’d flock to him like vultures. As pretty as he is—and Wyatt and Lucas—they’re going to be the talk of the town for a while now. They’ll be a prick in my skin. A thorn in my side. It’ll be like rubbing against a cactus every few minutes. I used to only get that pleasure during the summer, but it seems like fate has more in store for me than just taking away my father.
By the time my last class ends, I’m jonesing to leave campus. That never happens. Saint Clary’s is a respite for me, kind of like the books I love to read. It’s a place I don’t have to worry about money, thanks to the full scholarship they gifted me, and a place where I can conform to the crowd as much as possible. Just another average college student supposedly living off ramen noodles and Chef Boyardee. I’ve talked myself into believing that, in class, we’re all equal. I was just fooling myself the entire time though, blatantly looking away from the cliques that still exist from two years ago when we crossed the graduation stage. Nothing’s changed.
Well, the only thing that’s changed is the fact that Dad used to be the only person who got me. Now, there’s no one.
The good thing about leaving Saint Clary’s today though is that I’m a lot drier than when I walked in. The blazing sun coats me in heat, and the dry air makes me take in a deep breath. I make my way down to the bike rack and pause. No bikes. Not a single one. If my math is correct, there should be at least one bike parked here: mine.
My hands fall to my sides. Having my hair up all day has given me a splitting headache, and I just don’t have time for this shit. A stolen bike? Who the fuck would want to steal that rusty piece of junk? I’m pretty sure it was my grandfather’s and squeaks the whole time I’ve been riding it.
“Oh, Blue’s Clues,” a sickeningly sweet voice calls out from behind me.
I turn to find Meghan standing next to Stone. Her arm lies loosely around his waist, as comfortable as can be. Jealousy spits fire inside me, matching the temperature of the desert heat. If I was a dragon, I could probably roast them right now. Roast the whole damn school, including