“She doesn’t get anything this time of year; she just likes to be alone. BTW, same.”
“Last year, at Christmas, she was arrested for putting a wig and bra on Joseph and dressing baby Jesus in pink.”
He grins and silently chuckles.
“That charge never stuck,” Chloe huffs. “And she’s not that bad.”
“Every summer, she gets arrested at whatever protest she’s taking part of, for whatever her cause happens to be that week.”
He arches an eyebrow, and I wish I could roll over so I wasn’t forced to look at him. I choose to close my eyes instead. I’m kind of glad he knows I’m a badass, or hell, he’s probably even thinking I’m a freak and that will have his ass running the other way when he sees me … at my freaking school.
“That happened once.” Chloe defends me.
God, if You’re really a thing and are done torturing me, take me now, or the dress is nothing compared to what I’ll do next month.
“She’s no different from the rest of us; just more fearless,” Chloe says while, I assume, still shuffling bedding.
I kind of love Chloe right now.
You tell her, sister!
“Except she is different. Hello, we all called her Unbreakable, and she didn’t even get it was because of that TV show, let alone a dig on her. Just fueled her crazy feminazi ways. You know it, and I know it. Hell, your mom gets the Savvy Sutton discount on your room and board.”
The what? I want to scream.
Chloe sighs. “Heather, shut up.”
“Is it really worth the twenty percent discount to babysit the little genius, gypsy orphan who will never be anything but a cause herself, all year? You’re missing your own family Thanksgiving, just like I am, because of her.”
Okay, and now … now I want to cry.
When I open my eyes, I immediately wish I didn’t. He’s looking at me with pity.
“She isn’t that bad. She’s actually kind of sweet.” I hear something skid across the floor. “And also, shut the hell up. She’s around here somewhere, and if she hears any of that, she’ll probably organize a bra burning, just so she can burn my bras. And, Heather, I like my bras.”
Anger crosses his face, and he starts to move.
I mouth, “Don’t,” and I’m not sure why, but I really don’t want them to know I’m hearing this shit.
“You should tell Whitaker that. Let him know she intimidates you.”
She sighs. “Just get out.”
“No way. Her beat to shit, eye sore of a hippie mobile is on the property. You come help me find her, or I’ll call security and have whoever’s ass that’s sticking out from under Unbreakable’s bed belongs to dragged out of here, and you’ll get a write-up, maybe lose your scholarship.”
“Fuck,” he sighs.
“Use the back door,” Heather snaps. “And, Chloe, let’s go find her now. I’m stuck here all break because of her, too.”
“Fine,” Chloe huffs.
When the door closes, he doesn’t move.
“Go.” I push on his abdomen that feels like a damn brick wall behind his hoodie.
“Fuck them, Savannah.” His eyebrows are knit together.
“And fuck you. That’s not my name. Now move.”
“What are you doing tomorrow?”
“What?” I gasp as I push him harder, trying like hell to move him.
“Come eat with my Crew. You’ll fit in perfectly,” he says, serious as shit.
“Move or I swear I’ll kick you in the nuts as I push my thumbs into your eye sockets.”
He lets out a soft laugh as he rolls to his back and scoots out.
“Do me a favor first?” He bends down and shoves my work shirt under the bed. “Call my cell so I can get out of here and back to my cousins before they get me or themselves into any more trouble tonight.”
“Find it yourself,” I grunt as I try to put my shirt on, under my damn bed.
“Come on, Savannah; help the new guy out.”
I scoot out from under my bed and pull the oversized tee down to its full length, nearly hitting my knees. Then I cross my arms and tell him, “Once again, my name isn’t Savannah.”
He shrugs. “From what I heard, you’re trying to figure out who you are, just like the rest of us.”
“I know who I am.”
He smiles, and it’s … dazzling. “I’d love to hear all about who you are.”
“Look, asshole,” I huff, “I’m not a cause, or a case. I don’t need your daddy’s money, or invites to holiday meals, or—”
“Straight up, it’s not that deep, Savannah. I look for three