Kingsley whips his hair back before straightening the lapels of his blazer. “Stay the fuck out of my way, Hawthorne.” His gaze jerks to mine and I shrink away from the hatred pouring off him. “Both of you.”
As soon as he saunters away, the crowd disperses. Hushed whispers echo throughout the corridor. More heat scalds my cheeks as our name is continuously murmured. It’s like the incessant chirping of birds.
Hawthorne.
Hawthorne.
Hawthorne.
Chapter Ten
My gaze stays focused straight ahead as I twist the dial of my combination. From all around me whispers bombard my ears. It’s a persistent chatter that refuses to be silenced. I had to listen to the steady hum of it in every class. No one will talk to me or even acknowledge my presence, but they sure as hell find pleasure in gossiping about me.
Thank goodness I’ve been able to avoid Kingsley. Every new classroom I forced myself to enter, my footstep would falter over the threshold as I held my breath, carefully searching the room for his dark hair and eyes.
Even though I don’t have an appetite, I pull my brown paper bag from my backpack.
“Hey.”
My gaze flicks to Austin, who now lounges against the locker next to mine as I slam the metal door closed.
“Hi.” Besides Mrs. Baxter and Delilah, he’s the only friendly person I’ve encountered. Even the teachers are stone faced and chilly toward me. It’s like I’ve done something wrong or have a reputation that precedes me. Teachers usually love me. I’m not a student who causes problems in class. I’m quiet, smart, and turn my work in on time. What’s not to like?
So this, I don’t get. It’s like I’ve been dropped into the Twilight Zone where nothing makes sense.
Kingsley’s words continue to circle through my head.
You let me think you were an ordinary girl.
What the hell does that mean?
I’m as ordinary as they get.
“Ready to head to the cafeteria?” Austin asks with his paper bag in hand.
My eyes widen at the question.
I have zero plans to go anywhere near the lunchroom. It would be much akin to walking into a lion’s den. And I have a fairly high sense of self-preservation. The last thing we want to do is invite more trouble.
I shake my head and clutch my bag with fingers that bite into the paper. “Let’s eat at the library or maybe head outside, if it’s allowed.”
“Forget that,” he snaps, a potent concoction of stubbornness and anger flash across his face, “we’re eating in the lunchroom with everyone else.”
No!
“Aus, please.” My voice drops as I plead with him to reconsider his tactics. “I don’t want to be anywhere near these people. Just for thirty minutes. I need a break.” Otherwise I’ll be the one who breaks. And I don’t want to give them the satisfaction of watching that happen.
“Suck it up, buttercup.” He folds his arms across his wide chest. “I won’t allow a bunch of hicks to dictate what I do.” He waggles his finger between us. “We need to stick together. If these assholes think they can intimidate us, this bullshit will only get worse.” There’s a pause. “You know it’s true.”
My shoulders droop under the weight of his words because we both know he’s right. These people are like sharks scenting blood in the water. If we don’t make a show of strength, they’ll grow bolder. It’ll be a free for all to see who can rip us apart first.
Why does this have to be so difficult?
“Fine,” I agree reluctantly.
A cocky grin tugs at the corners of his lips before he throws an arm around my shoulders and hauls me close. “We have each other, that’s all we need. We’re Hawthornes.”
A sliver of unease runs through me.
Yes, we’re Hawthornes, but why does that now seem to carry such a negative connotation?
Halfheartedly, I allow Austin to steer me toward the cafeteria. He seems to know where it is. Apparently, his tour of the building this morning was more informative than my nonexistent one.
The closer we get to the lunchroom, the louder the babble of voices grow and the more my feet drag. The beat of my heart picks up speed, thudding painfully in my chest. I don’t want to go in there. The smell of mass-produced food assaults my nostrils and my belly flips upside down, threatening to revolt even though I haven’t eaten since last evening.
From beside me, Austin’s body tenses. I glance at him and notice the stiff set of his jaw and the muscle that twitches there. He’s bracing for a fight. My brother doesn’t want to do this anymore than I do. That knowledge only strengthens my resolve and I lift my head higher, unwilling to let these jerks tear us down.
Austin gives me a wink before we step into the spacious room. A hushed silence falls over the student body as all eyes turn to us. If I weren’t expecting it, the sheer weight of their collective stare would be enough to have me stumbling to a halt before turning tail and running.