Page 102 of The Claiming

“It will take place during the first week in the ceremonial chamber. Each couple will kneel before the grand master and he will ask the same question of all of them. Stick or twist.”

The mascara wand hovers in mid air as my eyes connect with his through the mirror.

“If one member decides to twist and the other wants to stick, they are broken and must enter the challenge again.”

“I wonder if Kennedy will stick with Amos.”

Frankie grins as I chuckle softly.

Their story has been an interesting one. Despite her immediate hatred of the situation, Kennedy made it work for her and subjected Amos to a makeover that was the talk of Rockwell. He now looks really cool and was styled perfectly by the queen of style herself. Subsequently, he has undergone an epiphany and is now one of the most desired guys on campus outside of The Elusives and the Jocks.

“I think she likes him.” I smile as I picture how cute they are together, and Frankie shrugs.

“If you say so.”

I catch his gaze in the mirror and a shiver of uncertainty passes through me.

“What’s up?” He can read me like a book and I shrug.

“I’m just wondering what our pledge will be.”

He raises his eyes. “If you are considering any other word than stick, you are on a warning.”

I laugh out loud. “So, I take it you are going to stick?”

He grins. “I haven’t decided yet.”

I throw my hairbrush at his head and he dodges it, laughing as it hits the wall.

“Tell me about your friend.”

He refers to Imogen and I grin. “You will love her, Frankie. She’s nothing like me.”

“Then you’ve got that right.”

He holds up his hand as I take aim with a can of hairspray, and as I lower it, I smile. “She is my sister from another mother and looks like an angel. All soft blonde hair and bright blue eyes. She is gorgeous and will turn many heads at Rockwell Academy. Plus she’s smart.”

I can’t stop now I’ve started and gush, “She knows three languages and gets top marks in everything. She’s musical, not sporty, although she’s fab at tennis.”

“Tell me about her parents.”

“Flash and Jennifer.”

He raises his eyes and I grin.

“Flash is easy going and the joker of the compound. He is drop dead gorgeous too and Jennifer is the kindest soul you could ever meet, apart from my mom, of course.”

I have a warm feeling inside as I picture my family back at home, happy it won’t be long before I’m reunited with them.

“Jennifer is really Imogen’s aunt and when her sister died, she took her in. They came to live with us when Jennifer’s husband at that time threatened to take Imogen away from her. The Reapers dealt with the situation and after a while, she fell in love with Flash. They got their happily ever after and make a great couple. They were three broken souls that became whole when they made a life together. It worked for them and still does.”

“That sucks.” Frankie shakes his head.

“Has anybody in this freaking place lived a normal life? If they have, I’d love to hear it.”

His anger makes me laugh and as I finish up with my lipstick, I nod toward the door.

“Let’s go and party with the others and get it over with because I have plans for us tonight.”

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