Page 90 of Swallow Your Sorries

That’s why I hadn’t seen her.

A slow smile splits my lips like the Cheshire cat because, for fucking once since I’ve stepped on this campus, I’ve caught a break.

I gotcha, bitch.

That’s what Rin was up to. She’s Beaussip. Now I just need undeniable proof because suddenly I’m not so irritated by Beaussip’s interruption.

In fact, I think it’s the start of a beautiful, mutual friendship.

“Oomph!”

The air whooshes from my lungs as I walk into a tall wall of muscle.

Platinum Prince.

“S-sorry,” I say, catching my breath as his hands shoot out to stabilise me. “I didn’t see you.”

He smiles coyly. “Really?”

Okay, in hindsight, I guess that does sound like an excuse. He’s over six feet tall, with long hair that shines nearly white in the sun. He’s impossible to miss.

“No,” I lie. “Actually, I was hoping to talk to you.”

His smile broadens. “What about?”

Elle

“Eloisa, a word.”

Fuck.

A wordis never anything good.

I turn around to face Miss Trix and readjust the strap of my gym bag.

I’d found it on the dance studio’s rooftop, though everything inside had been soiled with coffee. Seeing as all the girls carried chai lattes, no foam, skim milk, lite water, three pumps of something or another andextra hot,it would’ve been impossible to identify who’d sabotaged my leotard. But only one girl wore crystalized headbands like they were tiaras.Rin. Her minions were only allowed plain ones, usually velvet. I’d found a gem at the bottom of the bag, and I could practically hear Rin’s snooty voice correcting me on the fact that it’s not arhinestone, it’s a Swarovski crystal as I examined it.

Why the hell did Rin have such a hard-on for Gant anyway? From what I’ve seen, they’ve never even had a one-on-one interaction. She’s only had those with Étienne.

“What’s this?” I ask as Ms Trix teeters on her heels, a red card in her outstretched hand. Tucked beneath her other arm is a box of liquor-infused chocolates. I didn’t think it was possible to get tipsy on those things, but Miss Trix clearly is. Given the count on the box is three hundred, and only ten seem to be left, maybe she’d accomplished the unlikely. The fact that she hasn’t succumbed to a sugar coma is insane.

Had Mr Lexington posted another selfie that sent her into a spiral?

She hands me the card and pats the box in search of another chocolate. When she bites into it, the scent of bourbon hits me. “Your first detention, doll,” she says in between smacks.

“Detention?”I gasp, gazing down to read it. It’s scheduled for tonight. In fifteen minutes.

“You missed your last class on Friday, remember?”

How could I forget nearly drowning after being covered in kilos of food?

“B-But you saw me. I was soaked and covered in food. I couldn’t go to class like that and I don’t have a spare uniform.”

My uniform Gant had fished from the lake is nothing short of grotesque despite soaking it multiple times and having the ladies in the laundry room try their best. It’s clean and pressed, but it looks like my blazer’s infested with ringworm. I’d searched the unclaimed lost and found box and managed to find a new-old one, two sizes too big.

Ms Trix looks sympathetic as she searches the box for another chocolate. A vodka-infused one from the smell of it. “I know. I vouched for you, but ultimately it’s up to the missed class’s instructor to decide, and Mr. Sharpe decided you have to clean the library until closing tonight.”

I gawk at her. “The library doesn’t close until eleven.”

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