Page 552 of Filthy Elites

Yeah, right. "At what price?"

A smile curves suggestively at the corner of his lips.

"Thanks, but pass. I'll catch an Uber."

I rush past him up the stairs, to take a three-minute shower, during which I brush my teeth. I tie my hair up in a messy, wet bun, gather my stuff, including my phone, and rush back down.

"Shit, shit, shit," I chant down the stairs. The stupid phone's completely out of battery. So much for calling an Uber. I'll have to run.

I'm surprised to see Chase is still downstairs, on the doorstep when I burst out of the house.

"I'm not fucking you for a ride to school."

He rolls his head. "Get your ass in the car, Simons. It's ten to eight."

I hesitate, but I know I don't have much of a chance, if I want to avoid a tardy, after skipping two classes yesterday. My attendance is historically shit enough as it is. I didn't particularly care about showing up to school when I was tired or hungover last year. And why would it matter?Thorn Falls West was leading nowhere anyway. This year, I have to look as good as I can.

I follow him to his Jeep in silence, waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Chase drives confidently—much more so than me. The leather interior is comfortable. I think I smell the remnants of a heady perfume that makes me think of piña colada—too much coconut. I remember Jade sitting right here just yesterday.

We get to the school in mere minutes. Though the parking lot is almost full, everyone left his parking spot alone, right at the front of the school, between Elliot Thorn's andCamden Hunt's cars.

"What a ridiculouslyelitist world you live in," I say, shaking my head.

"You really do have issues saying thank you, don't you?"

I clap my mouth shut. That's not true. I say thank you just fine to anyone who's kind to me without an agenda.

Except he hasn't demanded anything in exchange for getting me to school. Not yet. So I suppose I have to say it. I open my mouth, and try to get the words out. "I hate you."

He laughs. "Right back at you."

I slide out of the car, slamming the door hard.

I really don't get him. Why the hell bring me to school without any demand? To unsettle me, no doubt.

At least I'm not late for my first period. Rose waves at me when I enter the AP biology class. The seat next to hers is vacant, because she's in the first row. I throw my bag at the back of the chair and flop down.

"Tired?"

I must have been obvious. "I had to rush this morning."

"You look likethiswhen you rush?" She shakes her head. "I think I hate you."

Her friendly banter reminds me that I haven't had a chance to glance at the mirror. I might have toothpaste or drool on my face.

The bell rings, but the teacher isn't in the classroom, so I get my compact out of my purse and check the damage. I look fine, if a little pale. The dark lipstick I stole from Audrey is still in my pocket, so I pout and apply a layer.

"Ms. Simons, we're in class, not at a salon."

I'm not done, and I refuse to let the grouchy old lady shame me into rushing. If she doesn't want her students to play around, she should get her ass behind her desk on time like the rest of us. I doubt my peers were rereading their syllabi while waiting for her.

I finish with my lipstick, and put everything back in my bag.

Mrs. Leyland wears a crepe skirt that brushes her ankles and a black shirt under a shawl, all day, every day. I'm fairly certain she doesn't even change clothes. Her face is entirely painted—foundation two shades too light for her, bright red blush generously caked all over her cheeks, and pink lipstick that's often on her teeth. She glares at me and tells me, "You will stay behind after class today. Now, about cell structure..."

I actually like biology, but I tune her out, knowing she's just repeating our textbook word for word. I had to read up for this class, because Thorn Falls West's curriculum isn't what one would call challenging. I wanted to make sure I wasn't behind when I enrolled here. And surprise of surprises, I realized on day one that Leyland is just a parrot. I don't mind. It gives me a chance to let my mind wander.

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