Page 34 of Liars

She expertly maneuvered us through the moving crowds. “Your secret is safe with me. Not to mention, no one would believe the school outcast.”

I had a hard time believing she was an outcast.

We hooked around a corner, rows of lockers lining the walls. “A lot of people are scared of the Ravens,” she briefed. “Wisely so. You managed to piss off the most influential assholes in this school without stepping a foot inside. That’s got to be a record.”

“I’m known to make dumb decisions without thinking through the consequences,” I admitted.

“Same, girl, but even I know better than to fuck with the Crew. At least those three.”

I remembered her mentioning a fourth name. “Nash is different?”

“Not really. He’s still a dick but perhaps just slightly less than the Corvos. The four of them have power here that lets them get away with anything they desire. People look up to them, follow them, want to be them, and fantasize about them. You get my drift.”

“Sounds disturbing. Is there anything else I should know?” I asked.

“You have no idea, and we don’t have enough time before first period to even scratch the surface.” She steered us through a glass door. “Let’s see if we can swindle Mrs. Jacobs into giving you the same lunchtime as me.”

“That would be amazing.” Not eating lunch alone would alleviate half my stress.

“Can I help you?” the woman behind the desk asked.

Only if you have the power to turn back time.

“She’s the new girl,” Poppy answered.

“Kaylor Steele,” I said, supplying my name.

“Right. The academy sent your transcripts the other day at Mr. Corvo’s request. Welcome to Public, Kaylor. Let me get your schedule pulled up.” She tapped on the keyboard with the tips of her long nails, painfully slow. “Here we go.”

Poppy leaned over the desk, peering at the computer. “Mrs. Jacobs, can you see if Kaylor and I can have lunch together? I’m the only person she knows, and you know how crazy lunch is around here.”

“What period would that be, Ms. Bryce?” she prompted, glancing at Poppy over the top of the glasses that had slipped down her slim nose.

“Sixth,” Poppy answered.

Mrs. Jacobs’ eyes returned to her computer screen. “You’re in luck. She’s already scheduled for lunch at that slot. Let me get this printed for you. There is also a QR code you can scan with your phone for a digital version.”

“Thank you,” I said, feeling slight relief at not having to eat lunch in the girls’ bathroom.

The secretary swiveled in her chair, grabbing a slip of paper off the printer before handing it to me. “If you need to make any changes, you’ll have to schedule a time with your counselor.”

I nodded and took the sheet of paper she offered.

Poppy peered over my shoulder, skimming my schedule. “Wow, so you’re smart.”

“Is that a bad thing?” Did that mean we wouldn’t have classes together?

She smiled. “Are you kidding me? We nerds have to stick together. Most people in this school wouldn’t believe I had a brain. Judgmental bitches.”

I liked this chick. As I scanned the code, Mrs. Jacobs popped a piece of hard candy from a dish into her mouth and went back to working on her computer.

Poppy and I hovered for a minute in the lobby while I took a second glance at my classes. First up, AP Chemistry. Not an ideal morning class. I prefer mixing coffee and creamer this early rather than stirring chemicals with the potential to blow up in my face.

As we pushed open the doors and strolled back into the halls, I rolled my shoulder gently, a dull pain making me wish I’d taken a painkiller before I left.

The movement didn’t go past Poppy’s notice. She snapped her fingers. “OhmyGod.” Her eyes flashed to the arm I’d favored. “It just hit me. You’re the girl on the news. The one who got shot.”

This wasn’t a topic I wanted to come up. It was one I was desperate to avoid. “I was on the news?”

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