Page 35 of Liars

Poppy nodded. “Everyone was talking about it.”

“Great. Let’s definitely not mention it to anyone. I don’t want to be known as the new girl who got shot.” Not to mention the girl whose parents died. I could only handle so many labels at a time.

She drew an invisible zipper across her dark-painted lips. “My lips are sealed, but you do realize you’ve become the most interesting person at Elmwood Public. It’s only a matter of timeuntil someone uncovers your secrets. The kids here are ruthless in their snooping.”

“A week?” I guesstimated how much time I had until the entire school knew I was living with the CorvosandI was the girl who took a bullet in the shoulder.

“An hour tops,” Poppy said.

“Fuck.” The curse breezed through my lips.

“What’s your locker number?”

I held out my phone for her to see. Printed in the upper right-hand corner was my locker and combination. Number 205.

“I’ll meet you there after fifth period,” Poppy said, already making plans to see me at lunch.

“Okay,” I agreed, more thankful than she knew.

“Come on,” Poppy said, turning toward the hallway, her braids falling over her shoulders. “I’ll show you to your first class.”

On the way to my chemistry class, Poppy gave me a brief layout of the school and classroom assignments to make finding the rooms easier. At Elmwood Academy, we did a buddy system for new students on the first day. I was guessing nothing like that existed at Elmwood Public, leaving me to navigate the halls on my own. I’d been here less than an hour, and already, the place felt like a labyrinth.

Five classes later, the bell echoed through the crowded halls, a sound far less dignified than the melodic chime of the academy. I clutched my phone tightly, weaving through students who seemed to move in chaotic clusters. I got lost half a dozen times, wandering the halls in search of my next class. I ended up being late to every one of them, resulting in some awkwardmoments with me walking in on the teacher starting their lesson and having all eyes on me.

The very thing I wanted to avoid. I wasn’t sure my cheeks had ever been so red as they had today.

Rushing to meet Poppy at my locker, I moved with the crowd. It was either that or get trampled. I turned the corner, expecting to see the lockers, but only more classes stretched before me.

Shit. I must have taken a wrong turn.

This wasn’t the hall I was supposed to be in. If there weren’t so many branches and levels, it would make navigating the school simpler.

I pivoted, going back the way I’d come and fighting against traffic.

Turning the corner a second time, I wasn’t paying attention, my focus on my phone as I willed the school’s stupid online portal to load. I’d discovered a map, but little good it did me when I couldn’t get reception worth shit in this place.Damn ancient walls?—

The thought barely went through my head when I slammed into something, sending me flying back. I landed hard on my ass, a jarring moment of confusion. Had I run into a fucking pole?

Nope.

Nothing structural.

Just a fucking Corvo.

Kreed Corvo to be precise.

And he wasn’t alone.

Another guy stood next to him, glaring down at me sprawled on the floor. He stood slightly taller than Kreed and had this lean, athletic build that I thought was deceptive because, under his shirt, I swore I saw a ripple of muscle. He had flawless bronze skin and tormented brown eyes. When he looked at me, I got this pang in my chest, not physical but heartbreaking as if he understood deep loss.

Color bloomed in my cheeks as I shoved my hair out of my face before cradling my arm. I gritted my teeth against the throbbing. Luckily, my phone landed on my lap. The jarring fall had my muscles constricting, creating soreness in my shoulder.

Kreed’s merciless silver eyes roamed over me, his jaw rigid as he gave me his trademark frown. My gaze traced the line of the two tiny scars marking his beautiful face. It didn’t deter his looks. I wish it did. “Running scared again, little raven?”

Bodies migrated around us, most grumbling and complaining about the roadblock happening in the halls. I ignored the dirty looks and the inquisitive stares. “I wasn’t running, for your information.” I should get off the floor, but honestly, I thought it might be safer down here than level with Kreed. “I was looking for the damn lockers.”

There was a beat of silence. “So, you’re lost,” Kreed stated.

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