Page 36 of Liars

“Does it matter to you?” I snapped, clumsily pushing to my feet as best I could with one arm. It wasn’t like either of them offered to help.

The raven tattoo stretching over his forearm seemed to mock me. “Depends, how long do you plan to sit on the floor?” he countered.

“If your chest wasn’t so goddamn hard, I wouldn’t be on my ass. Maybe give the gym a rest.” That was supposed to be a dig, yet somehow, I revealed I noticed how muscular his body was.

His friend’s lips twitched, but Kreed only continued to scowl at me, which seemed to be his default expression around me.

His eyes darkened. “So, it’s my chest’s fault you can’t seem to stand on two legs.”

I flew a dramatic hand in the air, nearly flinging my phone with the gesture. “Finally, you’re starting to get me.”

Kreed dipped and snatched my bag, which had slipped off my uninjured shoulder. “Let me help you with this.” His words said one thing, but his actions contradicted them.

“Hey,” I protested, attempting to reach for my bag. “Give it back.”

Kreed easily jerked it out of my grasp. “Not so fast, little raven. With that injury, you shouldn’t be carrying such a heavy load,” he said with an air of condescension as he swung my bag over his shoulder.

“Don’t pretend like you’re doing me a favor. Give me my shit, Kreed, or so help me, I’ll scream,” I threatened with every intention of making good on it. I didn’t care if everyone in this school thought I was nuts.

Up until this point, his friend had only watched Kreed and I argue with an amused expression. “You failed to mention how pretty she is. Any particular reason why?” Nash posed to Kreed.

“Nash, shut up,” he grumbled, a shadow moving into his silvery eyes.

So, this was the fourth Raven. He fit somehow. It was easy to see the four of them together. I eyed him, unable to look away, especially when he kept smiling at me like that in this natural, flirty way.

Nash chuckled. “So, you’ve noticed.” Kreed’s friend picked up a piece of my platinum hair and twirled it around his finger. “I’m impressed,” he whispered to me. “You’ve done what few have. Get Kreed to react.”

“Are you referring to his general disdain for me? It’s mutual, I assure you.”

“Oh, you’re going to be fun.” The way Nash said those words made it sound like I was a plaything.

“Only if byfunyou mean a bitch, because that’s precisely what I’ll be if yourfrienddoesn’t return my bag,” I said between gritted teeth.

Kreed’s lips twitched. “See you tonight.”

“Kreed!” I shouted, but he didn’t even look up, continuing to laugh at something Nash said. He kept walking without so much as a glance back, my bag swinging like a trophy he’d won.

That was it. I’d had enough.

I should have thought about my actions before following through, but it was too late. I didn’t think twice. I was already moving, fury propelling me forward. “Hey!” I yelled again, louder and sharper this time.

When he still ignored me, I broke into a sprint, closing the distance between us. Without hesitation, I jumped onto his back, my good arm locking around his neck like a vise, careful of my other arm, but the pain would be worth it. So I told myself.

“What the—” Kreed staggered under the unexpected weight, his hands instinctively going to my arms.

“I want my bag!” I demanded, my voice muffled against his shoulder.

He growled a deep and maddening sound. “Do you have a death wish?”

“Do you?” I snapped, tightening my hold.

Nash tossed his head back and laughed.

Kreed shifted his weight and easily grabbed my wrist, prying my arm off him. He twisted slightly, forcing me to drop to the ground with a thud.

I stumbled but regained my footing quickly, glaring up at him. “Give. It. Back.”

Kreed smirked, swinging my bag off his shoulder. For a moment, I thought he was actually going to hand it to me, but instead, he tossed it to his right. “Catch, Nash,” he said, flashing a rare grin.

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