Page 87 of Sweet Ruin

And just like that, the moment was over. As we walked back to the dorms, where everyone who had already been knocked out was gathering to watch, I spotted Wes across the courtyard. He was frowning in my direction, and I had a feeling he’d just seen Noah and I together. We hadn’t done anything wrong, but why did my stomach twist uneasily like we had?

CHAPTERTWENTY-FIVE

It snowed on and off over the next few days, and crossing the courtyard between our dorm and Esher Hall always felt like a risk. If it wasn’t the icy ground that got you, a snowball from one of the skirmishes that regularly broke out near the boys’ dorm often would. At least it was good practice for our upcoming ski trip.

Wes had been acting out of sorts too though. He’d seemed that way ever since my weekend in New York, and I knew Noah was the cause. Wes grew rigid whenever Noah glanced my way, and he always made a show of kissing me or pulling me close whenever Noah was in the same room. It was like he felt compelled to remind Noah we were together every chance he got.

I was trying my best to be understanding. We’d both been burned by past relationships, and I knew Wes was only acting this way because he didn’t want to lose me. I didn’t want to lose him either. I wanted to do whatever I could to make sure he felt comfortable.

I was almost glad when the last weekend before Christmas break passed and everyone at school turned their attention to finals week. Projects were due, tests were scheduled, and we were all desperate for the holidays to begin. I refused to let my love life get in the way of my grades, so I took to studying in the library most nights, and, to be honest, I welcomed the distraction.

The library was packed with students cramming most evenings. Even Cress and Anna, who avoided homework like the plague, had started joining me to study.

“I hate school,” Anna groaned one evening. “There should be a national ban on giving us this much work right before the holidays. Seriously, it should be illegal.” We’d been studying for hours, and her head was facedown on the table.

“We only have our English test left, and then we’re on break,” Cress reminded her. “This is the home stretch.”

“Yeah, but I still have to survive the test tomorrow.” She glanced up at Cress and me. “Do you think I can just bribe my English teacher to give me an A? I bet some students do.”

“I’m sure they try,” Cress said. “But, unfortunately, that’s something thatisillegal. And you’re better than that.”

“Am I?” Anna replied.

“Yes,” Cress answered. “You’re going to get through life on your own merit.”

“Am I?” Anna parroted her previous question. “Because I’m quite certain I could easily just coast through on my parents’ coattails.”

Cress lifted her eyebrows. “Is that really something you want? To be successful because of your parents?”

Anna glared at her. “Cress, you’re supposed to be agreeing with me and helping me find a quick fix for my pain. Not making me consider the ethical implications of my actions.”

“Ethical implications? I’m trying to make you consider the implications on your criminal record…”

“Whatever.” Anna shrugged. “You’re making me want to do the work on my own, and I don’t like it.”

Cress laughed before letting out a sigh. “Yeah, I don’t like it either.”

The two of them had frequently broken out into conversations like that, and I was doing my best to ignore them. We had our English final in the morning, and I was trying to do a practice test. I’d just come to the end of it though, and I smiled as I placed my pen down on the table and glanced up at my friends.

“You guys are supposed to be studying, not chatting,” I said.

“Oh, welcome back, are you done with your practice test?” Anna grinned.

“Yeah, I just finished. You don’t seem to be making much progress on yours.”

“I got bored. I think I’ll do better if I just wing it.”

“I wish I had your confidence,” I replied with a shake of my head. “How are you getting on, Cress?”

“Terribly. Someone keeps distracting me.” She shot a look at Anna who lifted her hands in the air innocently.

“Hey, you were distracted because you wanted to be.”

“Maybe.” Cress laughed.

“I think I need a snack,” I said. “I’m going to go grab some cookies. Do you guys want anything?”

“Oh, get one for me,” Anna replied.

---