Page 6 of Unbidden

"It is what it is." She shrugs. “Meet us downstairs.”

∞∞∞

“Come on. You’ll be riding with me.” Victoria waves me forward.

A bright yellow convertible sits in the driveway as Thomas hands her the keys, and I can’t help but cringe.

“Isn’t she a beauty? It’s a Lexus LFA. Mom bought it for me for my birthday.”

An expensive car like this for her birthday? I definitely do not fit in here. I have a hard time spending ten dollars on a haircut, let alone however much on a car like this.

“It’s something, that’s for sure,” I mumble to myself as we climb into the car.

“I usually have the top down, but I curled my hair today. Can’t have it looking like a bird’s nest by the time we get to school.”

“No worries,” I numbly respond as she pulls out of the drive.

This time, I pay closer attention to the scenery around me. It’s obvious this is some rich neighborhood. As we’re waved through the property gate, I take a moment to look at the homes on either side. Each as flashy as the next. Another reminder I don’t belong here.

“I won’t act as if I know what you’re going through. I obviously never lost my mom. I haven’t changed schools. Just know that you’re family, and us Covington’s value family.” Victoria’s voice pulls me from my thoughts.

“I’m not a Covington. Hell, I didn’t even know the Covington name until Alice showed up.”

“You’re a Covington by blood. I know you don’t feel that way, but you are. Promise me one thing though. Don’t break my mom’s heart. She already lost your mom. Don’t make her lose you too.”

“I can’t make that promise.”

Victoria cuts her eyes to me, a myriad of emotions filling them. “Fair enough. Give this place a shot. You never know. You might end up liking it.”

As we come to the end of the road, a car shoots out in front of us. Victoria slams on her brakes as her arm flies over across my chest.

“Son of a bitch!” she exclaims. “Are you okay?”

I watch the fancy black car speed off as we idle in the middle of the road. I glance up to the driveway it came from. The house is humongous, set farther back from the road than any other house on the street.

“What a fucking douchecanoe. They didn’t even care if they fucking hit us,” I spit, looking over to Victoria. “Entitled fucking pricks.”

She sighs. “You’re not wrong. I think I should go over a couple of things with you before we get to school.”

“Okay?” I question.

She starts driving again, this time never taking her eyes from the road.

“There is a hierarchy that rules Brighton Academy. The Yates brothers are at the top with Sterling Brooks and Finley Abbot. The pricks who just flew out in front of us? Those were the Yates brothers; Reed and Keaton. Stay out of their way. As long as you leave them alone, they shouldn’t bother you. Below them are the girls. Well, other than Tinsley Yates. She’s at the top with her brothers. Blair Betchel, Poppy Sinclair, and Ingram Humphries. Ingram runs that crowd and thinks of herself as the queen. Since the guys allow it, they get away with pretty much anything. Stay far away from them. They’re vindictive.”

I digest what she says before asking, “Where are you in this hierarchy?”

She turns and gives me a wink after parking her car. “Near the top, of course. Our name holds weight in this town. We might not be royalty, but they’ll think twice before starting shit. Dad is the go-to guy when it comes to investments. They all think that if his hands touch a company, it’ll turn into gold. He hasn’t made a bad investment yet.”

“Wow, way to be humble.” I don’t bother hiding my sarcastic tone as I slide out of the car.

She pauses before leaning against the top. “This isn’t your normal high school, Sage. These people are virtually untouchable. You use what weapons you have at your disposal. You’ll learn to do that too. Otherwise, they’ll bully you into doing whatever they want. They take sick enjoyment out of breaking others.”

I roll my eyes. “Great. Just the people I want to be around. Don’t worry about me. I can handle myself. Thank you for the advice though.”

She laughs. “You think you’re tough now, but heed my warning. I’ll do what I can to protect you because you’re blood, but I will not involve myself in unnecessary drama.”

“Understood. Point me to the office and I’ll get out of your hair.”

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