Page 63 of The Invite
“Is it open to the public? Do they allow tours?”
“It is, but not throughout the year. It opens on the night of The Massacre Ball. Currently, that part of town is closed off to the public with the preparations going on.”
“Oh.” I slump against my seat. “The annual Ball is a big deal, huh?”
“Very. Brings a lot of money to the founders.”
“I bet.”
We reach the school thirty minutes later. It’s situated up a hill and surrounded by lush greenery. Ace parks his vehicle in a reserved spot in the lot. On my tour, I was told this is a separate entrance for the staff. I’ll have to ask Greta if I can have a reserved spot as well.
We both get out and I close the door behind me.
“I’m glad you listened, Nessa,” teases Ace after reaching my side.
His body crowds me against the side door and our fingers touch when he passes me my purse, which he kept in the back seat. Tilting my head to meet his gaze, I murmur in a small voice, “About?”
“You didn’t thank me for picking you up.”
I had the urge to but I refrained. “It… was hard not to.”
“I bet.” Stepping back, he reminds me, “Don’t thank me tomorrow either.”
“We’ll see,” I joke.
He shakes his head, eyes full of amusement. Both of us fall into a walk toward the building’s entrance. Since I have aclass in the first period, I have to part ways with him to go directly to my class.
“See you at lunch.”
I nod and turn toward the opposite hallway. Students fill the halls and I sense their burning eyes on my profile. They don’t say anything but I hear the murmurs behind their fists. I catch a few of the things they’re saying, which prove my suspicions about the news spreading.
“Yeah, it’s her.”
“Miss Davenport. The new English lit teacher.”
“I can’t believe she got Augustus expelled.”
“Scarlett is going to kill her.”
The last one sends a skitter of fear down my spine. I know she’s the resident queen bee, but is she a psychopath like her brother? Do I need to watch out for her too?
Soon, I reach my classroom and enter with my head held high.
All the students haven’t arrived yet and at the sound of my heels, the ones lounging and chatting quiet down. They scamper to their seats and settle down.
“Good morning, everyone,” I greet, smiling.
A few murmur back and in the small crowd, I see Augustus’s sister. Her vivid eyes aim a glare my way, displaying anger for my hand in her brother’s absence. I expect her to lash out but she says nothing.
Aside from a glare from Scarlett, everyone else hides their true expression. Some smile politely, some hold respect, while a few are nervous and guarded.
While I wait for others to file in, I arrange the items on my table. Today, I feel more confident. It could be entirely because Augustus and Maverick aren’t here. While there’s nothing I can do about my personal life at home, I’m hoping to start fresh at my job. I need one thing to go right in my life.
The moment the bell rings, I glance at the door.
Kaid, along with his friend, who joked the last time, stroll in. The former has put effort into properly dressing even though his face says he’d rather be wearing anything else.
Meanwhile, the latter has his tie loose and thetop buttons of his shirt undone. I didn’t notice his appearance last time because I was distracted. But there’s no ignoring the tattoos peeking around his throat and chest, the light blue hair falling over his forehead, and thepiercings in his nose and ears.
