Page 14 of Killer Confections
I suffer through gym without my new friend, but my neck prickles with his intense eyes on me. Through the whole hour, I don’t think he looked away for even a second.
For the first time in my life, there’s a swarming sensation in my gut and I smile to myself.
Chapter Five
Atlas
Eleven Years Ago
“Fucking focus,” Rowan hisses, giving the back of my head another hard smack. “You know jack shit about Home Economics. Staring at the girl, all lunch break won’t impress her, but learning this shit,” he stabs a finger into the Home Ec 101 book, “will.”
“How am I supposed to learn all of this before next period? It’s impossible.” I grumble.
“Just learn the basics,” Rowan says. “You won’t be perfect, but at least you won’t embarrass yourself two minutes into class.”
He reads through the basics of crochet, something I’ve never done before. I felt like an idiot when I said it was the same thing as sewing. Apparently sewing is different…
I peer across the cafeteria, my eyes transfixed on the empty table by the doors. Loxley sits with a thick book in her hands, slowly eating some fruit as she turns the pages, enraptured by whatever story she’s reading.
I wanted to join her, even if I was forced to sit quietly while she read. I’ve done more talking today than I have in the past two weeks since school started, but it’s not a bad change. As long as I’m speaking to her, I could talk all damn day.
But Rowan had pulled me to the side, convincing me it would be my safest bet to at least pretend there’s a reason I switched to her fifth period class.
I feel my brother lean closer before he speaks. “Why doesDalton Smith have a broken nose and wet hair?”
I shrug, flipping to the next page in the book. “He forgot to block during dodgeball, then slipped and fell headfirst into the toilet earlier.”
My brother snorts, “So, that’s the story we’re going with? You could have drowned him.”
“He fell,” I say slowly. “And I wanted to kill him, but I didn’t.”
His brows lift as he nods. “Such restraint. Thank god you didn’t kill your classmate, Atlas. You know that’s where dad draws the line. He’ll have you withdrawn from school so fast if he thinks you’re a danger to the syndicate.”
I don’t answer him, letting his words sink in as I flip through the lessons.
“Just be careful,” he warns. “If you need help, let me know and I’ll do what I can.”
I nod, appreciating Rowan for his willingness to help. He’s always been a shoulder to lean on. Unlike Thalia, he doesn’t mind extending a hand when it’s needed.
We continue to review, my eyes peeking over at my friend occasionally. It’s hard not to stare at her. She’s so fucking pretty that seeing her makes my heart pang with longing.
And I get the whole school year to surround myself with her.
For once, I don’t mind that Home Economics has no appeal to me. Because as long as Loxley’s there, I’ll fake it until I make it.
***
Loxley
Eleven years ago
He’s here.
In my Home Economics class.
Atlas sits in the back of the room, leaning back in hischair with an arm thrown over the backrest of the empty one beside him.
I hate that he looks so good as he gives me a smirk before patting the empty chair, signaling that he saved me a seat.
