Page 71 of The Deceptions
Note to self—keep an eye on her, too. In fact, watch everyone working on this campus. They’re fishier than fucking frying fish.
“Oh, and Oliver. Here’s a flyer for the upcoming blood drive. All scholarship students are heavily encouraged to participate.” She slides over a flyer featuring the upcoming blood drive. “If you read there, we’re in competition with another university. Whoever gives the most, wins a prize and bragging rights.”
I eye her as she grins proudly at the thought of giving blood. It’s something I’ve never done before. But it seems to be important to her and the school.
“Um, thanks. I’m not sure…”
“Please consider. If you do happen to donate, your professors are considering it as an assignment and giving A’s to everyone who participates.” She cocks her head. “And you could use a few A’s to start off the year well.”
“Uh, sure,” I trail off, shoving the blood drive pamphlet into my back pocket, and pick up my schedule again.
“Well, off you go, Oliver. Enjoy Greenwood. And if you ever need anything, please make an appointment through our online portal.” She grins, sending an uneasy wave of nausea through me. “Oh, and please send in my next appointment. She should be right outside.”
After bidding Dr. Moreau goodbye and getting shooed away, I step out of her stuffy office into the main hallway of the administrative building. It’s quiet out here. Refreshing. No students meandering the halls on this desolate Monday morning. It’s nothing like I thought it would be. I always dreamed of coming here as a kid. It was something I thought I could achieve with the guys. We dreamed of partying, joining clubs, frats, sororities, and everything under the sun to be normal. But normal? Pfft. What the hell is that? We were dreamers. Kids raised in the damn mafia and mob. Brought up to murder those who did us wrong and work under the bosses. Well, me anyway. The boys were the future rulers of Greenwood.
Then, we were escaping the inevitable that was bound to happen. Hux was bound by his duty to his foster dad to take up a high-ranking position within the gang. Close to the top, it would be impossible for him to walk away if he changed his mind. And JJ and Mack at his side, fulfilling their duty to Franco. A thank you for taking them in and training them within the gang.
And then there was me. The daughter of a disgraced mafia member. I was a stain in Franco’s eyes. A stain he couldn’t do anything about. Well, until he did.
As I drag myself out of my thoughts, I ground myself in the present. The marbled floors are thick with grey veins, swirling whites and gold, reflecting the chandelier that rests above the imposing double doors. The crest of the school, hanging proudly below the motto-–Morior Invictus | Death before defeat.
Everything about this place screams money and privilege with its arched ceilings, accented gold light fixtures, and dark-stained wooden walls.
A sadness hits me out of nowhere. A feeling I’ve been too accustomed to lately. It’s overwhelming and encompasses my whole body. A buzzing realization that I was meant to be here. But as Olivia. If I had lived past my seventeenth year and graduated from Greenwood High, I would have walked these halls with Hux, JJ, and Mack.
We would have made it. We would have become the people we wanted to be. Who we were destined to become outside the roles our family ties dictated we would be.
Our own people.
But we didn’t. I didn’t.
They’ve lived the dream we mapped out, living on campus and going to classes. But not me. I’m no longer a part of the equation.
Do they ever miss me? Wish I were here?
Fuck.
I knew coming here and going undercover would be a bad idea. Everything about this screams stupid. Whenever I’m up close and personal with them, I’m going to lose it. I know I will. I was safe at the party. Hell, even in the parking lot. They were far away and I could view from a distance. Whether it was a hundred feet or ten, I was still unnoticed. But face to face?Looking into their traitorous eyes and having to pretend that it doesn’t affect me. These tears will come when I least expect them to.
Greenwood cut me open once, and I know it’s going to carve me open completely this time, leaving nothing but a crevice of darkness behind.
As I gather myself one last time, I take a few steps into the hallway, stopping dead at the sight of the girl from the party sitting on the bench outside Dr. Moreau's office, staring down at her phone. Ugh. Amanda. Long blonde hair. Flawless, tanned skin. Dressed in name-brand clothes with an expensive purse.
She’s a fucking cloud of suck, staining the room with the darkness that seems to live deep inside her that gets pleasure from terrorizing everyone.
Including the past me.
“Your boyfriends aren’t here to protect you this time,” Amanda sneers, punching me straight in the gut as her two friends hold my arms back in the middle of the women’s bathroom. Several girls come in and promptly leave after witnessing the violence with wide eyes and squeaks. A few brave ones roll their eyes and do their business before leaving.
“They don’t have to protect me,” I wheeze, spitting at her feet.
I gave up struggling against her friend’s–Chrissy and Stacy’s–hold five minutes ago. Better to conserve my energy for something else. Like plotting her death.
“Why, because you’re going to run off and tell them what I did?” She grins, rolling her eyes like a bitchy, plastic mean girl. “You’re so predictable and a rat.” Chrissy and Stacy stiffen when Amanda pulls out a switchblade and waves it in my face several times. The sunshine leaking in through the windows casts a light on the shiny, sharp metal, making my stomach drop to my feet.
Amanda is untouchable. The daughter of a prominent politician in bed with Franco. No matter what happens, Amanda won’t get in trouble for the crimes she commits. Even against me.
I snort, raising my chin. “I won’t have to tell them a damn thing.” It’s true. I’m sure by the time I leave this bathroom, Hux, JJ, and Mack will be waiting for me. There have been too many witnesses who have been in and out. They’ll hear it through the grapevine eventually and come running. Not that I want them to fight my battles for me, but it’s nice to have back up. Especially when my attacker is wielding a sharp knife and threatening to stab me.
