Page 27 of Faux Real
“I must take you toparties?” I ask, closing my eyes. This is getting absurd. “Can’t I just hold your hand occasionally? Granted, I’d prefer it if youwashedyour hand first.”
“Oh, funny,” she jeers. “I’m usually averyclean person, trust me. And no, that will not suffice. If we’re going to date, we must do it properly. People will notice.”
Oh, God. She’s a lunatic. I have a deal with a lunatic. “Who isLemar?”
“He plays tight end for the Hilton Huskies,” Kenny explains. “He always throws a back-to-school party the first week of classes at his parents’ house upstate. It’s like half an hour away. Everyone goes.”
“Sounds lovely,” I sigh. A house party full of morons. Oh, the joy. “How long am I expected to stay? I assume it’s not for the whole night?”
“A couple of hours should be fine,” Kennedy states. “Then you’re free.” She pauses. “Are you staying at your aunt’s on the weekend?”
“Not likely,” I scoff. Hilarious. “I was planning to stay on campus until Christmas break.”
“Mmm,” Kennedy hums. “Okay, that’s fine. I’ll give you the key to the service entrance tomorrow. You’ll be able to sneak in and out at your leisure. The staircase is located on the east side of campus. The door opens up right by the unisex bathrooms so you’ll bypass the admin office.”
“You have a bloody key?!” I ask. “How do you have a key?”
Kennedy grins, shrugging coyly. She thinks she’s so special, doesn’t she? “It’s for emergencies. A perk of being an SLO.”
“So all you have to do is give me akeyand I have to actuallygoplaces with you? That hardly seems like a fair exchange." She made it seem like sneaking out would be the hardest thing to do. A key? That’s all?
Kennedy tosses me a smug smile. “I never said that this arrangement would require fifty-fifty effort,” she retorts. “I just said it will bemutually beneficial. And honestly, trusting you with a master key puts me at far greater risk of suspension than you taking me to a couple ofplaces. If anything, I have more on the line than you do.”
Again, her thinking process stumps me.
“In that case, you’re putting a lot of faith in someone who you don’t really know,” I muse. “How do you know I won’t fuck you over. Run to the headmaster, key in hand, and turn you in?”
“Oh...” Kenny blinks, realization dawning on her. “I—um...I didn’t think of that.”
“What’s that now?” I smirk. “You didn’t think of that? Really? I’m disappointed, Kennedy. You always seem to be one step ahead.”
“Well...” She sighs, scrunching up her face. “Fuck!” She starts pacing around, tapping a finger against her lips in deep thought.Oh, she’s losing it.“Why didn’t I think about that? So stupid. God, this is so fucking complicated now.”
My amused gaze follows her as she walks around in circles mumbling incoherently. I don’tactuallyplan on turning her in. I want to avoid the headmaster at all costs. There are millions of pounds on the line and I’m not willing to risk my inheritance just to mess with her. But she doesn’t need to know that.
Not yet at least.
“Relax,” I finally say with an exasperated yawn. God, there are too many hours in a day. “I’m not going to turn you in. I have an inkling that you’d take me down with you if I did.”
“Oh, onehundredpercent,” she states, pausing in front of me, her gaze unwavering. “I wouldnotgo down alone.”
“I figured.”
“So? What? We have a deal then?” she asks, holding out her hand. I eye it carefully, scowling. She rolls her eyes. “It’sclean.”
“Alright,” I say, our hands shaking in agreement. “You’ve got yourself a deal.”
“Perfect,” she states, checking her watch. “I’ll text you later with details about the party tomorrow. I’ll pull your number from the registry. I have to go and shower now before my last class.” She pauses. “Wait, why aren’t you in class right now?”
“A spare,” I say. Somehow my credits from St. Augustine’s exceeded Hilton’s requirements. I’m sure it was an error but I’m not complaining.
Wait. No.Did she saylast class?
There are only three classes last block according to the schedule; both chemistry and trig arenotAP.
“Whatclassdo you have next?” I ask, dreading the response.
Please no. No. I pray to the gods. Do not let this happen. I beg of you.
