Page 35 of Shattered Stars
Any hope of that is dispelled pretty quick when Dr. Johnson calls out.
“Find your partners from last time and pick up where you left off.”
I glance at Tristan, whispering to Spencer at the edge of the group and ignoring our teacher. I have no desire to pick up where we left off, particularly when he left me on my knees. I don’t wait for Summer to protest my partner this time, I do it myself.
“Dr. Johnson,” I say, walking through the group of dispersing students towards her.
Today her hair is bright pink, clashing slightly with the large orange glasses hanging around her neck on a silver chain.
“Miss Blackwaters,” she says, frowning slightly when she realizes it’s me who’s addressed her. “Is there a problem?”
“Yes, I’d like to swap partners.”
“No,” a firm voice says from right behind me, and I don’t need to spin around to see who it is. I can tell by the sensation in my stomach. Shit!
I ignore him.
“I was unable to work with Tristan Kennedy last time. We were incompatible.”
Summer’s hanging to one side listening in to this conversation; Aysha a pace away looking pissed off with her arms crossed over her chest.
“Of course, they are incompatible,” Summer chimes in. “They’re totally unsuited. Tristan is one of the most powerful students in the academy, whereas Pig Girl …” She snorts. “I’d be happy to partner with Tristan. We’re much better suited. I’m much closer to his abilities and powers.” I’m surprised she restrains herself and doesn’t wink at him and blow him a kiss.
Our teacher looks exhausted and defeated this morning and, unlike our last lesson, doesn’t seem to be prepared to put up a fight against Summer.
“Well, I suppose the two of them were partnered for the last lesson. I’m sure it won’t hurt if they swapped this time.”
Summer positively beams, while Aysha looks like she’d happily murder me, Summer or possibly both of us.
Tristan, however, draws himself up to his full height, towering above all four of us.
“No,” he says again, this time with more venom. “The principal chose Rhianna and me to be partners. She must have had her reasons.”
Summer glances up at his face and then scowls back at me.
“But Dr. Johnson is right,” I say. “We already tried partnering as the principal requested, and it was unsuccessful.”
“Then we try again. We’re Arrow Hart academy elite pupils. We don’t simply give up. We keep trying and trying and trying.We don’t accept defeat. It’s written on your goddamn crest, Pig Girl.”
He points right at my tit and I can’t help looking down at the embroidered crest on my blazer with its heart and arrow. I glance back up at Dr. Johnson, waiting for her to reprimand Tristan for calling me names. Of course, she doesn’t. Instead, she swings her gaze between Summer and Tristan. Clearly, deciding who to side with. Determining Tristan to be the immediate threat, she says, “Mr. Kennedy and Miss Blackwaters will remain partners. No swapping.”
Summer harrumphs, folding her arms over her chest, and the professor cowers and hurries away. Tristan, on the other hand, trudges off towards our previous spot in the meadow, a self-satisfied smirk hovering on his face.
I take an inhale and follow after him. But I haven’t moved two steps, before Summer’s blocked my path, grabbing my arm and digging her fingernails deep into my flesh.
“I’m not done with you, Pig Girl. Don’t think I’ve forgotten the other night. I’m going to make your life hell from now on and completely destroy that face of yours.”
“You mean, like I did yours?” I say coolly. “You know you didn’t fix your nose straight, right? It’s wonky.”
“What?” Summer cries, snatching her hands to cover her face.
I don’t wait for her to grab me again, I pick up my feet and jog after Tristan.
This time I find him standing, his blazer flung to the ground, his sleeves rolled up.
“Don’t do that again,” he says, pushing his sleeves further up his muscular arms.
“Do what?” I say, with the same bored tone I just used with Summer.
