Page 43 of Empty Promises

“Hi, Samson.” A few girls walked by, smiling at me, giggling to themselves as they passed.

I gave them the barest of attention, too busy waiting for Keegan to step out of the locker room.

“What’s happening?” Rem asked as she sauntered over to me.

Rem instantly distracted the girls who’d stuck close, trying to catch my attention. She’d normally flirt with them, but even she was focused on what was happening. “What’s the current bet?”

“She’ll quit has the highest amount. Crying is next, and last, she’d come out swinging.”

Rem huffed out a laugh crossing her arms as her gaze stayed trained on the doors. Nearly every student at Press Prep was in attendance. It was rare we got someone new who was a complete outsider.

“I say she flips everyone off.”

I cocked a brow at her waiting for the amount. No bet was official until the price was listed.

“Five hundred,” Rem said.

I took out my tablet and put in Rem’s bet. Money was still flowing in, and the number one option was still Keegan quitting school. I didn’t see that happening, but I also couldn’t place a bet. The numbers weren’t precise, always fluctuating. I needed to study her a bit more. I made the mistake of assuming who she was before. I wouldn’t do it again.

“She come out yet?” Lux asked.

Hawke was right behind him, his fingers intertwined behind his head, whistling as he walked. His jet-black hair hung carelessly in front of his face. The scar over his eye was visible at all times, making him look even more intimidating than he was.To be that free. Out of my group of friends, I envied Hawke the most. He lived by no rules being his authentic self.

“Not—” My words died out as the door opened, and a rancid smell hit the air.

The collective student body gagged. Even the teachers who were in attendance covered their noses and took steps away from Keegan.

She held her head up as she walked into the middle of the room. The girls responsible laughed. “Wow, I knew you were trash, but now you even smell like it.”

Keegan picked up a banana peel smashed into her shorts and flung it across the room.

“Ms. Quell, this is unacceptable attire for school,” Jeremy said. He stepped into the middle of the crowd and covered his mouth and nose the closer he got to Keegan.

Her eyes slit, and if looks could kill, Jeremy would have dropped dead that very second. Keegan hated being referred to by her last name. She’d made that fact known in every class. And with her violent outburst on the first day, most teachers avoided using it.

“I didn’t exactly come to school like this,” Keegan gritted out.

“See what happens when you let just anyone come to our school? Trash gets in.”

The whispers in the room grew louder, none of them hiding the distaste they had for Keegan. It was a mob mentality. Most of them probably didn’t care one way or another, but to be different wasn’t accepted unless you were at the top.

“Either way, this is inappropriate. You are to go home, get cleaned up, and report to detention.”

“What?” Keegan looked seconds away from getting violent. I’d know that look anywhere.

“I hope she hits him,” Hawke said in awe. “She’s so fucking hot when she’s angry.”

“That would put her further in our debt.” Lux’s gaze was trained on Keegan.

Jeremy glanced our way, but Lux gave no indication that he objected.

“You heard me. Everyone go to class.” He turned, and only a few students left. Others stuck back, laughing and taking pictures of Keegan.

“Hi, Corpse!” Hawke shouted. He waved and blew her a kiss.

Of course, he didn’t care about the smell. Hawke spent more time with dead bodies than the living if given the chance. She spotted us and marched over with fire shimmering in her eyes.

“Fuck off.”

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