Oakley.
What the hell have I done?
Five years of planning could all go to shit. I kissed Eva Carmichael. A terrible act that I can’t stop replaying over and over. It has consumed every waking thought for the past three days.
Thankfully, it happened on a Friday, so I had the weekend to sulk in my cottage over it, but now it’s Monday.
Somehow, I’ve avoided running into her since I don’t have classes with her on a Monday, but tomorrow I will have to face her in leadership strategy class and law.
The despair was written all over her face when I threw her out of my office and canceled the rest of our one-on-one lessons. Her little speech shocked me to the core and for a horrible reason.
It made me realize why I’m so drawn to her. She reminds me of myself at her age, desperate to escape by any means necessary-desperate to be better than the people who raised her. The innocent daughter of my enemies reminds me of myself.
How can I destroy someone so innocent, so utterly against all that her parents stand for?
I’ve been running through all the ways I could destroy the Carmichaels, hellbent on destruction as the primary aim, but I never considered a different angle. Help Eva be free of her parents and rub it in their faces before murdering them, of course. The question is, would Eva stand by me if she knew what I wanted to do to her family?
She may declare to hate what they’ve done to her, but how deep does that hate run?
I push a hand through my messy hair, shaking my head. It takes a certain person to stand by the murder of the people who brought you into this world, and I’m uncertain Eva is that kind of person. She’s good and pure.
Archer gives me a nod as he enters the staff room. “Alright, Oak?” He calls.
I’m so distracted that I mumble my response, which catches his attention.
“What’s up?” Archer asks, slipping into the chair opposite me.
I meet his gaze and shrug. “Nothing.” I rub a hand across the back of my neck. “Just trouble with a pupil.”
He nods slowly, watching me intently. “Is it the Carmichael girl?”
I clench my fist at the mention of her. Archer is one of only two people who knows why I bought this school and my plan to get revenge on Eva’s family. Blaine is the other. “Yes.”
“Are you still intending to send her to me to…” He trails off rather than saying it.
“No,” I practically growl.
He raises a brow, a small smirk on his face. “Why not?”
I glare at my friend, gritting my teeth. “Because I’m not, okay?” I snap.
His eyes widen, and he holds his hands up. “Alright, calm down.” He runs a hand through his hair. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you have the hots for the girl?” Arch says.
“Shut it,” I say, rubbing my temples. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
Archer chuckles in response. “You look like a man who needs a fucking night out and a lot of alcohol.”
I meet my friend’s gaze. “Is that an invitation?” I’ve heard of worse ideas.
“Why the fuck not? We haven’t been out in ages.” He pulls his cell phone out. “I’ll see if Bly wants to join.” He types a text to him and fires it off.
“You’re right. I think it’s exactly what I need.” A night of drinking with my friends might help get my mind off of Eva Carmichael and the crazy line I crossed with her three days ago.
Arch smirks and nods toward the door. “Perfect. I’m going to get cleaned up and have something to eat.” He moves for the door out of the staff room. “Meet back here at eight o’clock?”
I nod in response. “Sure. See you then.”
Arch walks out of the staff room, leaving me alone with my chaotic thoughts.
I never foresaw such a ridiculous complication. There’s something deep that connects me to the girl I wanted to ruin, the girl I wanted to destroy in the name of revenge.