5

Adrianna
“The man is a complete and utter pig,” I finish, shaking my head as my blood is still boiling over Coach Daniel’s attempt to get me into his bed.
“What are you going to do?” Nat asks.
She shrugs. “I’m going to keep telling him to fuck off.”
I bite my bottom lip. “Not sure Archer takes rejection very well.”
Azira nods. “I heard he can make girls’ lives a living hell if they reject him.”
Red hot anger coils through my veins as I wonder if my friends seriously suggest that I should just lie down and spread my legs for a man whore because his ego is going to be hurt. Crossing my arms over my chest, I glare at them. “What are you saying? I’m not sleeping with him because he’ll get angry about being rejected. He can fuck himself for all I care.”
Nat nods. “Fair enough.”
“He’s hot, though. Don’t you think?” Azira asks.
Azira is insane to even bring it up. He may be hot, but he’s had so many students over the years it’s disgusting. “Yes, and a complete and utter man whore. There’s no way I’m giving my virginity to a man like him.”
I’m surprised Nat doesn’t back me up as she turns silent, gazing down at her bowl of pasta. The fact is Archer Daniels just wants to add me as another notch on his bedpost, and I won’t be reduced to that. I’ve got too much self respect, unlike his past conquests.
“I’m going to the bathroom,” Azira announces, standing and walking out of the cafeteria, and my attention lands on Nat, who I think is hiding something about that kiss with Alexander.
The boy who has spent years tormenting her. He was seen kissing her a few weeks ago, and now he’s claiming that she’s his. I’ve been thinking about what he said after that.
Perhaps you should stop lying to the people closest to you, or you might end up with no one.
I sense Alexander has something over her and she doesn’t want to tell us. It’s all very odd. Alexander’ torment is taking on a new form this year.
“Are you sure you don’t want to talk about it?” I give her a pointed look.
Nat clenches her jaw. “I told you, I don’t.” She grabs her garlic flatbread and stuffs it in her mouth. “Just drop it.”
There is no way Nat will talk to me about it if she doesn’t want to. “I know you well enough to know you won’t tell us if you don’t want to. I just worry about you is all.”
Nat forces a smile. “I know you do, and I love you for it.” She squeezes my hand. “This is something I don’t want to discuss.”
I hold my other hand up in surrender, knowing when to call it quits. “Got it.” I mime zipping my mouth shut to lighten the heavy mood. “I won’t say another word about it.”
“Thank you,” Nat says, relief clear in her expression.
Azira returns and sits down. “What did I miss?”
“Not a lot,” I say, giving Nat a wink when Azira isn’t looking. “How’s the pizza?” I ask, glancing at it. “I kind of wish I’d had that instead of the pasta. Maybe I’ll get it as well.”
Nat laughs.
Azira shakes her head. “You eat more than any girl I know and yet you’re so damn skinny.”
I take offence to being called skinny, holding a hand against my chest. “I’m not skinny. I’m toned and athletic.”
“Right, I agree. Skinny isn’t the word to describe Adrianna’s physique,” Nat adds.
Azira sets her hands on her hips, shaking her head. “Whatever. She’s not curvy like me.” She nods at Nat. “And you can’t speak because you are just as slim.”
It’s amusing, as so many girls would kill to have Azira’s figure.
Nat shakes her head. “I’ve always envied your physique, Azira. It’s feminine and beautiful.”
Azira blushes. “You wouldn’t say that if you had my hips.”
“Everyone envies your shape. Stop being an idiot. We’re all beautiful as we are in our own rights,” I say, as the fact is we all have our unique qualities.
“Agreed,” Nat says.
“What have you guys got next?” I ask, shoving my last spoon of pasta into my mouth and eyeing up Azira’s pizza. My stomach still rumbles a little.
“I’ve got a free period next. What about you?” Nat asks.
I smile. “Same.”
Azira groans. “Lucky for you, I’ve got extra math with professor Jameson as I’m lagging.” She pulls a face. “The fact is, I’m shit at math, so why bother with extra tuition?”
I laugh, glancing at Nat, who seems to be in her own little world. “Do you want to go to the library to study?” I suggest.
“Sure,” she says, nodding.
“Right after I grab some pizza.”
Azira and Nat laugh, rolling their eyes. My appetite is enormous, but I do a lot of sports to combat the effects. I jump to my feet and approach the food counter.
Anna, behind the counter, arches a brow. “More food?”
I nod. “Yeah, pizza please.”
She laughs and dishes me up three slices. “To save you another trip up.”
“Thanks.” I take the plate and return to my friends, who both arch their eyebrows when they see three slices on my plate.
“Did you get us one each?” Nat teases.
I shrug. “Anna dished up three and said she was saving me another trip up.” I grab a slice and shove it into my mouth. “She knows me so well.”
Azira laughs. “Well, enjoy. I’ve got to get to math. I’ll see you in anatomy after?” she says to Nat.
“See you then,” Nat says.
“I’ll see you guys at dinner, since I have a free afternoon.”
Azira frowns. “Lucky bitch.”
I shrug. “Perks of taking torture.”
Azira shudders. “I wonder why we’re even friends.”
Smirking, I take another bite of pizza. “Because I’m the best.”
She rolls her eyes and walks away. “See you losers later.”
Nat glances at me. “What are you doing in the library?”
I shrug. “I’ve got a shit assignment for interrogation due in two days’ time. I need to get it done.”
Nat nods. “Fair enough. It’s weird how we hardly have any classes together except the mandatory ones, isn’t it?”
Nat and I are very different in our skill sets. She’s smart, whereas I’m better physically. Torture, interrogation, assassination classes are all right up my ally, whereas Nat sticks to the brainier subjects like anatomy and Law.
“You’ve got the brains and I’ve got the brawn,” I say.
She nods. “True.”
“We’d make the perfect team.” I wink.
Shaking her head, she nods toward the door out of the cafeteria. “Let’s get going then.”
I stare at my last piece of pizza. “I’m not finished.”
Nat shakes her head. “Surely you don’t have room for that piece?”
I smirk and pick it up, taking a bite.
She pretends to puke. “Honestly, watching you eat makes me full.”
I roll my eyes. “That’s impossible.”
“Not sure it is impossible.”
I stuff the last slice of pizza into my mouth and wash it down with a large gulp of water. “Okay, I’m ready. Let’s go.”