Ever After (East Raven Academy Book 1)(5)

I wish I could think of something cool to say back, but I’m lame.

Teagan is talking to the other two boys and laughing about something. I wish I could be carefree like her.

My phone vibrates, so I pull it out.

I love cell phones. Mostly because of situations like this. Where I’m surrounded by people I don’t know, and I have no clue what to say. Being social is hard.





CHARLIE: What could I do that would get me in enough trouble that my dad would send me to school with you?





“Is Charlie your boyfriend?” Estaine asks, looking at my phone.

I lock my screen so he can’t see the texts. I have no idea what else Charlie and I have texted to each other, but just in case, I don’t need him to see anything he shouldn’t see. “Snoop much?”

“Just curious.”

“Charlie is my brother. Stepbrother. His dad married...” I stop abruptly.

Crap.

I’m not supposed to have a stepbrother. Just an uncle and a cousin.

“It’s good you get along,” Estaine says.

I smile, and try not to look like I’m freaking out, but I am. I’m freaking out badly. Uncle Matty and Jake are going to kill me.

Maybe I won’t have to tell them. Maybe I can just pretend I never spoke a word about Charlie, and then lie my way out of the situation, if I have to.

Yeah, that will work.

The lights dim slightly as a middle aged man steps up to the podium. I recognize the guy as Derek Raven. He is the dean of the school, and also one of the few people in this place who knows my real identity. He is the one who approved me coming.

“Welcome back to East Raven Academy,” he says. “Or, if you’re new, welcome. We here at East Raven Academy take pride in our values and traditions. Our school is home to...”

Estaine distracts me from the speech. “We’re all hanging out at the docks after curfew tonight. You should come and hang.”

“After curfew?” I ask. “How do I get out after curfew?”

“The window,” he answers. “Teagan can help you. She’s been sneaking out for two years now.”

“Right,” I say.

I pick up on the last of what the dean says.

“…fire marshal.”

Fire marshal?

Oh, my gosh. What kind of school am I going to? Seriously.

I look at Estaine. “Did somebody set fire to the school?”

“Yeah, it’s a long story,” he says. “But basically, when I was a freshman, a bunch of the senior guys decided to put a few bottle rockets in the fireplace in the guy’s dorm. It was epic.”

Well, maybe my original idea of wanting to pretend to be an arsonist isn’t as bad as what Uncle Matty made it out to be. I could come up with a story way more epic than bottle rockets.

“You guys are crazy.”

“Crazy brilliant,” he says. “But they check out dorms more often, now. I think they’re worried somebody will bring fireworks again.”

“I bet.”





4pm.


The details aren’t important.





After orientation, I decide to text Charlie back. We have a couple of hours until dinner, and Teagan is taking a nap. I’m too wired to sleep.





ME: Pretty sure you could light your school on fire and your father would find a way to get you out of trouble.





What is up with me and fire today?





CHARLIE: You’re probably right. It’s rough being the only child ;)... really, the only child now that you’re gone.

CHARLIE: How goes it?





ME: I’m in purgatory, aka, prep school. How do you THINK it goes?





CHARLIE: Your optimism never ceases to amaze me.





Funny. Earlier Teagan called me optimistic.

I think Charlie disagrees.





ME: Excuse me, for not being all sunshine and rainbows. I was kind of sent here against my will.





CHARLIE: Feel sorry for me. I’m here without you.





ME: Yes. Let’s feel sorry for you. You have freedom. Friends. And the Pacific Ocean out your back door. Me, what do I have? Rules. A curfew. Walls to keep me inside. Zero friends. And a FANTASTIC view of some trees. I see your point.





CHARLIE: LOL. Cheer up, buttercup. It’ll get better. I promise.





ME: I doubt that, but thanks.

ME: I miss you.





CHARLIE: I miss you, more.





I highly doubt that.

I put my phone down, not wanting to text anymore. It’s making me depressed.

My phone starts vibrating and I look down to see who is calling.





Estaine Rinaldi.





How do I even have his number?

“Hello,” I answer, trying to keep my voice low so I don’t wake up Teagan.

“Phoenix, hey,” Estaine says.

“How did you get my number? And better yet, how did your contact info get into my phone?”