Fallen Crest High(105)

Nobody really cared, but I guess she had a few friends here. They were saying that wasn't fair to her, but then Mason and Logan's friend, that one that's always around said they could go as well. Everybody shut up after that."

"Mason and Logan didn't say anything?"

"Nah." She shook her head as another yawn came over it. "They'd already gone back to you by then. Oh, and we could hear that girl crying through the door. She should've shut up by then, I mean, you punched someone out for her. She could've been more appreciative."

I shook my head. I had no recollection of any of it. "So how'd we get here?"

"This is your room. You were in there for about thirty minutes and then somehow you snuck out."

"I said that?" I grinned slightly.

She nodded her head with a wide smile as well. "You said something about not needing their protection and you snuck out. I guess Mason and Logan got into some tiff. That's what you told me."

"I said that too?"

"Uh huh." She chuckled. "And then you and I went to the indoor pool. I had no idea it was even there, but you did. No one else was in there. We stayed down there the rest of the night until…that's where my black out starts. I have no idea. I remember drinking and swimming and you lecturing me how we weren't being smart, but we were being fun."

I groaned with my head in my hands. "I don't want to deal with anyone today.

What time is it?"

Becky shrugged, still curled up among the bedcovers. "I'm sure it's time to start packing. Everyone was going to leave after breakfast today."

I swung my heavy head to the side and saw both my bags in the corner. I grunted. "Looks like I'm packed."

Becky snorted before she rolled off the bed. "I gotta find my room. See you in a bit."

"See ya." I waved as she stumbled out the door.

She hadn't been gone long before someone else knocked. I tried to yell for them to come in, but it sounded like a frog's croak so I heaved myself up and opened the door wide. I expected Mason or even Logan, but instead I was in for a surprise.

Miranda Stewart, Fallen Academy's elite queen bee stood at my door.

She gave me a timid smile and brushed a strand of her auburn hair back. I didn't know why, it looked perfect pulled high in a clip with small braids decorating her head. A few wisps were allowed out and it gave her a softer look. Maybe that's what she was going for.

Her emerald eyes sparked in warmth and she folded her hands in front of her.

"Hi, Samantha."

The sound of my full name kicked me in gear. It sounded so formal and it should've. We weren't friends.

"Miranda."

She glanced over my shoulder. "Can I come in or do you have company?"

I chuckled. "Becky just left."

"Oh." She glanced down at her hands. Then she laughed softly. "I realized how that sounded. I didn't mean to imply anything."

I narrowed my eyes. The Miranda Stewart I knew wasn't this self-conscious shy girl. She was tough and smart enough to control the rest of the Academy Elite. She was the brains behind so many operations. I didn't know what I'd done to warrant her attention.

"Well." She took a deep breath. "I'm sure you're wondering why I'm here."

My mouth stayed closed, but I gestured for her to come in. As she perched on the coach, I leaned against my dresser. The bed looked tempting, but I didn't trust myself to stay out of it the rest of the day.