Reckless Souls (Saints Academy, #1)(46)
mine and starts to move us toward the stairs.
“Maybe I do,” he responds quietly, his eyes widening slightly like his words surprised him too,
but what catches me more off guard is the fact that he doesn’t pull his gaze from mine. Not even when
one of the guys snorts a chuckle behind him. If anything, it’s like he’s trying to dig deeper into my
soul, and I struggle to even blink, never mind look away.
Harmonia continues to pull me along, the twins right behind us, and I almost trip up the first step
which finally releases me from his stare. No one else utters a word, the guys seemingly leaving as we
all pile into Harmonia’s room.
The layout is exactly like mine, only the walls are a pale dusky pink with gray touches. It suits her
perfectly. She has an abundance of throw pillows across her bed, which makes me smirk because of
Xander’s comment, with a variety of snacks covering the surface of her desk.
“Have we decided on a movie?” I ask, and Cassandra claps her hands in excitement.
“The latest George Freeman movie just went live on Flix, I vote we watch that. I want all the
action, hotness, and overall drool worthy scenes, which we know are a sure thing whenever he’s in a
movie,” she says, and I nod in agreement.
It’s strange how comfortable it is to be here with them, relaxing and letting my guard down a little
as we fall into random conversations, bonding over the movie. The film surprisingly holds my interest
as the girls mumble while simultaneously stuffing their faces with popcorn and candy.
“What’s everyone’s plans for Christmas?” Harmonia asks, tossing popcorn in her mouth without
lifting her gaze from the television.
“Christmas? That feels like ages away,” I state. It's only just the beginning of November now.
“Yeah, but you have to have plans. My parents mentioned taking me to the god-made ski resort
this year. My older sister and her partner are going and they want to enjoy some family time before
we all start to drift apart with our own lives,” she explains. That sounds amazing, to have a family to
care for you like that. To want to make memories, no matter what they look like.
“We’re just going home. Our extended family is huge, so everyone gathers to celebrate before the
new year begins,” Cassandra explains, and another mention of family has me recoiling inside.
Three sets of eyes glimpse at me, waiting for me to divulge my plans. Clearing my throat, I
uncross and recross my legs as I lace my fingers together in my lap. “I’m going to stay here,” I state
casually, watching as horror washes over each of their faces. A rock forms in the pit of my stomach.
Even though I’m not ashamed to not have family, it’s always an uncomfortable conversation.
“No way, you can come with me,” they all call out, pleading expressions on their faces that say
we won’t abandon you here, and I smile the most natural one I think I ever have.
“Honestly, that’s sweet, you guys, but I really do prefer to be alone. Especially at the minute, my
life has changed so much. I think it would be good for me to stay while everyone else goes on break,
give myself a rest from peopling,” I state, ready for them to push back again, but to my surprise, they
all nod in understanding.
“Whatever you want, girl, we’re here to support you,” Cassandra says, tucking her hair behind her
ear before turning back to the television, and I release a breath of relief when the subject is dropped,
making me even more certain that I chose the best group of friends for me. It’s comforting not being
judged for wanting to be alone. I always find it is rare to find people who let you just be you.
“Are we going to talk about the eyes Xander was clearly giving our girl,” Thalia murmurs,
grinning as she glances at me from the corner of her eyes, and I fake glare at her as the others smirk.
“Just Xander? The rest too. Those boys have been trying to help her with anything and everything
all week, and all she has done is knock them back time and time again. Miss Independent over here
don’t need no man, am I right?” Harmonia says with a sassy click of her fingers, and the rest of us fall
back with laughter.
“Listen, I know they’re hot, fuck, hotter than hot, but I literally walked in on my boyfriend fucking
another woman days before I came here,” I state, watching their jaws drop as I continue. “I wasn’t as
sad over it as I probably should have been, but I slashed his tires, only to later find out he had lied to
me about who he was.” Rubbing my lips together, I sigh. “I just need a minute to be me, and find what
my happiness looks like, wherever that may be. If we were playing a game of fuck, marry, kill right
now, all four of them would fight for the fuck spot for sure, but I have to see these guys around the
Academy and in my living space for the next three years. I’ve made enough mistakes in my past, I
don’t need to make anymore if I can help it.”
Silence falls over us for a beat, each of my new friends searching my gaze as I just spewed all my