Zodiac Academy: The Awakening (Supernatural Beasts and Bullies #1)(79)

I couldn't resist the urge to look and found Geraldine pressed up against the window, her hands cupped around her eyes so she could see in.

I looked away again and Tory stole a glance over her menu. “Shit.”

“What?” I whispered, staring resolutely forward.

“She's coming in,” Tory said through her teeth.

I fought a groan as Geraldine appeared, grinning from ear to ear as she pranced across the restaurant to our table. “Well bless my cream crackers! I thought you were staying at The Orb?” She looked between us, ignoring Sofia, her face plastered with confusion.

“We changed our minds,” I said innocently.

“Oh.” Her confusion melted into a bright smile. “Well why didn't you call me?” She dropped into Diego's chair, placing her paper bag on the table. “You're going to love these, I just got them made.”

She tipped the bag up and a pile of sparkly silver badges fell onto the table with the letters A.S.S inscribed on them in black. Holy...shit. Does she not realise what that spells? Is she actually going to walk around campus with one of them on!?

“They're for the Almighty Sovereign Society – aren't they just the gnat’s pyjamas?!” Geraldine leaned right across the table, pinning one on Sofia's dress before she could refuse. Sofia gazed at it in abject horror and I drowned my laughter by taking a sip of my drink.

“Wonderful,” Tory said dryly but if Geraldine noticed her sarcasm, she didn't let it show.

My gut sank as Geraldine pinned one onto her denim jacket and started dancing in her chair.

If the Heirs see those they're gonna rip her apart.

“Um Geraldine,” I said gently, feeling it was my duty to save her from a host of abuse at the Academy.

“Yes?” she asked brightly, shimmying her shoulders back and forth so the badge caught the light as she admired it.

“It’s just...that acronym, it kinda spells ass.”

Tory snorted into her drink.

Geraldine stared at me for a long moment and I wasn’t sure if she was about to flip out. Laughter erupted from her throat and she petted my arm. “Don’t be ridiculous! No one but you would have noticed that, Darcy.” She shook her head at me as if I was so amusing and my heart floated down to the base of my stomach.

Well I tried.

Diego returned with four bright green shots and frowned as he spotted Geraldine in his seat. She lifted a hand as if to take one of the shots and he moved them out of her reach.

“Isn't that your gang out there?” he asked, nodding to the window.

Geraldine wheeled around then gasped as she spotted a bunch of the royal supporters walking up the street.

“Oh sweet raisin bran!” She gathered the badges into her bag, practically panting as she leapt from her seat then curtsied at us. “Your majesties, forgive me but I must go.”

“You're forgiven,” Tory said brightly.

Geraldine checked her watch. “I can be back in one hour! Then we can all go dancing together.” Geraldine shot out of the restaurant before anyone could reply, waving her bag at the group in excitement. I watched for one gut-churning second as they all pinned the ass badges onto their chests.

“Asses,” I breathed in horror. “They’re a group of asses and they don’t seem to realise it.”

“Oh man I can’t wait for the Heirs see those.” Tory started laughing.

“Tory,” I snorted. “You can’t say that.”

“At least it will get the attention off of us for five minutes.” Her laughter descended into fits and I pressed a hand to my mouth as I tried to stifle my own.

Sofia took hers off and placed it on the table with a giggle. “Sorry guys, I won’t be an ass member no matter how much I love you both.

Diego dropped into his seat with a sigh of relief. “Who needs a drink?”

“I do.” Sofia leaned forward, grabbing a shot and swallowing it in one. Before we could lay a hand on the rest of them, she downed them all in quick succession with a wild laugh.

“Sofia!” Diego gasped.

I stared at her in surprise. She was usually so quiet, what had gotten into her?

“Sofia's a secret party girl,” Tory jibed as Sofia tossed a lock of hair out of her face with a shrug.

“I wouldn't say that, but I can handle my drink,” she said with a coy smile and Diego stared at her with a frown.

I grinned, rising from my seat. “I'll get us some more.”

The others nodded keenly and I headed to the bar, moving into the only free gap which unfortunately placed me behind Orion and his date. I was one percent curious about what they were saying and couldn't help but strain my ears as the woman leant in to speak with him.

“It's all moving so fast. We should do something about it tonight.”

She squeezed his arm and I tried my best not to hate her.

She's on a date with a hot guy, why wouldn't she want to jump him?

Orion cocked his head. “No. It's too soon. We have to wait.”

My eyebrows arched. Did this asshole actually have an ounce of gentleman in him?

“It will get out of control, Orion. It has to be tonight. I can't wait any longer,” she begged.

Woah, desperate much?

“That's not what we planned,” Orion hissed. “If we try to kill them now we'll draw attention to ourselves.”