A Rose to Keep (The Society 1)

“I think we’re getting a little ahead of ourselves.”

“Or maybe you need to decide which angle of relationships you want to take.”

The class gave an audible ooh for Sian, and I had to say, I thought I fell in love with her a little bit there. I believed she did that for me, and I was grateful for her to take the attention away.

The bell rang, bringing an end to the class.

“Miss Roberts, I’d like to see you after class.”

“No, you don’t,” Gideon said. “If you’ve got a problem with that, talk to the principal.”

Sian smiled, and I had a feeling we may have surprised her.

Chapter Ten

Sian

“Imagine all of us are your boyfriends.”

William’s words kept ringing inside my head. Throughout classes, lunch, and even into late afternoon classes.

Once the bell rang for the end of the day, I escaped their prying attention by following Heather to the library.

It was the only place we could talk in private. At least I hoped so. I took her hand and led her through to the cult section where no one went. I knew this as it was the place I came to when I wanted to be alone.

“What’s going on? What changed from Friday to Saturday? I heard you moved into their dorm,” Heather said.

We sat down and I told her everything. I hated talking about my parents but rather than tell her about the memories I’d been having or the nightmares, I gave her the facts. If I didn’t do what they wanted, they were going to pull her from the school.

“Sian, you shouldn’t do that. I can figure something out.”

I put my hands on hers. “No. I’m not going to risk it. I know you have a bright future ahead of you and I’m not going to be the person to get in your way. I don’t mind.”

“You’re talking about moving in with four guys.”

“Four gorgeous guys,” I said.

“We both know that’s not what you see.” Heather sighed. “What if I quit? Would that help?”

“No. You’re not quitting. I’ve got a role to play, and until graduation, I’ll play it and nothing bad will happen.”

Heather winced.

“What? You don’t like the plan?”

“It’s not about the plan, I’m more concerned about you.”

“How do you mean?”

“You’re, er, hoping this will be the end of it, I’m guessing?”

“Yeah, why wouldn’t it be?” I asked.

“Sian, your parents are making you live with four guys. They are using your best friend to get you to conform. You don’t think this is going to extend past All Saints?”

“You tell me. You know everything about the selection and all that. Tell me.”

She pursed her lips.

“This isn’t good, is it?” I asked.

“No one has any idea what happens after the selection process. I can’t even find records of one existing.”

I shook my head. “No, this has to be a high school thing. It’s the whole drama. They love it.”

One look at Heather, and I knew deep in my heart, I was fooling myself. I sat down, collapsing against the wall.

“Do you know the weirdest thing of all?” I asked.

“What?”

“I don’t have a single clue as to what my parents wanted me to agree to.” I turned my head to look at Heather. “So far, I live in my own room and I’ve been able to ignore them. They come and sit with me for dinner. They order a lot of takeout. I don’t know what any of it means.”

“The rumor is you serve them, Sian. You’re…”

“Their toy?” I asked.

“I guess. I don’t know. Have you thought to ask them?”

I shook my head. “No. That would be too easy. William told me when you went to the bathroom to think of it as having four boyfriends.”

“So I guess that’s the crux of the thing then?” Heather asked. “You’re their girlfriend, which means sex is part of the deal.”

“I’ve never even kissed a guy,” I said.

“Never?”

“No. Never. Have you?”

She nodded. “Yeah, I’ve kissed a couple of guys.”

I was surprised. “Have you had sex?”

“Yes.”

“How have we never talked about this before?” I asked.

“We don’t talk about those things. We have a connection of minds, Sian. Sex is just a basic, human, physical need.”

I couldn’t believe she’d been kissed and had sex. “What was it like?”

“It was … fine. Nothing I’ve repeated since with a guy.”

“Ah, okay. I heard a girl’s first time is always awful.”

We were silent for a few seconds. Heather moved first, turning toward me. “If you want, I can show you? I could kiss you.”

“Kiss me?”

“Yeah, that way you can know if you want to be kissed or not.”

“We can do that?” I asked.

“Sian, you’re not this dumb. We can do whatever we like.” She slowly reached up and cupped my cheek.

Her hands were slightly calloused. On the weekends, she liked to help out with the gardens or the cleaning staff. She stroked my cheek, and I stared into her eyes, feeling a little silly.