The Original Crowd (A Whole New Crowd 0.50)

She fell silent.

“And because you’re just…off. There’s something about you. I don’t know what it is, but you’re just…off.”

“You don’t like me because something’s ‘off’ with me?” Tristan asked incredulously.

“Yeah.” It made perfect sense to me.

“I…that’s not fair. It’s just not…logical,” she cried out.

“You have your logic and I have mine. I’m sticking to mine,” I retorted.

Tristan looked flabbergasted. I liked that word—flabbergasted—it’s a good word.

I grinned, rocking on my heels. “Anything else?”

“I was hoping we could be friends. Mandy’s one of my best friends and I’m transferring to Rawley High next week. I’m going to be around a lot more.”

I laughed. “Trust me. I’d be in a shit load of trouble if I had to like all of Mandy’s friends.”

“I don’t think you’re taking this seriously,” she began stiffly.

I laughed again and rolled my eyes. “What do you want me to take serious? I don’t trust you. Generally, people who I don’t feel I can trust, end up people I don’t like. I’m not going to change my mind. I can handle you being Mandy’s friend. Don’t worry, I don’t like Amber, Jasmine or Devon.”

“But, I—” she argued, at a loss for words.

“If you really want to be friends with me, just be nice to

Mandy. It’ll happen then. Prove me wrong, if it’s that important to you.”

I left, leaving the confused blue-blood behind me.

In the hallway, I saw Tray poking at some of the plants in the foyer.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

He grabbed my hand and pulled me closer. “I put one of the guns in here. I need to find it and put it back in the safe. Can you distract everyone?”

“Me? I don’t talk to those people.”

“Just…take ‘em downstairs or something. Or you can find the gun and put it back.”

I grinned. “Actually, I could, you know. It’s one of these mad skills I have.” I laughed, savoring the moment with him.

“Shut up,” he said harshly, but I heard the laughter in his voice.

“Fine,” I murmured, seeing Tristan move into the kitchen, but not before sending a frown our way. “I’ll figure out something.”

“It won’t take long.”

“Better not,” I murmured, “or I’m likely to kill someone as part of the distraction.

“No killing my friends,” he shot back as I left for the kitchen.

I flicked him off behind my back.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

I suggested hanging out by the pool and everyone agreed. It worked as a perfect distraction. Turns out the best way to nurse a hang-over is to lounge around in the sun and either drink water or more alcohol. Go figure.