The Original Crowd (A Whole New Crowd 0.50)

“It isn’t? he asked skeptically.

“No, you see Taryn thought it’d be a good idea to practice her climbing skills.”

“On you?” Mr. Martson supplied dryly.

“Yeah, exactly, because you know, I wouldn’t let her fall.”

“Mr. Evans.”

“Yeah?”

“She can un-climb off of you now. Then make sure to take a trip to the principal’s office. You can resume your ‘climbing’ there.”

“I don’t think he’d appreciate that, Mr. Martson,” Tray said seriously.

“Out. Now.”

Tray let me down and I saw more than a few grins behind the teacher’s back.

When we got to the office, Tristan was sitting in the waiting room, looking irritated.

“Hey, guys!” She brightened up, seeing us. “Tray, how are you? I can’t believe you guys missed the entire play-offs. Seriously.”

He shrugged.

I was bored, pissed, and restless.

“Can it, Tristan,” I snapped, pacing.

“You are such a bitch!”

“Please. I’m just callin’ it like I see it.”

“Right…you know what? I am sick and tired of you. I come back from Spain and all I hear about is how great Mandy’s new sister is. She’s so fun and free-spirited. She puts Amber and Jasmine in her place—they’re right, but what they failed to mention was how you couldn’t care one iota about decency. It’s called class and you’ve got none.”

I laughed. “What makes you think I care?”

It pissed her off even more. This was putting me in a much better mood.

“Oh my God…I cannot believe your nerve. You treat Mandy like shit—”

Oh no, bitch.

“No, you treat Mandy like she’s your bitch. Like some little lapdog for you to play with and screw with her mind. You think she’s yours, like you have claim over people—which is why you and Amber don’t like each other. You’re the same, you’re both psychotic narcissists.” I got in her face.

“If anyone’s the—”

“It’s you. Trust me,” I clipped out, staring her down.

“You waltz into town and think it’s yours, but I’ll tell you one thing…I’ve been here a lot longer than you. My family founded this fucking town—”

“Ooh, look at that class. I didn’t know blue-bloods knew what swear words were,” I taunted, sitting back, watching her stumble over her words.

“Oh my God!” Tristan shrieked. “Can you get over yourself?” She turned to Tray and pleaded, “Tray—”

Tray stood up lazily, and remarked, “Why do you think I’m sleeping with her? Couldn’t beat her, so I joined her.” He sent me a private grin, his eyes lustful.

“Holy hell! If I knew this school was this entertaining, I’d have been here a long time ago!” Carter exclaimed, standing in the open-doorway. There were more than a few students behind him, shamelessly listening to the entire exchange.