ght there with you,” I say in response and her head snaps up as she stares at me slack jawed.
“Don’t be absurd, you have your sister to worry about.”
“She’s out there, you’re in here. I’ll choose who to worry about myself,” I say as I stand back up and hold out my hand.
“Come on Caitlyn, don’t give up because you think I have you beat.” Luckily she must agree with me because she starts getting ready and we soon head down to the mess hall side by side. Me with my pale skin and pure white hair and Caitlyn with her caramel complexion and black hair pulled into a French braid. Polar opposites to look at, but I think we may have a friendship that even this place can’t break.
We claim our food and I don’t miss the way everyone is staring at the last Zeros, no one wants to lose their place to us and I doubt very few are worried about it. My eyes drag over the guys table and I see at least a few of them looking back. Aeron, Tom, Scott and Shane. Two of them make bile rise in my throat while the other two heat me up from the inside. A visceral reaction and something I won’t give into, not off my own back. I won’t become like Carly to get my place, I just have to hope that I can do something in the next twenty-four hours.
I place my plate on the table when a shadow passes across me and I look up into a pair of steel-grey eyes, I think his name is Sam and he has his arm wrapped around Tracey or Six as we now know her.
“What are you doing baby, I thought you were hungry?” She pouts, trying to come off sexy, but to me she just looks desperate.
“I want a Zero,” he replies simply, his eyes flicking between the two of us.
His eyes are the same as Scott’s but his hair is jet black and his complexion is paler, but nowhere near as pale as me. He has definition in his arms, but he doesn’t look like a gym fanatic. He’s cute, but there’s something about him that fails to impress, not that my opinion means a damn thing to any of these bastards.
“Baby, why have a cheeseburger when you already have a steak? There isn’t anything a damn virgin can do that I can’t,” she tosses her iron straight hair over her shoulder and he stares her down, pushing her away from him.
“The problem with choosing to fuck you Six, is you’ve had so much cock in that pussy of yours I couldn’t even feel you fucking tighten around me. Maybe I should have gone with a virgin all along. Come Zero, I’m in the mood to teach you a few things,” his words come out matter of fact, as though this is a business transaction. My stomach roils but I stand anyway only to have his hand fall on my shoulder and push me back down.
“Not you, her,” he jerks his chin at Caitlyn and she swallows hard before rising to her feet and going to his side.
“Find someone else to fuck Six,” he shoots out, dismissing her that easily as his arm snakes around Caitlyn’s waist and he leads her away.
“She won’t be taking my number,” Tracey shrieks as Five and Seven come over to comfort her. What a joke, she’s showing her weakness and these guys will waste no time in exploiting it.
I look down at my French toast and my appetite is shot, so I pick my plate up and discard my food in the trash before I turn around and slam into a chest.
I look up to see Shane and his sly smile sends ice shooting down my spine, his hand goes to the top of my arm and he squeezes hard enough to make me wince.
“Poor little Zero, the last to be chosen. Well don’t worry, the offer still stands. I’ll fuck you and give you enough money to help you get back home when the day is over,” he brings his head close to me before running his tongue up the side of my face. I cringe and try to pull away which earns me a backhand to the face, sending me sprawling to the floor.
He stands over me and says, “times running out Zero, and I will fucking have you. Dirty fucking charity case, recoiling at my touch,” he comes closer, spittle flies from his mouth and coats me before he stands tall and walks away.
I lift my head to see Aeron standing at their table, looking at me. He doesn’t come over, why would he? But I swear I can see something that may resemble confliction pass over his face. At the end of the day though, I’m nothing. No one will defend me or my honor, I won’t find a knight here, I’ll only find villains.
I’ve gotten to know Liam quite well over these last few weeks and when he wraps his arms around me as I explain what Shane did, I don’t push him away.
His fingers trail over my cheek, his touch stinging from the mark that has been left in its wake.
“I’m sorry this is happening to you Luna, you don’t deserve it,” he says as his eyes return to mine, and it isn’t lost on me that the only guy in this place I genuinely like is off limits. It doesn’t really matter, it isn’t like I see him in that light, I just think it’s ironic.
I place my hand on his wrist and pull his hand away from my face, before stepping back and putting some distance between us.
“Luna, if you’re still here tomorrow can I take you somewhere? It will have to be once everyone has gone to bed, but I’d love to show you something,” he stares at me and I nod my head in agreement, even though I know this is my last day.
“Sure. You know I’m glad I stumbled upon you that day. It’s been nice having a friend.”
“I’m glad too, I’m only here for like six months anyway but I’m glad I got to meet you and spend it with you. You are much too good for this place Luna and for the men here,” his soft eyes harden and a darkness I haven’t seen before seems to take hold of him.
“I don’t think they’re all bad, I mean none of them are great but they have their moments. I can’t speak for the Prince as I haven’t met him yet, but I don’t take much stock in rumors,” it falls out easily and I really need to remember to watch what I say. Yeah, I like Liam but he works here, how do I know he isn’t repeating what I say to the Harkwrights themselves.
“Rumors are there for a reason, don’t trust anyone and believe me none of the guys are good. Especially the Prince,” his tone turns deeper, and he sounds like a completely different person as the word ‘prince’ comes out on a growl. I step back even further and he looks away before turning to the door and leaving. He doesn’t even say goodbye.
Waiting a few minutes before leaving the room, I don’t really know what to do with myself and I somehow find myself outside strolling through the gardens. I don’t even know why I’m out here, but there’s no point going back in just yet. The sun is beating down on my bare skin and it feels nice, almost soothing.
I walk down the stone path, looking at the topiaries and flowers that are bordering it, and I spy a pond with a water feature spilling into it. Stepping closer to get a better look, I see a girl straddling someone’s lap. I step back but my heel gets stuck on one of the stones and I fall, landing hard on my backside.