Page 15 of Disobedient Pawn

“The beef is really good today.”

“Okay, I’ll take that, please.”

“I know a different meal ya can have if you’re wanting real meat.” I’d recognize that whispered voice anywhere. I didn’t bother to look, knowing it was Myles.

“Sorry, I’m not into cold, limp sausage,” I said, stepping forward as the next person moved.

“Ohhhh damn, you’re right. She does have attitude.” I didn’t bother to look at who the newcomer was. I just wanted to get my food, eat, study, and finish setting up my room. Was that really too much to ask?

“Aye, I love it,” Myles said, and I wanted to smack myself.

“Of course you would,” I mumbled under my breath.

Another hot jock walked around me and blocked my path, moving with me when I went to step around him. I tried a few more times and had to stop as we looked like we were dancing and drawing stares. I crossed my arms over my chest and glared at the guy. He was taller than Myles with broad shoulders, striking bright green eyes, wavy, blond hair that stopped at his jaw, and deeply tanned skin. He looked like he had just stepped off a beach somewhere and should be holding a surfboard under his arm.

“Do you mind? I’d like to get my food,” I said.

“Nope, I don’t mind. My name’s Blake O’Brien,” he said like that was supposed to mean something to me.

“Congratulations, now can you move?” Myles draped his arm over my shoulders, and I turned my glare on him. “Haven’t I already told you not to touch me?”

I tried to move away, but he gripped my shoulder tighter. “Aw, don’t be like that, Snowflake. We’re just wanting to be friends.”

“Snowflake? Like I haven’t heard that before.” I jerked away from Myles's hold and ducked around Blake before he could block me again. I know Myles didn’t know my past, but the nickname poked at me and scratched at a wound that was still raw. The other kids I went to school with weren’t the most understanding when my hair turned white and silver like I’d aged overnight. It was apparently called Marie Antoinette Syndrome, and my hair would never be dark again.

“What’s the matter? Don’t you like us?” Blake said as he stepped up beside me. I suddenly felt penned in with Myles behind me and the food counter on my other side.

The guy standing in front of me looked over his shoulder. For a brief second, I thought he might help as his eyes narrowed and his mouth opened, but as soon as he saw who was bugging me, he snapped his mouth shut and turned around.

Great. These are the assholes of the school.

That told me all I needed to know about who I was dealing with. My eyes flicked up to Betty, who seemed oblivious as she finished getting my plate. Guess I was on my own. Some things never changed.

“I don’t know you, and unlike whoever else you’re used to dealing with, I don’t want to get to know you to find out,” I said. Grabbing a tray from the stack, I held it out to Betty as she put the plate of food and the little dipping sauce on my tray for me.

“Drinks, fruit, and desserts are down that way, dear.” Betty pointed and then left to help the next person.

“That’s not very nice. We’re sweet guys,” Myles said as he leaned in close enough that I could smell his cologne and feel his body heat pressing into my back. It made me shiver, and the hair stood on the back of my neck. I didn’t like having either reaction to him.

I was tempted to whip around and hit him with the tray, but two Dean’s Office visits on the first day seemed like a lot, even for me.

I reached the end of the counter where I could get my drink, and the moment my hand left the tray to slide open the fridge door, it was stolen from my hands.

“Hey,” I growled, grabbing a bottle of water.

“If ya want yer food, then yer going to need to come sit with us.” Myles smiled as Blake picked fries off my plate and stuffed them in his mouth. They walked away toward a group sitting in the furthest corner with three other guys I hadn’t met, but one was very obviously Blake’s twin. The only differences between them was a shorter hair cut and the cool, serious stare his brother held.

Vicky, Raquel, and two other girls I could only assume were the rest of her mean-girl clique were also sitting at the table. Vicky was on one guy’s lap. He was the most intense of them all. His blue eyes midnight black hair, and dark glare made it feel like he was trying to reach in and rip out my soul. The scar that ran along his cheek made him look rugged and sexy, adding to the feeling that he could rip out my heart and eat it for dinner.

They were all staring at me like I was their entertainment and were waiting for me to blow my stack or maybe run out of here crying.

I was pissed but couldn’t be bothered making a larger scene. Screw them. I wasn’t playing their game. Besides, the guy sitting in the corner made me shiver with his intensity and what could only be described as a murderous glare. His bright, blue eyes tracked me as I moved like we were predator and prey out in the wild and my stomach twisted into a tidy knot.

Sighing, I looked at the line that was now three times the length it had been when I walked in.

“Screw it,” I mumbled and opened the fridge again to grab one of the small yogurts, then wandered over to the table with an assortment of fruit. I picked an apple and didn’t spare them another look as I walked to Ivy and Chantry’s table.

“Hi, Ren,” Ivy waved happily, her face beaming as I got close.