I wake up, get ready for school, applying just a little make up (lip gloss and eyeliner) before getting into black skinny jeans and a red babydoll spaghetti strap. I looked at myself in the mirror and thought— not bad.

It was still early, only 6:30, so I promptly knocked on my father's door and announced behind the closed door that I wouldn't be riding with him today, I would be going with some friends. I made sure not to mention Kit and Tate, it would only provoke my alcoholic father into one of his unreasonable rages.

I text Kit to ask if he could drive me to school today. He texted back within thirty seconds, saying he could and that he'd be there in thirty minutes. That was fast. I was going to have to wait a while so I decided to make myself my own lunch. I decided to make my favorite sandwich— ham and mayonnaise on a bagel bun. Satisfied, I sat down on the living room couch so that I could watch when Kit's car pulled up.

I thought about last night, wondering what the text could mean, and who was sending it. I didn't want to tell anyone about it, it would be bothersome, and maybe it didn't mean anything at all, just someone sending me junk.

His car finally rolled around, well before my father was up. I walked towards his car and got in. Tate was in the passenger seat. He nodded at me and I nodded back, noting that my heart had suddenly accelerated and I could feel my cheeks reddening.

I decided not to tell them about what my dad had said. I didn't want to upset them.

We get to school and Violet greets me with a hug. She's the only one of us that hasn't quite recovered from the shock of Mr. Drake passing away. I comfort her and we head to class, which is Trig. I shared that class with Violet, but sadly, neither Kit or Tate (who probably wouldn't come to class anyway) along with (unfortunately) the jerk Tristan Duffy, hypodermic Sally, and that witch Madison Montgomery.

The class was fairly empty, and me and Violet took our seats in the front so that none of them could bother us. Madison walked in and sneered at me.

"Didn't have daddy drive you to school today, how come?"

"It's none of your business," I replied with a disdainful frown.

She rolled her eyes, "Whatever, loser. You're dad's a total alkie. I mean, you can smell it on him from a mile away." She turned on her pink pumps and took court in the back.

Tristan came to class, looked at me with a lustful sneer and commented on my outfit.

"You look hot today."

"I know." I frowned at him.

Then he leaned forward and I withdrew into my seat. I did not want his face anywhere near mine. He frowned but continued, in a low, ominous voice.

"I'd stay away from the Langdon twins if I were you."

"You told me that yesterday," I hissed.

"I'm just reminding you."

And then he turned away and joined Madison and her clan of witches at the back. I rolled my eyes at him. He was just some pathetic model wannabe that was strangely obsessed with me. I turned to Violet and raised my eyebrows.

"What's he talking about anyway?" I questioned her and she shrugged, "Beats me."

The bell rang and Mr. Donovan appeared. He was pretty good-looking, I had to admit, but he was a teacher and he taught Trig, of all subjects. His hair was gelled back and he smiled welcomingly at the class.

"Pull out your notebooks and take some notes class."

We obliged.

We were twenty minutes into class when Hypodermic Sally slouched into class. Ew, she stunk of ammonia and stale cigarettes. She locked eyes with me and glared dangles into my soul. I shivered, but was determined to look unfazed.

What was that unfriendly gaze for?

"Sally, you're late." Mr. Donovan reprimanded her with a stern frown.

She shrugged. That was all the care she could muster.

Mr. Donovan sighed and looked at the class (most of who were busy passing notes with each other and sniggering) with an expression of exasperation, as if he was wondering why he was forced to put up with students who obviously didn't care about school, succeeding, and personal hygiene. I shared his sentiments. It was hard, trying to connect to an audience of Tristan Duffy, Hypodermic Sally and Madison Bitchgomery.

Mr. Donovan has us get into groups that he chose, and unfortunately I had to be partnered with Hypodermic Sally. I took in as much clean air as I could before Violet moved her seat to join a girl— a cheerleader— whose name we didn't know, other than that people called her the Countess.

I waited for Hypodermic Sally to come over, but three seconds had passed and she didn't make any move to join me, so I sighed, grabbed my books and joined her in the middle row, next to the windows.

She glared at me as I sat down.

"I hate this just as much as you do," I warned her.

"Just don't try to talk to me." She growled.

We start working on problems, which obviously went over Sally's head. She huffed.

"It's not that hard," I told her, trying not to seem smug about it. But she went mad and slapped my binder off my desk.

"Hey!"

"Sorry we're not all fucking academics." She spat. And then, under her breath, muttered, "fucking rich girl!"

I looked at her in shock.

"What makes you think that?"

She rolled her eyes at me, I was all too aware of the entire class becoming quiet and trying to listen to our conversation. My ears reddened.

"What makes me think that?" She cackled, loudly, obviously aware of our audience. "You live in the wealthiest part of the neighbourhood, behind those pearly gates of yours, and your house has at least 5 bedrooms, is at least four stories high, and you've got such such expensive clothes."

I looked at her again, in shock.

My face paled.

"H-how do you know?" I whispered.

"Please, me and Tate spent nearly all of last year scouting your house. Not as well guarded as it seems," She smirked.

I gasped. Tate? Me and Tate?

"W-what do you mean?"

She frowned this time, looking slightly put off.

"Hm… Tate never mentioned me?" She asked, quietly.

"No. Never." I clarified for her.

Her pale face turned sour and she abruptly turned away from me, "that's so typical of him."

sorry this took a while to upload, but i hope it was worth the wait. reviews would be appreciated!

I shook my head, my head swimming with questions. What were they scouting my house for? Did my dad know? My house was secure and came with a sensor that would alarm if any intruder was detected. It hadn't gone off— ever.

I tried to calm myself down and tried to return to working through the math problems, alone, but it was no use. I couldn't help shake off the feeling that someone was watching me. I couldn't stand it and turned to look out the window to distract myself.

My breath caught.

Tate was outside, watching us… watching me… from the quad.