A/N Welcome back to WG, hope you're having a great start to the week. I know you have lots of questions, I promise everything will be revealed in time ;) Thank you so much for all the reviews, follows and favorites, I love hearing what you're thinking ❤️

The WG team is amazing - Frannie is a rockstar for beta'ing me, I couldn't do it without her – and Pearly and Kate are keeping me sane with their feedback. Thank you ladies – you're awesome.

P.S I've meddled with this since, so any mistakes you see are mine :)

Chapter Four: White Lies and White Lines

Bella

xXx

The Dining Hall at St. Xavier's is a cornucopia of secrets, gossip, and lies served fresh with gourmet food made by the head chef at the Delilah. Today it's sushi, neatly arranged on slate tablets, the long rectangular, oak tables dotted with miniature bowls of wasabi and soy sauce. All the children of New York's elite, the celebrities, rich businessmen, foreign royalty, if we're not sent to boarding school, we're here.

My chopsticks click on the slate as I pop a salmon roll into my mouth, the flavors exploding on my tongue and making me hum happily. I chew and then swallow, turning to Ben.

"I'll do it for 550," I tell him. His eyes widen in surprise, his eyebrows knitting together.

"550? You're fucking joking! It's only the size of a fucking coin."

I shrug. "That's how much it costs," and he can easily afford it; his father made number one in Forbes last year. Ben crosses his arms on the table with a huff, and I turn away from him, winking at Jasper, who's opposite me.

He gives me a cheeky smile, his blue eyes burning with an intensity that screams of white lines, his pupils wide and dilated. Rose brought blow in today and handed it out to anyone who wanted it in our group. She doesn't charge, there's no need; she has enough money in her trust to never work a day in her life. Besides, she got it for free; there's always plenty of drugs at home. Lilian Hale is the mascot for high-functioning addicts.

I didn't partake. I'm not in the mood. Masen hasn't reacted once to me this week, and it's pissing me off. After what happened a few weeks ago, when he flew off the handle quite literally, I was sure I almost had him, but since then, he's been acting completely unfazed by me.

This week I'm leveling up. So far, I've been cautious with touching him - even though I think it's the way to break him - but I'm letting go of that stupid morality now. I need him to break, I need him to quit, and if I have to be a fucking psycho to do it, then I will. The fact my father seems to like Masen will only make it sweeter.

I meet Rose's eyes across the Dining Hall and stick my tongue out. She flicks her eyes to the Russian twins, Ivonne and Tanya, chatting excitedly next to her, then makes a face. I laugh under my breath. The Denali's are Rose's dad's investors, and he likes her to play nice, at least a couple of times a week.

Layers and layers, he always says.

A warm hand lands on my bare thigh, sending a jolt through my body, and I cock my head at Jasper, smirking. His school tie is a little loose around his neck and lopsided in a way that makes me want to grab it and fix it, maybe pull him towards me by it and kiss the fuck out of him. The sun is bouncing off his platinum hair, his cerulean blue eyes sparkling in the light. We've been flirting around with each other the past several weeks, ever since he broke up with his long-distance girlfriend, Ashley. Jasper's only been here six months, dragged to New York with his celebrity parents from LA. He's always been off-limits, but now he's single, and he wants to fuck. I might let him; god knows he's gorgeous, though it's not just me he's interested in.

I flick my eyes to his right, where Cilian is drumming his long fingers on the table, his pale blue eyes fixed on his phone as he scrolls with his other hand. He glances up at me as if he can feel my stare and winks.

With his light brown hair, pale skin, and the smattering of freckles across his nose, Cilian is nothing short of beautiful, but I've been there and done that already.

And I have several of his T-shirts.

He grins at me, his blue eyes sparkling, and I grin back. I know every single inch of him, like the back of my hand, he was the first person to ever touch me, and we've been messing around with each other ever since.

"Oh, fine." Ben finally sighs next to me. "When can you do it?"

I shrug, glancing at him. "Tomorrow, does that work?"

"Nah, I've got lacrosse." Ben shrugs. "Friday?"

Jasper's hand slips higher up my bare leg, and I shiver at the feel of his warm fingers on my skin. His blue eyes smolder into mine, and I part my thighs a little. Jasper's lips curve up, and he squeezes his hand gently.

"Sure," I say, a little breathless. "Friday is good."

Jasper grins, his hand leaving my thigh as he runs it through his short blonde hair. "We gonna hang out this weekend, Bella?" he asks, rolling my name with his tongue.

I smirk. "Nah, maybe next week."

Jasper laughs and bites his bottom lip. "You say that every week."

"Hmm, and I might even say it next week too," I smirk, grabbing my bag and standing. "I've got a free. I'm gonna go to the art room and take the back before anyone else tries to."

A chorus of bye's fly from the table, and I walk off with an extra sway in my hips, knowing Jasper's watching.

The art room is on the top floor of the school; vaulted ceilings rise to peaks in the center, flat wooden beams crisscrossing underneath. It smells like fresh paint and lavender, courtesy of the artist in residence this month, Jackie Carter. She teaches us a couple of times a week, though the lessons are more about how great she is than about art itself. Jackie figured out quickly I wasn't interested in her and allows me to sit at the back and do my own thing.

Most teachers here know their place - that we rule the school - though some love to rock the boat. It doesn't matter; you'd have to do something really bad to actually get expelled. Normally parents throw money at the board or the Headmaster until the whole thing is swept under the rug. Elite schools in Manhattan thrive on rich kids fucking up.

Today, there are no art classes, and luckily, it's deserted here. The oak wooden floor is smattered with flecks of orange light, the sun spilling through the rectangular windows that span the south wall. I go to my usual spot at the back and take out my sketchbook, placing a headphone in one ear as I draw. I've been sketching the same thing for the past three weeks. It always starts well, but then I get to the end, and something is missing.

The center of the image is a fox, but it has no edges, the fur blurring into different shapes. Some are just colors, arching up; others are tiny flowers; in one section, smoke rises and creates a black shadow, tiny stars dotted inside. It looks the same every time I draw it, no matter where I start.

My mom used to call it echoing. She said when you get a vision in your head for something, it leaves an imprint in your mind, echoes, and every time you take your pen to paper, the echoes guide your hand.

I feel a sharp ache under my ribs, and I swallow, dropping the pencil.

It rolls across the floor, its wooden body making a whirring noise as it spins. I close my eyes breathing in and out slowly.

I hear footsteps in front of me, the sound of the pencil stopping suddenly.

"You dropped this." I open my eyes and see a student I don't recognize, dark black hair falling into his warm brown eyes. He's attractive, incredibly attractive, and I swallow, reaching out to take my pencil from him. Something about him is strangely familiar, and I tilt my head in confusion.

He raises an eyebrow, smiling. "You don't remember me, Bella?"

I search his eyes and scrunch my face up. "I recognize you, but...no fucking idea who you are," I say truthfully.

He chuckles, "Always so blunt weren't you, Cygnet."

My eyes widen; there are only a few people who call me that and those eyes...

"Holy shit...Alec Marquez?"

Alec winks, "You know, my dad only has one eye because of yours."

"You know my dad got shot seven times by yours." I retort, arching a brow.

"Bygones." Alec holds his arms out to me.

I laugh and step into his hug. Alec's been abroad since we were thirteen, but before that, we were inseparable. Our fathers used to be best friends, back before there was a crown to covet. Because of their history, they despise each other now, but I'm glad to see Alec isn't holding a grudge. He's not his father, and I'm not mine.

Civility amongst the children of the five is expected, especially those of us who aren't yet in the Mafia. Of course, it'd be different if we were at war. Family always comes first, even if I hate mine.

I pull back out of his arms, "I thought you were in Switzerland."

Alec hums, "Got kicked out of Switzerland. Dad had to pull a fuckton of strings to get me in here."

I snort, "How'd you get kicked out?"

"Apparently, having three naked girls in your room isn't allowed," he says innocently.

I grin at him, "You always were greedy."

Alec chuckles, "Indeed, Cygnet." His expression suddenly becomes serious, "hey ... I was really sorry to hear about your mom."

My throat closes, and I nod at him, a weight suddenly pressing against my chest.

Alec nods back, placing a hand at the back of his neck. "So... you still draw?"

I look around the room and then give him a pointed look.

Alec smirks, "Okay, you're in the art room; of course, you fucking draw."

"I'm assuming you still draw too?"

"Paint." He corrects, lifting a hand covered in tiny splatters of color. "What mediums do you use?"

"I sketch mainly, and I...do tattoos," I tell him, lowering my voice slightly.

Alec gives me a soft smile, his brown eyes flickering with emotion, "Just like your mom, huh." I nod, looking down at the floor. "Truly, Cygnet, I'm sorry." He murmurs, placing a warm hand on my lower back. "I should have texted or...something."

I shrug, "Our families weren't exactly speaking at the time."

Alec hums, "I know. We were sad to hear what happened, though."

A scoff falls from my lips, "I'm sure."

"It was a sel-"

"Don't you fucking dare," I say sharply, cutting him off.

Alec swallows, "Fuck, I'm sorry, Cygnet."

"I have to go," I tell him, grabbing my stuff and throwing it into my rucksack.

"Bella-"

"Only my friends call me Bella," I say stiffly, turning on my heel and walking out the room.

xXx

I text Rose to meet me in the bathroom, and she holds up the bag of white powder. I take it from her, putting a little on my finger and taking a bump.

"Fuck." I laugh, rubbing my nose with the back of my hand.

"Keep it," Rose mutters.

I knock my hip with hers. "You want to stay over tonight?"

Rose shakes her head, her cheeks flushing. "I don't want to run into Emmett."

I snort, "He barely stays at the townhouse. He's almost always at my dad's penthouse; they work late into the night a lot."

And I'm abandoned, just like always. Charlie says it's for my protection, that he almost certainly has a hit on him, and it's safer for us to be separated, but I know the truth. He just doesn't give a fuck. He doesn't give a fuck about me, and he never gave a fuck about her either.

"I'm still so embarrassed, Bella." Rose groans. "I tried to hump his leg; it's humiliating."

"You were high." I say casually, "he doesn't give a fuck."

Rose sighs, "That's the problem. Why doesn't he? I'm hot, right?"

I grin at her. "You're beautiful, Rose, but you're also sweet and kind and innocent; Emmett tends to associate with women just as depraved as he is."

"I humped his leg Bella, how innocent can I be." Rose snaps.

"You've never had sex." I point out.

"Well, we haven't all been screwing Cilian since eighth grade."

I shrug. "Sex was never a big deal to me; you know that. It's different for you, Rose; it means something. There's a reason why I've never had a boyfriend; sex is just sex to me; I don't feel any of that lovey-dovey stuff."

"I just want him to notice me," Rose mutters, grabbing the bag from me and taking a bump for herself.

"Trust me, he notices you; he just isn't interested in fucking you, and that's a good thing. You don't want him, Rose, I promise." I don't want Rose anywhere near my world. In my world, people like Rose get chewed up and spit out.

"Are you going to fuck Jasper?" Rose asks me, redoing her mascara.

"Maybe." I shrug, "Probably. I don't know. He wants Cil too."

"You could do both at the same time." Rose winks at me in the mirror.

I laugh, "Yeah, that's not gonna happen."

"Shame, that would be hot." Rose murmurs, smacking her lips with her freshly coated lip-gloss.

I roll my eyes at her playfully and interlock our fingers, smiling down at the little B, I tattooed on the side of her index finger, matching the R on mine.

"You're my ride or die; you know that?" I tell her, squeezing her hand.

"Me too, bitch." Rose grins at me.

xXx

When we step outside after school, Masen is leaning against my limo, his arms crossed, a pair of black sunglasses covering his eyes. He's in his usual attire, jeans, and a loose-fitting T-shirt, hiding the gun holstered around his waist. His bronze hair is longer now; the strands all messed on his head like he's just been fucking someone. From the slightly lazy smirk on his face, I would bet a G he has.

"Have I told you that your new bodyguard is hot as fuck." Jasper murmurs to me, his blue eyes flicking down Masen's body.

"Yeah." I sigh because everyone's told me. The morning after the first day he picked me up from school, I was practically attacked with questions about him.

Rose elbows me, smirking. "You should get on that, Bella."

I snort. A novel idea if I want to be responsible for Masen's death. I may want him to quit, but I don't want him to die. I'm not entirely sure even Cilian would be safe from harm if my father knew I'd had him over to the house. I only ever sneak him in when Demetri is guarding me on the weekends. He has a fondness for injectables and thus is the only bodyguard I've ever tolerated. Demetri gives me two days of freedom every week, and it's perfect. Sneaking out during the week is much harder; I've managed it only twice so far with Masen, and the third time I tried, he'd materialized out of the shadows like a fucking creature of the night.

"What could you possibly be doing sneaking around at 11 pm, Isabella?"

"I have a fondness for cloak and dagger, Fido." I'd stated, hooking one thumb in my black belt loop, the other hand tugging on my black beanie. "Why are you awake? Are you tortured by thoughts of your useless existence?"

He'd just smirked. "Go back to bed."

Jasper's fingers skim the back of my thigh where my skirt ends, sending delicious tingles through my body. I turn and smirk at him. He grins, "You look really fucking hot today."

I feign disappointment, "Just today?"

"Always." I hear Cilian's low voice in my ear, warm arms wrapping around my waist as he pulls me against his body. I hum, leaning back against him. "I miss you, pretty girl." He murmurs in my ear.

"I'm right here," I say playfully.

"See you guys," Rose says, blowing us a kiss as she walks up to her car.

"Shit, I've gotta go too. Maybe see you later, Cil?" Jasper says, arching a brow behind my head.

"Maybe," Cilian says mysteriously.

Jasper groans, "Both of you...fucking teases."

He winks and then slings his bag over his shoulder and walks off. I watch him go, biting my lip.

"You want him?" Cilian asks me, his thumb stroking the inside of my wrist.

"Kinda," I sigh. "You?"

"Definitely." Cilian chuckles. "But...I'm enjoying making him wait."

I laugh. "Me too."

His mouth brushes my ear again, his voice lowering. "I really fucking miss you, Bella."

"Oh, yeah?" I ask, my eyes fixed on Masen as he arches his brow at me. He's supposed to take me to Dad's office, and I'm making us late. I watch his jaw jump and feel a flood of satisfaction. Finally, a sign I'm pissing him off, though it's fucking typical, it's about my father having to wait for me.

They're all the same, so desperate for his attention, for his praise, for his fucking respect. They don't realize he's incapable of emotion, that he's a straight-up psychopath.

Cilian's warm thumb moves slightly higher up my arm, and I lean back into him more, my eyelashes fluttering as his hot breath caresses my ear.

Maybe I miss Cilian a little bit too. His lean body feels so good pressed up against me, especially because I'm high. My skin feels warm and tingly, my blood burning.

We don't sleep together all the time, just when we both need a release. The last time was over a month ago, and I'm definitely feeling the effects of the hiatus.

"What do you miss?" I say breathily.

Cilian hums, "You remember how good I can make you feel, baby girl? How fucking good we are together?" I shiver, and his arms tighten around me. "Come over this weekend; my parents are in Aspen." His nose nudges my cheek, "We could have so much fun, babe, you know you want to."

I smirk to myself and pull out of his arms, spinning around and giving him a sultry look. "Nope."

Cilian laughs, biting his bottom lip. "Mm soon then."

"If you're lucky," I say, winking at him before I turn back to Masen, heading in his direction. He opens the car door for me, and I get in, sprawling across the seats.

"Aren't you a good dog, waiting patiently like that, Fido," I say, smirking at him as he sits in the seat opposite me. He doesn't remove his sunglasses, and it irritates me. "Do you want a treat?" I ask playfully.

Masen ignores me, and I tilt my head at him, leaning forward to place a hand on his knee. He starts, his teeth clenching, and I grin, lifting my hand off again.

His sigh of relief is loud in the car, and there's a tiny flicker of discomfort under my ribs. He turns his head to Stevie. "Drive as fast you can; we're running late." The flicker disappears.

"Will do, Mase," Stevie says calmly, his brown eyes meeting mine in the mirror. He gives me a look that says behave.

He's been driving me since I was six, so I don't know how he hasn't gotten the memo that I'll never behave.

"Aren't you just my father's perfect little bitch." I say to Masen, reaching forward and plucking the sunglasses from his face, chucking them to the floor.

Green eyes blaze at me for a second, the anger in them thrilling. But then it disappears again. Masen crosses his arms, his expression relaxing until he just looks bored.

He wants to play it like that, fine. I reach down and pick the sunglasses up from the floor. They're Ray-Bans. Real ones, surprisingly. I smile at him and then snap them in half. Masen's teeth echo the sound as they slam against each other.

"Whoops." I laugh, "so clumsy...silly me." I pout sadly, "You know, Fido, I'd replace them for you, but…" I sigh dramatically, "I don't care." I smirk at him as I throw the broken glasses at his chest, then pull out my phone.

Just wait, Masen, I'm going to break you so hard you cry.

A/N Well, what do you think? EPOV again next chapter, we're going to go back and forth ;) Can't wait for you to read the next one, I'm loving writing this, and I hope you're enjoying reading it!

Some updates while I have your attention *clears throat*

(x) I wrote a little steamy short called 'Teasing Mr. Cullen' - involving Teacherward - check it out! Last chapter posts tomorrow.

(x) I'm posting a NEW story on Thursday, and there will be weekly updates! Make sure you're in the FB group to find out more about that - it's Creaatingmadness (link in my bio).

(x) My bestie, PearlyFox just started uploading a new fic called Metamorphic - I've been lucky enough to pre-read this and guys...you don't want to miss it! It's Rose x Emmett, and you'll love it!

Have an amazing week,

Ella xx