Page 24 of Outcast

Everyone stopped talking. We hardly ever saw our housemaster these days. I suspected he was lying low with shame after the shampoo incident.

Mr. Jenkins cleared his throat. “As you are aware, it’s half-term in a fortnight.”

Excited chatter spread across the room, and I blinked. Did that mean we got a mid-term break in two weeks? I’d have to check my bank balance, but if I could get a cheap flight, I might be able to make it to La Jolla and back without too much jet lag.

“This half-term, we’re hiking in the peak district!” said our housemaster.

Everyone broke out into raucous cheers. I glanced at Rita, who dipped her head. This couldn’t be good news.

“All special equipment will be provided from school stores, but for those of you wanting to maximize the experience, I’ve left a list of items you might find useful.” He walked to the other side of the dining hall and placed a stack of papers on the table by the door.

I turned to Rita. “Is this trip compulsory?”

“They’ll close down the house for the week. The only way to get out of it is by breaking a bone.”

I shuddered. “Have you hiked before?”

“There was hiking in last year’s whale watching trip,” she said in a low voice. “But those three tied me to a tree when it was time to leave.”

“What happened?”

“Apart from the boat having to come back for me an hour later, nothing.” Her gaze flickered to the head table. “No one does anything against them.”

I turned to glare at the triumvirate, only to find Edward walking over with Charlotte on one side, and Patricia, the taller doppelgänger he was currently dating, on the other. I narrowed my eyes. What happened to the truce? They were supposed to leave me alone, but the determination blazing in Edward’s eyes told me he was about to restart this campaign of bullying. My hand patted for my blazer pocket and felt the reassuring bulge of my smartphone.

A malicious grin spread across Edward’s face, revealing straight, white teeth that looked like they’d sprout fangs if I so much as exposed my neck. He certainly had the cruel beauty of a vampire. “I expect you’ve been wondering about the current ceasefire.”

“Not really.” I affected a bored voice, but on the inside, my stomach twisted into knots. I still had the recording. Wasn’t that the reason why they’d stopped the bullying?

“Blake suggested we let things cool off for a bit,” said Charlotte. “Save our energy for the school trip.”

Clenching my teeth, I flicked my gaze to the head table. Blake leaned back in his seat, arms folded, brows raised with challenge. The lying bastard hadn’t told Charlotte about the recording. He’d just been stalling for time!

I had to do something. With a deep breath, I leaned forward and rested my hand on my chin. “I heard something really interesting about you, Lottie.”

“Don’t call me that,” she snapped.

“The best fellator in Elder House.” I smirked.

Charlotte’s face paled.

Edward turned to her. “What’s the trollop talking about?”

She rolled her eyes. “Herself, most likely. Whores are supposed to have fellatio skills.”

He smirked. “We have something extra special planned for you. It will send you running for the hills. Make sure you hone those trollop skills. You’ll need them.”

I folded my arms across my chest. “Let me guess? I can avoid all of this torment by booking the next flight to the States.”

“I don’t care where you go, as long as you leave my academy.” His voice was glacier-hard.

“That’s not going to happen.” It hurt to say the words. I wasn’t particularly enjoying my time here at. Even though Park Prep, had its share of mean girls, they hurt egos, not eyes.

“Very well.” Edward straightened. “Then you give us tacit permission to torment you as we please.” He spun on his heel and strode back to the head table. With a fake giggle, Patricia, his doppelgänger of the day. scurried after him.

Charlotte stood over us, nostrils flaring. “What did you mean earlier?”

“Me?” I widened my eyes. “Didn’t Blake tell you about the recording of you sucking him off like a pornstar?” I shook my head. “Someone so quick to call others trollops really should be careful what they put in their mouths. Especially when they’re looking to marry rich.”