Page 51 of Depraved Boys

In my mind, Leopold gave me sly looks, and Prakash sneered. Dread rolled through my belly, and I shuddered. It would be a disaster, but I would survive. I stared at the double doors of the academy, willing myself to open the car door and stride through them.

“I can’t lose you too.” His voice broke.

The sound of his pain made my heart splinter. I wrapped my arms around Uncle Trevor’s neck and rested my head on his shoulder. Sometimes, I was so consumed with my problems, I forgot that he’d also lost his sister.

“It was a bit of hazing,” I murmured into his neck. “Which I survived. They’ll leave me alone, now.”

He wrapped his arms around my middle and harrumphed. “They’d better, or Hortense and I will have to work something else out.”

We broke the hug, and I leaned back into the seat. Uncle Trevor’s car was an oasis where at least one person didn’t expect me to perform, subject me to insults, use me as a human punching bag, or a means to win a bet.

My mind drifted to the kings. Had I imagined Prakash standing over my semiconscious form? If that was really him, he would have stayed around to scold me more about not fitting into his precious academy.

I sucked in a deep, steadying breath. “It’s time to go.”

The first steps through the double doors were laden with dread, but as I progressed through the marble hallway toward Mrs. Benazir’s office, I raised my chin and pulled my shoulders back.

Since the doctors had classified what the girls had done as sexual assault, the headmistress would expel them. Despite what Cormac implied about Mrs. Benazir and what Corrine had said in her diary about the woman’s love of money, I was sure she wouldn’t prioritize tuition fees over justice.

The bell for the third period rang, and students rushed out of the doors. A few boys caught sight of me and approached, their eyes shining with mirth.

“Sooo-eeey!” said one boy.

“Miss Piggy,” cried another.

I raised my head and continued through the hallway. Jeers and taunts wouldn’t break me. Not when Mrs. Benazir dangled a financial carrot that could solve all my problems.

Two years, I told myself. Two years of this shit hole, and I’d get six A-star grades in my A-Level exams and the prestige of having studied at the foremost academy within the Elite Register. Then I’d apply for sponsorship from a large company or any universities that offered generous bursaries.

My grades were better than any of these people, and no amount of taunts would drag me down.

Bruce rushed up to me and stepped in my path. “Willow, isn’t it?”

I walked around him, but he blocked my way.

His face split into a wide grin. “Your sister didn’t tell me you were so kinky. If I’d have known you would do anything for attention, the boys and I would have given you a good spit roasting.”

“I like a good rump steak, myself!” Someone slapped my ass, making me flinch.

“Leave her alone.” A tall, black-haired boy shoved through the crowd. “Do you need an escort through the hallways? I’m your man… as long as you shoot pork ribs out of your pussy like you did for the queens.”

Heat and bile and shame rushed to the back of my throat at the confirmation that everyone knew the worst. Cold sweat beaded on my brow, and I glanced around at the leering faces.

Boys closed in around me and laughed. One of them grabbed me around the waist and dry-humped my ass to raucous cheers.

I dug my nails into his flesh, making him flinch and back off.

“Out of my way!” I shoved through the crowd.

Bruce grabbed my arm. “Where do you think you’re going, Pigsty?”

A hand grabbed my breast. I whirled around and poked the groper straight in the eye, making him stagger back and roar with pain.

Bruce’s grip tightened around my arm. “You’re staying with me.”

Baring my teeth, I reached down to his crotch and squeezed.

“Bitch!” As soon as he doubled over, I drove the heel of my hand into his nose and enjoyed the satisfying crunch.