Chapter 4

Allie wandered across the courtyard after her English Lit class to wait for Sasha and Chloe. She took a seat at one of the many fountains dotting the perfectly manicured Cliffton grounds. The noises of the city center were muffled by the trees and the lake breeze that was ever present along the shore.

“Crap,” she muttered as a striking blond headed her way. “Why does every school have mean girls?”

“You’ve just identified their queen.” Allie recognized the voice from several of her classes.

“Vince, right? I’m Allie—”

“You’ve been here nearly a month, short stuff, everyone knows you.” He grinned as he crouched down beside her. “That’s Brianna Spelman Prentice. She’s the great-great-granddaughter of John D. Rockefeller, and she scares the crap out of me. So, I’m going to hide behind you and this fountain if you don’t mind. I have no shame.”

There was something about Vince that reminded her of Gavin. It was his gentle confidence and the way he looked directly into her eyes when he spoke. He felt it; that awkward discomfort, but he brushed it aside like it was nothing.

“Vincent, hi. Walk me to class?” Brianna asked sweetly.

“Sorry, I’m hanging with Allie right now.”

“I’ll come find you at lunch then.” She shot him a brilliant smile. Allie might as well have been wallpaper.

“Brianna, I’ve told you I don’t date Cliffton girls.”

“I guess that doesn’t include trailer trash?”

“Not cool, you little—”

“Vince, it’s fine,” Allie said. “I’m sorry, Brianna. I’ve never lived in a trailer, but I did live in a fabulous tree house in the Amazon. Does that count?”

“Nice,” Vince said, leaning in a little closer to Allie.

“Whatever!” Brianna abandoned her sweet tone completely as she stalked off, leaving Allie alone with Vince.

“So, tree house in the jungle? That actually true?”

“Yeah, we lived in Brazil when I was in middle school, and I spent a lot of time with my dad out in the jungle. We had this huge tree house in the upper canopy with awesome views.”

“You’re kinda cool, Allie Carmichael. I might have to reconsider my ‘no Cliffton girls’ rule. See you around.” He headed off across the courtyard.

Wowsa. She grinned as she watched him go. She really liked him, but she also felt a huge surge of guilt about Gavin. She shouldn’t be flirting with boys so soon.

“Allie?” She heard the hesitant voice across the fountain.

“Senior Physics and Calculus? McKayla, right?”

“Just Kayla. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but I thought I should warn you. Vince and Aidan kinda hate each other.” Allie detected a note of sadness in her voice.

“Ew, boy drama.” She wrinkled her nose. “Any advice?”

“‘Fraid not.” Kayla giggled, and Allie decided she really liked the quiet older girl. She was certain they would be friends.

* * *

“You should’ve warned me basketball practice was at five-freaking a.m..” Allie yawned as they headed for the locker room after her first practice with the team.

“Would you have still tried out?” Sasha asked, swatting Allie with her captain’s jersey.

“Probably not.” She dodged the cheap shot.

They were quickly becoming close friends. She wasn’t always comfortable with Allie, but Sasha tried very hard to hide it.

“I have a meeting with the coach, so I’ll catch up with you later, if that’s all right?”

“Yeah, sure. No problem.” Allie frowned. She found it incredibly odd how her new friends seemed to defer to Aidan as some sort of authority figure, but it really creeped her out when they started doing it to her.

“I do not understand what he sees in you.” Brianna slammed her locker door with a bang.

“Me either,” Allie said. “Who’re we talking about?”

“Vincent.” Brianna rolled her eyes. “I don’t get it.”

“You don’t have to, and seriously? You know he prefers Vince.”

“Whatever, you can have him; just stay away from Aidan. He and I are social equals, and you have no place in our circle.”

“We’re just friends. I haven’t known him long, but I do know you’re not his type.”

“Let’s let him make that decision.”

Allie tossed her bag over her shoulder with a disgusted snort, watching Brianna storm off toward the courtyard.

“There you are,” Aidan called when she stepped outside. He was looking decidedly irritated. “I just barely managed to avoid Brianna again.”

“Iced coffee? Is that for me?” She accepted the drink gratefully.

“It’s a bribe. You’re much less mean when you’ve been properly caffeinated.”

“Har, har. At least you’re learning … in some things.” She arched her brow at his offered hand, shoving her free one into her jacket pocket, instead. The deep attraction between them was always there, and as much as she wanted to put her hand in his, something held her back.

As they turned the corner to the conservatory, they ran into Brianna, lying in wait for him.

Allie steeled herself for more scathing remarks, but Brianna shoved past them, unable to hide the anger in her eyes.

“What is it with that girl? I’m a perfectly lovely person,” she said dryly.

“Well, let’s see. She claims you stole her spot on the team. She’s been chasing Vince forever, but he’s been steadfastly running in the opposite direction. Then, you show up and manage to turn his head without even trying—and thanks for that,” he growled. “Because she’s now turning her attention on me.”

“Meh, some people just don’t like me.”

“I can’t imagine why.”

“I’ve been warned to stay away from you.” Allie giggled.

“Please tell me you’re joking.”

“Nope, apparently you are ‘equals’ and I’m to keep my distance.”

“That’s rather ironic.”

“Well, you seem to have the one thing she wants.”

“What? A pulse?”

“A pedigree. Like a puppy.” She cocked her head in amusement. “That’s one scary stalker-girlfriend you’ve got.”

“Protect me?” he pleaded in mock horror as they headed in opposite directions.