Fallen Crest High

"Mason and Logan didn't say anything?"

"Nah." She shook her head as another yawn came over it. "They'd already gone back to you by then. Oh, and we could hear that girl crying through the door. She should've shut up by then, I mean, you punched someone out for her. She could've been more appreciative."

I shook my head. I had no recollection of any of it. "So how'd we get here?"

"This is your room. You were in there for about thirty minutes and then somehow you snuck out."

"I said that?" I grinned slightly.

She nodded her head with a wide smile as well. "You said something about not needing their protection and you snuck out. I guess Mason and Logan got into some tiff. That's what you told me."

"I said that too?"

"Uh huh." She chuckled. "And then you and I went to the indoor pool. I had no idea it was even there, but you did. No one else was in there. We stayed down there the rest of the night until…that's where my black out starts. I have no idea. I remember drinking and swimming and you lecturing me how we weren't being smart, but we were being fun."

I groaned with my head in my hands. "I don't want to deal with anyone today. What time is it?"

Becky shrugged, still curled up among the bedcovers. "I'm sure it's time to start packing. Everyone was going to leave after breakfast today."

I swung my heavy head to the side and saw both my bags in the corner. I grunted. "Looks like I'm packed."

Becky snorted before she rolled off the bed. "I gotta find my room. See you in a bit."

"See ya." I waved as she stumbled out the door.

She hadn't been gone long before someone else knocked. I tried to yell for them to come in, but it sounded like a frog's croak so I heaved myself up and opened the door wide. I expected Mason or even Logan, but instead I was in for a surprise.

Miranda Stewart, Fallen Academy's elite queen bee stood at my door.

She gave me a timid smile and brushed a strand of her auburn hair back. I didn't know why, it looked perfect pulled high in a clip with small braids decorating her head. A few wisps were allowed out and it gave her a softer look. Maybe that's what she was going for.

Her emerald eyes sparked in warmth and she folded her hands in front of her. "Hi, Samantha."

The sound of my full name kicked me in gear. It sounded so formal and it should've. We weren't friends.

"Miranda."

She glanced over my shoulder. "Can I come in or do you have company?"

I chuckled. "Becky just left."

"Oh." She glanced down at her hands. Then she laughed softly. "I realized how that sounded. I didn't mean to imply anything."

I narrowed my eyes. The Miranda Stewart I knew wasn't this self-conscious shy girl. She was tough and smart enough to control the rest of the Academy Elite. She was the brains behind so many operations. I didn't know what I'd done to warrant her attention.

"Well." She took a deep breath. "I'm sure you're wondering why I'm here."

My mouth stayed closed, but I gestured for her to come in. As she perched on the coach, I leaned against my dresser. The bed looked tempting, but I didn't trust myself to stay out of it the rest of the day.

"I came to apologize for Cassandra. She tends to react before she thinks sometimes."

"Why are you saying this to me?" I was surprised at my blunt tone. Maybe it was Mason's boldness or how the truth seemed to always fall off Becky's tongue, but one of them had rubbed off on me.

From the slight widening of her eyes, Miranda must've shared in my sentiments. She sighed. "Because I don't want an enemy from you."

"Why?"

"The truth?"

I lifted a shoulder. "What else?"

She took another deep breath and smoothed her hands down her jeans. "Because you're really powerful right now and I don't want a war at school."

I was stunned once again. "Why would there be a war?"

"Because Cassandra is jealous of you." Her eyes darkened and she looked at her lap.

Ah ha. I nodded in understanding. "So you're saying that she's not going to stop with her jabs?"

There seemed to be genuine regret in her eyes. "Yes, but you have to understand where it's coming from. Adam's always liked you and he's always championed for you. He wanted you to come into the group, and not as his girlfriend. When you turned him down, it seemed to hurt him even more and he'd already been hurt by Ashley too. Cassandra is very protective of him."

"And she wants to date him."

"I can't say anything about that, but I know she wasn't nice to you or Rebecca last night."

"So what do you want from me?"

She stood and gave me that same sad smile. "Cassandra is one of my best friends and I love her to death, but know that she doesn't have our support if she's mean to you. She doesn't have my support. I like you, Samantha. I always agreed with Adam. I thought you would've been a great addition to the group."

When she glanced at her watch and then the door, I knew her visit had ended. She said what she wanted so I followed her to the door and held it open for her. "I guess I should say thanks for your warning then?"

She laughed again, the sound was so delicate. No wonder she'd been made the Queen. I wanted to give her a crown myself and stand guard before her.

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